Major city · Estonia
Rakvere
Give Rakvere one night or a half-day stop between Tallinn and Narva: the castle hill and Pikk Street take 3–4 hours, and the town is quiet after dark.
Rakvere is Estonia's fifth-largest town, 100 km east of Tallinn on the Tallinn–Narva road and rail line. The reason to stop is the Order Castle on Vallimägi and the low pre-war streets around it; everything worth seeing sits within a 20-minute walk. Most travellers pass through on the way to Narva or Lahemaa, and one night is enough.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, wet, short days; castle on group request only)
- Airport
- TLL
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Treat the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian borders with R…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Baltic states ↗Treat the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian borders with Russia and Belarus as closed to your plans: crossings are restricted, change within hours, and sit under advisories on the far side.
- Baltic states ↗Book open-jaw flights (into Tallinn or Vilnius, out of the other) so the line runs one way; Riga is the biggest airport if you need a single hub.
- Baltic states ↗Midsummer (23–24 June) is the biggest holiday in all three countries: cities empty, many businesses close and island and coast transport sells out.
- Estonia ↗Estonia is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Estonian sources for your passport.
- Estonia ↗The land border with Russia is not a route for casual travel; check your government's advice before going near it.
- Estonia ↗Winter tyres are required in the cold months; rental cars include them, but confirm if you drive.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Rakvere112 ▾
- Police, ambulance and fire112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Rakvere, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Estonia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelia, Elisa and Tele2 sell prepaid SIMs in supermarkets, kiosks (R-Kiosk) and phone shops; EU roaming applies to EU SIMs.Estonia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere; Tallinn's is hard but fine.Estonia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; not expected.Estonia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Estonia-wide
- SafetyRakvere is a small, calm town and violent crime is rare.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls and museums; public toilets €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2); cafés expect you to buy something.Estonia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, ambulance and fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckShops open daily, including Sundays; museums often close Mondays (Kumu Mon–Tue in winter — check).Estonia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTLL Tallinn Airport (Bus or train to Rakvere, about 1.5–2 h; no airport of its own).
- Getting aroundOn foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5)
- Beerdraught in a café / can at a shop€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxicheck€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus ridecheck€1–2 (≈ US$2–3)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entrycheck€2–6 (≈ US$3–7)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person€20 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€80 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €35 (≈ US$45) · Mid €60 (≈ US$70) · High €100 (≈ US$120)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TLL Tallinn Airport (Bus or train to Rakvere, about 1.5–2 h; no airport of its own)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Mar
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Nov
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Dec
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Feb (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest Oct (12 rain days), driest Feb (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Rakvere: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
10 rd
Feb
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
8 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Apr
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Oct
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
12 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot. The castle, Turu plats, Pikk Street and both main churches are inside a 20-minute walk; the railway station is the only sight 1 km out. Five local bus lines run hourly and are rarely useful; buy tickets in the Pilet.ee app.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kunda Cement Museum
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or car north to Kunda, about 30–40 min
Weekday opening only (about 09:00–15:00); check before going.Weekday opening only (about 9:00 AM–3:00 PM); check before going.
Võivere and Simuna (Struve Geodetic Arc)
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Car or limited bus south, about 41 km (25 mi)Car or limited bus south, about 25 mi (41 km)
Two UNESCO-listed survey points in open fields; no public transport to the markers.
Lahemaa National Park
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Car west via the Tallinn–Narva road
Better done from Tallinn as its own trip.
Narva
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Bus every two hours, about 2.5 h
Border town with the Hermann Castle; too far for a return day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Turu plats and Pikk Street)
Walk to the castle, market building and cafés; best for one night without a car.
Around the bus station (Laada)
Cheapest beds and the earliest departures; 10 min walk to the castle.
Railway station side (Jaama)
Only if you arrive or leave by train; 1 km (0.6 mi) north-east of the centre.Only if you arrive or leave by train; 0.6 mi (1 km) north-east of the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €35–55 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- €55–90 (≈ US$65–110) excl. bed
- High
- €90 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 1 night × €80 | €80 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €60 | €120 |
| Bus Tallinn → Rakvere, one way2 × €8 · check | €16 |
| Order Castle ticket, adult2 × €9 · check | €18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €25 |
| Trip total≈ €140 per person per day, bed included | €279≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to Rakvere excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Lunch (soup or main) | €6–12 (≈ US$7–14) |
| Beer: draught in a café / can at a shop | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) / €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| 5 km taxicheck | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Local bus ridecheck | €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Museum entrycheck | €2–6 (≈ US$3–7) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The railway station building is a shop, not a station: buy tickets online or on the train.
- Castle hours shrink outside summer and winter visits are by group request only: check before travelling.
- Bus station opening hours are limited (about 06:45–20:00); late arrivals may find it shut.Bus station opening hours are limited (about 6:45 AM–8:00 PM); late arrivals may find it shut.
- Some manor houses in the area are private or abandoned: view from outside only.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance and fire
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
RakvereRakvere
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Selle aadressi peale, palunTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance and fire112
Embassy
No embassies in Rakvere; most countries keep embassies in Tallinn.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Tallinn → Rakvere: about €8 (≈ US$10), 1.5 h (check)
- Train Tallinn → Rakvere: about €6–8 (≈ US$7–10), 1 h 20 min (check)
- Taxi across town: €4–7 (≈ US$5–9) (check)
Say or show
- Tere — Hello (TEH-reh)
- Aitäh — Thank you (AI-tah)
- Palun — Please (PAH-loon)
- Kui palju see maksab? — How much is it? (kui PAHL-yoo seh MAHK-sahb)
- Kas te räägite inglise keelt? — Do you speak English? (kahs teh RAA-gi-teh ING-li-seh kehlt)
- Kus on WC? — Where is the toilet? (koos on veh-tseh)
Estonian is a Finnic language close to Finnish; English is widely spoken by under-50s.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Rakvere. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, wet, short days; castle on group request only) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for TLL: last bus and train departures to Rakvere field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Turu plats, Pikk Street and the castle hill, the railway station side.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Order Castle, Citizen's House Museum, Police Museum, Holy Trinity Church) and eat pages with last orders.
- Green and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialRakvere town official website
- officialRakvere Order Castle
- officialVisit Estonia — Rakvere
- secondaryWikivoyage: Rakvere, revision 5300834 (CC BY-SA 4.0)