Venue

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn Old Town. Photo by Kaupo Kalda 2018, visittallinn.ee

Medieval Old Town

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Tallinn's Old Town is truly like a fairytale come to life! Here, you will find the Europe's oldest continually operating apothecary called Raeapteek; the St Olaf's church that was once the world's tallest building; an historical fortification system that is one of the mightiest defence systems in Northern Europe, consisting of a series of walls and towers that date all the way back to the 13th century; and one of the best-preserved Gothic town halls in Northern Europe. 

What is more, did you know that the first public Christmas tree in Europe was also erected in Tallinn? Read more about it here!

All in all, it can be said that the Old Town is still the beating heart of Tallinn. Cosy cafés tucked away in inner courtyards, world-class restaurants mixed with intriguing contemporary art galleries, exciting museums, and a year-round event calendar all make Tallinn's Old Town a source of admiration and discovery. For a place so historic, it always has something new to offer.

City of Colourful Contrasts

Despite not being a metropolis, Tallinn is a city of colorful contrasts, offering a plethora of unique experiences ranging from small pop-up exhibitions to grand song festivals with choirs consisting of tens of thousands of performers.

Moreover, the different districts of Tallinn are beautifully distinct, each in their own unique way. Thanks to this, taking a stroll through different Talllinn's districts can make you feel as if you've travelled to an entirely new city. For instance, situated next to the medieval Old Town is the Kalamaja district that was once a home to fishermen and factory workers. Nowadays, the area is filled with young creatives, innovative pop-up shops and businesses, and a selection of cafés and bars for you to have a seat and take in the bohemian charm. Onwards, you may find yourself in the former industrial district of Telliskivi, which has now become a hub for curious and crafty minds. And if you're looking to discover modern Estonian design while having a taste of our culture, then the Noblessner Port City or the Rotermann Quarter may be the right options for you!

On the other side of Tallinn University lies the Baroque-style Kadriorg Palace and its surrounding park that was commissioned by the czar Peter the Great in the 18th century. The park attracts guests with its luscious greenery, intimate cafés, and grand art museums guaranteed to offer any visitor an unforgettable experience.

However, while Kadriorg shines with its historical buildings, the neighbouring district of Lasnamäe is primarily known for its many examples of Soviet-style residential buildings. Lastly, while you're in Tallinn, don't forget to visit the seaside districts of Pirita and Rocca al Mare to enjoy long walks on the beach. 

Further diversity is brought by Estonia's four distinct seasons, with each season revealing a different side of Tallinn. In the Spring, you may enjoy bird-watching in the Nõmme district, while in the Summer, our white nights prove to be a perfect setting for a romantic stroll on the beach. In the Autumn, you're welcome to take a colourful walk in the Kadriorg Park, and the snowy Winter nights are a delightful opportunity to visit the world-famous Tallinn Christmas Market in the Old Town.

Kalamaja district. Photo by Maret Põldveer-Turay 2015, visittallinn.ee

 

A Green Capital

With its calm pace and clean air, Tallinn is rightly a city that's close to nature. Our various parks, bogs, promenades, and beaches offer an escape from the busy city life. In fact, a quarter of Tallinn consists of green spaces. If you're interested in seeing more of Tallinn's luscious greenery, we recommend taking a walk through the Japanese garden in the Kadriorg Park.

For an active holiday, visit the pinewood forests of Nõmme or the bright seasides of Rocca al Mare and Pirita. In the Summer, relax on the beach or go on a yacht cruise, and in the Winter, gather up your courage and take a dip in the icy waters of the Tallinn bay. 

You can also enjoy the beauty and diversity of Estonia's nature by going on a hike in Pääsküla bog. Tallinn is also one of the few capitals with a Natura 2000 Special Protection Area for birds within its territory, located on the peninsula of Paljassaare.

Tallinn has been awarded the title of European Green Capital 2023, find out more on the Green Tallinn website.

