Early winter · Weather & things to do
Tallinn in December
Tallinn cools off: highs slip to 33°F (0°C), from 39°F in November, with lows of 27°F (-3°C) and about 2.2 in (57 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 38/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 33°F (0°C)
- Avg low
- 27°F (-3°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.2 in (57 mm)
- Humidity
- 93%
- Cloud cover
- 89%
- Daylight
- ~5 h 45 min
- Comfort score
- 38/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 33°F (0°C).
Average lows of 27°F (-3°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 2.2 in (57 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 89%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 14 mph (6.1 m/s) at ground level.
Daylight is short, roughly 5 h 45 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – August.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 27°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 5 h 45 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (37 → 38/100).
- Our Tallinn & Riga route is planned for Late Nov – Dec, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — December is part of it.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 27°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Windproof shellaverage wind 14 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Tallinn in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Kohtuotsa viewing platform
Toompea terrace looking over red and snow-covered roofs to St Olaf's spire and the harbour.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Onion-domed Russian Orthodox cathedral from 1900 on Toompea, opposite the Estonian parliament in Toompea Castle.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 33°F.
Rataskaevu 16
Small Old Town restaurant serving modern Estonian food, known for its braised elk roast.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 33°F.
Olde Hansa
Candlelit medieval-themed restaurant in a merchant's house off Town Hall Square, serving game, honey beer and spiced almonds.
Tallinn Christmas Market
Wooden stalls, a tall fir and mulled-wine counters fill Town Hall Square, where Tallinn says a tree stood as early as 1441.
Nearby in December
- Helsinki in December~51 mi · highs 34°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Riga in December~173 mi · highs 32°F, 2.5 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Stockholm in December~235 mi · highs 33°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Tallinn in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Tallinn?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 38/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – August. Expect highs of 33°F (0°C) and 2.2 in (57 mm) of rain or snow.
How cold is Tallinn in December?
Average highs are 33°F (0°C) and average lows 27°F (-3°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Tallinn in December?
Not much: about 2.2 in (57 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 26.9 in (684 mm).
What should I pack for Tallinn in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 27°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), windproof shell (average wind 14 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Tallinn
Routes in season in December
- Tallinn & Riga Late Nov – Dec
Planning Tallinn in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.