tallinn tourism information

Tallinn Tourist Information Centre

Welcome to the Tallinn Tourist Information Centre! The Tourist Information Centre provides information about Tallinn's museums and attractions, tours, events, as well as restaurants and shopping possibilities. The helpful staff at the Tourist Information Centre can provide up-to-date tourist information about Tallinn, both on-site and via telephone, email and web chat. It is possible to buy the  Tallinn Card  and a  Tallinn public transport ticket  and city maps at the Tourist Information Centre.

Tourist Information Center opening hours during the holiday period:

24.12 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

25.12 CLOSED

26.12 CLOSED

31.12 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

01.01 CLOSED

TripAdvisor® Traveler Reviews

based on 95 reviews

Great advice

We have a week in the city and on our first day in old town we stopped in and received maps and valuable event information.

Very useful and great 2 hour free guided tour

The center was very helpful, staff spoke great English and cared doing about their job well. Lots of info there. Best of all, every hour (I think 10-2) there is a free 2 hour guided tour which... Read more comments

Travel help

I stopped here for information. The line wasn’t long although it moves slowly because they provide so much information. A good travel resource.

What to See in Tallinn

Our favorite sights and tips for tallinn.

Latest update: August 13, 2023

In a nutshell: Our best Tallinn tips

• Old Town of Tallinn: Surrounded by a city wall and just beautiful – our top sight in Tallinn.
• Balti Jaama Turg : The coolest market hall in the city, where you can try many typical Estonian dishes.
• The best viewpoints in Tallinn are the tower of Olai Church and Kohtuotsa lookout.
• Our hotel tip for Tallinn is Rapunzel Tower Apartment – great location between the Old Town and the sea.
• Our favorite café in Tallinn is Kivi Paber Käärid – they serve delicious chocolate cake.

Those were our tips for a city trip to Tallinn in short format. Do you want to find out more? Great! Then read on and check out all our tips and sights in Tallinn .

Seven interesting facts about Tallinn and Estonia

Let’s start with 7 exciting and astonishing facts about Tallinn and Estonia:

• Tallinn is the capital of Estonia and has 430,000 inhabitants . That’s roughly a third of the Estonian population.
• Until 1918, the city was known as Reval .
• Public transport is free of charge for all residents of Tallinn.
• Free Internet access is a basic right in Estonia. So there is free WiFi everywhere in Tallinn.
• Tallinn is sometimes called the Silicon Valley of Europe. Lots of start-ups are based here. The most famous work by Estonian programmers is a little program you may have heard of… Skype.
• Estonia is the country with the highest share of women relative to its population in the world. There are only about 84 men for every 100 women.
• According to the WHO, Estonia’s air is the cleanest in the world.

That all sounds pretty great, right?

The most interesting districts and sights on a map

Tallinn has a wide variety of different sights and attractions to visit. In this section, we’ll tell you which sights you absolutely have to see on your city trip to Tallinn.

The following map shows the most important sights and districts in Tallinn. You’ll find a more detailed map of the Old Town below.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Of course, there are loads of churches in the Old Town.

The most beautiful church has to be the A lexander Nevsky Cathedral, which was built in the late 19th century .

Patarei Prison

Although Estonia was part of the Soviet Union until 1990, there’s hardly anything left to remind you of that time. A few prefab concrete blocks on the outskirts of the city and the Soviet antique market are some of the few remaining relics that still exude something like Soviet charm .

But there are two more buildings that are inseparably intertwined with this historical era. One of them is Patarei Prison. The sea fortress  was built way back in the 19th century, but during Soviet rule it gained sad notoriety as one of the worst prisons in the Soviet Union .

Until recently, the prison was still open to visitors. Unfortunately, guided tours have recently been suspended.

The future of Patarei Prison is a topic of heated debate in Tallinn. Proposals for its future use range from a cultural center to luxury apartments to the establishment of a memorial. You can find current information about the compound on the Patarei website .

Very close by Patarei Prison, visitors are faced with a huge concrete monstrosity: the Linnahall. The Linnahall was built for the sailing competitions of the Summer Olympics in 1980 , and for a long time, it was the largest event venue in Estonia.

But for years now, the building has been in a steady state of decay. Today, it mostly serves as a subject for oddball photos and a popular hangout to watch the sunset . Because the Linnahall is an excellent place to sit and look out onto the Baltic Sea. That’s definitely something you should do when you’re in Tallinn.

The Old Town of Tallinn

OK, this won’t come as much of a surprise. The Old Town is the absolute main attraction in Tallinn . Presenting all the individual sights within the Old Town would be well beyond scope of this post. After all, the entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

The best way to go about exploring is to just let yourself drift through the Old Town and discover the most beautiful places on your own. If you want to get some additional information about Tallinn, you can also take a guided tour of the Old Town.

To the guided tour through the Old Town

The Old Town is surrounded by a medieval city wall which is still preserved over a length of 2 kilometres.

Our next Tallinn attraction is the Telliskivi Creative City. Creative companies, galleries, design shops , and some of the best bars and cafés in Tallinn have settled in this former industrial complex.

Hundreds of events take place in the Telliskivi grounds every year: concerts, exhibitions, flea markets. You can find current information about events on the Telliskivi website .

North of Telliskivi lies the Kalamaja quarter. The streets with their traditional, colorful wooden houses constitute one of the most popular residential areas in Tallinn.

A stroll through Kalamaja, camera in hand, is definitely worthwhile. Colorful wooden houses are interspersed with old industrial buildings , now inhabited by creative types, and if you follow one of the streets in Kalamaja even further north, you’ll reach the Baltic Sea in a matter of minutes. Isn’t that great?

The best viewpoints

There are some great viewpoints in the Old Town. Our favorites were the Kohtuotsa viewing platform with great views of the east of the Old Town and the Piiskopi viewing platform in the west.

But the tower of St. Olaf’s Church offers the best view of all. It costs 5 euros admission and you have to climb a steep, narrow staircase to get to the top. But the arduous ascent is rewarded with a magnificent view of the Old Town and the Port of Tallinn.

St. Olaf’s Church open from April to October

Balti Jaama Turg

To the northeast of the Old Town is Tallinn’s main train station, called Balti Jaam (Baltic Station). Right next to it is the Balti Jaama Turg, without a doubt the coolest market in Tallinn .

The market complex with its striking zig-zag roof has just been freshly renovated. Meat, fish and, vegetables are some of the things sold at the market.

But we were most excited about all the food stalls . From Japanese soups to delicious burgers to vegan wraps, it has everything a gourmet’s heart desires.

If you want to taste more of the Estonian cuisine, we can recommend this culinary tour of Tallinn. You will also make several stops at Balti Jaama Turg market.

To the Tallinn food tour

The area right next to the market hall offers a stark contrast: While the food stalls are mostly frequented by the young, hip residents of Tallinn, the antique market feels like you’ve traveled back in time 40 years.

If you’re into Soviet trinkets and Lenin statues, you can stock up on them here.

Town Hall Square

The main square in the Old Town is the Town Hall Square . It’s always really crowded. There’s also a great Christmas market here during the pre-Christmas season.

Restaurants and bars in Tallinn: Our tips

We had such great food in Tallinn! And drinks! So of course we want to share our favorite spots with you.

Kivi Paber Käärid

Kivi Paber Käärid translates as Rock, Paper, Scissors .

There are some great sunny spots outside where we spent many lazy afternoons. The beer menu is several pages long and they also have delicious food there too.

The vegan chocolate cake with raspberries is an absolute dream! The Pudel Baar directly opposite is also pretty great!

The Surfcafé is a small stall in the Balti Jaama Turg market hall. They say the barista is the best in all of Tallinn, and it’s true – the coffee is outstanding . You have to try the filter coffee.

OK, that may sound a bit weird, but trust us, it’s extremely delicious.

Veg Machine

Also located in the market hall, just two stands from the Surfcafé, you’ll find the Veg Machine. It serves exactly two dishes: vegan wraps and vegan burgers . Both are supper-yummy, even for non-vegans. You should definitely try it!

Boheem Cafe

The Boheem Cafe right by the entrance to Telliskivi Creative City offers delicious food from breakfast to dinner around the clock. Nothing fancy, but it’s all very tasty.

The local café chain Reval Café runs 14 cafés in Tallinn. Besides good coffee , they also offer tasty snacks . The ‘Reval Breakfast’ is really great, a kind of Estonian farmer’s breakfast. Delicious!

Klaus Kohvik

Klaus is located between Patarei Prison and the Linnahall and offers delicious, young cuisine in a stylish setting.

How to get to Tallinn

The fastest way to get to Tallinn is by plane. You can also easily combine a trip to Tallinn with one of the other cities in the region, e.g. Helsinki or Riga.

Flights to Tallinn

There are direct flights to Tallinn from several European cities. For example, you can get to Tallinn from Berlin , Munich and Vienna .

Tallinn’s small airport is very modern and one of the most pleasant we’ve been to so far. It is also only a stone’s throw away from the city centre .

From the airport to the city centre by taxi or Uber

In front of the terminal, there’s a taxi rank where you can catch a cab to downtown Tallinn for 10 to 15 euros . A cheap alternative is to book a ride using Uber. That only costs about half as much as a taxi.

Taking the tram or bus from the airport to the city centre

The line 4 tram stops right at the terminal and goes to the old town in a quarter of an hour. The stops in the old town are Viru and Vabaduse Väljak. The fare is 2 euros .

Bus line 2 also takes you from the airport to the Old Town for 2 euros .

Taking the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn

Tallinn and the Finnish capital Helsinki are only separated by a two-hour ferry trip. Different companies serve this route, so there are usually several ferries per hour .

Tickets start at around 25 euros . If you only want to go on a day trip, there are also cheap day return tickets that allow you to travel to Helsinki and back in one day for around 34 euros .

To the ferry tickets

Taking the bus from Riga to Tallinn

Tallinn is also very well connected with the Latvian capital of Riga. The bus company Ecolines connects Riga and Tallinn with very comfortable buses and up to 7 trips a day .

The journey takes about 4 hours and costs 19 euros . If you book very early, you can get even better deals. You can just book your tickets online here .

If you’re in the mood for something a bit more adventurous, you can also take the train from Tallinn to Riga. However, it isn’t any cheaper, takes much longer, and you have to change trains once, but it’s much more adventurous.

Even more practical tips for Tallinn

As we already mentioned, Tallinn is extremely easy to travel. But we still have some additional information and extra tips for you.

#1 Paying in Tallinn

The official currency in Tallinn is the euro .

Card payments are extremely common here. Even tiny stores accept cards. We always take our two travel credit cards wherever we go, so we were able to pay and withdraw money in Tallinn with no extra fees.

#2 Choosing the right place to stay

Tallinn is really very compact, so it isn’t that hard to pick an area to stay. Especially in the Old Town, Kalamaja and west of the Old Town , you can stay well and quickly reach most of the sights in Tallinn.

We have summarised our hotel recommendations for every budget:

Villa Kadriorg Hostel Old Town Hostel Alur

Hotel L'Ermitage

Rapunzel Tower Apartment Nordic Hotel Forum

#3 Join a guided city tour

In principle, you can easily explore Tallinn on your own. The city isn’t very big, and almost everything is within walking distance. But nevertheless, we still recommend taking a guided tour because a tour guide can provide you with invaluable insider tips that you would never hear about otherwise.

You can book a private tour of the city. The great thing about this tour is that you have the guide all to yourself and aren’t stuck with a group.

To the private tour

Another way to discover Tallinn is by combining a bus and walking tour . This tour will also take you beyond the city walls of the Old Town to some interesting places in the area.

To the bus and walking tour

#4 What to pack

As Tallinn is located very far north, it gets pretty cool even in the warmest summer evenings. So make sure to pack a sweater or a jacket.

In summer, sunscreen makes a lot of sense too because you can get a sunburn much faster than you may think. And if you’re planning to visit the Estonian national parks, don’t forget to take mosquito repellent .

Those were our best Tallinn tips and the most beautiful sights

Have you booked your flight to Tallinn yet? No? Then go ahead and do it. You won’t be disappointed! Do you have any questions? Then feel free to ask us in the comments.

If you’ve already been to Tallinn and have a tip for us that we absolutely need to add, then please let us know in the comments below.

• 1.1 History
• 1.2 Present day
• 1.3 Districts
• 1.4 Climate
• 1.5 Tourist office
• 2.1.1 From Helsinki
• 2.1.2 Other regular ferry routes
• 2.1.3 Passenger ferry terminals in Tallinn Port
• 2.1.4 Using your own boat
• 2.2 By plane
• 2.3 By train
• 3.1 By public transport
• 3.2 By taxi
• 3.3.1 Car rental
• 3.3.2 Parking
• 3.4 By bicycle
• 3.5 On foot
• 4.1.1 Toompea Hill
• 4.1.2 Vanalinn (Old Town)
• 4.1.3 Outside the Old Town
• 4.1.4 Kadriorg quarter
• 4.3 Põhja-Tallinn
• 4.4 Haabersti
• 5.1 Beaches
• 5.3 Film festivals
• 5.4 Music festivals
• 8.1 Department stores & shopping malls
• 8.2 Boutiques and souvenirs
• 8.3 Markets
• 8.4 Records
• 9.1.1 In the Old Town
• 9.1.2 Near the Old Town
• 9.1.3 Around the market Balti Jaama Turg
• 9.1.4 East of the old town around the Coca-Cola Plaza
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge
• 10.2 Nightlife
• 10.3.1 In old town (vanalinn)
• 10.3.2 Out of old town
• 10.4 Nightclubs
• 11.1.1 Hostels
• 11.1.2 Hotels
• 11.2 Mid-range
• 11.3 Splurge
• 12 Stay safe
• 15.1 Embassies

Tallinn is Estonia 's capital and largest city. Tallinn is an important port of the Baltic Sea, with the busy passenger section of the port reaching the foothill of the picturesque medieval Old Town, which has been astonishingly well preserved and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

Understand [ edit ]

On the shore of the Gulf of Finland, it is a city of over 450,000 inhabitants (2023). It is home to a third of the country's population, and is also the capital of Harju County in Northern Estonia .

