Tallinn City Estonia

Accessible getaways abroad: Accessible Tallinn

The Estonian city of Tallinn might not be one of the best known capitals in Europe, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful. Packed full of historic buildings and with a UNESCO World Heritage site at its heart, Tallinn makes for an unforgettable getaway.

The great news is that many of its best sights are also fully accessible to those of us with different mobility needs. So, with that in mind, here is our pick of some of the best accessible places to visit in Tallinn.

Visit the iconic Seaplane Harbour

If you are visiting with family, then the Seaplane Harbour museum is a fantastic place to explore with kids. It is best known for its remarkable Seaplane hangers that were built in the 1900s, and this maritime and aviation building is largely accessible to those of us who use mobility scooters.

It is packed full with over 200 exhibits, including a submarine, Europe’s largest steam powered ice-breaker and of course, a seaplane.

The Seaplane Harbour is in the historic Kalamaja district, which is also a fascinating area to spend time in. It is packed full of great bars, cafes and restaurants, as well as being home to a number of unique wooden buildings. 

Seaplane Harbour_Tallinn
Editorial credit: Nikolai Tsvetkov / Shutterstock.com

Explore the revived Roterman Quarter

Tallinn has always been a busy, thriving city. A great place to get a sense of the city’s rich industrial and mercantile past is the Roterman Quarter. It is an area of the Estonian capital that was once packed with mills and warehouses, which today have been converted into exciting new urban spaces.

There are plenty of quirky shops and interesting art galleries, bars and restaurants to enjoy, and Roterman provides an interesting contrast to the Old Town. Our advice is to pick up a fresh, handmade pastry and a coffee at the excellent RØST bakery before you begin your tour.

Visit the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom

Our next stop gives you the chance to experience an important piece of Estonian and European history at the Museum of Occupations and Freedom. While the subject matter may sound heavy, it is actually a deeply inspiring place to spend time and hear the stories of ordinary Estonians, past and present.

Many citizens were imprisoned during the Soviet occupation, and the museum is an important tribute to their lives.

The museum is fully accessible and you can also visit the former KBG prison cells too. A sobering, but fascinating insight into the very recent history of this remarkable country.

Enjoy world class art at the Kadrioru museum

This remarkable art museum is actually a palace, that was originally built by the Russian tsar, Peter the Great. Today it is a wonderful building to explore and to get a sense of the vast artistic heritage of both Russia and Estonia.

The good news is that much of the museum is also accessible for those of us who use mobility scooters. There is ramped access and a lift to the third floor, as well as an accessible toilet. The gardens are also stunning, and well worth exploring. They have ramped entrance and level paths throughout.

Kadrioru Museum Tallinn
Editorial credit: yegorovnick / Shutterstock.com

Did you know?

Tallinn is home to a guesthouse where the devil allegedly spent his honeymoon (the landlord had fallen on hard times and he needed the money…).

Getting to Tallinn

Tallinn is becoming an increasingly popular destination with UK visitors, but there are currently still only direct flights from the London airports. You can however fly indirect from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Belfast to Tallinn.

As usual, you should let your airline know in good time if you need any special assistance. At the airport itself, get in touch with the airport assistance team by using the phone at the information desk and calling 8288. To find out more about the assistance services at Tallinn airport, call (+372) 605 8288 or email the team on [email protected].   

There are also plenty of options for getting into the city itself. Accessible trams and buses run regularly into the city centre, and there are also plenty of taxis available by the terminal exit.

For a good general guide to getting around Tallinn itself, head to the official Visit Tallinn site here

Travelling with scooters

The great news for those of you travelling abroad is that Quingo Scooters are all approved for air travel by IATA so you won’t have any problems taking them on the plane. That said, it is always well worth getting in touch directly with any train, bus and airlines you want to use just to double check their rules on scooters before you go. For more handy tips on travelling with your scooter by air, take a look at our page here.

Share your accessible getaways abroad with us

Do you have any accessible getaways abroad recommendations? In Europe or perhaps further afield? If you do, we’d love to hear from you, so drop us a line and we’ll feature them.

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

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