Where to spend New Year's Eve in Tallinn?

After staying in Helsinki for 2 days, we've booked a hotel in Tallinn, bought ferry tickets and went to Tallinn. First, I want to start how and where to buy tickets to the ferry, how much they cost etc. If you do not want to pay double price for one ticket, DO NOT buy tickets at the ferry terminal, as we did 1 day before departure. There are several ferry companies: we purchased tickets from Viking Line because there were good feedbacks about them on the internet. The tickets start at ~25 euro one way and depend on the busyness of the ferry. Easiest, fastest and cheapest way to buy tickets is to book here online.The ferry was huge (Viking XPRS)! It was cruise ship that can carry up to 2500 passengers and around 230 cars. The ship offers activities and experiences for all ages. Gambling games, duty-free, cafes, bars, restaurants, conference hall, karaoke corner, live music, free wi-fi – simply various entertainments inside one ship. The ship was made up by 10 floors, where 3^rd and 4^th floors were for cars, 5^th and 6^th floors were cabins (cabin for 4 persons cost around 35 euro), 7^th and 8^th floor were cafes and restaurants, 9^th and 10^th floors were open areas.

Important info: there are only 2 daily trips from Helsinki to Tallinn and back. So be sure to check the time schedule before the trip!

Before arriving in Estonia, I've been expecting Tallinn to be 'soviet style' town, that I used to see in Baku or Moscow, with old architectures. However, I was shocked and left speechless right after I left the ship. I couldn't believe how a former Soviet state became one of the most advanced cities in the world with modern buildings, cafes, restaurants, bars etc.

For New Year's Eve celebration I'd advise you to go to Freedom square near the old town to watch fireworks. At 23:45 President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid had a speech and wished everyone a happy and blessed new 2018 year in front of thousands of people who gathered there in this square. After 60 s countdown, at 00:00 sharp we had the most beautiful and amazing firework shows that lasted nearly 30 minutes. And afterward, everyone went to different pubs to continue the celebration or to Market Square where live DJ entertained us until the morning. 

Comment below how and where have you spent your new year! 👇😉

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8 things to do in Helsinki in 2 days!

I guess we were fortunate to be in Helsinki at the end of December, because there still were some post-Christmas celebrations at the city center, buildings were so lightly illuminated (bright?), however the biggest Christmas market that was in front of Helsinki Cathedral at Senate Square was nearly removed when we got there before the New Year’s Eve. So below read about what to do in Helsinki in two days in December.

1) Go to Helsinki Cathedral on Senate square. It was built in the mid of 19^th century, and initially was called St. Nicholas Cathedral after the Russian Tsar Nicolas I who was Grand Duke of Finland. In 1917 after Finnish independence the cathedral was renamed to Helsinki Cathedral. This neoclassical cathedral is worth to see! 

2) If you follow the street towards the sea, you come across with Finnish sauna and pool with ice water near the seaside, where you can see the bravest Finnish people and tourists entering cold pool after the hot sauna. And the temperature outside was only 1-2⁰C.

3) Right after Sauna, we found ourselves in the Market Square. If you are looking for souvenirs you must come here. Even if the prices are a bit higher than in small shops in other parts of Helsinki. 

4) The next sightseeing that you must see during December is Esplanadi Park. It is an urban park in downtown and green heart of Helsinki. It was so bright and colorful everywhere in this park.

5) Stockman is the famous shopping mall in Helsinki, where you can find simply everything from buttons till furniture.

6) Helsinki Central Station is another #mustsee place. This is the main station for long-distance trains departing from Finland to other countries.

7) There is ice-skating beside the railway station. Entrance fee + renting the ice skates cost 12 euro.

8) The last step in our trip was to jump on ‘ferry’ and go to Tallinn/Estonia. The trip takes 2.5 hours. 
What’s magical about this ferry and how we spent New Year in Tallinn will be in WHERE TO SPEND NEW YEAR'S EVE IN TALLINN? post. 

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