In a striking contrast to its Old Town, its immediate outskirts are filled with a cluster of modern office towers, with intermittent architectural monuments to the Soviet era . Further out, you will find a bewildering variety of historic and modern neighbourhoods, religious, civic, industrial and maritime heritage. This all provides for the city seeing very sizeable tourist traffic given its size, which in turn means the infrastructure is robust and extensive.

History [ edit ]

Tallinn is a historic city dating back to medieval times. The first fortress on Toompea was built around 1050 and Tallinn was possibly first recorded on a world map in 1154. In 1219, the city was conquered by Valdemar II of Denmark and it became a member of the Hanseatic League in 1285. The city, known as Reval at the time, prospered as a trading town in the 14th century, and much of Tallinn's historic centre was built at this time.

Tallinn then became a pawn in the geopolitical games of its big neighbours, passing into Swedish hands in 1561 and then to the Russian Empire under Peter the Great in 1710. By World War I and the ensuing brief Estonian independence (starting 1918) Tallinn's population had reached 150,000.

Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940, conquered by Nazi Germany (1941–44), and then retaken by the Soviets. In World War II , the city was quite extensively bombed by the Soviets, although luckily the medieval town remains. The Soviet Union undertook a program of massive East Slavic migration, and just over 40% of Tallinn's current inhabitants are Slavic (compared to an average of 28% for the entire country). On 20 August 1991, Estonia declared independence and Tallinn became its capital once again.

Present day [ edit ]

Today Tallinn is a bustling, gleaming city. However, among the tall glassy buildings and corporate headquarters, Tallinn retains an inner charm seldom found elsewhere. Estonia considers itself a Northern European/Nordic country, with very close ethnic, linguistic and cultural ties to Finland and cultural ties to Scandinavia, and visiting Tallinn you will find a mix of at least three architectures in this very visual city—old Europe (the city walls with rustic buildings and charming living areas with well-preserved and colourful wooden houses of bourgeois taste of 1920s), Soviet brutalist (concrete apartment blocks), and modern Europe (including McDonald's next to the city walls!)

Tourism is important for Tallinn and this is especially visible in the old town where almost every door leads into a souvenir shop, restaurant or bar. Unsurprisingly the majority of visitors are day trippers from Finland. The neighbours from across the bay usually know their way around without a map and have already seen the sights of Tallinn a couple of times. They come to enjoy low prices on practically all goods and services from restaurant meals to fuel and even plastic surgeries, not to forget as much alcohol as the customs regulations allow you to bring into Finland!

• Visit Tallinn tourist information.

Districts [ edit ]

Tallinn is made up of 8 administrative districts ( linnaosa ), which are further divided into numerous quarters ( asum ). Most of the points of interest to tourists are located in the seaside districts. The districts of Tallinn are:

• Kesklinn - literally meaning "city centre" and being just what the label says, this district includes the main part of the Port of Tallinn, the Old Town ( Vanalinn ), Tallinn's central business district with its skyscrapers and many other tourist attractions in the quarters surrounding them, including the Kadriorg park and palace and most of the coastline of Lake Ülemiste except for the part immediately adjacent to the airport
• Haabersti - the westernmost district with the extensive coastline holds the Estonian Open Air Museum, the Tallinn Zoo and the Saku Suurhall Arena
• Põhja-Tallinn - literally meaning "north Tallinn", extends north of the railway line and includes the industrial part of the Port of Tallinn, as well as many monuments to its military heritage, the Maritime Academy and the quarter of Kalamaja known for its wooden houses
• Pirita - the least populous district of Tallinn stretches along the eastern part of its coast and includes both a popular beach and a forest. This is one of Estonia's most desirable places to live, in single-family houses, for the affluent, and home to some tourist attractions as well, including Tallinn's TV Tower or the Botanic Gardens
• Lasnamäe - the most populous district of Tallinn holds over a quarter of its inhabitants in the large Communist-era blocks of flats, but apart from the airport it has little of interest to the tourists
• Nõmme - formerly an independent town founded as a leisure/summer residence, Nõmme remains green and sparsely inhabited, with rich architectural heritage and many private villas. It ranks as one of the country's most affluent areas.
• Kristiine and Mustamäe are residential districts southwest of the centre.

Climate [ edit ]

At these latitudes winters are dark and cold and temperatures under -20°C are not unheard of from December to February. Thankfully, the sea moderates the winter temperatures a bit compared to continental cities with similar temperatures like Moscow .

Spring is the driest season and while there are often sub-zero temperatures at night until well into May, the snow usually disappears towards the end of March and the days are getting gradually warmer. Summer months are pleasant with day temperatures between +20°C and +30°C in July and August, however if it's raining, temperatures are lower. The summer is the best time of the year to visit Tallinn. Although Tallinn doesn't experience the Midnight Sun, in the middle of the summer it doesn't get really dark at night.

Usually you will need your jacket again towards the latter half of September. The autumn is the "rain season" and with both temperatures and the leaves falling, Tallinn doesn't look very attractive this time of the year. However the greyness is covered up by the snow that usually arrives in early December. Visiting Tallinn in December when the Old Town is beautifully covered in snow and Christmas decorations is not a bad idea.

Tourist office [ edit ]

• 59.43649 24.74437 1 Tourist Information Centre in Old Town , Niguliste 2 / Kullassepa 4. , ☏ +372 645 7777 , [email protected] .  

Get in [ edit ]

By boat [ edit ].

From Helsinki [ edit ]

The most common ferry route is from Helsinki , Finland to Tallinn Port, which has upwards of 20 departures daily. Depending on the ferry, journey time is 1½-3½ hours. Prices average €16-30 one way, depending on operator, season (summer costs more), day of week (Fridays and Saturdays cost more) and time of day (to Tallinn in the morning and back in the evening is popular and hence more expensive). Particularly popular are day cruises , which can go for as little as €10 return. All ferries also carry cars, from €25 one way. Bicycles can be taken for around €5 one way. Bikes on car ferries must go through vehicle check-in, which closes earlier than passenger check-in, so plan for extra time.

The following companies operate ferries between Tallinn and Helsinki:

• Eckerö Line , ☏ +372 664 6000 , [email protected] . Operates only one ship, the 2000-passenger Finlandia (3 times daily, travel time 2½ hr). Often has the cheapest fares. If you take the morning sailing to Tallinn and the evening sailing back you will have about eight hours in Tallinn. ( updated Feb 2019 )
• Tallink Silja , ☏ +372 640 9808 , [email protected] . Up to 6 departures daily on large Shuttles Star and Superstar (2 hr). They also operate the MS Baltic Queen (3½ hr), a 2,800-passenger cruise ship for easy overnight stays in Tallinn. Discounts are available to Eurail pass holders. As this company has more departures you will have more flexibility planning your day trip. ( updated Mar 2015 )
• Viking Line . Large Viking XPRS ferry (2½ hr). Departs Helsinki midday and late in the evening. The day departure from Helsinki is very late (11:30) so you will have less than four hours to spend in Tallinn (you need to be back on board half an hour before departure) before the ship sails back. On Sundays the ship leaves even earlier. If taking this boat you would better stay overnight in Tallinn if you want to do any serious sightseeing.  

Eckerö and Viking usually have the cheaper fares, as they are more geared towards day-trippers and the party crowd who come to have a great time on board and tend to spend more in the bars, restaurants and shops on board. Tallink is more geared towards frequent travellers such as Estonians working in Finland.

Other regular ferry routes [ edit ]

• Tallink also offers a year-round daily overnight service from Stockholm taking 16 hr.
• St. Peter Line [dead link] provides infrequent overnight services to Saint Petersburg .

See also Baltic Sea ferries and Cruising the Baltic Sea for details on travelling in by ferry.

Passenger ferry terminals in Tallinn Port [ edit ]

All ferries dock at Reisisadam port, to the north of the center. Tallink uses 59.4434 24.7673 1 Terminal D at the south-eastern side of the bay and Eckerö and Viking the 59.4447 24.7619 2 Terminal A/B at the northwestern side. At Terminal A/B you can grab a useful free city map just before exiting the terminal. From there, city bus #2 and commercial bus #90K operate to the city centre (A. Laikmaa stop), inter-city bus station (Autobussijaam stop) and the airport (Lennujaam stop). Or, you can take a leisurely 15-min walk toward the Old Town that is easily visible from the terminals. View a map of route 2 [dead link] .

The journey from the port to the city centre is not all that impressive but don't be shocked - this isn't the real Tallinn! As of late 2015, construction of a new, glitzy shopping area is underway, something that will cover much of the ugly sand and mud fields (on the downside these buildings will reportedly partially cover the view to the old town).

If you are travelling with your car on the ferry, the traffic in the harbour can be a bit chaotic as everyone tries to get out from the area as quickly as possible and lanes are not clearly marked, especially around Terminal D.

Using your own boat [ edit ]

You can sail with a yacht to Old Town Marina [dead link] , the special harbour for recreational vessels.

By plane [ edit ]

Getting there/away :

• Taxis to the old town should cost €7–10. The Bolt app is more popular than Uber (it's Estonian after all!)
• Tram 4 is closed for construction until 2024. Bus 15 will be stopping at Tallinn Airport, at the same place where the tram used to stop. This bus stops at the bus station (bussijaam) and finishes near the old town.
• Bus #2 [dead link] departs roughly every 15 min. The journey to Balti Jaam (Baltic Station, the Central railway station close to the old town) takes approximately 20 minutes. Both inbound and outbound line #2 buses stop on the Tartu highway (about 5 minutes walk from the terminal). To get to the city, catch the bus travelling towards "Balti Jaam", and not towards "Mõigu", which is a residential area on the outskirts of the city. Tickets are €2 and you can buy a ticket from the driver, use your contactless payment card (at the front-most ticket reader only), purchase a ticket online or purchase a rechargeable "green card" from the R-Kiosk located in the terminal building (see Transport ). View a map of route 2 [dead link] .

You can also hop on one of the hourly Sebe buses to Tartu . They stop in front of the terminal. Tickets can be bought from the driver or from the ticket machine installed on the ground floor of the terminal building. Buses to other Estonian destinations depart from the city bus station (see below) and do not stop at the airport.

By train [ edit ]

By bus [ edit ]

• 59.4272 24.7738 5 Intercity Bus Station ( Bussijaam ) ( on Tartu mnt. halfway between the city centre and the airport ). You can easily walk here from the Old Town in 20 min, or use public transport (buses #2, 17, 23; trams #2, 4). ( updated Jan 2020 )

Frequent buses operate between Tallinn and other cities in Estonia . Domestic bus schedules and prices can be found at Tpilet.ee and Peatus.ee (a good trip planner as well).

International buses run frequently between Tallinn and Riga , Latvia (4½ hr) with continuing service to Vilnius , Lithuania and the rest of Europe. Another popular route is between Tallinn and St. Petersburg , Russia (€25-30, 8 hr). Free Wi-Fi is usually available on board.

The following bus companies operate international bus service to/from Tallinn:

• Lux Express

Get around [ edit ]

The Old Town is best navigated on foot, not that you have much choice. A network of buses, trams and trolleybuses covers the rest of the city. There is an abundance of relatively cheap taxis. Before you jump in a random taxi car make sure you check the price on the window of the car. In Tallinn there are more than 20 taxi companies and some can be a rip-off.

By public transport [ edit ]

Due to massive road works in the summer of 2023, temporary routes are in use in the centre. Check latest information and be prepared for problems caused by traffic jams.

TLT operates frequent bus, trolley and tram services daily 06:00-23:59. Timetables and maps are available in English.

Põhja-Eesti Public Transport Centre is a local authority which organizes public transport in Harju County, the province surrounding Tallinn.

Public transport is comparable cheap in and around Tallinn, compared to overland prices of the same distance, due to the zone structure of Tallinn. Thus, many sights even an hour away from Tallinn (e.g. Jägala Falls ) are highly affordable, as long as they are within the zones. Information about zone boundaries and ticket prices are available.

Public transport is free for residents of Tallinn.

Unless you are registered as a resident, remember to buy your ticket. From driver the price is €2, no change given; the ticket is valid for exactly one trip, no transfer.

