1. You Can Drive on the Frozen Sea—and You’re Not Allowed to Wear a Seatbelt

Every winter, Estonia goes full Narnia.

When temperatures drop below -20°C for a few months (what locals call a “good winter”), something magical happens: the sea freezes solid. So solid, in fact, that the government opens official ice roads, and you’re legally allowed to drive across the sea in your car.

Yes, really.

But it’s not a free-for-all. These roads have rules:

• Keep a 250-meter distance between cars.

• Drive only between 10–25 km/h or 40–70 km/h. Speeds in between can cause resonance and crack the ice.

• And here’s the kicker: you’re not allowed to wear a seatbelt.

Why? Because if your car falls through the ice, they want you to be able to escape quickly.

I once even rode a bicycle on an ice road—an absolutely surreal experience that feels like you’re pedaling across another planet. In most countries, this would be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. In Estonia? Just another Tuesday in February.

2. Blood Sausage Is a National Delicacy (and It’s Delicious, Actually)

Picture this: It’s Christmas Eve in Estonia. You’re a guest at someone’s home. The atmosphere is cozy, the table is set… and then your host proudly serves you a platter of sausages oozing with blood.

Welcome to verivorst—Estonia’s beloved blood sausage.

Made from pork, pig’s blood, barley, and spices, verivorst is a staple of the Estonian holiday table. You can fry it, bake it, or eat it with cranberry jam. While versions of blood sausage exist across Europe, in Estonia it’s not just a dish—it’s tradition.

And given how limited the local cuisine is (no offense, Estonia), verivorst isn’t just common—it’s practically revered.

So if you’re squeamish? You might want to mentally prep before December. But if you’re curious, this dish gives you a real taste of life in Estonia—bold, practical, and unapologetically rooted in history.

3. Office Romances? Totally Normal—and No One Hides It

In many countries, workplace relationships are awkward, discouraged, or downright scandalous. But in Estonia? Not so much.

I was genuinely surprised to see how many Estonian couples meet at work—and how openly they talk about it. There’s little taboo here, and almost no HR bureaucracy. Unless you’re a CEO dating your intern, nobody bats an eye.

In fact, if you ask Estonian couples how they met, one of the top answers is:
“At work.”

There’s a kind of unspoken chillness about romance here. You like someone? You date. No dramatic announcements, no office gossip—just two people living their lives. Another example of how life in Estonia strips away the fluff and sticks to the essentials.

4. Being in a Relationship for 25 Years—Without Getting Married

If you’re coming from a culture where marriage is a sacred milestone, Estonia might leave you stunned.

Here, marriage is just paperwork. And people treat it exactly like that.

It’s common—very common—for couples to live together for decades, raise children, buy a house… and never get legally married. They simply don’t see the point. Commitment is measured in time and trust, not in rings or registries.

One famous graph from Estonian statistics even shows that having children usually comes before marriage across almost every age group.

So if you’re still expecting that fairytale “first comes love, then comes marriage” timeline—you might want to recalibrate. In Estonia, people do things their way. Quietly. Confidently. No pressure.

5. Estonia Is So Small, You’ll See Someone You Know Every Time You Leave the House

Here’s a fun game: Go out for coffee in Tallinn and try not to see someone you know.

It’s nearly impossible.

Estonia is a tiny country, and Tallinn especially can feel like one big interconnected friend group. I once joked that if you liked someone but didn’t get their number, all you had to do was stand outside Kristiine Shopping Center on a Sunday—and chances were high you’d see them again.

What’s even crazier?
When you meet someone new, it’s rare not to have mutual friends. In Estonia, your reputation follows you—fast. Everyone knows someone who knows you. Which is why I always tell newcomers:

Protect your reputation like it’s your most valuable asset.

Because here, it just might be.

Final Thoughts: Life in Estonia Is Wonderfully Weird

What looks strange to outsiders is often just Estonia being Estonia—a place where tradition meets pragmatism, where things are efficient but never showy, and where people mind their business… while also kinda knowing everyone else’s.

So if you’re planning to move here, or you’re just fascinated by the quirks of Estonian culture, remember:
It may seem crazy at first. But give it time—and it might just become your new normal too.

Want more insights into life in Estonia?
Read: 12 Things Considered Normal Elsewhere But Crazy in Estonia – Part 1

And if you’ve experienced any of these yourself, or have your own “Estonia is wild” moment—drop it in the comments!

#Estonia #LifeInEstonia #EstonianCulture #MovingToEstonia #CrazyThingsEstoniansDo