Quick Overview:
The Estonian capital’s rough edges have been polished to a shine, and the Tallinn that surfaced has shot to prominence as an affordable tourist mecca. Only about 70km south of Helsinki on the Gulf of Finland, Tallinn is small in stature but large in spirit. The gleaming metropolis is home to 400,000 people and mixes modern infrastructure with old world remnants. Tallinn has a very, well, let’s say, enthusiastic nightlife that is out of proportion for its size and perfect for a stag party Weekend.

Getting Around:
It’s best to get around in the Old City on foot, but that’s really your only choice there. There is a network of buses, trams and trolleybuses that effectively covers the rest of the city. Tallinn also has an abundance of reasonably-priced taxis which can be especially helpful to a stag do. Tourist bus tours are available on the red buses seen cruising the city. Bicycles are available for rent in the city and Tallinn has 160 km of bike paths, although most are located in greener parts of the city and intended more for recreation.

Must See/Must Do:
• Medieval Old Town - Foot travel only is permitted in this excellently preserved part of town that was built in the 15-17th centuries.
• Hit the Beach - Tallinn’s five main beaches are Pirita Marina and Beach, Stroomi Beach, Harku Lake, Kakumäe beach and Pikakari Beach – perfect spots to hang out on a stag party in Tallinn.
• Patarei Prison - A recently developed historical attraction, the prison site was originally decreed by Tsar Nicholas I in 1820 as a fortress to thwart sea-born attacks, it was turned into a notorious KGB prison in 1920. For 500 kr your stag party can stay for a three-hour "new prisoner experience" that culminates in a last meal with a glass of schnapps. But don’t worry; they discontinued the executions years ago.

History:
Tallinn first appeared on a world map in 1154, although its inhabitants had been there for some time more. The first fortress was built on Toompea hill in 1050. While known as Reval, in the 14th century, Tallinn became a trading town and much of its historic center was constructed. Tallinn changed between Swedish and Russian hands into the 1700s but won a brief independence in 1918. Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940 and then the Nazis during World War II until it was retaken by the Soviets. In August, 1991, Estonia again declared independence and Tallinn became the capital for a second time. Tallinn is considered by its inhabitants to be a Northern European/Scandinavian city and has strong ties to Finland.

Nightlife:
There is a vibrant mixture of bar and pubs and clubs in Tallinn. Some bars and strip clubs will try to gouge tourists but most are honest establishments. The Beer House is an authentically-styled Bavarian beer hall and is a great option for a lively time. Hollywood is an enormous club with five floors and three bars. Prive is Tallinn’s flashiest club; it’s expensive but frequently has foreign DJs spinning tunes. Be prepared for a strict dress code. Or your stag party can go incognito at Nimeta Baar (The Bar With No Name) - very fun spot that is popular with tourists.

Eating:
The Old City is packed with restaurants offering authentic Estonian cuisine. Those in or near Raekoja Plats are more expensive than elsewhere, but still cheaper than nearby Helsinki which explains all the day-tripping diners around town. A superb choice for a stag do dinner is Lounge 24. Located on the top floor of the Radisson Blu Hotel and featuring spectacular views of Old Town and the Baltic Sea in a trendy indoor setting complemented by a stunning outdoor terrace. For something simpler, try Hell Hunt. This home-style pub in Old Town offers a wide selection of beers (including two in-house brews) and tasty grub - especially the spare ribs. Consider this a must on a stag do in Tallinn.