FAQ

The temperature in Estonia fluctuates a lot throughout the year. Just to give you a scale, the coldest temperature ever measured in Estonia was −43,5 °C in 1940. The hottest temperature record in Estonia is +35,6 °C measured in 1992. However, normally we expect around +25 °C during the summer months and -10 °C in winter with thick snow from December to February. Sadly, the climate has changed here and the winters have become warmer. Every year can be different, so make sure you check the weather forecast before you arrive.

We speak Estonian. Is Estonian like Russian? Not at all and most of the locals that are younger than 35 years do not speak Russian. Estonian language is one of the oldest languages in Europe and it originates from the Ural Mountains. Estonian is related to Finnish and Hungarian languages. While we hardly have any words in common with the Hungarians, we can normally guess what the Finnish are talking about. However, we cannot have a meaningful conversation with the Finns without switching into English or to another common language. There are other languages related to Estonian, which are spoken by small minority groups in Russia, such as Sami, Mari, Komi and others. Those languages are mostly fading, as there is a strong pressure for Russification.

For a real Estonian experience, you should:

1. Try local rye bread and kama dessert
2. Go for a bog walk and spend time in the nature
3. Have a sauna

Yes, water quality is very good in Estonia and it is safe to drink tap water.

Yes, Estonia switched to euros in 2011. Before that we had our old currency called kroon, which means crown, despite us never having our own monarchy. One euro was worth 15.6 kroons. However, we try not to calculate the current prices back to our old currency as the prices increased significantly since we switched to euro.

If winters have beautiful white snow and below zero temperatures, then most Estonians generally enjoy it. Many locals love cross-country skiing, kids like to go sledding, building snowmen or play snowball fight. Everything here is adapted to snow – people change the tires of their cars twice a year between studded winter tires and normal summer tires, the streets are regularly cleaned from snow and life continues normally. Kids only get days off from school when the temperature drops below -20°C.

You can read more about things to do in winter from a blog post 11 Fun Winter Activities in Tallinn and Estonia.

The most famous thing from Estonia is Skype and the guys who invented it (before it was sold to Sweden). There are also the most supermodels per capita in Estonia compared to any other country. However, the most famous Estonian is definitely Arvo Pärt – a contemporary classical music composer whose work has been played by some of the largest symphony orchestras around the world. He is still composing and can sometimes be seen walking in pine forests in Laulasmaa where he lives and also where the Arvo Pärt Centre designated to him is located.