Estonian National Opera
Estonian National Opera
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Estonian National Opera and nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
997 within 3 miles
Attractions
345 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
161 reviews
Excellent
104
Very good
46
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Mikael F
Helsinki, Finland31,081 contributions
Feb 2022
After a long break because of the pandemic, we had again the opportunity to make a visit to this pleasant opera house. We booked our Tallinn trip just one week before and that determined what the performance would be.
La Fanciulla del West or Tütarlaps kuldsest läänest (in Estonian) is not our favorite opera but I still made a booking. The tickets are very reasonably priced. With Club One discount (10%), the best seats were just 25,20 each. Although being so late in the booking, we got very good seats.
The intermission service is very well handled. It is advisable to book it beforehand. So you don't have to queue.
La Fanciulla del West or Tütarlaps kuldsest läänest (in Estonian) is not our favorite opera but I still made a booking. The tickets are very reasonably priced. With Club One discount (10%), the best seats were just 25,20 each. Although being so late in the booking, we got very good seats.
The intermission service is very well handled. It is advisable to book it beforehand. So you don't have to queue.
Written February 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PBTravelstheWorld
Lynden, WA387 contributions
Sep 2019
Lovely petite opera house that often has tickets available. If you do go, the stalls are on a hardwood floor and you sit in chairs that are moveable. Rubber or soft soled shoes are a good idea to minimize sound. Their are several photos around the building showing it's history and even a small area that they left to show the original painting in comparison to how they have very carefully restored the decorative painting. They present many things here that are not opera, so look at the schedule for music and theater as well.
Written August 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BartvK
Utrecht, The Netherlands213 contributions
Feb 2020 • Business
Together with some colleagues, my wife and me visited the opera to watch La bohème. It was a very good performance, with great singing, especially from the male main character. The building is very nice, though the stage is rather small. With clever light projections it was made to look bigger. The food afterwards in the Estonian restauran was very good. The general atmosphere is relaxed and the service is very friendly. We had a wonderful evening.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scubacol11
Rotherham, UK2,365 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Whilst planning our city break to Tallinn in June and researching on T.A some of the reviews of the opera house said it was better to go to a performance to see the inside of the building rather than go on the tour.After checking the opera house web site found out there was a performance of The sleeping beauty on our last night in Tallinn,I have never been to a ballet before but was willing to give it a try as I do enjoy classical music,I booked tickets on-line and it was an easy process and got two seats on the balcony for just 22 Euro each.
On entering the building was very impressed by the decor in the foyer area as it was all in perfect condition not like in British theaters that always seem a bit run down and in need of funds.There is a cloak room where you can deposit any coats you have which is free of charge another pleasant surprise.On entering the auditorium to take our seat we were very happy at how good a view we had of the stage we had taken binoculars to use as opera glasses but did not need them at all.The decor in the main theater itself is very impressive with beautiful paintings on the ceiling and impressive plaster work all around.
As for the ballet I did enjoy it and all the better for knowing the story beforehand so could recognise the different characters,the dancing was not my thing but my wife along with the rest of the audience really did enjoy it.including all the children there who made up about 50 percent of the audience.The best thing for me was the orchestra of about 60 musicians who played absolutely faultlessly from first note to the last.At the intermission we went for a drink in the bar which was very pleasant and there were many tables laid out with food and drinks with customers names on who had pre-ordered their refreshments on-line.
Overall a very nice evening in a beautiful theater watching a really good performance of high quality dancing and music at a price you would not find in many countries in the world.As for seating I don"t think there is a bad seat in the house,the upper circle may be a bit far away and the rear stalls are not the best but definitely not worth paying for a private box as they are on the side close to the stage and have a limited view of part of the stage.
On entering the building was very impressed by the decor in the foyer area as it was all in perfect condition not like in British theaters that always seem a bit run down and in need of funds.There is a cloak room where you can deposit any coats you have which is free of charge another pleasant surprise.On entering the auditorium to take our seat we were very happy at how good a view we had of the stage we had taken binoculars to use as opera glasses but did not need them at all.The decor in the main theater itself is very impressive with beautiful paintings on the ceiling and impressive plaster work all around.
As for the ballet I did enjoy it and all the better for knowing the story beforehand so could recognise the different characters,the dancing was not my thing but my wife along with the rest of the audience really did enjoy it.including all the children there who made up about 50 percent of the audience.The best thing for me was the orchestra of about 60 musicians who played absolutely faultlessly from first note to the last.At the intermission we went for a drink in the bar which was very pleasant and there were many tables laid out with food and drinks with customers names on who had pre-ordered their refreshments on-line.
