Things to Do in Kumu Art Museum

Tallinn, Estonia's medieval capital, manages to feel both ancient and surprisingly modern at the same time. The UNESCO-listed Old Town, with its cobblestone streets and 13th-century towers, sits just minutes from sleek glass offices and trendy cafes where you're as likely to hear Finnish or Russian as Estonian. It's the kind of city where you might stumble across a centuries-old church while looking for a craft brewery, and somehow that juxtaposition just works. Kumu Art Museum represents Estonia's ambitious cultural side - this striking contemporary building houses the country's most important art collection, from 18th-century classics to cutting-edge installations. The museum actually sits in Kadriorg Park, which gives you a nice excuse to combine art appreciation with a stroll through one of Northern Europe's prettier baroque gardens. Tallinn tends to surprise people with how much it packs into a relatively small space, and Kumu is a perfect example of that pleasant density.

Estonian cuisine has evolved considerably beyond the heavy, meat-and-potato fare you might expect from a former Soviet republic. The Old Town offers everything from tourist-friendly medieval-themed restaurants to genuinely excellent farm-to-table spots showcasing local ingredients like juniper, sea buckthorn, and Baltic fish. Kalamaja and Telliskivi neighborhoods tend to have the most innovative kitchens, while Kadriorg offers a few upscale options perfect for a post-museum meal. Don't miss trying kohuke (a sweet curd snack) or proper Estonian black bread, and the local craft beer scene is surprisingly sophisticated.

Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the warmest weather and longest days - summer solstice brings nearly 19 hours of daylight, which feels almost surreal. That said, Tallinn's medieval architecture looks particularly atmospheric under winter snow, and Christmas markets transform the Old Town into something genuinely magical. July and August bring the biggest crowds and highest prices, while shoulder seasons offer a nice balance of decent weather and manageable tourism levels. Winter can be quite dark and cold, but indoor attractions like Kumu become even more appealing.