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Living and Teaching English in Estonia - Habits, Customs & Curiosities

Located on the coast of the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe, Estonia is a full member of the European Union and a member of the European single currency.

Since it broke away from the Soviet Union in 1991, Estonia has rapidly modernized and is now a popular place to visit.

The following guides should provide a brief insight into the country and what to expect on arrival.

You will find some simple travel advice, tips on the local language and cuisine, and info on the culture and customs of the country.

There is also a list of interesting facts that should help you learn a little more about Estonia.

With a population of only 1.3 million, Estonia is one of the smaller countries in Europe. In terms of attractions, you will find plenty of castles, palaces and Medieval ruins to explore, as well as unspoiled national parks, rugged coastlines and huge forests. Luckily, traditional Estonian cuisine consists of many hearty dishes that are perfect for warming you through on a cold winter’s day.

However, it still has plenty to offer visitors whether they are planning on spending just a weekend or have a long-term plan. One of the most popular ways to unwind in Estonia is to visit a sauna where you can cleanse your body in steam before cooling off by rolling in the snow.

As it was part of the Soviet Union for much of the second half of the 20th century, Estonia was largely off limits to foreign visitors. One surprising fact about Estonia is that it is the least religious country in the world, with only 14% of the population holding a religious belief. Of all the inventions attributed to Estonia, the messaging app Skype is arguably the most well-known round the world today.

Now it is fully independent and part of the EU its international profile has steadily grown, but how much do you know about the country? If you are a lover of the outdoors you will be happy to hear that almost half of the country is covered by forest.