What is the best time to visit Estonia?

Best Time to Visit Estonia

The best time to travel to Estonia is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).

Spring in Estonia

Spring in Estonia is a beautiful season, with temperatures beginning to warm up and the days becoming longer. The snow melts away and the landscape turns lush and green. Nature lovers will be delighted by the wildflowers that bloom in the meadows and forests. The days are perfect for exploring the city and taking in the sights. Popular attractions such as the Kadriorg Palace, the Kumu Art Museum, and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral are all open to visitors. During this time, there are also many festivals and events taking place, such as the Tartu Marathon and the Pärnu Beach Festival.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Estonia

Estonia in January

Weather

January in Estonia is cold and snowy, with temperatures usually ranging from -3°C to -10°C. The days are short, with only around 7 hours of daylight.

Events

• Tartu Maraton – This annual event takes place in January and is a marathon that runs through the streets of Tartu. It is one of the oldest marathons in Europe and draws thousands of participants every year.
• New Year’s Concert – This concert is held in the Tallinn Town Hall Square and features live performances from some of Estonia’s most popular artists.
• Winter Festival – This annual event takes place in the city of Narva and features a variety of activities such as ice skating, snow sculpture competitions, and more.
• Estonian Independence Day – This national holiday is celebrated on the 24th of January and marks the day when Estonia declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
• Estonian Music Awards – This annual event is held in January and celebrates the best in Estonian music. It features performances from some of the country’s top artists and awards are given out in various categories.

Estonia in January

Weather

January in Estonia is usually cold and snowy. Average temperatures range from -1°C to -7°C, with occasional snowfall.

Events

• The first day of the year is celebrated with a public holiday in Estonia. People usually spend the day with family and friends, and the evening is celebrated with fireworks.
• The Tartu Maraton is an annual skiing event that takes place in January. It is a long-distance cross-country skiing race that is held in the city of Tartu.
• The Estonian National Opera hosts the annual Opera Gala in January. The event features performances by the Estonian National Opera Orchestra and Choir, as well as soloists from the opera.
• The Tallinn International Film Festival is held in January. The festival showcases films from around the world and is a great opportunity to experience Estonian culture and film.
• The Kuressaare Winter Festival is held in January. The festival features a variety of events, such as concerts, theatre performances, and art exhibitions.

Estonia in March

Weather

March in Estonia is usually mild, with temperatures ranging from -2°C to +7°C. Snow is still common in March, with an average of 10 days of snowfall.

Events

• The Tartu Maraton is a long-distance running event that takes place in Tartu, Estonia. The event is usually held in late March and consists of a 42.2 km marathon, a 21.1 km half marathon, and a 10 km race.
• The Estonian National Song Festival is a choral event that takes place every five years. The event is held in late March and includes choral performances, concerts, and other cultural events.
• The Estonian National Opera Festival is an annual event that takes place in Tallinn in March. The festival includes performances of classical and contemporary operas, as well as workshops and masterclasses.
• The Estonian National Theatre Festival is an annual event that takes place in Tallinn in March. The festival includes performances of plays, musicals, and other theatrical works.
• The Estonian National Film Festival is an annual event that takes place in Tallinn in March. The festival includes screenings of international and Estonian films, as well as workshops and masterclasses.

Estonia in April

Weather

In April, Estonia experiences mild temperatures with an average high of 9°C and an average low of 1°C. The month is usually quite wet with an average of 58mm of rainfall.

Events

• Tartu Marathon: Held annually in April, the Tartu Marathon is a running event that attracts over 10,000 participants. It is the biggest running event in Estonia and is held in the city of Tartu.
• Võru Folk Festival: This folk festival is held annually in the city of Võru. It features traditional Estonian music, dance, and art.
• Estonian National Song Festival: This event is held every five years in April and features traditional Estonian music, dance, and art.
• Spring Festival: This festival is held annually in April and features a variety of activities such as concerts, workshops, and exhibitions.
• Tartu Student Days: This event is held annually in April and is a celebration of student life in Estonia. It includes concerts, workshops, and exhibitions.

Estonia in May

Weather

In May, the weather in Estonia is generally mild and pleasant. The average temperature in May is around 13°C (55°F), with highs of around 18°C (64°F) and lows of around 8°C (46°F). The days become increasingly longer, with an average of 17 hours of daylight. Rainfall is common, with an average of 13 days of rain.

Events

• May Day is celebrated on May 1st, and is a public holiday in Estonia. This day is celebrated with parades, concerts, and other festivities.
• The Estonian Song and Dance Celebration is held every five years, and the next one will be held in May 2021. This event is a celebration of Estonian culture and features choirs, orchestras, and folk dance groups.
• The Tallinn Marathon is held in May each year. This event attracts runners from all over the world to compete in a 42km race.
• The Estonian National Museum is open from May to September each year. This museum showcases Estonian history and culture.
• The Annual Midsummer Festival is held in late May each year. This event celebrates the summer solstice with bonfires, music, and other festivities.

Estonia in June

Weather

June in Estonia is generally warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 10-20°C. Rainfall is light, with an average of only 2-3 days of rain per month.

Events

• The Midsummer Festival is held in June in Estonia, where locals celebrate the longest day of the year with bonfires, music, and dancing.
• The Estonian Open Air Museum in Tallinn celebrates the start of summer with its annual Summer Solstice Festival, which includes traditional Estonian music, food, and activities.
• The Tallinn Old Town Days Festival is held in June, featuring a variety of cultural and musical performances.
• The Pärnu International Music Festival is held in June, featuring classical and contemporary music from around the world.
• The Viljandi Folk Music Festival is held in June, with performances of traditional Estonian folk music, as well as international acts.

