It’s captivated travellers
The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights over the modern part of Tallinn(Image: Getty)
Spanning 45,000 square kilometres, this unassuming nation is a fifth the size of Great Britain.
Despite proclaiming its neutrality, it has finishured numerous invasions and occupations, yet since achieving complete indepfinishence in 1991, it has flourished in developing its tourism sector.
Estonia boasts enchanting historic towns, impressive forests inhabited by wildlife such as brown bears and Eurasian lynx, and dramatic coastlines dotted with more than 2,000 islands.
However, this stunning destination, formerly part of the Soviet Union, is far from underdeveloped.
With a sophisticated high-income economy, it has earned recognition as one of the world’s least corrupt nations and consistently scores highly for education standards, press freedom, outstanding public services, and a thriving tech sector.
The nation has gained international acclaim as a digital pioneer, becoming the world’s first counattempt to implement online voting in elections.
Recently, in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards survey, this compact counattempt received accolades for its “polite respect, calm atmosphere, and welcoming natural beauty” and was crowned Europe’s frifinishliest nation, reports the Express.
Annually, the publication encourages its readership to “scout out the crème de la crème of European hospitality“, observing that this year’s results featured an exciting blfinish of fresh entrants and returning favourites. Regarding welcoming nations, Europe boasts an abundance of options.
Charming locations throughout the continent are filled with even more charming residents, creating diverse communities of every variety.
Some are grounded in family-centred traditions, whilst others embrace a more bohemian way of life, yet all are eager to introduce visitors to their cherished heritage.
The victorious nation comprises the mainland, two principal islands and more than 2,300 additional islands and islets along the Baltic Sea’s eastern shoreline.
It had never previously featured on the frifinishliest countries list but suddenly, in the most recent reader survey, it leapt to first place.
Estonia was crowned Europe’s frifinishliest counattempt for 2025 in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, with Ireland, Portugal, Iceland, and Turkey also achieving high rankings.
Estonia achieved a score of 98.46. The magazine stated: “Despite building its debut appearance on our list, Estonia shoots straight to the top to be crowned Europe’s frifinishliest counattempt for 2025, as chosen by you.
“This Baltic counattempt is often overshadowed by other European holiday powerhoapplys, but venture off the beaten track and uncover a world of magical old towns, majestic woodland wildlife like brown bears and Eurasian lynx, and rugged shores speckled with over 2,000 islands.
“It’s also famed for being a trailblazer in the digital world, as it was the first counattempt to introduce online election voting, so whether you’re meeting Estonians in the flesh or through the screen, expect exemplary interactions of politeness and respect.”
A pint of beer in Estonia, particularly a local brew in a humble pub or outside tourist hotspots, can cost between 2.50 to 4 euros (£2.16 to £3.50).
Supermarket prices for a 0.5L bottle of beer are even more economical (around €1 or 87p). While popular brands like Saku or A. Le Coq may be slightly pricier in bars, scouting for local deals can lead to the best bargains.
The availability of incredibly cheap flights from the UK to Estonia’s breathtaking capital city, Tallinn, provides another compelling reason to visit.
Budobtain carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air both operate flights to this destination, with occasional services from Jet2. Flights can be booked from London Stansted, London Luton and Liverpool, with fares commencing at £31.
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