Estonia : Safety by CityEstonia is a Baltic state located in Northern Europe sharing borders with both Latvia and Russia.
Estonia’s coastline lies on the Baltic sea and the Gulf of Finland, and what Estonia offers to its visitors is the chance to experience a dynamic little country right on the shores of the Baltic Sea, though tourists should keep in mind that the swimming season in this country isn’t very long.
In turn, winters in Estonia are harsh and severe.
Apart from its exciting coastline that gives that extra charm to this Baltic country, Estonia boasts wonderful medieval remains, such as Tallinn’s medieval old town that was built by German crusaders in the Middle Ages and is, to this day, kept in great condition, with the medieval city walls and towers intact.
It is actually, according to many, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns.
Estonia offers an in-depth look into its history, with traces of the Soviet era that are still there to be seen, such as Paldiski, a deserted Soviet army base that was once off-limits to Estonians themselves.
Warnings & Dangers in Estonia
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Estonia is, for the most part, a safe country to visit. Its crime rates are relatively low, but it is advised to remain vigilant at all times, keep your valuables in a safe place and be very careful when involved in traffic.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
Transportation is a major issue in Estonia, due to many reckless drivers. There is a worrying number of deaths due to traffic accidents per year, and you should be very careful when venturing into Estonia's traffic. Also, weather conditions and potholes can cause problems on roadways, both in cities and smaller towns and villages. Always have your headlights on.You should also avoid hailing taxis directly from the street, since these taxi drivers can overcharge you for their services. Your best bet is to arrange a ride with a taxi company such as Tulika Takso.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Petty crime exists in Estonia, especially in Viru street in Tallinn and areas like Tallinn's Old Town, especially the Town Hall Square, called Raekoja Plats and the Central Market. Never let your guard down and never leave your valuables in plain sight.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
There are no threats of natural disasters in Estonia, apart from occasional flooding and storms.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
There have been reports of foreigners being mugged or attacked by drunken people near bars and clubs. The most dangerous places at night are the neighborhoods Kopli and Lasnamäe, though crime here is still less of an issue than in other larger countries like America.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Even though there haven't been any terrorist attacks in Estonia's recent history, they shouldn't be ruled out, so be aware of your surroundings at all times.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Estonia is a country where you could get scammed, so you should check your change twice and never let your credit card out of site. Be wary of people trying to distract you offering you unwanted help, since it might be a trick to steal from you.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Estonia is generally safe for women traveling solo. Just follow the rules of common sense such as avoiding deserted and poorly lit streets and areas, and your trip should go smoothly.
So... How Safe Is Estonia Really?
Estonia is pretty safe to travel to.
Its crime rates are mostly low, and though there are areas to avoid, pickpockets, mugging or other types of assault are not common.
However, the capital city of Tallinn can get a bit dangerous, like any other major city.
You can expect very low prices of alcohol and with that many roaming groups and bands of drunken or intoxicated men causing fights and initiating verbal assaults.
With this, there is also the risk of getting ripped off in the strip clubs along Viru Street and other local bars run by shady, organized crime gangs.
Be prepared for astronomical entry fees or bar tabs at such places, just because you are a tourist.
However, maybe the most serious problem in Estonia, when it comes to safety, is the recklessness during driving.
In this country, there are about 80-110 people killed and 1300 people injured per year.
Even though Estonia has strict drink-driving laws, accidents caused by intoxicated drivers still happen and represent a major problem.
This is why Estonia has adopted many new laws concerning traffic safety, such as using a headlight at all times while driving and mandatory use of seatbelts by all passengers.
It has also enforced a new law, most important in rural areas, that requires pedestrians to wear small reflectors, generally pinned to their coats or handbags.
How Does Estonia Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Estonia | 82 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Netherlands | 75 |
| United Arab Emirates | 79 |
| Montenegro | 70 |
| Qatar | 84 |
| Lithuania | 79 |
| Argentina | 70 |
| Denmark | 94 |
Useful Information
Visas
Many countries do not need a visa in order to enter Estonia, for any stays shorter than 90 days. Any longer than that, you might need to acquire a visa. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past your planned date of return. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
Currency
Euro is the official currency in Estonia and most of Europe. ATMs are available throughout the country and credit cards are widely accepted in most establishments. Tipping is expected.
