Estonia is home to a number of fascinating ancient ruins and interesting architecture. One of the most well-known sites is the Tallinn Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site with well-preserved medieval buildings, cobblestone streets, and historic …
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Backpacking Estonia in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Estonia with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Welcome to Estonia, a digital wonderland blending medieval charm with modern innovation for the backpacker. Pros? Discover medieval towns, pristine nature, and tech-savvy cities on a budget-friendly scale. The efficient transport system makes exploration easy. However, the country's smaller size might limit extended backpacking adventures. For those seeking a unique blend of history and tech in a compact and affordable package, Estonia offers a distinctive European experience, where cultural richness meets innovation, making it an ideal destination for a diverse backpacking adventure.
Best known for:Known for: safety | architecture | cheap
Best time to visit: June-August
Best known for:Known for: safety | architecture | cheap
Best time to visit: June-August
Why to go?
Why backpacking in Estonia
Architecture
Cheap
The average cost for backpacking in Estonia can vary depending on the traveler’s preferences and travel style. On average, budget travelers can expect to spend around 25-40 EUR per day. This includes accommodation in hostels or budget guesthouses, …
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💡 Highlights
Top-5 things to do in Estonia
- Tallinn Old Town: Explore the charming medieval streets of Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the well-preserved medieval architecture, visit historic landmarks, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of this ancient city.
- Saaremaa Island: Discover the largest island in Estonia, known for its picturesque landscapes, beautiful beaches, and unique culture. Explore the medieval castle in Kuressaare, visit the Kaali meteorite crater, and enjoy the peacefulness of the island’s nature.
- Lahemaa National Park: Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Estonia by visiting Lahemaa National Park. Explore the diverse landscapes, including forests, lakes, and coastal areas. Discover charming traditional villages and learn about Estonia’s rich cultural heritage.
- Parnu: Relax and unwind in the charming seaside resort town of Parnu. Enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches, take a stroll along the promenade, and indulge in the town’s vibrant spa culture. Parnu is also known for its lively nightlife and festivals.
- Peipsi Lake: Visit Peipsi Lake, the fourth largest lake in Europe, and explore the unique culture of the Russian Old Believers. Experience the tranquility of the lake’s surroundings, taste traditional Russian and Estonian cuisine, and learn about the local customs and traditions.
But Estonia offers more...
🌤️ When to go?
Best time to go backpacking Estonia
The best time to visit Estonia for backpacking is during the summer months of June, July, and August. During this time, the weather is mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). This allows for comfortable outdoor activities and exploration of Estonia's beautiful nature. Additionally, the longer daylight hours provide more time for sightseeing and enjoying the country's numerous festivals and events.
Risk level: low (0%)
Safety advice for Estonia
- Bag snatching, pickpocketing, mugging and petty theft occur. Pickpockets target people at airports, train stations, parks, routes to major hotels, and the Old Town in Tallinn. They often work in small groups. Keep an eye on your belongings.
- Credit card fraud occurs in tourist areas. Watch your credit card during transactions.
- Drink spiking happens in bars and casinos. Don't leave drinks unattended.
- Car theft is common, especially in Tallinn. Use secure, well-lit carparks. Don't leave valuables in vehicles.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
Estonia
My tips to get you on the way!
Does Estonia sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Estonia. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Estonia may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Estonia. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Estonia may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Estonia, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Estonia, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 24 September 2024