Estonia in July

Weather

July is the warmest month of the year in Estonia, with temperatures typically ranging from 15-20°C (59-68°F). The days are long, with around 18 hours of daylight. Rainfall is fairly common, with an average of 15-20 days of rain during the month.

Events

• The Viljandi Folk Music Festival is held every year in July. It is the largest folk music festival in Estonia, and features performances from local and international folk musicians.
• The Estonian Song and Dance Celebration is a large-scale event held every five years in July. It celebrates Estonian culture and includes performances from choirs, orchestras, and folk dance groups.
• The Rakvere Theatre Festival is held in July each year and features performances from both local and international theatre companies.
• The Pärnu Music Festival is held in July each year and features performances from local and international classical musicians.
• The Tartu Maraton is an annual running event held in July. It is one of the largest running events in Estonia and features a range of distances from 5km to a full marathon.

Estonia in August

Weather

August is the warmest month of the year in Estonia, with temperatures typically ranging from 13-21°C (55-70°F). The days are long and sunny, with an average of 17 hours of daylight. Rainfall is usually light, with an average of 80mm throughout the month.

Events

• The annual Pärnu Music Festival takes place in the coastal city of Pärnu during the first two weeks of August. This popular event features performances from both local and international musicians.
• The annual Viljandi Folk Music Festival is held in the city of Viljandi during the last week of August. This festival celebrates traditional Estonian folk music, and features performances from both local and international musicians.
• The annual Saaremaa Opera Days take place in the island of Saaremaa during the second week of August. This event features performances from both local and international opera singers.
• The annual Kuressaare Castle Days take place in the island of Saaremaa during the third week of August. This event celebrates the history and culture of Kuressaare Castle, and features performances from local musicians and actors.
• The annual Tartu Street Festival takes place in the city of Tartu during the fourth week of August. This popular event features performances from both local and international musicians, as well as art exhibitions and food stalls.

Estonia in September

Weather

September in Estonia is generally mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10-15°C (50-59°F). Rainfall is usually light, with an average of 6-7 days of rain per month.

Events

• The Tallinn Marathon is held every September in the capital city and is one of the most popular running events in the country.
• The Tartu Maraton is the oldest and longest running event in Estonia, taking place in the city of Tartu. It is held every September and includes a range of running events from 5km to a full marathon.
• The Pärnu International Music Festival is held every September in the city of Pärnu and features a range of classical and jazz performances from both Estonian and international musicians.
• The Estonian National Song and Dance Festival is held every five years in July or August, with the most recent edition taking place in September 2019. The festival is a celebration of Estonian culture and includes traditional singing and dancing performances.
• The Estonian Open Air Museum is located in the city of Tallinn and is open throughout the year. During September, the museum holds a range of special events and activities, including traditional crafts and cooking demonstrations.

Estonia in October

Weather

October is usually a mild month in Estonia, with temperatures ranging from -1 to 10 degrees Celsius. The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. Rainfall is common, and snow is possible in the northern parts of the country.

Events

• October is the month of the Estonian Song Festival, a celebration of Estonian culture and music. It usually takes place in the first week of October and includes concerts, choirs, and folk dancing.
• The Tartu Marathon is held in October, and is one of the largest marathons in the Baltic region. It takes place in the city of Tartu and attracts runners from all over Europe.
• October is also the month of the Estonian National Day, a celebration of Estonian independence. The day is marked with parades, concerts, and other festivities.
• The Tallinn International Film Festival takes place in October, and is one of the largest film festivals in the Baltic region. It features a variety of films from all over the world.
• The Estonian Open Air Museum is a popular destination in October. It features a variety of traditional Estonian buildings and activities, and is a great way to experience Estonian culture.

Estonia in November

Weather

November is the start of winter in Estonia, with temperatures dropping to an average of 3°C (37°F) during the day and -3°C (27°F) at night. It is usually cloudy, and there is a high chance of rain and snow.

Events

• The All Souls’ Day Festival is a traditional event that takes place on November 2nd. It is a day of remembrance for those who have passed away, and is celebrated with candlelight vigils, church services, and traditional food.
• The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra holds a series of concerts throughout November, featuring classical music from some of the world’s most renowned composers.
• The Tartu Marathon is an annual running event that takes place on the last weekend of November. It is the largest running event in Estonia, with thousands of participants from all over the world.
• The Estonian National Museum hosts an annual exhibition in November, featuring works from some of the country’s most renowned artists.
• The Estonian Film Festival is held in November, showcasing some of the best films from Estonia and around the world.

Estonia in December

Weather

December in Estonia is cold and wet, with temperatures typically ranging between -2°C and 5°C. Snowfall is common during this time of year.

Events

• The Christmas Market in Tallinn is a popular event that takes place in December. It is a festive event that features stalls selling traditional Estonian goods, as well as food and drink.
• The Tartu Christmas Market is another popular event that takes place in December. It features a variety of stalls selling traditional Estonian goods, as well as food and drink.
• The Winter Solstice Festival is a traditional Estonian celebration that takes place in December. It is a celebration of the winter solstice and includes traditional Estonian music, dancing, and food.
• The Estonian Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a popular event that takes place in December. It is a celebration of the Christmas season and includes the lighting of the Estonian Christmas tree.
• The Tallinn Christmas Parade is a popular event that takes place in December. It is a festive event that features marching bands, floats, and other performances.