Harju County is Estonia's most populous county, wrapped around the capital Tallinn on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland. Visitors find a UNESCO-listed medieval old town, Baroque Kadriorg, the flooded Rummu Quarry, Padise Abbey, Keila-Joa Waterfall, the Pakri peninsula and island day trips to Aegna and Prangli, all within about an hour of the capital.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Hand-knitted wool sweater
Traditional Nordic-pattern sweater, mittens or socks from Estonian wool
Price: EUR 40-120 (approx USD 43-130)
Where: Müürivahe Sweater Wall, Old Town
Vana Tallinn liqueur
Estonian rum-based herbal liqueur, about 40 percent
Price: EUR 15-25 (approx USD 16-27)
Where: Supermarkets, Viru Keskus, duty-free shops
Kalev chocolate and marzipan
Estonian confectionery, including marzipan figures
Price: EUR 3-20 (approx USD 3-22)
Where: Maiasmokk, Pikk 16; supermarkets
Rye bread and smoked fish
Dark sourdough and Baltic smoked fish for the trip
Price: EUR 2-10 (approx USD 2-11)
Where: Balti Jaama Turg
Glass and ceramics
Hand-blown glass and pottery from local workshops
Price: EUR 10-80 (approx USD 11-86)
Where: Katariina Käik
Linen textiles
Natural linen towels, table linen and bags, a long Estonian tradition
Price: EUR 10-60 (approx USD 11-65)
Where: Old Town craft shops, Solaris design stores
Juniper wood items
Cutting boards, spoons and kitchenware carved from juniper
Price: EUR 8-40 (approx USD 9-43)
Where: Old Town craft shops, Christmas market
Amber jewellery
Baltic amber pendants, rings and earrings
Price: EUR 15-150 (approx USD 16-162)
Where: Old Town shops, Balti Jaama Turg
Estonian honey and tea
Local honey, herbal tea and berry preserves
Price: EUR 5-15 (approx USD 5-16)
Where: Markets, Christmas market
Estonian craft beer
Bottled craft beer from Põhjala and other breweries
Price: EUR 3-8 per bottle (approx USD 3-9)
Where: Põhjala Tap Room, supermarkets
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Balti Jaama Turg
Fresh produce, smoked fish, antiques, vintage clothing, local crafts
Where: Tallinn - Kalamaja, beside Baltic Station
Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM, Sat-Sun 8AM-5PM
Müürivahe Sweater Wall
Hand-knitted Estonian wool sweaters, hats, mittens and socks
Where: Tallinn - Old Town city wall
Hours: Daily about 10AM-5PM (longer in summer)
Katariina Käik craft lane
Glass, ceramics, jewellery and textile workshops in a medieval lane
Where: Tallinn - Old Town
Hours: Typically Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM (workshops vary)
Town Hall Square Christmas Market
Handicrafts, honey, mulled wine and winter knits
Where: Tallinn - Old Town
Hours: Late November to early January, daily 10AM-8PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Old Town (Vanalinn)
Pedestrian streets with crafts, amber and knitwear
Best for: souvenirs
Viru Street and Viru Keskus
Main shopping corridor linking the Old Town to the city centre
Best for: fashion and cosmetics
Rotermann Quarter
Renovated industrial district with design shops and restaurants
Best for: Estonian design and fashion
Telliskivi Creative City
Design studios, vintage shops and a weekend flea market
Best for: design and vintage
Ülemiste Keskus
Large mall by the airport
Best for: one-stop shopping before flights
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Viru Keskus
Hours: Mon-Sat 9AM-9PM, Sun 9AM-7PM (confirm on virukeskus.com)
Ülemiste Keskus
Hours: Daily 9AM-9PM (confirm on ylemiste.ee)
Solaris
Hours: Daily 9AM-9PM (confirm on solaris.ee)
Kristiine Keskus
Hours: Daily 10AM-9PM
Tallinna Kaubamaja
Hours: Mon-Sat 9AM-9PM, Sun 10AM-8PM (confirm on kaubamaja.ee)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is not customary in shops or malls; fixed prices apply
At flea markets (Balti Jaama Turg, Telliskivi) polite negotiation of 10 to 20 percent is accepted
Pay by card in most shops; cash is useful only at a few market stalls
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Shops are normally open Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM; malls till 9PM, Sunday trading is allowed in malls, and some small shops close on Sunday, Public holidays reduce hours, and 24 December closes early