Source: visittallinn.ee/why-tallinn

Location and venue

Tallinn University Astra building. Source: tlu.ee

The 12th International Conference on the Dialogical Self will be held at Tallinn University, Estonia between 4-7 June, 2024. In general, Tallinn University is a modern and dynamic research university that's located in the heart of Tallinn - as such, the university has taken on a leading role in promoting an intelligent lifestyle through interdisciplinary education and research. In fact, thanks to our unique approach to interdisciplinary collaboration, the university is known to stand out among other higher education institutes, both in Estonia and on a global level. 

The university campus consists of six buildings that are connected through a series of glass corridors and galleries, making it easy to get from one building to another. To get a better overview of the campus, take a look at out virtual campus tour! While on campus, you will be able to use our free, high-speed WiFi network to stay connected with your colleagues and students alike. In addition, you're also welcome to use your institute's eduroam account at the university.

On the whole, the campus is fully accessible for people with disabilities and challenged mobility. Different campus buildings are equipped with wheel-chair ramps, self-opening doors, English-speaking elevators, and handicap restrooms. What's more, low-floor trams operate on the tram line that connects the university to the city centre. Find more information on the tram line nr 3 here. 

Tallinn University is situated between the historic, fairytale-like Tallinn Old Town and the picturesque Kadriorg district, which is the home to one of the biggest urban recreational parks in Estonia - the Kadriorg Park. 

Venue address:
Tallinn University
Narva road 29                                                                   
10120 Tallinn, Estonia                                                            
Website: www.tlu.ee 

Travel Information Overview

Pirita promenade. Photo by Kadi-Liis Kalda 2016, visittallinn.ee

There is good air connection between Estonia and other European countries. The only international airport in Estonia is called the Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport (TLL) and it is situated in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. In 2018, it was named one of the best small airports in Europe. The airport is modern and convenient, offering a warm welcome to all visitors. For further information on the airport, please visit their website. 

As Estonia is located by the Baltic sea, it is also possible to reach Tallinn by ferry from Helsinki and Stockholm. The Old City Harbour is situated right in the city centre, not too far from Tallinn University. In the Springtime, it is especially enjoyable to take a stroll around the shore. For further information, please see their website, under the category of Old City Harbour. 

Another option to reach Tallinn is to take a bus from the Riga airport in the capital city of Latvia, which is located around 350 km to the South of Tallinn. The bus travel from Riga to Tallinn takes around 5.5 hours via bus. The Lux Express bus is equipped with free Wi-Fi and power outlets by every seat to help you stay connected on the road and individual multimedia screens to make the trip more enjoyable. If you wish to travel by bus, please visit the Lux Express website to buy tickets. 

On the whole, domestic travel between major Estonian cities is quick and easy via a highway or railway system as most major cities are connected by buses or trains. For more information and ticket prices, please see the bus transportation website called T-pilet or Elron for the information on the national railway system. 

How to get to Tallinn City Centre?

From the Tallinn Airport

If you’re opting for air travel, then you’ll be satisfied to learn how quick and comfortable it is to get to the city centre from the airport. The easiest, most sustainable, and cheapest way to get to the city centre is via public transportation. 

The airport is well-connected and trams depart from the airport around every 10 minutes. You can take tram number 4 to Hobujaama station. From there, you can either walk to the University (ca 7 minutes) or change to trams number 1 or 3, with a direction to Kadriorg. Trams number 1 and 3 will stop directly by Tallinn University. The public transportation timetable is available here.

The airport’s bus stop is located in front of the terminal of arrivals. Bus No. 2 travels on the route Mõigu-Passenger Port. In the city centre, the bus stops next to Viru Keskus at A. Laikmaa Street. From the airport to the city, find a schedule named ''Moigu-Reisisadam'' where the bus stop ''Lennujaam'' means the Airport. See the webpage for more details and ticket prices.  

If you wish to travel in privacy, there is an Airport Shuttle service available at Tallinn Airport. The shuttle service is fast and convenient to those who are used to travelling solo. 

