TASTEscape: Tallinn

If you need a pharmacy but still want to be immersed in the medieval atmosphere of this historic city, then navigate through the narrow old town alleys to the Town Hall Pharmacy (Raeapteek), which is one of the oldest in Europe in continuous operation. The pharmacy opened its doors in the fifteenth century and today you can still buy medicine from there. There’s also an exhibition of old remedies and according to legend, marzipan was invented here sometime in the 1400s.

Try the handmade sweets and pastries at Cafe Maiasmokk, which was founded in 1806 and left unchanged for over two centuries. Remember to also visit their marzipan museum room, which is free of charge. There are 220 different moulds used by the confectioner to create all sorts of shapes and models, which make a fantastic gift for anyone back home.

Kalma Saun is one of the oldest saunas in Tallinn – the second you enter its doors it truly feels as though time has stopped. You'll experience a traditional atmosphere, as most of the customers are locals who come to enjoy a steam and meet their friends. The wood-heated sauna is the best thing Kalma Saun has to offer, but if you can't take the heat then you can always move to the steam sauna or take a dip in the pool. This iconic establishment offers a Russian-style banya sauna at its best, so if you want to try something unique then pack your towel and slippers. There's a small bar in the locker room where you can buy refreshments, but you can also bring your own.

Considered one of the best restaurants in Estonia, Restaurant Ö is run by chefs Martin Meikas and Ranno Paukson who utilise local ingredients and seasonality to produce dishes such as elk with ramson stalks and black garlic or goat’s cheese and spruce syrup ash cookies. Should you want to try something a bit more Scandinavian, then you can just move next door, where Martin and Ranno have a restaurant called Kaks Kokka (Two Chefs).

Taste your way through Tallinn's booming craft beer scene at Pudel, in the trendy Kalamaja district, where local breweries such as Põhjala, Õllenaut and Tanker are fresh and on tap. Pudel was one of the first places to open in Telliskivi Loomelinnak, which has transformed in a couple of years from an old abandoned industrial area to the trendiest and coolest area in Tallinn.

Kultuurikatel is housed in an old Soviet factory which is now home to spaces for concerts, festivals, exhibitions and other events. Just a quick stroll through the large creative hub garden (PADA) fills you with a sense of tranquillity, and the constantly changing pop-up cafés and restaurants means there’s something for everyone.

If you're arriving to Tallinn by ferry or cruise ship, this giant helium balloon is one of the first things you will see. Balloon Tallinn opened in 2014 and ever since people have been enjoying 360-degree views over the city's beautiful red rooftops, 120 metres up in the air. From there you can enjoy truly amazing sights of the city centre, old town, Kalamaja district and the Baltic Sea. This is a perfect spot for getting a quick overview of the different districts, all of which look completely different and have their own atmosphere and soul.

This is surely the best known beach in northern Estonia as well as the most popular and largest in Tallinn. The Estonian summer tends to be short, so when a heat wave arrives the whole city heads to Pirita beach. Easily reached from the centre by bus or taxi, it's worth visiting if you want a dip in refreshing sea water, to sunbathe and enjoy beach games. In the summer it has a beach bar, a ten pin bowling club, kiosks where you can rent loungers and a small market.

Jägala Waterfall is over fifty metres in width, eight metres in height and is located in a peaceful area about thirty kilometres to the east of Tallinn. It is a beautiful sight in all seasons, but in the winter the spot is truly magical, as the temperature drops and the water freezes into enormous icicles and interesting ice sculptures. When it gets really cold, the frozen water creates a tunnel between the ice and the waterfall’s wall.