Overall a very nice evening in a beautiful theater watching a really good performance of high quality dancing and music at a price you would not find in many countries in the world.As for seating I don"t think there is a bad seat in the house,the upper circle may be a bit far away and the rear stalls are not the best but definitely not worth paying for a private box as they are on the side close to the stage and have a limited view of part of the stage.
Written July 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeripateticPater
Tallinn, Estonia6 contributions
May 2013
Attended the premiere of the new production of La Bayadere on 16th May.
A truly wonderful experience. The male dancers were strong, athletic, yet mastered delicacy of sub-continental movement. The leading men were vibrant. The prima ballerinas were sublime in movement and expression. Truly a production worth seeing.
A truly wonderful experience. The male dancers were strong, athletic, yet mastered delicacy of sub-continental movement. The leading men were vibrant. The prima ballerinas were sublime in movement and expression. Truly a production worth seeing.
Written May 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AleksHuddersfield
Huddersfield509 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
We took the opportunity to go and see Swan Lake at the National Opera Theatre. The Estonian National Ballet company were performing it and it was very enjoyable, made more so by the lovely building itself. The ceiling and chandaliers were exquisite. The theatre itself was very well organised with a free coat depsoit facility and wonderful bar areas where you could purchase great value drinks and snacks. We had a glass of cava and a smorgasbord open sandwich before the performance for next to nothing. English Theatres take note. In addition the tickets for the performance were only 22 euros each. An absolute bargain.
Written April 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelbugVietnam
Vietnam1,646 contributions
May 2013 • Solo
I attended a performance of Modigliani - The Cursed Artist at the Opera Theatre a few days before its World Premiere. This was a ballet that required a great deal of acting ability in addition to technique. The dancers were very expressive and in the required scenes very sensual. They told the story of the tortured life of Modigliani and how self-destructive he was. The dancers playing Modigliani and his wife were excellent and so was the rest of the company. The Opera House is a small theatre and this allowed for great visibility from most seats. Don't forget to check out the barrier into the car park. It is a hand with a conductor's baton forming the barrier. As the cars entered the car park you saw the baton rising and falling. A quirky touch.
Written May 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tiriak2017
Tallinn, Estonia17 contributions
Nov 2019
Watched the ballet Snowwhite and seven dwarfs with 7-year old and we both enjoyed it a lot. Stage design was very interesting and made the story live.
Written November 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikael F
Helsinki, Finland31,081 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
This opera house as many others has begun to play musicals. They are so popular.
This was the first time we bought tickets from the second gallery. The visibility was partly obstructed but we were able to move to better seats for the second act.
The musical was performed in Estonian but there were subtitles in English. Also, we were familiar with the story.
The intermission service was perfect as always.
This was the first time we bought tickets from the second gallery. The visibility was partly obstructed but we were able to move to better seats for the second act.
The musical was performed in Estonian but there were subtitles in English. Also, we were familiar with the story.
The intermission service was perfect as always.
Written June 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikael F
Helsinki, Finland31,081 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
We have seen the Nutcracker at many opera houses but Estonian Nutcracker has been our favorite.
This time there was a lot of disturbance. Estonian National Opera sells tickets for small children without a seat reservation. The child is sitting on the parent's lap. On my left side were two children sitting on the laps, probably three and five years old.
The highlight, the Waltz of the Snowflakes was totally ruined when one of them wanted to go to the toilet and one minute before the end of the first act they decided to come back. So it was a double disturbance not only for us but for everybody sitting nearby.
The intermission service has always been perfect. It is advisable to book it beforehand.
This time there was a lot of disturbance. Estonian National Opera sells tickets for small children without a seat reservation. The child is sitting on the parent's lap. On my left side were two children sitting on the laps, probably three and five years old.
The highlight, the Waltz of the Snowflakes was totally ruined when one of them wanted to go to the toilet and one minute before the end of the first act they decided to come back. So it was a double disturbance not only for us but for everybody sitting nearby.
The intermission service has always been perfect. It is advisable to book it beforehand.
Written January 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
is there an English language version of the website and can one access calendar of performances?
Written February 21, 2016
Showing results 1-3 of 3
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing