Oh, the weather outside may be frightful, but Tallinn is truly delightful…

Visiting Estonia in winter is exciting because it offers so many unique activities you simply won’t find in most other countries. Yes, it can be cold — and by the time you’ve gathered the courage to head outdoors, pulled on your warm mittens, silly winter hat, and heavy boots, you want to make sure the effort is worth it.

That’s exactly why we’ve created a collection of unique, custom-made winter tours, designed only for private groups and not listed anywhere else. These experiences combine several winter activities in one day, allowing you to make the most of your stay in Tallinn — and the few precious hours of daylight we get during the Nordic winter.

Cover photo by Carl-Martin Nisu

1. Snow-Shoe hiking followed by a picnic by the frozen waterfall

Snowshoe hiking is the perfect invitation to step into winter’s untouched beauty – no crowds, no noise, just you, nature, and the crisp echo of snow beneath your feet. With no special skills required, it’s ideal for beginners, families with teenagers, and anyone wanting to explore the outdoors safely and comfortably.

After enjoying the forest and bog-walk on snow-shoes, we head to the frozen Jägala Waterfall, where icicles and icy blue colours create a spectacular winter scene. Enjoy hot tea, a light snack, and a little Estonian schnapps to warm up while admiring the frozen waterfall up close.

This nature tour combines our two tours: snow-shoe tour and picnic by the Frozen Jägala Waterfall.

2. Cross-country skiing lesson & a relaxing sauna

Before you picture skiing in Estonia, here’s something you should know: our highest peak is lower than the highest peak in the Netherlands — yes, the famously flat country. So downhill skiing isn’t really our thing. Instead, we’re passionate about cross-country skiing, also known as Nordic skiing, which is considered Estonia’s national sport.

If you’ve never tried it before, imagine light jogging through a quiet winter landscape with skis. Every slight uphill is followed by a gentle downhill slide, where the cold wind touches your face and you get a moment to simply enjoy the ride.

And after a good workout? There’s only one perfect way to end the day — a hot Estonian sauna. Let your cold fingers warm up, your muscles loosen, and your whole body relax. Skiing and sauna belong together here, and once you experience both, you’ll understand why. A deep, peaceful night’s sleep is practically guaranteed.

This tour is also possible in Kõrvemaa and can be combined with the overnight experience that includes an Estonian sauna evening.

3. Overnight Experience in Kõrvemaa with optional Dog sledding

Kõrvemaa is one of Estonia’s most beloved winter destinations — a peaceful region of lakes, pine forests, and snowy trails far from the city lights. Spending the night here lets you experience the true Nordic quiet, where the only sounds are crackling snow and wind in the trees.

Your overnight winter getaway begins with a scenic drive to Kõrvemaa, followed by a guided traditional winter adventure (see the options here). The possibilities depend on the snow and weather conditions.

As evening approaches, settle into your cosy overnight accommodation and enjoy the winter quiet. Warm up with a sauna, share stories over a hot drink, or step outside to admire the clear night sky.

For more excitement, you can add dog sledding for an extra fee — a thrilling ride powered by happy, eager huskies who love running through snowy trails.

In the morning, wake up to peaceful forest views, enjoy a slow start to the day, and return to Tallinn refreshed and energized.

This point refers to our Overnight Winter Experience in Estonia and Tour to Husky Park and Dog-Sled ride.

4. Prangli Island Hike and Sauna with an Overnight Stay

For travellers seeking a truly slow, authentic winter experience, Prangli Island is the perfect escape. After a one-hour ferry ride from the mainland, you’ll arrive on one of Estonia’s most charming islands — a peaceful place where pine forests, traditional fishing culture, and untouched nature create an entirely different atmosphere from Tallinn.

Your day begins with a 2.5-hour guided hike through Prangli’s forest trails and quiet coastal paths. The winter landscapes here feel wonderfully remote: snow-dusted pine trees, frozen beaches, and the soft crunch of winter beneath your boots. A local guide introduces you to island stories, legends, and everyday life far from the city.

After the hike, settle into our Villa of Nature Energy and enjoy a local lunch prepared for you.

After some time enjoy the traditional sauna with sea view, one of the islanders’ most treasured rituals. If you’re brave, you can even try a quick dip in the sea or snow — refreshing in summer and brisk in winter.