It is possible also to use a contactless payment card (Mastercard, Maestro, Visa and Visa Electron) to buy one-hour (60 min) ticket for €1.50, then you must use public transport front door. As you board a public transport vehicle, you will be required to validate your trip every time by swiping the payment card at the rectangular orange validators in the front of the vehicle. If you see a green light, your trip has been validated. The system tracks your daily usage and automatically bills your bank account for the cheapest ticket you are entitled to for the day, meaning the maximum you will pay in a single day for an unlimited amount of trips is the price of a one-day ticket (€4.50).

Rechargeable "green card" (Ühiskaart), which is a brand new, cash-free, and smart way of payment. Use your card to touch a bright orange box every time you enter the bus: a single 1-hour ticket (€1.50, transfer allowed) will be charged automatically and on each day individual tickets will total until the price of the day ticket (€4.5) is reached (as of March 2020). Alternatively, the card can be charged for unlimited travel for 3 days, 5 days, or one month. Get this card from one of the abundant R-kiosks for €2, a refundable deposit which is only refundable in limited locations. Refund is available at the R-Kiosk of the Tallinn Airport, Old City Harbour Terminal A and D, Balti jaam and the service desk of bus station ( details ). You can charge the card immediately or do it later on-line (major credit cards accepted).

If you have internet access, you can purchase a single ride for €1.50 or day ticket for €4.50 online by debit/credit cards (multiple rides/passengers can be purchased at the same time) using Pilet.ee website or mobile app. After payment, you will receive a QR code which can be scanned at the bright orange box only on the front door of the bus/tram as proof of payment. You can also load pilet.ee mobile app to buy tickets.

The Tallinn Card includes unlimited use of public transport.

Bus, trams, and trolleybuses form an extensive network with the major bus hub at Viru Hotel (underground bus station). Some trolleybuses terminate at the nearby stop Kaubamaja , which is adjacent to the main department store (Kaubamaja). Vehicles may have different colours depending on their age and model: some old trolleybuses from the time of the USSR can be still seen in the streets of Tallinn. The level of comfort varies greatly. If you want to avoid steps, look out for special yellow markings in timetables: these denote newer vehicles that are friendly to baby prams and people with reduced mobility.

By taxi [ edit ]

Tallinn has many different taxi companies and independent taxis. There is no standardised base price or price per km. Some tourist scam taxis have absurdly high prices, and as long as those prices are displayed on the sticker in the window and on the dashboard, they are completely legal. The locals never take those taxis: their sole modus operandi is to prey on innocent tourists. Do as the locals do, and order a taxi by phone.

Do not accept offers from taxi drivers waiting at the harbour or train station. Do not accept offers from taxi drivers who approach you at the airport. The same goes for any taxi that looks shabby or does not carry the logo of one of the reputable companies. Also be wary of taxis that look overly luxurious: large Mercedes, TV-screens inside, usually only a very small and vague logo on the door. If you're obviously drunk and are taking one of those questionable taxis from the harbour, you might be driven to some bar or strip club the taxi driver is collaborating with. Usually you will proceed to have a few drinks there without asking for the price and will then be presented with a huge bill . Taxis hanging out in front of nightclubs often have the highest prices.

Ride-hailing services (Bolt, Uber, Yandex.Taxi) are very common in Tallinn, see Estonia#By taxi .

Some reputable local taxi companies are (rates as of July 2020):

• Takso24 – A taxi company owned by Tallink, which practically offers all the same amenities as Tallink Takso, but the price is clearly cheaper (during the day €0.60/km and at night €0.75/km + €2.95 ride start fee)
• Sõbratakso – "Economy" taxis with a mixed car fleet, somewhat cheaper than the competition (price per kilometer €0.49/km + €2.29 as the starting fee for the ride). Unlike many other economy taxis, the cars are clean and the drivers competent.
• Tulika Takso [dead link] – By no means from the cheapest end (during the day €0.79/km and at night €0.89/km + €3.85 ride start fee), but the availability is good and the cars are clean. Usually white Toyota Avensis.
• Tallink Takso – Certainly one of the most expensive taxi companies in Tallinn (during the day €0.99/km and at night €1.10/km + €3.95 ride start fee), but the cars are clean and their availability is also good. Yellow Mercedes B-class, Audi A6, Skoda Superb or Hyundai I30 Wagon (not to confuse with Tallinn Taxi, who also have their cars painted yellow).

Other taxi companies (rates as of July 2020):

• Amigo Takso – daytime €2 + €0.40/km, nights €2 + €0.40/km
• Krooni Takso – daytime €2.50 + €0.50/km, nights €2.50 + €0.55/km
• Marabu [dead link] – daytime €2.50 + €0.50/km, nights €2.50 + €0.50/km
• Q-Takso – daytime €2 + €0.50/km, nights €2 + €0.50/km
• Reval Takso – daytime €2.29 + €0.49/km, nights €2.29 + €0.49/km
• E.T.X. Takso – daytime €2.90 + €0.55/km, nights €2.90 + €0.70/km
• Välk Takso [dead link] – daytime €3.20 + €0.60/km, nights €3.20 + €0.70/km

By car [ edit ]

Massive road works in the summer of 2023 makes driving in the centre difficult, including getting to some of the ferries.

The road rules and driving style in Tallinn can be confusing to tourists. The one and two way roads change frequently and some signposts are not descriptive. Another peculiarity to be found are roads with three lanes where you need to be a local to know if the lane in the middle is meant for traffic going in your direction or in the opposite direction. Traffic jams in Tallinn clear very quickly, however. The speed limit in Tallinn is 50 km/h, except some major streets such as Laagna tee, Pärnu mnt., Paldiski mnt., Peterburi tee etc., which have a speed limit of 70 km/h.

Car rental [ edit ]

CityBee and Bolt Drive offer freely accessible vehicle rental services in Tallinn. Cars can be picked up and dropped off in public car parks.

Parking [ edit ]

There is an abundance of parking, but you have to pay for it. In some cases you can park free of charge for 15 minutes, but for an average traveller that is of course not enough. To find a cheaper parking area, Parkopaedia mobile app generally helps, with up-to-date prices mapped for most central parking locations; it won't tell the current availability, though. €1.50 per hour, €5 for 24 hr at Europark within walking distance from the downtown is a somewhat typical cost.

The locations of ticket machines, and other methods for paying for parking, aren't always obvious. The ticket machines are the easiest way of paying for your parking. With the ticket machine, just pay the price for the time you wish to park, push the green button, take the ticket and put it inside the windscreen where the parking attendant can see it. Prepare coins in advance, as credit cards and paper money are only accepted by parking machines in large indoor parkings, while breaking money can be difficult to find nearby. Mobile phone payment is popular with locals, but requires a local mobile contract to use it. For tourists the mobile app "PARGI.EE" can be used to find prices and pay for parking either for street parking or for some of the most popular parking garages.

For a rental car, a few helpful tips to avoid being fined are:

• Each rental car should come with a plastic mock clock on the dashboard that should be clearly visible from the outside of the car. This clock is used to indicate when you first park at a location. For example if you park at 05:30, your plastic clock should be set to show 05:30. You can then park for free until 05:45.
• Find a bright-orange vested parking inspector in order to determine what type of parking ticket you need. To ask for a parking ticket, say "Palun, üks parkimispilet" in Estonian .
• Scratch the correct date and length of time you'll be parking. In kiosks and some grocery stores you can buy parking tickets that look like lottery tickets. The ticket is split into sections and they are written in both Estonian and English. Scratch off the date of usage. Then scratch off the time you wish the ticket to start . Make sure it is clearly visible next to the clock on the dashboard.

Signs prohibiting parking are not always well visible, one example is the area between the Terminal D in the port and the Norde Centrum shopping centre. Look out for signs with the word Eramaa - this is Estonian for "private" and means that parking is either prohibited or available for a fee.

By bicycle [ edit ]

There are more than 180 km of bicycle roads in Tallinn. The Eurovelo international route goes from west to east, giving you a good chance to ride comfortably through the city. Many bicycle roads are in green parts of the city and are meant more for recreation, although suitable for commuting. You can ride on every road, and use the sidewalk, though you must heed the pedestrians. Many hostels have bike rentals for their guests.

• 59.439459 24.748599 2 City Bike , Vene 33 ( 500 m from Viru Street, McDonald's corner ), ☏ +372 511 1819 , [email protected] . Oct-Apr 10:00-18:00, May-Sep 10:00-19:00 . Over 140 bicycles and lot of extra gear. Real cyclist centre with experienced staff, opened in 2003. Tours, good recommendations for day-routes in Tallinn and self-guided tours in all over Estonia. €10-13 / 24 hr .  

On foot [ edit ]

The Old Town of Tallinn is very comfortably covered on foot.

Audio guides in several languages are available for small charge at the tourist centres.

See [ edit ]

The Tenet tour is a showcase of sets of the 2020 film Tenet . The Tallinn history tour is a walk through the city's long history.

Kesklinn (city centre) [ edit ]

Toompea hill [ edit ].

According to myth, the hill was built on top of the grave of legendary Estonian king Kalev, but more historically, its solid limestone and the site of the Danish castle that founded the city in 1219. Toompea was the home of the Danish and later Baltic German aristocracy and relations between the toffs and the plebs were often inflamed, which is why it's surrounded by thick walls and there's a gate tower (1380) guarding the entrance. Check out the viewpoints , some of which give great views over the city. There's also a cluster of amber ( merevaik ) shops around here (no Estonian origin but popular among cruise tourists).

• 59.43572 24.73931 2 Alexander Nevsky Cathedral , Lossi plats 10 , ☏ +372 644 3484 , [email protected] . A classic onion-domed Russian Orthodox church, built 1894–1900, during the Russification period when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire. In 1928, when Estonia was independent, it was argued that the church is a symbol of oppression and architecturally non-suitable, therefore should be demolished. But it survived also the Soviet times, and now is used by the Estonian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate.  
• 59.43697 24.73911 3 St. Mary's Cathedral ( Tallinna toomkirik ), Toom-Kooli 6 , ☏ +372 644 4140 , [email protected] . The oldest church in Tallinn, built as a Catholic church in 1229 but renovated and expanded many times since then. It became a Lutheran church in 1561.  
• 59.43836 24.74026 4 Stenbock House ( Stenbocki Maja ), Rahukohtu 3 . Today, the Stenbock House is the seat of Estonia's government, but it was built as a courthouse in late 18th century, at the behest of the erstwhile Russian authorities. The Russian treasury eventually found itself unable to pay for the building, so the Count Stenbock, who erected the edifice, was left with it as his personal residence. The treasury was only able to buy it more than a century later, when it finally became the courthouse it was intended to be.  
• 59.43711 24.74014 5 Estonian Knighthood House ( Eestimaa rüütelkonna hoone ), Kiriku plats 1 . The green Renaissance revival building was erected in mid-19th century as the fourth consecutive home of the Estonian Kinghthood, a congregation of essentially German nobles who pratically controlled Estonia up to its independence in 1920s. Since 1920s, it played host to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, National Library, and the art collections on display at Kumu . As of 2014, it is home of the Estonian Academy of Arts. The building is not open to the public as it is used for instruction and faculty work.  

Vanalinn (Old Town) [ edit ]

The medieval Old Town ( Vanalinn ) of Tallinn was built in the 15-17th centuries, and is excellently preserved. It contains a large part of Tallinn's sights and is the only UNESCO world heritage site entirely in Estonia. As clichéd it may sound — you can't say you've been to Tallinn if you haven't visited the old town. This compact area is best explored on foot.

• 59.43656 24.75028 6 Viru Gate ( Entrance to the Old Town via Viru Street ). This section of town is known as All-Linn or "Lower Town", as it's where the merchants and artisans of old Tallinn lived. Today, Viru is still Tallinn's trendiest shopping street and the entire All-Linn is the busiest (and most touristy) bit of Tallinn.  

