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.
Harju County has a humid continental climate moderated by the Baltic Sea. Summers are mild to warm (18-23°C highs) with very long days, winters are cold (-9 to 1°C) and dark with snow, and spring and autumn are cool and changeable. Rain falls year-round, peaking in July-October.
Best time to visit
Overall Best: June-August for warm days and festivals; late May and September for fewer visitors
Reasons:
- Longest daylight (up to 19 hours) in June
- Warmest sea in July-August
- Islands and ferries operate in summer
- September offers colour and fewer crowds
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
-4°C/25°F
Cold, dark and snowy; Old Town Christmas atmosphere ends early January
February
-5°C/23°F
Coldest month; frozen bay and good skiing in Kõrvemaa
March
-1°C/30°F
Thawing; slushy but days lengthen quickly
April
5°C/41°F
Spring begins; buds and Pirita walks
May
11°C/52°F
Green and bright; Old Town terraces open
June
15°C/59°F
Long white nights near midsummer; Jaaniõhtu bonfires on 23 June
July
18°C/64°F
Warmest month; Beer Summer and many festivals
August
17°C/63°F
Warm and wetter; sea at its warmest
September
12°C/54°F
Golden light, fewer crowds, mushroom and berry season
October
7°C/45°F
Autumn colours, rain and wind increase
November
2°C/36°F
Grey and short days; first snow possible
December
-1°C/30°F
Christmas market, early dark (about 6 hours of daylight)
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar-May
Cool and gradually brighter (0-12°C); ice leaves the bay in April; waterfalls at Keila-Joa and Jägala are strongest.
Summer
Months: Jun-Aug
Warm and long days (18-23°C highs), up to 19 hours of daylight; sea around 17-20°C; thunderstorms are possible in July and August.
Fall
Months: Sep-Nov
Mild September, rainy October, grey November (2-12°C); good hiking light.
Winter
Months: Dec-Feb
Cold (-9 to 1°C), dark and often snowy; the Old Town Christmas market and saunas are highlights; Kõrvemaa offers ski tracks.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- June-August (cruise ships and festivals in Tallinn Old Town)
- Shoulder Season
- May, September and the Christmas market period (late November-early January)
- Low Season
- January-March and November (quiet, lowest prices)
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Tallinn Music Week
Multi-venue music showcase festival across Tallinn.
Tallinn Old Town Days
A week of medieval-themed events, concerts and markets.
Jaanipäev (Midsummer)
Bonfires, singing and picnics; the biggest national holiday in Estonia.
Tallinn Medieval Days / Beer Summer
Medieval festival in the Old Town and the Õllesummer music festival at the Song Festival Grounds.
Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF)
Tallinn's international film festival in November.
Tallinn Christmas Market
Town Hall Square market with a large tree and mulled wine.