The capitals of Estonia and Finland are well connected by sea, making them a perfect combination for a day trip. Falstaff tells you how to plan this twin city adventure.
Helsinki in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia are often called twin cities because of their proximity, the trip across the Gulf of Finland little more than 80km in length, far less than the distance from either capital to the second-largest city in their respective countries. The journey between the two is a popular and well-used route: Helsinki has 650,000 inhabitants and Tallinn 450,000, but last year 6,150,000 passengers travelled between the cities.
How is that even possible? Three shipping companies organise sea travel between Tallinn and Helsinki and every day there are twelve ferry round-trips. One trip takes two hours and day excursions between the two cities are commonplace.
The ships are specially built for short cruises and, at the beginning of the year, the newest craft amongst them, Tallink/Silja Line’s MyStar, came to the sea. It is like a floating city centre, offering a wide variety of options for eating and drinking, and if that doesn’t interest you, the shopping area gives the impression of a department store in terms of both area and product selection.
The ferry, which cost a quarter of a billion euros, can accommodate up to 2,800 passengers with those wanting privacy able to book a cabin; alternatively, you can buy a ticket for one of the ship's three lounges: Comfort, Business, Platinum, the last being particularly exclusive. Compared to first class air travel, the comforts offered on board ship are far superior.
You can sail between the two cities either fully enjoying the romance of the sea or, on the contrary, being totally unaware that you’re even on board a ship.
A half-day visit to a foreign city is just as exotic as a two-hour sea cruise. What can be done in such a short time? The first thing is to plan ahead, otherwise it will definitely be a case of there not being enough time for anything at all.
If the sea trip between Tallinn and Helsinki is your first, there is so much to explore on board the ferry that you won’t even have time to eat. In both Tallinn and Helsinki, the restaurant guides are important helpers, with the best places to eat in Tallinn recommended by the Flavors of Estonia's White Guide; in Helsinki, Viisi Tähteä helps you decide. For pizza lovers, it is good to know that both cities have pizza restaurants that are among Europe's TOP 50: two of them in Helsinki – Forza and Luca – and Kaja Pizza Kitchen in Tallinn.
Saunas are popular on both sides of the bay. Both cities have one very special sauna, a visit to which will surely be remembered for a long time. Tallinn Iglupark is a small town of igloos, where you can rent an igloo office for work, an igloo hotel room for overnight stays and, of course, an igloo sauna. Löyly has a sauna as well as a restaurant – check out the websites of both places and a visit to either is an experience you won’t forget.
The most appropriate sauna drink is, of course, beer. There are several craft breweries in both cities, some boasting their own Tap Rooms. The most famous beer restaurant in Tallinn is Põhjala Tap Room, and The Pyynikin Brewhouse, located on the Esplanade, is definitely on the to-visit list for beer lovers heading to Helsinki.
In addition to beer, craft gin is popular in both cities. The most famous gin maker in Estonia is Junimperium, its bar and distillery located in the same building, and those who are interested can learn the secrets of gin-making. One of Finland's most popular gins is produced by Helsinki Distilling Company. In addition to the bar, they have a restaurant and also offer a distillery tour as well.
Both gin distilleries are located in a city block worth visiting. Helsinki Distilling Company is located at Teurastamo, the territory of the former slaughterhouse has now become an important centre of Helsinki's modern urban culture; Junimperium is in the Telliskivi Creative City.
Half a day is not enough for a more in-depth look around both cities, but you certainly cannot leave either without seeing their symbolic districts: in Helsinki, this is the Esplanade in the city centre, while in Tallinn, it is the medieval Old Town.
