Tallinn in December: a seasonal travel plan
Tallinn, Estonia. In december, the average daytime high is 0.9 °C and the night-time low is -2.1 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Choose a month
Selected month: December
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Tallinn
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 0.9 °C
- Nighttime low
- -2.1 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 57.8 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 14.8
- Daylight
- 6.2 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 0.4 | -2.5 | 4.3 |
| Days 11–20 | 1.1 | -2.0 | 4.8 |
| From day 21 | 1.2 | -1.8 | 5.7 |
What this month is like
Tallinn, Estonia. In december, the average daytime high is 0.9 °C and the night-time low is -2.1 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 14.8 wet days on average, with about 57.8 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Average daylight is 6.2 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What to pack
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 4.5 °C, December — 0.9 °C, next month — -1.5 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 15.3, 14.8 and 14.6.
Things to do
Tallinn splits between the medieval Toompea hill and the lower town by the harbour, with wooden districts growing alongside. The old town is walkable, a tram runs from the airport to the centre, and ferries cross to Helsinki.
Old town and walls
Walk from Town Hall Square along Viru to the city walls, then climb to Toompea and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. From the Kohtuotsa platform the tiled roofs and the harbour open below.
Kalamaja and Telliskivi
In Kalamaja follow the wooden streets to Telliskivi, where old workshops now hold cafés and studios. Continue to the Lennusadam maritime museum, home to the submarine Lembit. A flea market fills the yards at weekends.
Kadriorg
Kadriorg park and the palace built for Peter the Great lie twenty minutes from the centre. The Kumu art museum stands beside the park, and the sea is a short ride away in Pirita.
Where to stay
Old Town
The old town works for a first visit, with Town Hall Square, walls and towers close together. Rooms in historic houses cost more, and bars on Viru keep the street loud until morning.
Kalamaja
Kalamaja suits anyone who likes wooden houses, flea markets and coffee rooms. The old town is twenty minutes on foot, the district is quieter and cheaper, though few places open in the evening.
Kadriorg
Kadriorg appeals for calm park walks and a base away from the crowds. Trams reach the centre, but restaurants are sparse and Pirita beach is a further ride. Wear comfortable shoes for the park paths.
Getting to and around Tallinn
Tallinn airport lies four kilometres from the centre, with a tram reaching Viru in about twenty minutes. The old town is best on foot, while trams, buses and trolleybuses link the other districts. One ticket covers city transport, and Helsinki ferries leave from a terminal a few minutes from the old town.
Three days in Tallinn
The old town
Start at Town Hall Square, follow the walls past the towers and climb to Toompea. Visit the cathedrals during the day and spend the evening in a café on Viru.
Kalamaja and the harbour
Walk through Kalamaja to Balti Jaam market and the Telliskivi quarter. Look through the Lennusadam maritime museum after lunch and return to the centre through the park. Lunch is easy at the Balti Jaam market.
Kadriorg and Pirita
Take the tram to Kadriorg, circle the park and palace, then go up to the Kumu museum. In the afternoon continue to the sea at Pirita and come back for dinner.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1.5 | -4.8 | 58.0 | 14.6 | 6.9 |
| February | -0.8 | -4.3 | 50.7 | 11.9 | 9.2 |
| March | 1.7 | -2.4 | 43.2 | 10.4 | 11.8 |
| April | 6.6 | 1.2 | 44.7 | 8.8 | 14.5 |
| May | 13.0 | 6.6 | 38.6 | 7.9 | 17.0 |
| June | 18.5 | 12.4 | 54.0 | 8.9 | 18.5 |
| July | 20.6 | 15.3 | 61.7 | 12.5 | 17.8 |
| August | 20.7 | 15.1 | 75.3 | 12.6 | 15.6 |
| September | 16.2 | 11.3 | 58.2 | 10.5 | 12.9 |
| October | 9.6 | 5.8 | 70.0 | 13.4 | 10.2 |
| November | 4.5 | 1.8 | 62.7 | 15.3 | 7.7 |
| December | 0.9 | -2.1 | 57.8 | 14.8 | 6.2 |
Frequently asked questions
Tallinn: what is the temperature in December?
The average daytime high is 0.9 °C and the night-time low is -2.1 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and indoor activities for mornings and evenings.
How many days with precipitation are there in December?
On average, there are 14.8 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 57.8 mm. Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What should I pack for walks in December?
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 0.4 °C; 11–20 — 1.1 °C; 21 to month-end — 1.2 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in December?
The average is 6.2 hours. Daylight is limited. Set aside time for views and photographs before dusk.
Is Tallinn worth visiting in December?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 0.9 °C and nights around -2.1 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Tallinn on a wet day in December?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Tallinn in December?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 6.2 hours.