Lastly, you can also take a taxi. For your convenience, there are taxis available in front of the Airport building. Since Tallinn Airport is fairly small, you will easily see the taxis waiting in front of the arrivals gate. The cost of a taxi ride to Tallinn University should be approximately 15 EUR. If you’re used to taxi apps, you may also check Bolt or Uber, both of which operate in Estonia and are popular amongst visitors and locals alike.

From the Port of Tallinn

Your route to Tallinn University from the Port of Tallinn depends on which terminal you arrive at: if you arrive at Terminal D, you can simply walk to the university. From other terminals, you should take a taxi. You can find taxis in front of the harbour building (and if you can’t find one, please turn to the information desk). The taxi drive to Tallinn University should cost approximately 7 EUR. If you’re used to taxi apps, you may also check Bolt or Uber, both of which operate in Estonia and are popular amongst visitors and locals alike.

To familiarize yourself with the Port of Tallinn and its terminals, please see their website for detailed maps and information. 

Public Transportation in Tallinn

Public transportation in Tallinn is by buses, trams, and trolley buses. See the webpage for more details, prices, and guidelines on how to buy a single-use or long-term ticket. The public transportation timetable is available HERE and it is updated in real time. 

NB! Please note that the conference is partnered with Tallinn Transport Department (Tallinna Transpordiamet) to provide all of our conference participants free public transportation between the period 03.-08.06.2024 from 00:00 to 00:00. To use public transportation, please scan the QR-code on your conference nametag, when entering a bus, a tram, or a trolleybus. NB! Please note that the QR-code should be scanned at the validator that is located by the first door of the vehicle. The validator is orange in colour and is square-shaped. For more information on how to use free public transportation, please contact the conference organizing team at ds2024@tlu.ee.

For useful advice and inspiration on Tallinn’s top attractions, activities, events, and places to eat and drink, check out the city’s official tourism portal, visittallinn.ee, or follow @VisitTallinn on social media.

Webpage: Tallinn Transport Department

Taxi

The cost of a taxi ride is approximately 0,5 EUR /per kilometre + starting fare 3,5 EUR. Most of the taxis will accept payments by card, but it’s recommended to ask before sitting in. In order to ensure that you’ll be able to catch a ride, make sure that you have enough change money in advance. For instance, you can do it at the currency exchange points both at the airport and the harbour. 

If you’re comfortable with using taxi apps, we recommend opting for either Bolt or Uber, both of which are affordable and convenient to use. Moreover, did you know that Bolt is a taxi service app that was originally born in Estonia and has now grown to become an international company that offers its services in various countries all over Europe! 

If you wish to have other options, it is possible to order a taxi via phone call: 

Tallink takso, phone +372 640 8921 (card payments accepted)
Forus takso, phone +372 612 0000 (card payments accepted)

The taxi fares may slightly vary depending on the traffic and company

Electric scooters 

As Estonia is a fast-developing country both in terms of digitalisation and sustainability, electric scoorts have become a popular way of getting from point A to point B among young people. Electric scooters are a great alternative to car rides as they use significantly less energy than their four-wheeled counterparts. Moreover, taking advantage of the public-use scooters gives you a wonderful opportunity to truly enjoy the city and its atmosphere. 

In Estonia, there are two popular companies that offer electric scooters that are available for public use. Firstly, taxi app Bolt is also known for their high-end electric scooters that are fast and comfortable. Their scooters can be found anywhere all over Tallinn. Their service is easy to use via Bolt app that allows users to lock and unlock different scooters. On average, the fee is 0.20€/per minute. 

Secondly, another popular app is called Tuul. Tuul is an e-scooter sharing app that’s mostly known for being one of the greenest and most sustainable scooters in the world. Tuul is also an Estonian company. Likewise to Bolt, their scooters are available to ride via downloading the Tuul app. On average, the fee is 0.20€/per minute.