Weather lowdown
The capital of Estonia is a freezing cold destination in February. This is the coldest month of the whole year with an overall average temperature that isn't higher than -5°C. The nights are bone-chillingly cold, averaging -9°C. The daytime temperature isn't that much higher, averaging -2°C. On the plus side, those two average temperatures do increase in the course of the month. The average high temperature rises from -4°C to -1°C, while the average low climbs from -10°C to -7°C. It remains very cold throughout the month, though, and you will absolutely need a warm winter jacket, hat and gloves if you want to wander the streets of the historic Old Town.
Precipitation decreases slightly compared with January. Now, the total amount of precipitationainfall and snowfall combineds 25mm, which actually makes this the third driest month of the year. It's important to take into consideration the fact that February is two to three days shorter than the other months, though, which might explain this lower amount of precipitation. It does snow quite a lot! In fact, you are most likely to experience snowfall in the beginning of February, when snowfall accounts for 86% of the precipitation. The overall chance that precipitation happens decreases a tiny bit in the course of the month, from 72% to 66%.
Cloud cover has been extremely high for a few months and finally begins to decrease ever so slightly in February. It drops from 96% to 92%, which is still very high by all means. Overcast or mostly cloudy skies are what you should expect this time of year.
Something that does improve greatly throughout the month is the length of the days. The shortest day of the month is February 1 with 8.03 daylight hours. February 28 is the longest day with 10.28 hours of daylight. This 2.25-hour increase implies that every February day is no fewer than 5 full minutes longer than the day before.
While the weather in February might not be ideal, the snowy look does give Tallinn a certain appeal. It's a gorgeous medieval city as it is, and the carpet of snow only makes it more charming.
Where to stay
A four-star accommodation in the very heart of Tallinn's Old Town, Hotel Bern is a wonderful place to base yourself during your February visit to this amazing city. Facilities and services include a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, a bar, free Wi-Fi, a deli, a sauna and even a library.
My City Hotel is also in the Old Town, within easy walking distance from nearly all the city's attractions. Its 68 rooms are equipped with wooden furniture, free Wi-Fi, a bathroom, air-conditioning and a mini-bar. Additional amenities in this hotel include a spa, an à la carte restaurant and meeting rooms.
Taanilinna Hotell is yet another accommodation in Tallinn's historic core. With a charming interior, historic atmospheric and a great location, this is popular place to stay in Estonia's capital. It lies within easy walking distance from the majority of attractions, restaurants, nightclubs and shops. Amenities range from a restaurant and meeting rooms, to a limousine rental service, to free Wi-Fi.
Eating and drinking out
Restaurant Hermitage is a part of the excellent Hotel St. Petersbourg, a welcoming boutique hotel in Tallinn's Old Town. While the menu is inspired by authentic Russian cuisine, the dishes do have a modern twist. Make sure to try the classics, such as beef stroganoff, Russian borsch and chicken Kiev. Additionally, there is a wide selection of wines and cocktails to complement your meal.
Also located in the Old Town, Restoran Cru is a stylish and cozy restaurant serving a wide variety of Estonian and international dishes. Main dishes range from fish to game to vegetarian. There's also a fine selection of starters and deserts to choose from, while the wine menu offers the possibility to pair wine with whichever main course you choose.
If you're craving Asian food, definitely go to Chedi, a contemporary restaurant that offers a modern take on traditional Asian dishes, such as Mongolian venison, Singapore roast chicken and roast duck. One of the very best Asian eateries in Estonia, this is certainly one you want to check out.
Things to do
Freezing temperatures and lots of snowfall might not make February the best time to visit Tallinn, but there are some plus sides as well. This is definitely the quietest time of year in this historic capital and the blanket of snow gives it an incredibly charming, almost fairy tale-like, look. Make sure to dress warmly and spend some time exploring the Old Town. The best thing to do this time of year, however, is enjoying local cuisine and visiting the fantastic museums.
One such museum is the recommended Estonian History Museum. Housed in the striking 15th-century Great Guild Hall, this superb museum features Estonian history over a period of about 11,000 years, all the way from prehistory to the late 20th century.
The museum consists of several different exhibitions, ranging from children's rooms, to the weapons chamber, to archaeological displays. A particular highlight is the "Road of History", a narrow alley that shows significant events in the country's history. Also make sure not to miss the exhibit that features the story and history of the building itself. This is a downright fascinating place to visitt's easier to spend several hours in this well-filled museum that you might assume.