• 59.43738 24.74553 7 Town Hall Square ( Raekoja plats ). The square in the heart of the Old Town, just next to medieval Town Hall ( Raekoda ), ringed with cafes and restaurants. The square was used as a marketplace.  
• 59.43699 24.74532 8 Town Hall ( Raekoda ), Raekoja plats 1 , ☏ +372 645 7900 . Tallinn Town Hall, built at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries, is the oldest town hall in the Nordic countries and Baltic states . Its heavy stone structure dominates the square. Nowadays it's used as a museum where smaller concerts are held. The weather vane on top of the spire is called Vana Toomas ("Old Thomas") and it has become a symbol of the city.  
• 59.44136 24.74786 9 St. Olaf's church ( Oleviste kirik ), Lai 51 . Built in the 12th century. Today it is a Baptist church and probably the most visible landmark on the northern end of the Old Town. When Estonia was part of the Soviet Union the tower was used as a radio tower and a surveillance point. Tower €3 . ( updated Sep 2017 )

• 59.43591 24.74269 10 St. Nicholas church ( Niguliste kirik ), Niguliste 3 . W-S 10:00-17:00 . St.Olaf's lookalike is at the other end of the Old Town. Heavily damaged in World War II and a fire in the 1980s, it is now an art museum and houses Bernt Notke's famous Danse Macabre from 1633. adults €3.50, concessions €2 .  
• 59.43254 24.73943 11 Vabamu ( Museum of Occupations and Freedom ), Toompea. 8 , ☏ +372 668 0250 , [email protected] . Daily 11:00-18:00 . Educates and involves the people of Estonia and its visitors and encourages everyone to think about the recent past, to sense the fragility of freedom, and to stand for freedom and justice. Adult €11; concession €7; family €23 . ( updated Feb 2020 )

• 59.43924 24.74227 12 City Wall . A section of the City Wall can be climbed from the corner of Suur-Kloostri and Väike-Kloostri, with entry into three towers possible. Quite frankly, the views from up on Toompea are better, and the spiral staircases are steep and somewhat claustrophobic. €1.25 .  
• 59.43829 24.74564 13 Estonian History Museum ( Great Guild ), Pikk 17 , ☏ +372 6968 690 , [email protected] . Daily 10:00-18:00 (1 May - 30 Sep); Th-Tu 10:00-18:00 (1 Oct - 30 Apr) . The History Museum's main location is the medieval Great Guild Hall. Here, the permanent exhibition takes you through 11,000 years of Estonian history by means ranging from striking exhibits of artifacts to interactive "time capsules". Topics covered include a surprisingly wide range, from coinage and wine to the history of the Great Guild building itself. On top of that, there are always some temporary exhibitions which usually serve as a link with present-day Estonia and Tallinn. €4; Free entry on the last Thursday of every month and on the International Museum Day, 18 May .  
• 59.4425 24.7496 14 Estonian Maritime Museum ( Fat Margaret ), Pikk 70 ( Trams 1/2 and bus 3 to Linnhall ), ☏ +372 6 200 550 , [email protected] . May–Sept: daily 09:00 – 18:00; Oct–Apr: Tu–Su 10:00 – 18:00 . The Maritime Museum dates back to 1935 and is housed inside the largest of the Tallinn city wall towers, aptly named "Fat Margaret" ( Paks Margareta ). Visiting the museum allows one not only to see the potpourri of maritime-themed artifacts, but also the 16th-century cannon tower and experience the view from the cafe on its roof. While the museum is the original location of the Meremuuseum , you absolutely cannot miss their second location in the Seaplane Harbour, where the ships and airplanes are stored (see below). €5, combined ticket with Seaplane Harbour - €14 . ( updated Jul 2019 )
• 59.44056 24.74761 15 Ex-KGB Headquarters , Pikk 61 . Now the Interior Ministry and not generally open to the public, this is where the KGB detained and tortured suspected dissidents. A Soviet-era joke says that this was the tallest building in Estonia: even from the basement, you could see Siberia. Interrogations were indeed conducted in the basement and you can see even today how the windows were crudely bricked up with concrete to mute the sound.  
• 54.897 24.743 16 City Train for kids ( Thomas the Train ), Kullassepa 5 , ☏ +372 5887 7742 . Departs every 20 minutes; so takes the round trip. adult €6, child €4 .  

Outside the Old Town [ edit ]

• 59.43371 24.74407 18 Freedom Square , Vabaduse väljak . The Freedom Square is one of the main squares in Tallinn, featuring the simple and elegant St. John's Church from the 1860s and the contemporary Victory Column, erected in 2009 to commemorate the Estonian War of Independence of 1918-1920. The square looks especially spectacular at nighttime, when the column is lit up.  
• 59.43877 24.75595 19 Rottermann Quarter . An industrial district between the city and the Tallinn Port. The buildings are from the 19th and 20th century, with motifs of Art Nouveau and Historicism. New and stylish apartment buildings with shopping centre have now been built there widely regarded as architectural masterpiece in Tallinn.  

• 59.44662 24.75354 20 Tallinn Linnahall , Mere pst. 20 ( stop: Linnahall Bus 3 or #90K (Airport bus) to stop 7 and then a 5-min walk to the Linda line terminal past the Domina Inn Ilmarine hotel ). A fine example of Soviet Brutalist architecture designed by Raine Karp and Riina Altmäe and built for the 22nd Moscow Summer Olympic Games in 1980 for sailing events held in Tallinn. Scale the exterior of this crumbling monumental eulogy to mass culture and marvel at the fact that beneath its crumbling exterior lies a 5,000-seat amphitheatre (that last held a concert in 2008) and a 3,000-seat ice rink. It is closed to the public as negotiations regarding its redevelopment continu. It is maybe a last chance to see part of Tallinn's overlooked architectural heritage in its current form. Linda line run their catamaran service to Helsinki from offices adjacent to/underneath the helipad.  
• 59.43511 24.76388 21 Estonian Firefighting Museum , Raua 2 , ☏ +372 53 028 404 , [email protected] . M–Th 09:00 – 17:00, F 09:00 – 15:30 .  
• 59.445043 24.751293 22 Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia (EKKM) ( Eesti Kaasaegse Kunsti Muuseum ), Põhja pst. 35 ( coming from the old town, just walk towards Linnahall; the museum is located just after the small road that is behind Kulturikatel ), ☏ +372 53305449 , [email protected] . April to December: Tu–Su 12–19 (you may want to double-check online) . Already when entering, this place plays with what a museum should look like: you enter into a café. The exhibition rooms are diverse, as they make use of old industrial space. The shows are prepared by artists, hence the place builds a bridge between the upcoming and the established scene. free admission, donations very welcome . ( updated Oct 2018 )
• 59.58384 24.74915 23 Peter the Great's Naval Fortress ( Peeter Suure merekindluse suurtükipatarei ) ( on the Aegna Island, 14 km north ). In the 18th century, the coastal protection batteries, part of the larger Peter the Great’s sea fortress system, were built in the island.  

Kadriorg quarter [ edit ]

A beautiful and rich seaside resort district with mostly wooden buildings from the 18th to 20th centuries, and 20th-century Art Deco and Functionalist structures. It also includes the baroque pearl of Estonia, the Kadriorg Palace and Garden.

• 59.4384 24.791 24 Kadriorg Palace , Weizenbergi 37 . An imperial Russian summer residence built by Italian architect Niccolo Michetti for Tsar Peter the Great in 1718. It is in a 90-ha (222-acre) park in the eastern part of the city. The Tsar, a classic and mysterious Russian soul, preferred to stay in a modest house nearby. This event signified the beginning of Tallinn's fame as a summer resort for noble and rich Russians for most of the 18th and 19th centuries. The palace houses some painting collections and other art. A portion of the complex is now occupied by the Office of the President and not available to the public. €6 (for the palace) .  

• 59.4362 24.79614 25 National Art Museum KUMU , Weizenbergi 37/Valge 1 ( stop: Kumu ). Opened in February 2006, this is the largest government-built building since the liberation and it is an almost 50,000 m² (538,196 ft²). The museum, whose architecture is by itself enough to justify the visit, houses a cyclopic house, partly cut out of limestone rock. Permanent exhibition is obviously focused on Estonian art in a wide interval of time. Quality of many pieces is very good and well worth a visit. Also very interesting is the (not too spontaneous) turn of interests of artists toward socialist themes during the USSR period. Exhibitions of modern art, mixed with net/social applications, are often surprising and amusing. Not to be missed or overlooked.  
• 59.44438 24.80794 26 Song Festival Grounds ( stops: Oru, Lasnamägi, or Lauluväljak ). A huge Modernist structure where the All Estonian Song Festival, which is held every five years, features 34,000 singers and dancers in addition to a massive audience.  

Pirita [ edit ]

Includes forest parks, Botanic Gardens and Metsakalmistu (the last resting place of well-known Estonians). A few km east of the city centre along the seaside road.

• 59.47127 24.88738 27 Tallinn TV Tower , Kloostrimetsa 58a ( stop: Motoklubi ). A 314 m high, free-standing structure with an observation deck on the 21st floor which, with its 170 m, is the highest in Northern Europe. It offers spectacular views across Tallinn and, on a clear day, you can see Finland. €10 .  
• 59.4688 24.88073 28 Tallinn Botanical Gardens ( Bus no: 34A or 38 stop: Kloostrimetsa ). The Tallinn Botanic Garden is in the eastern outskirts of Tallinn, 10 km from the city centre and 3 km from the Pirita Sailing and Recreation Centre.It is a must see destination for nature and plant lovers. The "greenhouse" located near the ticket office houses variety of plants, flowers, trees, cactus family and lot more. Spring temperature is maintained always inside the greenhouse, even during winter season. The outdoor garden is vast and has varied flower collections.  
• 59.47159 24.8712 29 Metsakalmistu Cemetery , Pirita ( stop: Metsakalmistu, Bus no 34A or 38 ). Tallinn's most famous cemetery, housing Estonia’s presidents Konstantin Päts and Lennart Meri, as well as chess player Paul Keres. If you're not there to see the graves of Estonian celebrities, it's a peaceful experience to just stroll among the trees.  
• 59.46658 24.83597 30 Holy Birgitta Monastery ( Pirita beach area, 5km from the city centre ). A monastery of Scandinavian female saints, as well as a landmark of 16th century catacombs and ruins. It includes a guest house operated by the nuns.  

Põhja-Tallinn [ edit ]

• 59.44563 24.73456 31 Kalamaja Quarter ( north west from Old Town ). The oldest suburb of Tallinn, dating back to the 14th century. It was probably inhabited by fishermen ( Kalamaja means "Fish house") and mostly houses workers. The current wooden buildings are from the 19th century.  
• 59.45012 24.74182 32 Patarei (Battery) Prison , Kalaranna 2 , ☏ +372 504 6536 . Built by Tsar Nicholas I in 1820 as a fortress to protect the city from the sea-born attacks, it was turned into a notorious KGB prison in 1920. The prison ceased operations in 2004. ( updated Aug 2019 )

• 59.4517 24.7386 33 Seaplane Harbour ( Lennusadam ), 6 Vesilennuki ( No immediately adjacent public transportation stop - you need to walk at least 1 km from either the Linnahall (bus 3, tram 1/2) or Kalamaja (bus 3) stops. ), ☏ +372 6 200 550 , [email protected] . May-Sep: daily 10:00 to 19:00; Oct – Apr: Tu-Su 10:00 to 19:00 . Lennusadam , literally "air port", was constructed in 1916 for the purpose of serving the seaplane fleet with a spectacular, three-domed concrete hangar. Today, it serves as an outpost of the Maritime museum, serving its large collection of complete ships, airplanes and maritime and military equipment too large to fit the Fat Margaret . Inside the hangar, the highlight is the complete submarine Lembit, whose interior can be visited as well, a shipwreck from the 16th century and a collection of smaller boats and seaplanes. The crown of the collection moored outside in the harbour is the steam-powered icebreaker Suur Tõll. Throughout the museum, a number of state-of-the-art technologies and solutions are employed for a more engaging and enjoyable visit, and the museum has a wide range of activities and tours on offer. As the Seaplane Harbour is a bit out of the way, those getting peckish can enjoy a meal at the museum's restaurant Maru inside the hangars. €14 (combined ticket with Fat Margaret - €16) .  

Haabersti [ edit ]

• 59.42153 24.6607 35 Tallinn Zoo , Paldiski mnt. 145 ( Bus stop: Zoo, trolleybus 6 or 7 ). This is an enormous area. Among its live exhibits, you'll find the world's best collections of mountain goats and sheep, which means there are a lot of them! Tallinn Zoo defies the realities of a relatively modest town -- it features all the elephants and crocodiles a visitor would expect to see in a larger zoo, as well as a breathtaking maze of lake-size ponds that host birds in summertime. It also has pets that children can cuddle in children’s petting zoo. Adult €8, child €5, family €20 . ( updated Jul 2020 )

Also, check out other sights within North Estonia , which could allow for a day trip from Tallinn.

Do [ edit ]

• 59.4373 24.7447 1 Medieval Days ( Keskaja Päevad ), Raekoja plats ( in the Old Town ), ☏ +372 660 4772 , +372 518 7812 (Estonian Folk Art and Handicraft Union), +372 5364 8854 (Costume rental) , [email protected] . July . Come and experience the medieval atmosphere of the historic Hanseatic City! You can find workshops and market with traders, participate in tours and witness exciting tournaments.  
• 59.444214 24.751362 2 Kultuurikatel ( creative hub ) , Põhja pst 27a , ☏ +372 56 2011 15 . Formerly an industrial site, this is now Tallinn's main creative hub, site of many events (see website). ( updated Oct 2018 )
• 59.44408 24.75015 3 Energy Discovery Centre ( for youngsters ), Põhja pst 29 , ☏ +372 620 9020 , [email protected] . Daily 12:00–18:00, public holidays 12:00–17:00 . ( updated Jul 2020 )
• 59.451845 24.730352 4 PROTO Invention Factory ( PROTO Avastustehas ), Peetri 10 , ☏ +372 627 6661 . Indoor amusement park where amusements take place with the help of VR glasses. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• 59.440109 24.751269 5 Kalev Spa , Aia 18 , ☏ +372 649 3300 . One of the largest water parks in Northern Estonia. ( updated Jun 2021 )
• 59.507931 24.827524 6 Atlantis H2O Aquapark , Randvere tee 11, Viimsi ( Buses 1A, 114, 174 ), ☏ +372 666 7045 , [email protected] . The water park has several fun water equipment: a wave pool, a flow pool and eight different slides, the longest of which is over 120 m. For toddlers, there is a separate area with two smaller slides, a climbing area and a 0.20-m-deep swimming pool.  
• 59.227995 24.709268 7 Vembu-Tembumaa , Keskuse tee 2, Kurtna, Saku ( Bus 219, 2 km walk from Kiisa railway station ), ☏ +372 671 9155 , [email protected] . The oldest and largest amusement park for the whole family. €18 .  