Weather
Estonia has temperate and mild climate with warm summers and severe, harsh winters. It is often breezy, chilly and humid in Estonia due to the proximity of the Baltic Sea.
Airports
Tallinn Airport often referred to as the Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport is the largest airport in Estonia, located 5.0 km southeast of the centre of Tallinn, on the eastern shore of Lake Ülemiste.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Estonia, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems, but also theft and loss of valuables.
Estonia Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | -2 | -2 | 2 | 9 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 15 | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Low °C | -7 | -8 | -5 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 3 | -1 | -5 |
| High °F | 28 | 28 | 36 | 48 | 59 | 66 | 72 | 70 | 59 | 48 | 39 | 32 |
| Low °F | 19 | 18 | 23 | 32 | 41 | 48 | 54 | 52 | 45 | 37 | 30 | 23 |
Estonia - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Tallinn | 79 |
| Tartu | 85 |
Considerably Tellinn is a safe city with nice people…..I had a wonderful experience over here….
It is extremely safe. Stick to beaten path, be kind and tip. I guarantee you won’t have any problems!
Safe place
I stayed in Tallinn for 35 days. And felt this place as very quiet and very safe . People also helping nature. Small & beautiful country.
What have done staying there for such a long time ?
This article needs to be updated. Estonia is one of the safest places in the world. The crime levels are extremely low and the people are very sincere/honest.
I’m not Estonian but I live in Estonia and so I know first hand of the nature of the country. It’s very peaceful. The only issues you’ll have (if ever) are with drunk Britts and Russians.
Is the driving really bad?
Driving is not bad, ive lived all my life in Tallinn, never had a accident and only seen 2 crashes both of them just small bumps.
I’d say driving is the last you have to worry about.
Just avoid some area’s at night.
Traffic is safe. Be vary of electric scooters though
As an Estonian: the traffic part is false, driving is totally safe. Try and avoid older taxis that are to be called via phone though. Use the Bolt app for safety. Bolt is twice as cheap and also offers electric scooter services all over Tallinn and some bigger cities (be very careful of other scooter users as a pedestrian).
look man i live in estonia and there is chances that something will happen to you, yes the crime rate may be low but there are many unknown things. i personally have seen one person get stabbed and have seen people get mugged even though estonia is pretty safe its not 100% confirmed that nothing will happen to you
What about cultural diversity in Estonia?
For such a small place, it’s nice to see people prioritising culture!
No it isnt, everyone are driving just a little bit faster than average Europeans. The most dangerous part in driving coulb be the weather in winter times, and there is not much traffic at all.
So it is quite safe, saying as a local Estonian.
I’m liking what i hear...i live in tokyo, i was born i a tiny town in England.Estonian architecture is splendid, I wrestled with the cold of Toronto Canada for about four years and when I left I swore never to live in such a cold country… But architecture is important to life.
You didn’t answer the question “ What about cultural diversity in Estonia?”
I truly have traveled to 63 countries of this world some on the longer there some I changed forever… But there are some places taking their heads through and saying hi! Like Estonia.
I wonder if it’s capable of tolerating a multi culture. I have many black friends who are researchers, scientists, doctors and overall reputable people.
I have lived in Tokyo for 10 years Tokyo is great but for me it’s the same every day. I will keep following information on Estonia. I almost went to Tallin once and it closed before I got there. That was during the glasnost and perestroika time. I played in a band at the time and all of our musical equipment, keyboards, guitars and amplifiers were already sent ahead. so our equipment was stuck there. We were still in Saint Petersburg… Which I believe was then called Leningrad.
we paid Russian soldiers to work incognito and hand bunches of cash to certain people and I got my equipment back… Everyone got their equipment back. Even my 62 Strat that I have to this day
thank you… I promise to drink a beer with you guys one day.
I have friends in Estonia who I owe visits to!
Super safe
Been living in Tallinn for almost 2 years, it’s SUPER safe. Pickpockets? Really? I leave my wallet on the table to save a spot on a restaurant.
About traffic, it can be a bit dangerous during winter, but overall it’s fine.
If you are coming from an American country, you will feel like heaven.
Just lovely
I find Estonia, along with the Nordic countries, to be one of the safest places to visit, regardless if you’re traveling alone, with a partner or with kids. Yeah, you might have to avoid some areas at night, but who goes exploring an unknown city at midnight?!