Estonia Shopping and nightlife
Shopping in Estonia
Compared to the rest of Europe shopping in Estonia are very good value, and there are lots of bargains to be had whilst shopping here. The country has a history of high quality handicrafts – lace, knitwear, ceramics and wooden ware are some of the best things to buy. For textiles, look out for traditional colourfully embroidered Muhu slippers from folk art shops in Tallinn; these make great gifts. Amber, ceramics, glassware, leather-bound books and local folk art are good buys, as are traditional hand-knitted thick wool jumpers – there is a good knit market by the Old Town walls on Müürivahe in Tallinn. Find old Soviet memorabilia, ceramics and books at the antique shops and galleries, whilst traditional Estonian foods such as blood sausages and jellied meats can be found in most delis and supermarkets.
Shopping hours
Mon-Fri 1000-1800; some on Sat 1000-1700; department stores: daily 1000-2000.
Nightlife in Estonia
Tallinn is a favoured city break getaway for people all over Europe, especially Finns who come for the cheap alcohol and Brits who have been coming in ever-growing numbers on stag and hen nights. There is a wide range of restaurants, cafes and cosy bars, as well as livelier nightclubs that sometimes feature live bands. Socialising is at its most active at the weekend between Thursday and Saturday, with most people heading to clubs open 2300-0300. For culture vultures in Tallinn, there is the Estonia National Opera, the Estonia Concert Hall (tel: (6) 147 700; www.concert.ee), the Vanemuine Theatre (tel: (7) 440 100; www.vanemuine.ee), and for children, the Estonian Puppet Theatre. For further details on cultural events, contact the Estonian Institute (tel: (6) 314 355; www.culture.ee).
In the rest of the country, Tartu has a thriving bar and café scene, whilst the seaside resort of Pärnu gets going as soon as the weather gets going with thousands of visitors from other parts of the country descending on the town during summer.