Beaches [ edit ]

A flag system that regulates swimming. A green flag means it is safe swim, a yellow flag means you can swim, but it isn't recommended and a red flag means swimming is not advised, go in at your own risk.

• 59.47194 24.8305 8 Pirita Beach ( Pirita rand ) ( take bus 1A, 8, 34A or 38. to stop "Pirita", or walk by the sea 5 km northeast of centre ). A large sandy beach which in summer is full of locals and tourists.  
• 59.44236 24.68381 9 Stroomi Beach ( Stroomi rand, Pelgurand ) ( take bus 40 to stop "Supelranna" ). The water is clean and warm, and it is the gay friendliest beach of Tallinn.  
• 59.41421 24.63208 10 Lake Harku ( Harku järv ) ( take trolley 6, 7 or bus 16, 36 to stop "Väike-Õismäe" ). Small lake that draws a lot of people. The lake gets dirtier by the year and swimming is not always recommended. Watch out for the vipers on the shore!  
• 59.4505 24.57589 11 Kakumäe beach ( Bus 21 from Balti jaam (where the trains arrive), bus 21A from Väike-Õismäe. Stop Landi (21) or Sooranna tee (21A & 21B); from Landi stop keep walking (1 km) until Sooranna tee stop, there you'll find helpful signs ). The water is one of the purest in all of Tallinn beaches.  
• 59.47334 24.72515 12 Pikakari Beach . The water quality is fairly good and it gets deep quite soon when you go in. The huge waves coming from the ships break on shore for the joy of all swimmers. The historical Katariina Pier is nice to walk on.  

Sports [ edit ]

• Football: The men's national soccer team play home games at Lilleküla Stadium (sponsored as A. Le Coq Arena), capacity 14,300, 2 km south of city centre. City clubs playing soccer in Meistriliiga, the country's top tier, are Levadia , Flora , Nõmme Kalju and Tallinna Kalev. FC Tallinn and Legion play in Esiliiga the second tier. The domestic playing season is March-Nov.
• 59.42596 24.64731 13 Simpel Session . Summer/Winter . International skateboarding and BMX event.  
• Tallinn International Horseshow . Spring/Autumn . Biggest international horse riding competition in Baltic states, includes showjumping and dressage. Takes place in Saku Suurhall.  

Film festivals [ edit ]

Music festivals [ edit ].

• 59.44455 24.80651 14 The Estonian Song Celebration ( Laulupidu ). 4-7 July 2019 . First held in 1869, takes place every five years. In 2014, 35,000 choral singers gathered to perform for an audience of 90,000 people. It is recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. ( updated Aug 2018 )
• Tallinn Music Week . Spring . Showcase festival, aiming to stage the best and most outstanding Estonian talent on two nights in Tallinn's most vibrant live venues, as well as a networking event for the music industry professionals.  
• Tallinn International Festival Jazzkaar . April . In addition to Tallinn jazz concerts also take place in Tartu and Pärnu.  
• 59.43734 24.74505 15 Tallinn Old Town Days . May/June .  
• 59.4664 24.8363 16 Birgitta Festival . August . Music and theatre festival, held at the ruins of the historical Pirita (St. Bridget's) convent.  

• 59.4261 24.6474 17 Saku Suurhall . Rocca al Mare. Estonia's largest concert and exhibition space, the venue for the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest. The hall and its facilities include an excellent shopping centre that can easily be reached by trolleybus 6.  

Learn [ edit ]

• 59.3948 24.6707 3 Tallinn University of Technology Summer School , Ehitajate tee 5 , ☏ +372 620 2002 , [email protected] . TUT offers every summer courses in English (TOEFL) and Nordic Culture  
• 59.4388 24.7719 4 Tallinn University Summer School , Narva mnt 25 , ☏ +372 6409218 , [email protected] . Tallinn University offers a Summer School to learn Eesti.  
• 59.43456 24.75251 5 Estonian Academy of Arts , Estonia pst 7 , ☏ +372 626 7301 , [email protected] . 17:00-20:40 . Open Academy for everybody interested in arts. Wide range of courses and interactive creativity from €75 .  
• 59.4394 24.7719 6 Baltic Film and Media School , Narva mnt 25 , ☏ +372 619 9909 , [email protected] . Runs a training program and several other activities in the film & media sphere and has a cooperation with Apple  

Work [ edit ]

English language teachers with TEFL certificates or equivalent are in demand. Especially during periods of Summer School and/or TOEFL test times, teachers have good opportunities.

Jobs for non-Estonian speakers are less common in other fields, although several IT companies (e.g. Skype) have English based job openings. Compared to Finland or other Scandic countries salaries are lower, so it could make sense to utilize job opportunities in nearby areas. Estonia is part of the EU and Eurozone, so work permits are easy for EU member states and associated countries. All other will need to apply for work permits.

Digital nomads may take advantage of the several coworking spaces, with new ones still popping up from time to time. Among the bigger ones are, for example, Spring Hub and Lift99 (the latter being application-only and strongly connected to the local startup scene). The national library [dead link] , which is a few hundred metres south of the city centre, offers plenty of space and good free internet connectivity during opening hours.

Buy [ edit ]

Tallinn may be cheap compared to other major European cities, but it is no longer the bargain deal it once was. Though not overtly touristy, it is much more expensive than the rest of the country. If you come here for an authentic Estonian and inexpensive experience, this is the wrong place. Prices can be comparable to Munich and Milan.

Department stores & shopping malls [ edit ]

• 59.43695 24.75664 1 Viru Keskus , Viru väljak 6 . 09:00-21:00 . In and around the landmark Viru hotel, it is very busy as the bus terminal is below this mall. It is still in walking distance from the port but serves tourists and locals as well.  
• 59.43775 24.75846 2 Foorum Keskus , Narva maantee 5 .  
• 59.43486 24.7567 3 Kaubamaja , Gonsiori 2 . Opened in 1960, this is the grand old department store of Tallinn. Unsurprisingly a lot has changed since the Soviet times.  
• 59.43518 24.75459 4 Melon Kaubanduskeskus , Estonia puiestee 1/3 , ☏ +372 630 6500 .  

• 59.43167 24.7609 5 Stockmann , Liivalaia 53 , ☏ +372 633 9539 . Part of the Finnish department store chain, here since 1996. Close to the port and popular with Finnish tourists.  
• 59.42639 24.65165 6 Rocca al Mare kaubanduskeskus ( Take trolley 6 or 7, bus 21, 41 or 42 ), ☏ +372 6659 345 , [email protected] . A few kilometres west of the old town along Paldiski maantee. Consists of a Prisma hypermarket and tens of smaller, mostly fashion boutiques. Also restaurants.  
• 59.42212 24.79438 7 Ülemiste Keskus ( Near the airport; take tram 4 or bus 2 to Ülemiste linnak ).  
• 59.42697 24.7206 8 Kristiine Keskus , Endla tn 45 ( Take trolleybus 3 or bus 21, 23 or 42 ), ☏ +372 665 9100 , [email protected] . One of Estonia's biggest malls with dozens of clothing and shoe outlets, nearly 20 cafés and restaurants, and countless other shops and services.  
• 59.43851 24.7544 9 Rotermanni Kvartal . Rotermann's Quarter is a downtown shopping area with clothing and department stores and restaurants between Viru Keskus, Tallinn port and the Old Town. If you are walking from the harbor towards Viru Väljak the quarter is on your left hand side. One place to find bargain clothes is the Rotermann Kaubamaja situated right at Mere Puiestee. The Kaubamaja also has a combined cafe and restaurant on the third floor which seems to be surprisingly empty even as they have reasonable prices.  

Boutiques and souvenirs [ edit ]

For boutiques and souvenirs, your best choice is Viru street in the Old Town and its side streets. There are many stalls selling traditional items like woolen pullovers, crystal and amber. Be prepared to bargain in order to get a reasonable price, however bargaining is only accepted at some places. Even though Baltic amber and Russian matryoshka dolls are widely available in souvenir boutiques, neither are related to Estonia or its culture and are sold in Estonian souvenir boutiques mainly because they sell well to tourists.

• 59.439738 24.728562 10 Telliskivi — indie shops , Telliskivi 60a ( use tram 1 or 2 towards Kopli and get off Teliskivi, pass by Depoo into Teliskivi street ), [email protected] . Former industrial, now creative/entrepreneurial district Telliskivi is home to many small boutiques selling nice goods ranging from arts, to clothes and interior. A book shop and a record shop are also welcoming you. You will find all shops on the website. ( updated Oct 2018 )
• 59.43531 24.74631 11 Ivo Nikkolo , Suur-Karja 14 . Fashion-interested people can visit the main store of Estonia's first Post-Soviet designer brand Ivo Nikkolo.  
• 59.453004 24.87539 12 Geek Shop Estonia , Narva mnt 19 , ☏ +372 555 31 000 , [email protected] . M–Sa 11:00–20:00 . Pop culture collectibles and gaming store, which sells toy figures, board games, clothes, accessories and other geek stuff.  

Markets [ edit ]

• 59.44094 24.73588 13 Jaama Turg ( Baltijaama turg ), Kopli 1 . A market place next to the train station. Overrated and overpriced, gourmet food at three times the price of regular market places. For tourist and rich locals.  
• 59.43024 24.76653 14 Keskturg , Keldrimäe 9 . Market place 500 m from the bus station. They sell food and clothes.  
• 59.43744 24.74499 15 Jõuluturg , Raekoja Plats . The Christmas Market on the Town Hall square is open from late November to early January. They sell knitwear, various wooden objects for use and decoration, Christmas tree decorations, gingerbread and such. It's not all about shopping, the Christmas tree in the middle is worth taking a photo of and there's a stage when they sing carols. Of course you can occasionally run into Santa at the market. Don't forget to try a mug of hot glögg, sold at many stalls.  
• 59.43754 24.75303 16 Vana Turg , Mere Pst . The name translates to "old market" and is located on a small square just outside the old town. Vana Turg is a place to buy clothes and decoration items often Estonian-made and sometimes sold by the makers themselves: knitted pullovers and caps, gloves, belts and slippers are examples of what you can find here.  
• 59.4438 24.7579 17 Sadamarket , Kai 5 . Daily 08:00-19:00 . Shopping daytrippers who arrive with Viking Line or Eckerö Line and can't be bothered to walk far from the terminal usually end up at this large indoor market. Three floors of clothing, bags, food and souvenirs plus some restaurants on the second floor. And of course also alcoholic beverages at a third of the Finnish prices. ( updated Oct 2015 )

• 59.443435 24.759972 18 Sadama Turg , Sadama 25-4 , ☏ +372 56650770 , [email protected] . Another market near the ferry terminals, selling quality Estonian handicraft, food, and alcoholic beverages at cheap prices. ( updated Jan 2020 )

Records [ edit ]

• 59.436968 24.747486 19 Biit Record , Viru 3 . Tu-F 13:00-19:00 . A music shop covering all major media types, with somewhat of a focus on vinyl. They especially have great indie and electronics offerings, can at the same time help find great local music and also other common genres. Located in an upper floor, the store has a special atmosphere to it. Offering secondhand and a wide variety of new records.  
• 59.428571 24.724214 20 Rockroad Record , Endla 38 . Mainly metal and rock/pop/blues also. Owner knows about Estonian and Russian rock music. Carries many Melodia label records.  
• 59.428571 24.724214 21 Raamatukoi Grammofon Records , Voorimehe 9 . Good selections. Classical, jazz, Estonian, pop-rock and so on. Furthermore, they sell postcards and stamps.  
• 59.43993 24.7297 22 World Clinic record shop , Telliskivi 60a/3 1st floor ( located at the northern end of in the Telliskivi creative area (<10 minutes walk from the central train station) ), [email protected] . a small but very friendly and diverse record shop ( updated Oct 2018 )

Eat [ edit ]

The Old Town is packed with restaurants claiming to offer authentic Estonian food, particularly on and around Raekoja plats . Prices at restaurants near the Raekoja Plats are generally more expensive, yet offer the same quality of food, as restaurants off this main square. Prices are steep by Estonian standards, but still much cheaper than neighbouring Helsinki, which explains why on weekends they're always packed with day tripping Finns.

Budget [ edit ]

In the old town [ edit ].

