Where to Buy Everything after your Arrival in Tallinn

First thing first, when you arrive at the airport, you’ll find an R-Kiosk right in the open area at the city end of the terminal (map of the terminal). Two important things you can buy here are: (1) Mobile Card, if you need internet for the first few days. I got one last year when registered at the university, so you’ll probably also get a free one. (2) Transportation Card. Everything you need to know about the public transport in Tallinn and the card can be found here: Green Card. A list of useful links about transport can be found on the website of Tallinn University of Technology.

Food at the university

For me, I really like the food at the university. There are many options, you’ll find your favorite. Location and opening time.

Isn’t it cool to have a specialty coffee shop on our campus? Nohik is right at the student house and is a nice place to take a break or meet with classmates.

Supermarkets

A list of the most common supermarkets: Maxima, Prisma, Rimi, Selver, Konsum. A detailed introduction is given by our former ambassador Fabgava — The Tallinn Service Guide: Supermarkets.

Some special places you may want to know:

Food

• Tipi Pood is a convenient store nearest to our university, where you can buy food and daily stuff. (P.S. “pood” in Estonian means “shop”)
• Soloris Toidupood offers numbers of choices for exotic food.
• Piprapood sells Asian (China, Japan, Korea, India, Thai, etc) food and seasoning.

Stationery

• Charlot is one of the biggest stationary and office suppliers in the Baltic region.
• Büroomaailm. The one near the Kadaka Selver is not far from our university. And the following Home Goods Store is also here. (Don’t forget to bring your student card for a discount.)
• Flying Tiger Copenhagen has much interesting stuff.

Household

• JYSK is the Estonian answer to IKEA, which is actually a Danish brand. You can find good quality of textiles and other home products at cheaper prices than those at the supermarkets.
• Realiseerimiskeskus (Home Goods Store).

Second-hand

• There are some second-hand stores like Uuskasutuskeskus, Humana, etc. where you can find kitchen utensils or clothes at very cheap prices. A complete guide is here: Second-hand Shops.

Shopping Centers

• Near our university: Mustika Keskus, Mustamäe Keskus, Kristiine Keskus
• To the north: Bastion Rocca al Mare Keskus (the Zoo is just nearby, why not pay a visit? There is a Polar Bear World!)
• Old town: Solaris, Viru Keskus, Foorum
• Near Airport: Ülemiste Keskus
• Specialty: Telliskivi Creative City (“Nearly 600 cultural events take place annually and a flea market is organised on every Saturday.” Now you know where to go on Saturdays.)

Markets

Where are the freshest vegetables and fruits? Go to Balti Jaam Market. There is a new open-door market which is seen as the place for tourists — nice but expensive products. Just walk a few more steps, you’ll reach the indoor “Turg”. You can also find many snack bars here.

Another lovely market is Nõmme Market. It locates in the beautiful Nõmme area. You know that our university-owned castle is also in the forest of this area? To discover more, visit Nõmme — The village within the city.

Gyms

• My favorite gym: People Fitness — excellent facilities, big space, and best value!
• MyFitness has many branches in the town.
• 24/7 Fitness is close to our university, small but has everything you need.
• Don’t forget to check our University Gym. You can also register the PE course to enjoy it.

Hope you all have a nice start of your new journey. Welcome to Tallinn!