During my summer day trip to Tallinn from Helsinki, I found myself spending nearly all my time wandering in and out of bookstores. In this quick 12-hour escape across the Gulf, I visited six bookstores, to be exact. So, if you’re curious about what the book scene looks like in Estonia’s charming capital, I’m happy to share a little bookstore trail based on my experience.

First, if you’re a reader based in Helsinki, visiting and buying books in Tallinn is absolutely worth considering. I compared the prices of several titles and was surprised to find that many books were cheaper in Tallinn, even by as much as five euros, for the exact same edition and cover. That’s a pretty great deal if you ask me!

I checked prices offline and online through Helsinki bookstores and made note of a few titles I had my eye on. That made it easy to compare and decide on the spot once I saw the same books in Tallinn. While not everything was cheaper, some were slightly pricier by one or two euros tho, but the overall savings made me feel like I’d uncovered a bookish hack. (And if you know why these price differences exist, drop a comment. I’m curious!)

Now, here’s the list of bookstores I visited:

Rahva Raamat

One of the most well-known bookstores in Estonia, Rahva Raamat was awarded the International Bookstore of the Year in 2022 and after visiting three of their branches, I completely understand why.

They don’t just sell books. They also have a thoughtful selection of stationery, cute accessories for your reading nook, and even some home and kitchen items. A perfect spot to grab a meaningful souvenir from your Tallinn trip.

1. Rahva Raamat in Viru Keskus

Located inside a shopping mall, this is their largest branch and it felt like nearly an entire floor was devoted to this book store. The curation was top-notch, with clearly organized genres (and subgenres!) and a layout that made sense. It’s the kind of place where you can lose track of time in the best way.

2. Rahva Raamat in Vanalinn (Old Town)

This was the second-largest branch I visited. It’s conveniently located near many tourist spots, so it’s an easy and efficient stop if you’re exploring the Old Town on foot. The vibe here was cozy, and the staff was helpful without being intrusive.

3. Rahva Raamat in Literaat

A much smaller branch tucked not far from Balti Jaam Turg (Baltic Station Market), this location had a quiet charm. While it didn’t carry as many books as the other two, I still found it worth a quick browse, especially if you’re already in the area.

Apollo Store Solaris

Apollo is one of the bookstore chains in Estonia, and during my visit to Tallinn I stopped by the branch not too far from Viru, tucked inside the Solaris shopping mall. The selection was quite broad. You’ll find plenty of books in Estonian alongside shelves of English titles, covering a variety of genres. I didn’t do a detailed price comparison, but I do remember noticing that their classics section was reasonably priced, which felt like a pleasant surprise.

Beyond books, Apollo also carries a range of extras: stationery, films, music, board games, and even some Estonian gifts.

As a little side note, I actually popped into this bookstore while waiting for Lido, the restaurant right next door, to open. If you ever find yourself in Tallinn, I can’t recommend it enough. The place has the charm of a bustling canteen, with rows of dishes spread out so you can easily mix and match a bit of everything. But enough about food. Let’s circle back to the real star of the blog post: the bookstores.

Secondhand Bookstores

There’s something comforting about browsing through pre-loved books and Tallinn has a few gems worth checking out.

1. Bookshop at Balti Jaam Turg

Tucked at the end of the market, this small secondhand shop had a modest section of English books. But the prices was oncredible, just two euros per book when I visited. Definitely worth a peek if you’re already strolling through the market.

2. Raamatukoi

This secondhand store had an impressively wide selection of books in multiple languages. While the English section wasn’t large, it was well-chosen. You might not find what you’re looking for, but you just might stumble upon something you didn’t know you needed.

3. Raamatukaru

A tiny little shop in a tourist-heavy area, Raamatukaru had a welcoming vibe by starting with a small English section right by the entrance, clearly curated with visitors in mind. The woman working there was incredibly kind and I think she was the friendliest person I met on the whole trip. The shop’s thoughtful setup, convenient location, and warm atmosphere made it one of my favorites.

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If you’re planning a day trip to Tallinn and you love books, I can’t recommend bookstore hopping enough. Tallinn has nice offers for you: hunting for deals, curious about Estonian literature, or just want to soak in that bookish atmosphere in a different city.

And who knows, you might just return to Helsinki with a few unexpected treasures in your bag (and a few extra euros saved too).