• 59.43836 24.7457 1 Maiasmokk , Pikk 16 , ☏ +372 64 64 079 , [email protected] . 09:00 to 21:00 mostly . The oldest still operating café in Tallinn, dating back to 1864. Coffee, tea, chocolate and various sweet and savoury pastries at quite cheap prices. Spacious with stylish decor. Next door is the Maiasmokk confectionery shop, which sells good quality Estonian chocolates. ( updated May 2022 )
• 59.437497 24.743138 2 Pub Kompressor , Rataskaevu 3 . Very tasty and varied pancakes. There are also other dishes. Fantastic place with great food and drinks, especially kvass! ( updated May 2022 )
• 59.437 24.745637 3 III Draakon , Raekoja plats . If you'd like to scoop nostalgia. Very interesting to eat in a special way. They have a small menu to offer but very good and very typical. The waitress plays at having the character of a sour waitress but with humor. A memorable experience. ( updated May 2022 )
• 59.43574 24.747118 4 Pizza Grande , Väike-Karja 6a . Very cozy place. Delicious pizza, affordable prices, pleasant service. Great environment. ( updated May 2022 )

Near the Old Town [ edit ]

• 59.43257 24.74649 5 Loca , Tatari 1, Tallinn ( Located near Vabaduse väljak, right next to Söögiplats ), ☏ +372 555 15 235 . 11:00-07:00 . Pizza, falafel, hummus, soup, beer. Fast food joint with wild staff and increasing customer service. €3-8 .  
• 59.4331 24.74782 6 Mr. Mauruse Pub ( Estonia pst 8 ) ( Near the city library. ). A great local pub, featuring cheap food with hearty portions. ( updated May 2022 )

Around the market Balti Jaama Turg [ edit ]

• 59.439635 24.729219 7 F-hoone , Telliskivi 60a/F , ☏ +372 5322 6855 , [email protected] . M-Sa 9-24, Su 9-22; kitchen closes 1 hr earlier . Used to be an industrial hall, now made a great bistro/bar which tends to become very busy in the evenings (book if you can, but as it's big you might well be lucky and find the one spare table. Good value for price. ( updated May 2022 )

East of the old town around the Coca-Cola Plaza [ edit ]

• 59.43708 24.76361 8 Kohvik Narva , Narva mnt 10 , ☏ +372 6601786 . M-F 08:30-20:00, Sa 10:00-20:00, Su 10:00-18:00 . Cafe Narva long boasted an old-style interior preserved from the Soviet area; today's chic interior seems questionably authentic. Ladies at the counter are somewhat brusque (still) and mostly Russian-speaking, although this should not prevent you from enjoying traditional food of Soviet workers as well as delicious pastries baked on the premises. Cake per kg €8.50-12, pastry pieces €0.70, solyanka €3, pancake €2.50-3.50, pasta carbonara €6, schnitzel €7, potato fritter €3-5, Pelmeni €5 . ( updated Sep 2017 )
• 59.4246 24.7934 9 Puffid bakery , Peterburi tee 2 ( on the first floor of T1 and Kristiine Center ), ☏ +372 58500408 , [email protected] . Puffid bakery offers snacks for every taste, curd pockets, a special children's set, croissants, baguettes and salads with different fillings. ( updated Feb 2024 )

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 59.4372 24.74285 10 Aed ( Embassy of Pure Food ), Rataskaevu 8. , ☏ +372 626 9088 , [email protected] . M-Sa 12:00-00:00, Su 12:00-18:00 . Excellent organic, biodynamic and Demeter food, also full vegan options. Beautiful interior, very charming and romantic, wonderful service. Lower-than-tourist prices .  
• 59.43547 24.7614 11 Aserbaijan Restaurant Shesh-Besh , Gonsiori 9 , ☏ +372 661 1422 , [email protected] . This dim and blandly decorated Azerbaijani bar-restaurant "Shesh Besh" offers genuine Azerbaijan cuisine. Although a namesake, it has nothing to do with a branch of Azerbaijan restaurants in Russia. Mains: €6-8 .  
• 59.43765 24.74829 12 Controvento , Vene 12/Katriina Käik . A very nice little Italian restaurant stashed away in a small side passage in the Old Town. Offering genuinely excellent food at reasonable prices with good service. Its only "flaw" is that it's hard to get into and is most often completely full, even on off-season week nights. You may want to call ahead and make a reservation. Pizzas and pasta dishes are around €10.  
• 59.4246 24.794 13 Crudo Resto , Peterburi tee 2 ( in the shopping and entertainment center T1 ), ☏ +372 58777770 , [email protected] . 10:00 - 21:00 . Italian cuisine, pizzas, pastas and a variety of Italian appetizers (antipasti), salads, soups, carefully selected wines, classic cocktails and Italian desserts. ( updated Feb 2024 )
• 59.438308 24.729358 14 Frenchy bistro , Telliskivi 60a/5, hall B , ☏ +372 5604 8262 . M 17-23, Tu-Th 12-23, F-Sa 12-24 . French food bistro in a hip vintage-industrial-modern setting. Has cheap daily offers. ( updated Oct 2018 )

• 59.438412 24.751491 15 Guru , Aia 10 , ☏ +372 5301 7828 . A new Indian restaurant in central Tallinn, just outside the old town. Easy to find as it's on the same street as the Kalev Spa. Offers authentic Indian cuisine with plenty of spices. Try the Indian tea for dessert. Mains €12-20 . ( updated Dec 2019 )
• 59.439582 24.717268 16 Kaja Pizza Köök , Õle 33 , ☏ +372 6601611 . Tu - Su 11:30 till Out of Dough (they will make a given amount of dough every day, so if it's very busy they will close "early") . pizza baked in a wood oven, with the choice of topping being aligned to traditional south Italian pizza. Small place, just one big table everybody shares. Combining traditional elements and a rather modern/hip atmosphere. pizza 5-8 Euro + 1 Euro per additional topping . ( updated Oct 2018 )
• 59.43601 24.74681 17 Karja Kelder , Väike-Karja 1 , ☏ +372 644 1008 . 11:00-00:00 or later . Pleasant and affordable tourist trap in basement. Located in the middle of Old Town. Main courses €4.50-8 .  

• 59.4451 24.7478 18 Kohvik Moon , Võrgu 3 , ☏ +372 6 314 575 , [email protected] . 12:00 - 23:00 mostly . A rather small restaurant with a nice, minimalistic decor. Serves traditional Estonian food with a Russian influence. Voted best restaurant in Tallinn in 2010. Very popular among tourists, and as such it is usually quite full. Prior reservations are recommended but not mandatory. Main courses €10–20 .  
• 59.4374 24.74317 19 Kompressor , Rataskaevu 3 ( Just few minutes walk from Raekoja plats. ). This place offers an assortment of huge and delicious pancakes. Don't give in to the temptation to order two portions, one pancake is usually enough. This place used to be less touristic, but is now. Pancakes from €4.50, Beer €3 .  
• 59.43368 24.75787 20 Madissoni Grill & Baar , Rävala Puiestee 3 ( next to the Radisson Blu Hotel ). This open kitchen type restaurant serves good flame-grilled food at decent prices, especially popular for its daily lunch specials, King Club sandwich and burgers.  
• 59.43694 24.74759 21 Oliver , Viru 3 , ☏ +372 630 7898 , [email protected] . 10:00-00:00 . A traditional restaurant in the heart of the Tallinn Old town. The menu is centered on various kinds of steaks, but there are also pastas and vegetarian dishes available. Main courses €15–23. ( updated Nov 2015 )
• 59.43669 24.74685 22 Restoran Peppersack . A middle ages-themed restaurant one block away from the city hall square - even the names of the dishes are medieval themed. Outdoor seating available in the summer, when they also played medieval (what else?) music on a small outdoor stage, and they seem also to have sword fight and oriental dance performances. Probably the main competitor of Olde Hansa and a bit touristy indeed but fun.  
• 59.39254 24.67387 23 Pirosmani , Üliõpilaste tee 1 , ☏ +372 639 3246 . 10:00-24:00 . Georgian food as it is done in Georgia. It's well out of the way, but that's a good thing. Almost everyone at this restaurant is local (although the menu has English), and tourists are not in sight, so the food here is good and great value. Try the Khinkali or the Harcho.  
• 59.43733 24.74596 24 Troika , Raekoja plats 15 . Offers generous portions of Russian food. In the warm summer months, people dine on the terrace. In winter, they head down to the warm cellar. To fill up, get a small zakuski (which is anything but small) appetizer plate. It's big enough for three and costs €9, then dip your pelmeni dumplings (costing €6) in smetana or the other sauces provided and wash it down with a shot of vodka (€5).  
• 59.445745 24.749621 25 [formerly dead link] Umami , Kalasadama 8 , ☏ +372 600 1035 , [email protected] . 12:00-20:00 mostly . Considered among the best restaurants in Tallinn. Originally located in Mustamäe, the restaurant came under threat of closing down in March 2019 when the building housing it was demolished. Instead of closing down, it opened in new premises in Kalamaja in northern Tallinn. Umami offers Estonian-style cuisine with an international twist, as well as a diverse wine list. The restaurant has a spacious terrace and is a short walk away from the ferry terminal. The burger of the day is worth trying. Main courses €11.50-21.50 . ( updated Jun 2019 )

• 59.43716 24.74262 26 Vanaema Juures , Rataskaevu 10/12 , ☏ +372 626 9080 . Translates as "At Grandma", which gives you an idea of the warm welcome you can expect here. Friendly and attentive staff are happy to explain the traditional dishes. Excellent value for money. It's a tiny place, so reservations are essential in the high season. Try the meatballs or the pork with sauerkraut and don't miss the kama porridge for dessert. ( updated Feb 2020 )

Splurge [ edit ]

• 59.43624 24.74479 27 Bar Fish and Wine , Harju 1 , ☏ +372 662 3013 . M-Th 11:30-23:00, F Sa 11:30-24:00 . The name pretty much says it. This is a modern cocktail bar and restaurant serving vodka and caviar, fish dishes and a wide range of wines.  
• 59.43992 24.74777 28 Bocca , Olevimägi 9 , ☏ +372 611 7290 . M-Th 11:30-23:00, F Sa 11.30-24:00, Su 13:00-22:00 . One of the trendiest restaurants in Tallinn. Features Italian cuisine by Nicola Tanda. It also has a nice bar to enjoy cocktails and snacks. This is one of the busiest restaurants in Tallinn. Reservations are highly recommended. €30 .  
• 59.44011 24.74798 29 Chedi ( chedi ), Olevimägi 11 ( next to restaurant Bocca, in old town ), ☏ +372 646 1676 . M-Th 11:30-23:00, F Sa 11:30-24:00, Sun 13:00-22:00 . Modern Asian kitchen supervised by Alan Yau from Hakasan, London. Modern and warm interior to give a retro Asian impression. Reservations recommended for the weekend and during summer holidays. €20 .  
• 59.43707 24.74344 30 [dead link] Kuldse Notsu Kõrts , Dunkri 8 , ☏ +372 628 6567 . Daily 12:00-23:00 . Good traditional Estonian restaurant close to the main square. Try the house beer or vodka and fresh buckthorn and honey apertif with your blood sausage or the famous pork knuckle with extra spicy mustard. The traditional desserts are also worth a try. Live traditional music Sep-May F Sa nights. €20-30 including drinks and desert .  

• 59.43644 24.74284 31 Musi , Niguliste 6 , ☏ +372 5663 6211 . 17:00-24:00 . This is primarily a wine bar, but it has light meals as well. From the outside it looks like a cosy oasis, and you might think the place is one little rustic room on display but there is more tables behind the wine bar. Welcoming staff and a good selection of wine by the glass. A good place for a relaxed meal, or with your friends before or after dinner. Glass of wine: €4; Small dishes: from €5 .  
• 59.43668 24.74599 32 Olde Hansa , Vana turg 1 . The ruling king among Tallinn's purely touristy restaurants with some of them trying to copy its style. The place is simply medieval, not just in terms of food but also in the sense of performance - no electricity, no music except live and authentic, no modern inventions. The house special is bear meat "marinated in rare spices and cooked over a fire in honour of Waldemar II, the brave King of Denmark" costing €40+. Try one of the extraordinary beers, such as the honey beer. It is not likely that you will meet any locals here.  
• 59.43895 24.75443 33 Restaurant Ö , Mere pst. 6E ( close to old town, near harbour ), ☏ +372 661 6150 . M-Th 12:00-23:00, F Sa 12:00-24:00, Su 13:00-22:00 . Reopened and two new chefs Martin Meikas and Ranno Paukson with focus on Modern Estonian kitchen. Good view of old town. €20 .  
• 59.43779 24.74735 34 Tchaikovsky , Vene 9 , ☏ +372 6000 610 . M-F 12:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00; Sa Su 13:00-23:00 . As the name suggests, it is a Russian restaurant, but don't expect wooden benches, traditional food, and folk music. On the contrary, you will find a selection of Russian delicacies ranging from pancakes with caviar to pelmeni with pork and wild mushrooms, along with fusion-style cuisine (rabbit with Jerusalem artichoke being a good example). Expect delicious food and very high prices, but if you are looking for typical Russian fare, try to find another place for dinner. Mains start from €20 .  

Drink [ edit ]

Cafés [ edit ].

There are plenty of nice cafés, especially in the centre. Among the interesting ones:

• 59.435309 24.73116 1 Café Mademoiselle ( Kohvik Mademoiselle ), Toompuiestee 27 / Paldiski mnt 4 ( in the Kelmiküla district; at the Meriton Grand Conference & Spa Hotel ), ☏ +372 62 88 155 , [email protected] . Daily 08:00–22:00 . A café with the high quality confectionery products. ( updated Jun 2023 )
• 59.434252 24.744304 2 Wabadus Kohvik ( Café Wabadus ), Vabaduse väljak 10 , ☏ +372 6604019 . M-Th 9-23; F 9-1; Sa 11-1, Su 11-22 . located just next to the freedom square, this café has good drinks as well as dishes. The interior is a great blend of classical styles of prior decades with the modern times. ( updated Oct 2018 )

Nightlife [ edit ]

Tallinn's crazy nightlife is out of proportion to the city's small size. The days of armed mafiosos are over and these days any drunken fights tend to involve stag parties. Exercise some caution in choosing your venue, as some strip clubs and regular clubs make their money by fleecing tourists who come in for a drink. In local places, beers cost €2.50-4.

