Spend your day shopping in Tallinn

When we Estonians visit other European cities for vacations, we tend to frown. We are wondering why are all stores closed on Sundays? How come they close shops that early in the evening? What do you mean I can’t do my grocery shopping at 1 am on Sunday? The thing is - Estonian shops are open until late at night and some grocery shops even 24/7. So, spending your day shopping in Tallinn will not disappoint you, and it will satisfy all your shopping needs.

The best shopping experience

If you want to spend your day in a shopping mall, I would recommend the newest and fanciest shopping center T1. It is also the most public transport friendliest mall – a tram stops right in front of it, and it is easily accessible from the city center. It is probably the fanciest shopping mall I have ever seen (and I have travelled around quite a lot). It offers a large variety of shops, restaurants, different exhibitions, cinema, activities for children, and soon there will be a Ferris wheel on the top of it, offering a spectacular view on the whole of Tallinn. If you have children, don’t miss out the Skypark that offers them a day full of activities – trampoline jumping, SkyLab, bumper car arena and soon a 7D cinema. For parents, there is a 21+ lounge, where you can relax or work uninterrupted and watch after your child through the glass wall. 

A city center shopping

When shopping in the city center, you basically have three options – Solaris, Viru and Stockmann. Viru Centre has over 100 stores and the best bookstore in Tallinn – you can get lost there for hours. Viru Centre is connected to Kaubamaja, that is the oldest Tallinn’s department store, dating back to 1960. It is not really meant for budget travellers, but you can be sure that in Kaubamaja, you get the best quality products. The downside of Viru – there aren’t really many good restaurants. Solaris has a great supermarket offering a large variety of gourmet foods and snacks, a handful of boutiques, and last but not least - a cinema. I would recommend you to grab a meal at Vapiano – an Italian place that offers the best pasta you have ever tried – all fresh and handmade on the spot. 

Shop till you drop

If you are more on a budget, I would recommend you to hop on a bus and go to Rocca al Mare. It is located by the sea where you can take a nice walk after shopping. It offers a lot of shops with shoes, clothes, books, accessories and a shopaholic can get lost in there for hours. If you have a sweet tooth, visit Cakery Levier, probably the best sweet shop in Tallinn. 

Estonians love their shopping centers. Large malls offer a lot to shoppers or anyone looking just to spend time. It is a wonderful experience to spend your day shopping in Tallinn, even if you just want to window-shop.