Winter tours from Tallinn take you to frozen waterfalls, snowy bogs, husky parks, frozen lakes and traditional saunas. Most of them are a 30- to 60-minute drive from the city and fit into half a day, which matters in a season when there are only about six hours of daylight. Snow and ice change from winter to winter, so we adjust each tour to the conditions on the day. If you’d like to combine two activities in one day, have a look at our winter activities and combinations.

Visiting Estonia in winter is exciting as it offers many winter activities that are hard to find in most other countries. Here are some of our most popular winter tours that let you enrich your stay in Tallinn and make the most of the few hours of light we are given each day.

1. (Frozen) Jägala Waterfall and cosy picnic

Jägala Waterfall, about 8 metres high and more than 50 metres wide, changes every day during the winter. It might be frozen or partly frozen. If the winter has not been too cold, the waterfall does not freeze, but it usually carries a lot of water and is still an impressive sight.

Our Frozen Jägala Waterfall and Picnic Tour brings you up close to the waterfall before treating you to an outdoor picnic with homemade Estonian snacks, warm drinks and traditional schnapps.

2. Cross-country skiing – learn a new skill in Tallinn

Want to try a winter sport loved by locals? Our Learn to Ski in Tallinn tour is a good way to pick up cross-country skiing, Estonia’s national winter pastime. Our instructors guide you through the basics on the ski tracks in Tallinn, so even complete beginners can enjoy gliding through the snow.

One thing you need to know before you start thinking about skiing in Estonia: the highest peak in the country is lower than the highest point of the mainland Netherlands, which is normally considered a very flat country. So we don’t do downhill skiing here. Instead, we love cross-country skiing, also known as Nordic skiing. If you don’t know what it is, imagine light jogging across a winter landscape on skis. The only difference is that every slight uphill is rewarded with a downhill slide, where you can enjoy the gentle wind in your face and relax for a moment.

3. Walk on water – snowshoeing in Estonia’s bogs

In summer, Estonia’s bogs are wet and mysterious, but in winter they turn into frozen landscapes. Join our Bog-Shoe Hiking Tour, strap on a pair of bog shoes and experience the stillness of Estonia’s untouched wilderness. This tour suits nature lovers who want to feel the crunch of snow beneath their feet, and along the way you may spot wildlife tracks in the snow.

4. Race through snowy trails on a husky sled

Picture yourself gliding across the crisp snow, led by a team of enthusiastic huskies. Our Tour to Husky Park and Dog-Sled Ride takes you to the Kõrvemaa region, where you’ll meet friendly sled dogs, learn about their training and ride through snow-covered trails. The huskies love pulling the sleds, and you can hear their excitement from how they howl before each run.

PS! We offer another activity in the dog park: a cani-cross hike with sled dogs. Each participant gets a personal dog for the hike, attached to their waist by a harness. As the dogs naturally pull, the hike becomes easier and more fun for you. The cani-cross hike is also much easier for the dogs than sledding. Enjoy the time spent with them while exploring the surrounding Kõrvemaa forests.

5. Warm up with a sauna after a bog hike

Step into the heart of Estonian traditions with our Estonia’s Bogs and Sauna Tour, a combination of nature and relaxation. Begin with a 1.5- to 2-hour walk through Estonia’s bog landscapes, where forest trails and wooden boardwalks lead you through a quiet, snow-covered wilderness. After the crisp winter air, it’s time to warm up in a traditional countryside sauna, a small wooden building where heating up, cooling down and resting are all part of the ritual. For the brave, cooling down can mean a roll in the snow. If you’d like to walk beyond the boardwalks, bog shoes can be arranged on request.

6. Ice fishing – test your luck on a frozen lake

Bundle up for a uniquely Estonian experience – ice fishing! On our Ice Fishing Experience you drill a hole into the ice of Lake Kahala, east of Tallinn, drop your line and wait for the fish to bite. Whether you catch something or not, the peaceful surroundings and crisp winter air make it a good way to connect with nature and local traditions. A hot soup on the ice helps to keep warm.

As fish bite better in the morning, we suggest starting the day with your fishing luck and maybe hearing some fishermen’s tales from your instructor. On the way back to Tallinn, the tour can stop at Jägala Waterfall, which lies between the lake and the city.

7. Overnight nature experience – a snowy escape

Can’t get enough of the Estonian winter? Our Overnight Nature Experience takes you to the snowy countryside of Kõrvemaa. Depending on the snow and ice, you can enjoy an evening lantern hike, snowshoeing, sled dog hikes or ice skating under the stars. Then retreat to a cosy country house and wake up to a fresh winter morning, ready for more.

8. Ice skating on natural ice

Skating on a frozen lake surrounded by forest is a very different experience from a city rink. Our Ice-Skating Experience on Natural Ice takes you to the lakes and bog pools of Kõrvemaa, where the best spot is chosen according to the ice on the day. In colder winters, skating on frozen sea bays along the north coast can also be possible. Skates, Nordic skate blades and ice picks can be rented, so you don’t need to bring your own equipment. The ice is always checked before anyone steps on it.

9. Tallinn Old Town in winter – combined with nature

In winter, Tallinn Old Town is at its most atmospheric when the lights come on in the early afternoon dark. In December, the Christmas Market fills Town Hall Square with small huts, mulled wine and traditional food. Our Old Town tours can be combined with a short trip into nature.

Tallinn Old Town Walking Tour and Jägala Waterfall starts with a walk through Tallinn Old Town, where medieval streets, hidden courtyards and historic viewpoints reveal the city’s past. After the Old Town, you leave the city behind and head to Jägala Waterfall. In winter, the waterfall often freezes into a wall of ice with large icicles, a completely different atmosphere from the city. This tour suits travellers who want to balance culture, history and a short nature escape within half a day.

Tallinn Old Town tour combined with a bog walk pairs the medieval centre and its Hanseatic history with a walk in a bog near Tallinn. Wooden boardwalks lead you through a landscape 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.

For a darker side of the city, the Tallinn Old Town Ghost Tour takes you to the Old Town’s most haunted spots, including the Danish King’s Garden, in two hours. With early winter evenings, it fits easily into a day spent elsewhere.

10. Hiking and sauna on Prangli Island

Prangli is a small inhabited island about an hour’s ferry ride from the mainland, with pine forests, sandy coasts and a long fishing tradition. On our Hiking and Sauna Tour on Prangli Island you walk through the island’s forest trails and coastal paths, enjoy a homemade lunch and relax in a traditional sauna with a sea view. In winter, the ferry schedule can depend on ice and wind. If one day is not enough, the tour can be extended with an overnight stay.

11. Frozen waterfalls in Lahemaa National Park

Our Hiking Lovers Tour in Lahemaa National Park visits three waterfalls – Joaveski, Nõmmeveski and Vasaristi – along forest paths, riverbanks and canyon edges. In winter, frozen rivers, snow-covered forests and icy waterfalls give the area a quiet atmosphere. The trails can be slippery and uneven, so the tour is best for active travellers dressed for the cold. Read our tips on what to wear in Estonia in winter.

Would you like to combine two of these tours into one winter day? See our ideas in Winter Activities in Tallinn and Estonia or email us at booking@tallinndaytrip.com.