Bars and pubs [ edit ]

In old town (vanalinn) [ edit ].

• 59.43684 24.74369 3 Beer House , Dunkri 5 . Plenty of beers to choose from in this large authentically styled and decorated Bavarian Beer hall, including 5 of their own beers made on site. Try the Medovar Honey beer.  
• 59.434981 24.746536 4 The Dubliner , Suur Karja 18 , [email protected] . 11:00-midnight (03:00 at the weekend) . Popular Irish pub on one of the nightlife axes. Attracts younger people and is relative new, so no pub crawlers puke in front of the door.  
• 59.43544 24.74814 5 Drink Baar , Väike Karja 8 , ☏ +372 644 9433 . Su-Th 12:00-23:00, F Sa 12:00-03:00 . The widest selection of beers of any pub in town including many quality imports from Brewdog and Mikkeller. Good English-style pub-grub, featuring award winning fish and chips. Monthly comedy nights from the "Comedy Estonia" and quiz nights.  

• 59.43936 24.74676 6 Hell Hunt , Pikk 39 . The name means "the gentle wolf" in Estonian. A comfortable and homey pub in the Old Town and offers a wide selection of beers (including two of their own brews) and some pretty decent food. Don't miss the spare ribs.  
• 59.43655 24.74893 7 Helsinki Karaoke Baar , Viru 18 , ☏ +372 641 6164 , [email protected] . Su–Th 13:00–01:00, F 13:00–03:00, Sa 10:00–03:00 . A legendary gathering place for Finns. This bar, also known as Lokaal Helsinki , is a popular destination for both locals and tourists who crave a cozy atmosphere and Finnish music.  
• 59.43427 24.74482 8 Kuku klubi , Vabaduse väljak 8 . Founded 1935 by local art community and claiming to have had the best accessible cuisine in the former USSR since 1958 during the Russian occupation.  
• 59.43561 24.74626 9 Lab Bar , Suur-Karja 10 . Laboratory themed bar known for its shots in test tubes. You should definitely try the "Brain Scan".  
• 59.44009 24.74837 10 Levist Väljas , Olevimägi 12 . A cozy alternative bar in Old Town with a small dance floor.  

• 59.43604 24.74621 11 Nimeta Baar (The Bar With No Name) , Suur-Karja 4 . Really fun place, popular with tourists.  

• 59.434658 24.743135 12 100 õlle koht , Harju 6 , ☏ +372 5884 9729 . M-Sa 12:00-20:00 mostly, closed Sundays . The name means "the place of 100 beers" and the establishment indeed serves over 100 different types of beer. Traditional Estonian pub snacks also available. It's in an underground cellar so it's not suitable for people with limited mobility. ( updated Mar 2020 )
• 59.43966 24.7469 13 Texas Honky Tonk & Cantina , Pikk 43 , ☏ +372 631 1755 . 12:00-23:59 . Texas-style cantina is a casual place for a Corona or, if you must, a Bud, or even to try out the frozen margaritas churning in the electric mixer behind the bar. More serious drinkers can try the "tequila flights": 3 or 5 shots of different tequilas to give you a sampling, not that you're likely to remember which was which next time around.  
• 59.43727 24.74284 14 Von Krahli , Rataskaevu 10 . An avant-garde theatre/bar.  

Out of old town [ edit ]

These are still quite central; they are just not in the old town.

• 59.43346 24.75779 15 Lounge 24 , Rävala Puiestee 3 . On the top floor of the Radisson Blu Hotel, it offers spectacular views of Old Town and the Baltic sea from a trendy indoor setting and a breathtaking outdoor terrace. Lounge 24 serves a variety of light fares to full dinner menu, and a wide selection of beverages. Open to the general public.  
• 59.44085 24.73378 16 Tšungel , Kopli 1 . A terrace bar restaurant near the railway station.  
• 59.448339 24.753631 17 Kohvik Nord , Mere pst 20 ( located at the northestern corner of Linnahall ), ☏ +372 444 0036 , [email protected] . evening café: opens at 5 only – see website for details . At the pier behind Linnahall; you are really at the sea. ( updated Oct 2018 )

Nightclubs [ edit ]

• 59.43392 24.76214 18 [dead link] Arena3 , Tartu mnt. 17 ( In the Kompassi district ). Plays middle of the road pop and disco. Popular with the young crowd. Reasonably priced.  
• 59.43917 24.75437 19 Bonbon , Mere Pst 6e . Open to all who can get past the strict "face control". Over-the-top décor (chandeliers, leather seats) and prices to match.  

• 59.43517 24.74526 20 Hollywood , Vana-Posti 8 . W-Sa 23:00-? . Big club, popular with young Estonians during the week (Ladies Night on Wednesday) and general party crowd at the weekend. Standard is euro trash and top40 songs. Gets started at 23:00 but before 01:00 the party doesn't rock.  
• 59.43859 24.75136 21 Gentlemen's Club Golden Time ( Golden Time Striptease Club ), Aia 10a ( near Vene Kultuurikeskus ), ☏ +372 588-780-68 . Su–Th 21:00–06:00, F–Sa 21:00–08:00 . A strip club with excellent interior design and good music.  
• 59.45074 24.72904 22 HALL ( Klubi HALL ), Peetri 6 ( at Kalamaja district; about 6 km from airport and 2 km from railway station ), [email protected] . F–Sa 00:00–09:00 . Techno music club.  
• 59.4392 24.7563 23 Parlament , Ahtri 10 . Bubblegum pop and live events.  
• 59.43449 24.74346 24 Prive , Harju 6 . Tallinn's flashiest nightspot, run by legendary warehouse party organizers Vibe, often has foreign DJs playing. Expensive and has strict face control, so dress up.  
• 59.43587 24.754627 25 Riff , Viru väljak 4/6 ( backside of Viru keskus shopping center ), ☏ +372 5084602 , +372 5038720 . F Sa 23:00-05:00 . If Russian club music, vodka shots and a vibrant crowd is your desire, this is the base. Pretty empty until 01:00 after then it fills up. They have a nice terrace during summer which is a popular meeting point as the main bus terminal is 100 m away and many stop their for the wait on the first bus in the morning. The club does have many bouncers but as long as you don't carry weapons or start a fight, they are rather passive. entry €6 .  
• 59.432703 24.744569 26 Teater , Vabaduse square 5 ( across the street from Vabaduse square ), ☏ +372 56 88 4444 , [email protected] . F Sa 23:00-05:00 . Basement club on Vabaduse square. Popular with late twens and smaller groups. Music focus is on 1990s and 2000s. Door policy is relaxed but most people are dressed up. Usually starts going at midnight. €8 entrance (€15 for VIP) drinks from €4 .  
• 59.4329 24.7643 27 Virgins , Tartu mnt. 29 , ☏ +372 56992255 , [email protected] . 22:00-06:00 . Gentlemen's club with erotic shows and luxurious drinks. Popular with business travellers and male tourists. €10 for the entrance .  

Sleep [ edit ]

Hostels [ edit ].

• 59.43932 24.75513 1 16EUR Hostel , Roseni 9 ( Old Town ), ☏ +372 501 3046 , [email protected] . Dorm bed: from €10; Single: €16-25 .  
• 59.43894 24.74491 2 Alur Hostel , Lai 20 ( Old Town ), ☏ +372 646 6210 , [email protected] . Check-in: 12:00 , check-out: 12:00 . Friendly staff, small kitchen and large common room. Wi-Fi available in all of the rooms. Dorm bed: from €9 .  
• 59.4318 24.74329 3 Euphoria , Roosikrantsi 4 ( Old Town ), ☏ +372 5837 3602 , [email protected] . The place with a character. Painted walls, daily events, workshops and unplugged concerts make this place different from other hostels. A must stay for artistic spirits. Friendly staff and free Wi-Fi. As of 2018, this hostel closes during the winter season. Dorm bed: from €9 .  
• 59.44423 24.74903 4 Fat Margeret's , Põhja puiestee 27 ( north-east border of Old Town ), ☏ +372 510 0916 , [email protected] . Hostel with a big living room, kitchen and a lot of clean toilets and showers. Free Wi-Fi. Bed from €10 .  
• 59.43856 24.74311 5 [dead link] Flying Kiwi Backpackers , Nunne 1 ( Old Town ), ☏ +372 5821 3292 , [email protected] . 20 beds  
• 59.43283 24.7647 6 GIDIC Backpackers , 31 Tartu Mnt ( Just outside Old Town ), ☏ +372 646 6016 . Australian-owned.  
• 59.43589 24.74722 7 Zinc Old Town Hostel , Väike-Karja 1 ( Old Town ), ☏ +372 5781 0173 . Changed owner a couple of times and also the name but still on the same place. Clean, friendly and flexible staff. ( updated Oct 2018 )
• 59.43513 24.74188 8 [dead link] Knight House , Rüütli 18 ( Old Town ), ☏ +372 5550 1001 , [email protected] . Hotel quality accommodation at hostel prices. Hostel occupies a house that is over 600 years old, with the centre of the Old Town just out the door. Fully equipped kitchen, common area, free Wi-Fi, free tea and coffee. Dorm bed: from €7; Single: €16-25 .  
• 59.43251 24.74648 9 Monk's Bunk , Tatari 1 ( Old Town ), ☏ +372 636 3924 , [email protected] . Even booking a place here online (either through the well known suspects or their own website), does not mean they have accommodation available. They are unreliable with regards to updating the status of their beds. So, better not have this stress and book somewhere else. Dorm from €11 .  
• 59.44075 24.74987 10 Old House Hostel , Uus 26 , ☏ +372 6411 281 , [email protected] . A very nice, friendly and stylishly decorated hostel in the northern part of the Old Town, very near to the centre of Tallinn. The staff speak excellent English. The rooms are good enough to pass for hotel rooms, but have no private bathrooms. No restaurant, and no breakfast provided - you cook your own food or dine elsewhere in Tallinn. Free Internet connection available for hostel guests. Double rooms from €30 .  
• 59.44042 24.74892 11 Tallinn Backpackers , Olevimägi 11 ( Old Town ), ☏ +372 644 0298 , [email protected] . Includes a sauna. Dorm bed from €9 .  

Hotels [ edit ]

• 59.37847 24.71842 12 Hotel Dzingel , Männiku tee 89, Nõmme ( 5 km from Old Town and easy to reach by bus No 5 ), ☏ +372 610 5201 , +372 610 5300 , [email protected] . Double: €45 .  
• 59.43767 24.76141 13 Park Inn by Radisson Central Tallinn , Narva mnt 7C , ☏ +372 633 9800 , [email protected] . This is not the best Park Inn in the world, but with some luck you can get a super low room rate compared to its sister hotels under the main Radisson brand. €48 .  
• 59.43942 24.73615 14 GoHotel Shnelli , Toompuiestee 37 ( near the medieval Old Town, close to Snelli Park and the Baltic Railway Station. ), ☏ +372 631 0100 . Double: €38. There are discounted rates for guests arriving after midnight - €32 .  
• 59.432098 24.743179 15 [dead link] Hotel St. Barbara , Roosikrantsi 2A ( Get off at Vabaduse väljak stop ), ☏ +372 6400040 , [email protected] . A former hospital converted into a hotel. Located just south of the Old Town, it is easily accessible by public transit with bus and tram stops nearby. €40-60 . ( updated Mar 2019 )
• 59.44126 24.7588 16 Citybox , Laeva 1 ( Near D terminal and Nautica shopping center ), ☏ +372 660 6630 , [email protected] . Self-service hotel. Guests handle booking, payment, check-in and check-out themselves. Single €40, double €45 .  
• 59.43853 24.74385 17 St. Olav Hotel , Lai 5 ( In the heart of the Medieval merchants district within three minutes walk form the Old Town Square ), ☏ +372 6161180 , [email protected] . An old building with an interior that is also antique. However, the rooms are modern with flat-screen TVs. Double: €45 .  
• 59.44189 24.74904 18 Gotthard Residents , Pikk 66 ( Just over 0.5 km to the old town and about 1 km to the ferry port ), ☏ +372 611 8080 , [email protected] . Double: €44 .  
• 59.43926 24.7452 19 Meriton Old Town Garden Hotel , Lai 24 , ☏ +372 664 8800 , [email protected] . Double: €37 .  
• 59.46744 24.83382 20 The Pirita Monastery , Merivälja tee 18 ( Pirita district, near Pirita beach ), ☏ +372 605 5000 , [email protected] . Featuring ski-to-door access, garden, terrace free WiFi and parking. Single €42, double €58, triple €77, quadruple €99 .  

