9.1.2013 | Shopping

Where to shop in Tallinn

Shopping centres and big department stores are located all over Tallinn. You can find them near the port, in the city centre, as well as in the suburbs. Shopping centres and shops near the port cater to customers daily, except for some holidays. Many even have large supermarkets like Prisma, Selver, and Rimi, which sell everything from food, to electronics, to clothing. Near the port you will find many liquor stores, geared towards the frequent Finnish visitor, as alcohol is much less expensive in Estonia than in Scandinavia.

One of the nicest shopping centres has to be Rocca al Mare. This massive centre was completed in 1998. It is over 54,000 square metres in size and houses 170 shops. The shops are mainly clothing and beauty related, but you can also find sports apparel, children’s toys, home wares, health stores and chemists, as well as a large Prisma supermarket where you can buy just about anything! Choose from a variety of restaurants and fast food. Enjoy the discounts at the Stockmann outlet store.

Citycon, the same company that owns Rocca al Mare, also owns Kristiine. It is a more compact version of the former, and bit closer to the city centre. There is a free bus service that runs from the A and D terminals at the Port of Tallinn that which connects to both centres. The bus departs every half hour between 10.00- 17.00.

Looking for something a bit more central? You need not go further than the Viru Centre, located beside the Sokos Viru Hotel. Here you can visit Kaubamaja, a Tallinn department that has catered to residents for decades. Be sure to visit the recently renovated children’s department, and the massive shoe department. The Kaubamaja Toidumaailm food store is located on the lowermost level of the Viru Centre. If you are looking for a quick takeaway lunch, or a few more groceries, this is your most convenient option. A long counter of hot and cold prepared foods is available to take away, and the selection changes daily.

Equally central is the Solaris Centre, where you can go to the cinema. All English language films are shown in English, with Estonian and Russian subtitles.

Solaris also has a good selection of restaurants. Try Vapiano, located on the second floor. Here you can have pizzas, pastas, and salads made to order. The pasta is made fresh in house. In summer, the top floor of the centre has an open patio. In winter, you can enjoy the view from inside at Komeet. Komeet is known for their delicious cakes and sweets..

For some upscale shopping try the Foorum Centre on Narva maantee. The centre has small boutique clothing and shoe stores, including the delightfully scented Lush store.

Stockmann department store in the city centre, is about a tenminute walk from the Old Town. Here you can find everything from electronics, to clothing, to kitchen wares. The lowermost level of the complex has an impressive grocery store, a liquor store, and takeaway food counter.