A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tallinn vs. Lille for Food, Old Town, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Tallinn or Lille?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tallinn or Lille, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Tallinn

Tallinn is a historical, charming, and quaint city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lille

Lille is a under-rated, fascinating, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Tallinn and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallinn or Lille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Tallinn than Lille. Tallinn is bigger than Lille, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Tallinn is better known for its museums, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Lille is more popular for its food and shopping. Tallinn is more touristy than Lille and is popular for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. Also, Tallinn is famous for The Old Town. Lille is well known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

The Old Town

How is Tallinn different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lille and Tallinn. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tallinn or Lille?

Tallinn is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Tallinn can be an interesting and educational experience. There are beautiful historic churches, particularly in the city's old town. A highlight is the stunning Alexander Nevski Cathedral. You'll also find some unique museums around town as well as Toompea Castle.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Is the Food Better in Tallinn or Lille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lille is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Tallinn area. Food is affordable and hearty. Many dishes incorporate rye bread, pork, smoked fish, potatoes, or dairy products. You'll also find a lot of variation in dishes between seasons.

Is Tallinn or Lille Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Tallinn and Lille.

Tallinn has a large number of nightlife venues. As it's grown in popularity with tourists, the city has put itself on the map as a top party destination in Eastern Europe. There's an active bar and club scene, but there are also art venues and other creative activities for everyone.

Lille is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Is Tallinn or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Tallinn is very popular for its old town. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Tallinn has a world-famous historical area. The city's medieval old town is at the heart of it's tourist attractions. The Gothic architecture, local restaurants, and cobblestone streets give the city a fairytale charm.

Lille is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallinn or Lille?

Lille is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Lille draws large crowds to its stores. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Tallinn. There's a mix of quirky shops and recognizable brands around town. Old town is a popular shopping area, as is nearby Kalamaja. Visitors enjoy picking up marzipan, local crafts, and unique art.

Is Tallinn or Lille Better for Families?

Tallinn is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Tallinn is a family-friendly place to visit. Your kids will feel like they stepped into a fairytale in this beautiful city. It has countless museums including an open air museum and a zoo. There's also nearby Pirita Beach, where you and your kids can enjoy ice cream in a seaside setting.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Tallinn or Lille Better for Couples?

Tallinn is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Tallinn is a very popular place to visit for couples. Filled with gardens, romantic walks, and impressive views, this city makes for a great couple's getaway. Base yourself in the city's beautiful old town and dine in one of the many local restaurants. There are also nice hotels around town that are great for couples.

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Tallinn or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallinn is very popular for backpackers. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Tallinn. The city is both affordable and unique, which is perfect for travelers on a budget. There are plenty of hostels around town as well as casual places to grab a cheap bite to eat.

Lille is a good city to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Tallinn or Lille Better for Students?

Lille is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Lille is a great city to visit as a student. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

Tallinn is popular with students. International students appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the affordable options around town.

Is Tallinn or Lille Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find superb public transit in both Tallinn and Lille.

Tallinn has some very good public transit options. There are buses trolleys and trams around town.

The public transit in Lille can get you to most places easily. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is Tallinn or Lille a more walkable city?

Tallinn and Lille are amazing when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Tallinn. The city is compact and easily explored on foot, particularly in the most touristy areas.

Getting around Lille on foot is easy. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Tallinn Worth Visiting? and Is Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or Lille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tallinn and Lille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tallinn than in Lille. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Tallinn, and 1-3 days is enough time in Lille.

Families should spend more time in Tallinn than Lille. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tallinn, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Tallinn than Lille. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tallinn that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tallinn than Lille if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Tallinn.

One day in Tallinn or Lille?

In Tallinn, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this whimsical destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Lille, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Tallinn or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tallinn. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Lille, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lille has to offer.

Five days in Tallinn or Lille?

Tallinn is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint destination of Tallinn. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Lille is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Tallinn or Lille?

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint destination of Tallinn. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Lille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tallinn and Lille, we can see that Lille is more expensive. And not only is Tallinn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tallinn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tallinn and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Lille would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lille than you might in Tallinn.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tallinn Expensive? and Is Lille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Lille?

Tallinn has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Lille. When comparing the sizes of Tallinn and Lille, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Tallinn or Lille?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tallinn or Lille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tallinn as well as Lille. The summer months attract visitors to Tallinn because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

Tallinn is around the same temperature as Lille in the summer. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tallinn this time of the year. In the summer, Tallinn often gets more sunshine than Lille. Tallinn gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets more rain in July than Lille. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Tallinn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tallinn this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Tallinn is much colder than Lille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tallinn in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Lille averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Tallinn usually receives less sunshine than Lille during autumn. Tallinn gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Lille. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tallinn or Lille in the Winter?

Both Lille and Tallinn during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tallinn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lille in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lille can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Tallinn. In January, Tallinn is generally much colder than Lille. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around -5°C (22°F), and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Tallinn often gets less sunshine than Lille. Tallinn gets 25 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets less rain in January than Lille. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Lille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallinn and Lille. Many visitors come to Tallinn in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lille for the natural beauty during these months.

Tallinn can get quite cold in the spring. Tallinn is much colder than Lille in the spring. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 4°C (39°F) in April, and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Tallinn usually receives more sunshine than Lille during spring. Tallinn gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Lille. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Tallinn