Best Time to Visit:
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Average Cost:
€1,200 - €1,800 / month
Wi-Fi Speed:
Exceptional
Visa Situation:
Schengen Zone
Pros
Hyper-modern digital infrastructure, affordable cost of living, stunningly beautiful medieval Old Town, English is very widely spoken.
Cons:
Winters are very long, dark, and cold. As a smaller capital, the social scene can be less bustling than in larger hubs.
Table of contents
- Why Tallinn? My Personal Take
- Best Neighborhoods for Nomads & Backpackers
- Cost of Living: A Sample Budget in Krakow
- Co-working Spaces & Best Cafes with Wi-Fi
- Getting Around Tallinn
- Top Things to See & Do (On a Budget)
- Visas, SIM Cards & The Digital Future
- The Verdict: Is Tallinn Worth It for You?
- Have You Experienced Tallinn's Digital Scene?
Why Tallinn? My Personal Take
Welcome to the city where medieval cobblestone streets meet a trailblazing digital future. Tallinn is a captivating city of contrasts, and it might just be Europe's most forward-thinking hub for remote workers. This guide is your key to unlocking the charm of its UNESCO-listed Old Town and the innovation of its world-famous digital society.
Best Neighborhoods for Nomads & Backpackers
Choosing your base in Tallinn is easy, as the city is compact and well-connected.
Vanalinn (The Old Town)
The Vibe: Living inside a fairytale. It's a beautifully preserved maze of medieval walls, towers, and cobblestone streets. It’s the main tourist hub, so it can be crowded and pricey.
Best For: Short-term stays and those who want to be immersed in history.
Kalamaja
The Vibe: The undisputed hipster heart of Tallinn. Famous for its charming traditional wooden houses, this neighborhood is packed with cool cafes, bars, and independent shops. It's right next to the city's main creative campus.
Best For: Creatives, and anyone looking for a vibrant, community-focused neighborhood.
Kadriorg
The Vibe: Elegant, green, and peaceful. This upscale neighborhood is home to the stunning Kadriorg Park, art museums, and beautiful historic villas. It's a quiet residential area perfect for escaping the city buzz.
Best For: Those seeking a calmer, more refined stay and who love being close to nature.
Cost of Living: A Sample Budget in Krakow
| Category | Average |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (Private Room/Studio) | 600€ - 950€ |
| Groceries | 250€ |
| Eating Out & Coffee | 300€ |
| Public Transport (T-casual card) | 30€ |
| Co-working (Hot Desk) | 150€ |
| Activities & Fun | 150€ |
| SAMPLE TOTAL | 1,480€ - 1,830€ |
Co-working Spaces & Best Cafes with Wi-Fi
As a tech hub, Tallinn is packed with excellent places to work.
Lift99: One of the most famous co-working spaces in the Baltics, known for its vibrant startup community and regular networking events.
Palo Alto Club: A cozy and well-equipped co-working space with a friendly, international vibe.
Telliskivi Creative Campus: Not a single co-working space, but a massive complex of them, along with cafes, restaurants, and studios. You will inevitably spend a lot of time working and socializing here.
Fika Leib & Kohv: A popular and cozy cafe that is very laptop-friendly, perfect for a few hours of focused work.
Getting Around Tallinn
Top Things to See & Do (On a Budget)
Get Lost in the Medieval Old Town: Wander the cobblestone streets, climb the city walls, and find a viewpoint to take in the fairytale skyline.
Explore the Telliskivi Creative Campus: A former industrial complex turned into the city's coolest area for street art, indie shops, and unique restaurants.
Relax in Kadriorg Park: A vast and beautiful park, perfect for a stroll, which also houses the Kadriorg Palace and the Kumu Art Museum.
Experience an Estonian Sauna: A quintessential part of the culture. Many locals have them in their homes, but you can find public saunas to experience the tradition.
Visas, SIM Cards & The Digital Future
Visas: Estonia is in the Schengen Zone (90/180 day rule).
Estonia's Digital Nomad Visa (DNV): This is a game-changer. Estonia was one of the first countries to offer an official visa for remote workers, allowing them to live in the country for up to a year.
Estonia's e-Residency: Note that this is not a visa. E-Residency is a digital identity that allows you to start and manage an EU-based company online from anywhere in the world. Many nomads use the e-Residency program to run their business while using the DNV to live in the country.
SIM Cards: Easily available from providers like Telia, Elisa, or Tele2.
