Weather lowdown
If you want to visit Tallinn, Estonia, when the weather is at its best, you should consider visiting in August. August, one of the peak months in summer in the Estonian capital, is the second warmest month of the year, after July. You will be able to enjoy an afternoon temperature of around 22°C, while the nighttime temperature ranges about 12°C. These averages stay the same during the first part of the month, but then begin to decrease slowly in the last week of August.
The overall average temperature this month is 17°C, only one degree below the annual maximum of 18°C in July. The sea temperature is the same as it was in the previous month, averaging 19°C, which is as warm as the Baltic Sea ever gets in this area. If you want to go and take a dip in the sea, August is one of the best times of year to do so. By September, the sea temperature will drop to less comfortable levels.
Although the days remain quite long throughout the month, their length does decrease. August 1 is the longest day with 16.39 hours of daylight, while August 31 is the shortest day with 14.10 daylight hours. July was the least cloudy month of them all and August sees cloud cover increase once again, if only slightly. The percentage of cloud cover climbs from 72% to 78%. This basically means that the sky above Tallinn remains partly cloudy.
Summer is the wettest season in the city and August gets its fair share of rainfall. That's not to say that you will get soaked all too often, though. While August with its total amount of rainfall of 44mm is the third wettest month of the year, it's not that wet at all, especially when compared with other destinations around the world this time of year. There are, however, 14 days with rainfall. Make sure to bring an umbrella and/or raincoat, just in case. There are three types of rainfall: light rain, moderate rain and thunderstorms. They occur respectively on 35%, 37% and 23% of those days with rainfall.
August is without question one of the best months to visit Tallinn. If you're visiting the city, make sure to check out our detailed weather forecast.
Where to stay
A superb boutique hotel located in the middle of the Old Town, Schlössle Hotel is a five-star accommodation that offers easy access to the attractions and sights of this historic area. You can enjoy breakfast and lunches at the hotel's courtyard when staying there in August. Situated on a street lined with centuries-old buildings, this charming hotel features a gourmet restaurant, a suite lounge and a sauna, among many other facilities.
Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel is situated next to the Tallinn passenger harbour and within walking distance from the historic city centre. As a modern spa hotel, this is a popular place to stay among young couples and families. Its well-equipped conference facilities also appeal to business travellers. Facilities are impressive and feature a luxury aquatic spa centre, an à la carte restaurant, a cigar bar, saltwater and outdoor pools, and a poolside bar.
OldHouse Apartments is a budget-friendly option in the Old Town. Offering both short-term and long-term rentals, this accommodation provides numerous options. Apartments also vary in size and style, and there is a hostel, guesthouse and private apartments. Therefore, this is a popular option among everyone from backpackers to students to businesspeople.
Hit the beach
Located on the Paljassaare peninsula, Pikakari Beach is the youngest beach in the city. Set in a former industrial area that's quickly being redeveloped, this sandy beach has already been awarded the prestigious label of Blue Flag, meaning that its waters are clean and that the activities on and around the beach are sustainable and environment-friendly. It's also relatively quiet, making it a great place to enjoy the 19°C warm water.
Eating and drinking out
For great Italian food, you will be hard pressed to find a better place than Trattoria La Bottega. The elaborate menu features dishes prepared according to local Italian traditions, in the typical grandmother's way. The food is, in fact, prepared from recipes passed to the restaurant's chef by his own grandmother from the island of Sardinia. You can choose from many classic dishes, as well as from some surprising takes on the traditional pastas.
Another exquisite restaurant is Von Krahli Aed. This one serves dishes made with the freshest of ingredients and is renowned for dishes such as roast chicken with white wine sauce and pumpkin, and salmon glazed with honey-mustard. This is a place to go for delicious healthy meals.
Vegans should opt for eating at Vegan Restoran V. It serves nothing but vegan food, which you can enjoy in a cosy and welcoming dining room within the Old Town. This restaurant is actually owned by the same people that also manage above-mentioned Von Krahli Aed.
Things to do
August, as the second warmest month of the year, sees the mercury rise to 22°C in the afternoon. This is undoubtedly the height of the tourist season, a time of year when the city gets overflown with visitors. The summer sunshine and high temperature make this a delightful time for wandering the winding streets of Tallinn's Old Town, which in its entirety is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This incredibly well-preserved centuries-old historic centre is famed around the world for its beautiful Hanseatic houses, cultural highlights, churches, massive city walls and overwhelming medieval charm. There really isn't any other capital in the world that has succeeded in preserving its historic core as well as Tallinn has.
Dotted with ornate merchant's houses, striking religious structures and warehousesome of which date from as far back as the 1000she Old Town of Tallinn is why people visit this city on the Baltic Sea coast. Main highlights include the Town Hall; Raeapteek, the oldest still operating pharmacy in Europe; the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral; Toompea Castle; the mighty city walls with their 26 watch towers; and the cobbled alleyways lined with old houses.
