Things to Do in Tallinn in August

August Weather in Tallinn

20°C (69°F) High Temp

12°C (54°F) Low Temp

84 mm (3.3 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is August Right for You?

Advantages

Peak White Nights season - daylight from 5:30am to 9:30pm gives you 16+ hours to explore with magical golden hour lighting that lasts nearly 2 hours
Medieval Days festival transforms Old Town into a living 15th-century experience with authentic crafts, food, and performances (typically mid-August)
Perfect hiking weather in Lahemaa National Park - comfortable temperatures of 18-22°C (64-72°F) with lush green forests and minimal crowds on weekdays
Outdoor café culture peaks - locals fill terraces and beer gardens despite occasional drizzle, creating the most authentic social atmosphere of the year

Considerations

Accommodation prices increase 40-60% during peak tourist season, with Old Town hotels often fully booked 6-8 weeks in advance
Frequent light rain showers (10 rainy days average) require constant umbrella carrying and can disrupt outdoor market browsing and walking tours
Tourist crowds at Toompea Castle and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral create 20-30 minute wait times between 11am-3pm on weekends

Best Activities in August

Lahemaa National Park Bog Walking Tours

August offers ideal conditions for exploring Estonia's pristine bog landscapes with wooden boardwalks through Viru Bog. Temperatures of 18-22°C (64-72°F) make the 3-5km (1.9-3.1 mile) trails comfortable, while summer vegetation creates stunning photo opportunities. Mosquitoes are minimal compared to July, and the cranberries start ripening for traditional bog tea tasting.

Booking Tip: Book full-day tours 7-10 days ahead through certified nature guides, typically €45-65 per person including transport from Tallinn. Choose morning departures (9am) to avoid afternoon shower probability. Look for operators offering traditional Estonian lunch at Altja fishing village.

Old Town Evening Walking Tours

Extended daylight until 9:30pm allows for magical evening tours when crowds thin after 6pm. August's warm evenings (16-18°C/61-64°F) are perfect for exploring medieval streets without winter's bitter winds. The golden hour lighting from 7-9pm creates exceptional photography conditions for Town Hall Square and Toompea Hill.

Booking Tip: Book small-group tours (max 12 people) departing 6:30-7pm for best lighting and smaller crowds. Prices range €25-35 per person. Avoid large bus tour groups that dominate 2-5pm slots. See current evening tour options in booking section below.

Estonian Island Hopping to Naissaar

August offers the calmest Baltic Sea conditions for ferry trips to Soviet-era military island Naissaar. Water temperature reaches 18-20°C (64-68°F) for brief swimming, while 4-hour tours include abandoned submarine base exploration and WWII bunker visits. Clear weather provides excellent views back to Tallinn's skyline.

Booking Tip: Weekend ferries book out 2-3 weeks ahead, weekday availability is better. Tours typically €35-50 including ferry and guided island walk. Weather-dependent - operators cancel in storms, so maintain flexible scheduling during your stay.

Traditional Estonian Sauna Experiences

August's cooler evenings (12-15°C/54-59°F) create perfect conditions for authentic wood-fired sauna sessions followed by Baltic Sea plunges. Historic smoke saunas operate peak season schedules, and many include traditional juniper branch treatments and local craft beer tastings.

Booking Tip: Reserve authentic smoke sauna sessions 5-7 days ahead, typically €30-45 per person for 2-3 hour experiences. Avoid hotel spa saunas - seek traditional Estonian operators offering seaside locations. Evening sessions (6-9pm) are most atmospheric.

Kadriorg Palace and Park Cycling Routes

August's extended daylight and mild temperatures make cycling through Kadriorg's baroque gardens ideal. The 15km (9.3 mile) route from Old Town to Pirita Beach via the palace takes 2-3 hours with stops. Art museum visits provide perfect indoor alternatives during the 10 expected rainy days.

Booking Tip: Rent city bikes for €15-20 per day from operators near Viru Gate. Guided cycling tours cost €35-45 and include palace entry tickets. Book indoor museum entries online during rain probability - afternoon showers typically last 30-45 minutes.

Baltic Sea Coastal Hiking at Pirita

The 8km (5 mile) coastal trail from Pirita Convent ruins to Maarjamäe offers stunning sea views with comfortable August temperatures. Morning hikes (8-11am) avoid afternoon shower probability while providing excellent wildlife viewing in coastal pine forests. The trail connects three major historical sites.

Booking Tip: Self-guided hiking is free with downloadable trail maps. Guided historical walks cost €25-35 per person and provide context for Soviet-era monuments and medieval ruins. Start early (8am) to complete before potential afternoon weather changes.

August Events & Festivals

Mid August

Medieval Days Festival

Old Town transforms into a living 15th-century market with authentic craftspeople, traditional foods like smoked eel and medieval ale, and period music performances. Over 100 artisans demonstrate blacksmithing, pottery, and weaving in Town Hall Square and surrounding streets.

Late August

August Blues Festival

Three-day international blues festival at Kadriorg Park featuring Estonian and European artists. Evening concerts take advantage of extended daylight hours, with performances running until 10pm under natural lighting.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight waterproof jacket (not poncho) - August brings 10 rainy days with sudden 20-30 minute downpours that require hands-free rain protection

Comfortable waterproof walking shoes - Old Town's medieval cobblestones become slippery when wet, and you'll walk 8-12km (5-7.5 miles) daily on uneven surfaces

Layers for 8°C (14°F) temperature swings - pack merino wool base layer for cool mornings (12°C/54°F) and breathable cotton for warm afternoons (20°C/69°F)

Compact umbrella with wind resistance - Baltic winds reach 25-30 km/h (15-18 mph) during storms, making cheap umbrellas useless

SPF 30+ sunscreen despite clouds - UV index of 5 plus reflected light from medieval limestone walls can cause unexpected burns during 16-hour daylight

Warm evening jacket for outdoor dining - temperatures drop to 12-15°C (54-59°F) after 8pm when restaurant terraces are most active

Quick-dry pants for bog walking and coastal hikes - regular jeans stay wet for hours in 70% humidity conditions

Insect repellent for forest activities - while mosquitoes peak in July, bog and forest areas still have active populations in early August

Power bank for extended photo sessions - 16+ hours of daylight means constant phone camera use drains batteries faster than typical travel

Wool socks even in summer - feet stay warmer in waterproof shoes during long walking days on stone surfaces

Insider Knowledge

Locals eat lunch between 12-1pm and dinner after 7pm - restaurants offer better service and sometimes lunch pricing if you avoid 1:30-3pm tourist rush when cruise ships dock

Buy groceries at Rimi or Maxima supermarkets rather than Old Town convenience stores to save 40-60% on snacks, water, and basic items - nearest locations are 10-minute walk from city center

Municipal wifi 'Tallinn-WiFi' works throughout Old Town and is faster than most hotel connections - locals use it constantly and it's completely free with no registration

Many museums close Mondays but stay open until 8pm on Thursdays with reduced admission after 6pm - plan rainy day museum visits for late weekday afternoons

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking Old Town restaurants for large groups without reservations - popular spots like Olde Hansa require 3-5 day advance booking for parties over 4 people in August

Wearing only sandals for sightseeing - medieval cobblestones cause foot fatigue and ankle injuries, especially when wet from frequent August showers

Planning tight outdoor itineraries without weather buffers - 10 rainy days means 1 in 3 days has some precipitation requiring flexible indoor backup plans