Spend the night in the cosy villa, surrounded by island tranquillity. Enjoy the quiet evening, the stars above you and the feeling of being far from everything.

This tour combines our Hiking and Sauna Tour on Prangli Island with an overnight stay.

For even more! You can add the Lahemaa day trip to the next day, making it a whole 2-day adventure.

5. Combining winter activities with Tallinn tours

If winter weather makes you hesitate between staying in the city or heading into nature, there’s no need to choose just one. Some of our winter tours are designed to combine the best of both worlds — Tallinn’s historic Old Town and peaceful natural landscapes just outside the city. These experiences are ideal if you have limited time but still want to see more than one side of Estonia.

Tallinn Old Town Walking Tour and Jägala Waterfall

This tour starts with a guided walk through Tallinn Old Town, where medieval streets, hidden courtyards, and historic viewpoints reveal the city’s rich past. Your guide shares stories about life in medieval Tallinn, everyday traditions, and the city’s evolution over the centuries.

After exploring the Old Town, you leave the city behind and head to Jägala Waterfall, the highest natural waterfall in Estonia. In winter, the waterfall often freezes into a dramatic wall of ice with large icicles, creating a completely different atmosphere from the city. The contrast between Tallinn’s stone walls and Estonia’s winter nature makes this combination especially memorable.

This tour is perfect if you want to balance culture, history and a short but striking nature escape — all within half a day.

Tallinn Old Town tour combined with a bog walk

For those who want to experience Estonia’s nature in a deeper, quieter way, this combination pairs Tallinn Old Town with a guided bog walk. The tour begins in the city, where you explore Tallinn’s medieval centre and learn about its Hanseatic history, architecture, and daily life, past and present.

Later, you travel outside Tallinn to a nearby bog area. Wooden boardwalks and open landscapes lead you through a unique ecosystem shaped by water, peat and time. In winter, bogs feel exceptionally peaceful — frozen pools, snow-covered vegetation, and silence broken only by the sound of footsteps.

This tour offers a strong contrast between urban heritage and untouched nature. It is ideal for travellers who want to understand why bogs are such an essential part of Estonian identity.

6. Snowmobile tour with Iglu sauna and ice hole dip

For those who want to experience Estonia’s winter in a more adventurous way, this tour combines speed, silence, and deep relaxation in the heart of Kõrvemaa. An hour drive from city lights and crowds, the region’s vast forests and frozen landscapes create the perfect setting for a true Nordic winter escape.

The experience begins with a guided snowmobile ride through snowy forest trails and open winter terrain. Riding across frozen paths, you’ll feel the contrast between adrenaline and the surrounding calm — wide landscapes, fresh air, and untouched nature stretching in every direction.

After the ride, it’s time to slow down. Warm up in a heated iglu sauna, surrounded by snow-covered scenery. The heat of the sauna and the quiet of the forest create a deeply relaxing atmosphere. For those who wish to complete the full Nordic ritual, an ice hole dip is available — a refreshing plunge into icy water that many locals swear by for both body and mind.

This winter experience in Kõrvemaa is ideal if you’re looking for something different from traditional sightseeing — a combination of adventure, nature and authentic Estonian winter traditions, all in one unforgettable day.

7. Ice fishing combined with a picnic at Keila waterfall

Begin your winter experience with a scenic picnic at Keila waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls near Tallinn. In winter, the waterfall is surrounded by ice formations and snowy riverbanks, creating a calm and photogenic setting for a warm outdoor break. Hot drink and local snacks help you ease into the day while enjoying the sound and sight of flowing water in a winter landscape.

After the picnic, the tour continues to a nearby frozen lake for a traditional ice fishing experience. Accompanied by a local guide, you’ll learn the basics of ice fishing, safety rules, and Estonian winter fishing traditions. No previous experience is needed — ice fishing is about slowing down, observing nature, and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere rather than catching fish. This combination offers an authentic way to experience Estonia’s winter nature away from crowds.

If you’d like to know more or ask about pricing, simply email us at booking@tallinndaytrip.com and tell us what kind of unique winter adventure you’re dreaming of.

We’re flexible, creative, and always happy to turn your winter travel ideas into a tailor-made experience.