• 59.43589 24.74654 21 Barons Boutique Hotel , Suur-Karja 7 , ☏ +372 699 9700 , [email protected] . The hotel is in an old bank building and features and overdose of pretentiousness for what are essentially quite simple rooms. €94 .  
• 59.44145 24.76059 22 Hotel Euroopa ( formerly Clarion ), Paadi 5 , ☏ +372 6699 777 , [email protected] . The Euroopa has a first-rate location overlooking the marina basin of the Old Town Port of Tallinn, and is generally a very modern hotel. The rooms are spacious and comfortable and perhaps the only downside to it all are wildly clashing textures and patterns throughout the hotel. €95 .  
• 59.43529 24.74601 23 My City Hotel , Vana Posti 11/13 , ☏ +372 6220 900 , [email protected] . The hotel in the conspicuous white early 20th century building may look like many others in Tallinn with the slightly outdated and pretentious decor, but behind this veneer lies a true dedication to detail, extending as far as featuring a bathtub duck in the courtesy toiletries set. €80 .  
• 59.43259 24.74534 24 Hotel Palace , Vabaduse Väljak 3 , ☏ +372 680 6655 , [email protected] . Operated by the local company Tallinn Hotels, the Hotel Palace is stuated in a 1937 buildinging with a stark gray period facade, somewhat contrasting with its name. The interiors have been refurbished in mid-2014 and now feature furniture and fixtures reminiscent of the interwar period. The art-deco theme is continued in the use of motifs from paintings of Konrad Mägi, a famous Estonian painter whose lifetime covered the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. €92 .  
• 59.43024 24.75769 25 Radisson Blu Hotel Olumpia, Tallinn ( formerly Reval Hotel Olümpia ), Liivalaia 33 , ☏ +372 631 5333 , [email protected] . 390 air-conditioned rooms and bars and restaurants. It also has a conference centre, health club with swimming pool and saunas. Free WiFi throughout the hotel. €76 .  
• 59.43641 24.7578 26 Tallink City Hotel , A. Laikmaa 5 , ☏ +372 630 0800 , [email protected] . Tallink's City Hotel has a very central location, right opposite the Viru shopping centre, but unfortunately it is let down by poor service standards dictated by the group business that is the hotel's mainstay. €92 .  
• 59.44443 24.75559 27 Tallink Express Hotel , Sadama 9 , ☏ +372 667 8700 , [email protected] . The Tallink Express is the cheapest of the hotels provided by the ferry operator Tallink, sandwiched between their spectacular headquarters and the Tallink Spa & Conference Center. The rooms, furniture and fixtures are rather basic, and the location a tad remote and not in a pleasant or picturesque part of Tallinn. €68 .  
• 59.44446 24.7564 28 Tallink Spa & Conference Center , Sadama 11a , ☏ +372 630 1000 , [email protected] . Tallink's most upscale property is just what the label says, with a pool spa with a number of water-based amenities and a conference centre. The rooms are modern and decorated with sometimes bewilderingly clashing patterns, and some overlook the main pool atrium rather than the outside. There is a considerable distance from the hotel to everything else but the ferry terminal. €92 .  
• 59.41977 24.79391 29 Hotel Ülemiste , Lennujaama tee 2 , ☏ +372 603 2600 , [email protected] . With a location close to the shore of Lake Ulemiste within walking distance to the airport, this hotel counts as Tallinn's airport hotel. Apart from the airport and the Ulemiste shopping centre, it is not quite close to anything. Everything about the hotel is reasonably modern, though let down by small niggles. €80 .  
• 59.43697 24.7494 30 Baltic Hotel Vana Wiru , Viru 11 , ☏ +372 66 91 500 , [email protected] . The hotel has outdated rooms, some of which do not have much in terms of a view, while others feature sloping roofs, and it is bested by other hotels in many other respects. But this is all made up by its brilliant location on the Viru Street in the heart of the Old Town. €95 .  
• 59.43475 24.73268 31 The von Stackelberg Hotel Tallinn , Toompuiestee 23 , ☏ +372 66 00 700 , [email protected] . The hotel is based in a historic building once belonging to the von Stackelberg family, sitting just outside of the Old Town of Tallinn. The rooms are quite spacious for a historic property though, and there is an on-site spa providing wellness treatments. €79 .  

• 59.43706 24.74384 32 Merchants House Hotel , Dunkri 4/6 ( Town Hall Square ), ☏ +372 6977 500 , [email protected] . 31 rooms and six suites. The hotel is a small complex of 14th and 16th century buildings with rooms all looking in on the central courtyard. The historic buildings contrasts nicely with the luxurious designer interiors of the rooms. €115 .  
• 59.43746 24.75522 33 Nordic Hotel Forum , Viru Väljak 3 , ☏ +372 622 2900 , fax : +372 622 2901 , [email protected] . A modern hotel at Viru Väljak square in the city center. Good and generous breakfast buffet. double room €105 .  
• 59.44067 24.74895 34 Olevi Residents , Olevimägi 4 ( Old Town ), ☏ +372 6 277 650 . Really nice and comfortable hotel in the middle of the Old Town. Free internet access. It has a very good hotel restaurant. The building is from the 14th century and has lots of character. Double: €103, breakfast included .  
• 59.43348 24.75775 35 Radisson Collection Hotel , Rävala pst. 3 , ☏ +372 682 3000 , [email protected] . 287 rooms €111 .  
• 59.43512 24.7469 36 [dead link] Savoy Boutique Hotel , Suur-Karja 17/19 , ☏ +372 680 6688 , [email protected] . The Savoy is the most upmarket property among those operated by the local company Tallinn Hotels. The large building stands out among its Old Town surroundings, while the interior is appointed in a simple and conservative style. Due to the limitations of the historic buildings, some rooms, especially singles, are rather smallish. €133 .  
• 59.438632 24.747723 37 Schlössle Hotel , Pühavaimu 13/15 ( Old Town ), ☏ +372 699 77 00 , [email protected] . Old storehouse that is converted in a barock-gothic boutique hotel. By some measures the oldest hotel (first erected in 14th century) and renovated in detail to fulfill today's requirements of a 5-star hotel. Only 23 rooms, spa and part of Leading Hotels of the world. from €122 .  
• 59.43657 24.7548 38 Sokos Hotel Viru , Viru väljak 4 , ☏ +372 680 9300 . This is a large matchbox of a building and, for a long time, it was the tallest modern building in Tallinn. It's very centrally located at the edge of the Old Town. In the Soviet days, when Tallinn was a hotbed of espionage, Viru was the city's premier hotel and every single room was famously bugged by the KGB. Today it's just a very good Finnish-run business hotel, and even the grey facade has been whitewashed. €128 .  
• 59.43675 24.7556 39 Solo Sokos Hotel Estoria , Viru valjak 4 , ☏ +372 6 809 300 , [email protected] . The Estoria is a part of the same building complex as the Viru hotel, but it follows the upmarket "Solo" concept and features colourful and unique design elements throughout its interior. The level of comfort and facilities is higher than at the Viru, but the 93 rooms are placed in a smaller building with less spectacular views. €158 .  
• 59.43676 24.74298 40 St. Petersburg Hotel , Rataskaevu 7 , ☏ +372 628 6500 . The St. Petersburg is a sister hotel of the Schloessle, operated by M.C Hotels, and as such a member of Summit Hotels and the Preferred Hotels Group. The boutique property is housed in a historic building at a corner of pedestrianized streets in the Old Town. The interior is filled with exquisite appointments and designer or vintage furniture and fixtures. Service and price levels match this standard. €140 .  
• 59.43293 24.76103 41 Swissôtel Tallinn , Tornimäe 3 , ☏ +372 624 0000 . Tallest building within the banking district. 238 stylish guest rooms with either city or harbour view. The hotel houses two restaurants and a deli for guests on the run; Püroval Spa & Wellness delivers private fitness and relaxation facilities, including an indoor pool, a gym, a sauna and a steam room. Views over Tallinn and Old Town are spectacular from 30th floor Horisont Bar. €113 .  
• 59.43795 24.74748 42 Hotel Telegraaf , Vene 9 ( Old Town ), ☏ +372 6000 600 , fax : +372 6000 601 , [email protected] . Located in Tallinn's Old Town, the hotel building was constructed as an exchange station for the Estonian Telegraph company in 1878, and with the historical façade left standing completely renovated to be reopened as a five-star hotel in 2007, featuring 86 elegant rooms and suites, a small spa area with an indoor swimming pool, two booths for facials and massages, a Symphony Lounge (function room, private events) as well as the renowned Restaurant Tchaikovsky and during the summer months a charming summer terrace. €160 .  
• 59.44204 24.74858 43 The Three Sisters Boutique Hotel , Pikk 71 , ☏ +372 630 6300 , [email protected] . A member of Relais & Chateaux, the Three Sisters in the name refer to the three medieval buildings that make up the hotel. As the buildings date back to the 14th century, each of the hotel's 23 rooms is unique in shape and size, as well as appointments: some stay true to the medieval character of the rest of the hotel, while others are surprisingly modern. The steep staircases, sloping roofs and small windows are also part of the package. €139 .  

Stay safe [ edit ]

Tallinn is easily among Europe's safest capitals, with violent crime being rare and petty crime being negligible compared to other cities.

However, various governments warn against the risk of being pickpocketed , particularly in the Old Town. Watch your valuables closely, especially on public transport and at Viru Street.

The stigmatized neighbourhoods of Kopli and Lasnamäe – both predominantly Russian-speaking areas known as hotbeds for the notorious "Gopnik" culture – are probably best to be avoided after dark, although they are a lot safer than the "bad neighbourhoods" in Western European or North American cities.

The biggest trap to tourists in Tallinn is getting ripped off by taxi drivers or in "gentlemen's clubs". Many of the latter are known for their exorbitant prices and hidden "fees" . Credit card skimming and other similar scams are common practice in those establishments. Stay away, unless you particularly enjoy losing your month's pay in a few hours.

People who arrive to Tallinn by camper van or just by car should be careful and not leave valuables in their vehicles. Unfortunately it's not rare that cars with foreign plates are looted. Those crimes are committed mainly in the area of Tallinn's passenger port and nearby streets where many camper vans stop. There are safer official car parks, but they are often harder to find, their location might not be very good, and you have to pay quite a lot of money.

Winters in Tallinn, indeed all of Estonia, are milder than in Scandinavia and Russia, but slippery roads are common.

Connect [ edit ]

Wi-Fi are available in many public areas as well as restaurants, hotels and bars, many of them can be used free of charge. The site wifi.ee maintains a list of wireless networks.

If you want to send a post card, almost every place selling something also has post cards. However they seldom have stamps. Check the web page of the Estonian Post for post office locations, this is where you can purchase stamps.

Cope [ edit ]

• 59.4278 24.7567 7 East-Tallinn Central Hospital , Ravi 18 , ☏ +372 622 7070 , toll-free: 1900 . Full-fledged clinic with all areas covered (ICU, midwife, surgery etc.) and recommended by most embassies.  

Embassies [ edit ]

Many details can also be found here: https://www.embassypages.com/estonia

Go next [ edit ]

• Maardu – A neighboring town 15 km east.
• Jägala Falls – 20 km east, is Estonia's largest waterfall.
• Lahemaa National Park – About 50 km east, a place to find some nice forests, coast, swamps, beautiful bogs, and 4 interesting manors. Good for a day trip or even hikes with overnighting at the park.
• Soomaa National Park – About 60 km south and second largest national park in Estonia, known for its swamps and bogs (Soomaa means "land of bogs" in Estonian), and its "fifth season". Surprisingly, swimming is popular there and is said to rejuvenate the skin.
• Kaberneeme – A village about 40 km east on the coast. The village has a 2 km long beach area with pine tree forests edging right up to the shore.
• Viljandi – A beautiful, ancient and hilly city, known for its annual Viljandi Folk Music Festival, beautiful old town and overwhelming and picturesque park around the old castle.
• Tartu – 2 hr by car, 2 hr 30 min by bus, south east. Museum-rich and hanseatic city on the banks of the Emajõgi River. Also, Estonia's second-largest and oldest city, intellectual hub famous for its universities, and a lively student city.
• Paldiski – 40 km west, this former Soviet closed city is a great place to see remains of Soviet military and industrial infrastructure.
• Hop on the ferry and you are in Helsinki , Finland in 2 hours. Remember to bring your passport (for citizens of the European Union a national ID card will suffice).

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No longer the plaything of greater powers – Danish, Swedish, Polish, German and Soviet – Tallinn is now a proud European capital with an allure all of its own. It's lively yet peaceful, absurdly photogenic and bursting with wonderful sights – ancient churches, medieval streetscapes and noble merchants' houses. Throw in delightful food and vibrant modern culture and it's no wonder Tallinn seems in danger of being loved to death, especially after a few cruise ships dock. But it's one of those blessed places that seems to cope with all the attention.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Niguliste Museum

Dating from the 13th century, the imposing St Nicholas' Church (Niguliste kirik) was badly damaged by Soviet bombers in 1944 and a fire in the 1980s, but…

Estonian Open-Air Museum

This sprawling ethnographic and architectural complex comprises 80 historic Estonian buildings, plucked from across the country and resurrected in…

This futuristic, Finnish-designed, seven-storey building is a spectacular structure of limestone, glass and copper that integrates intelligently into the…

Tallinn Town Hall

Completed in 1404, this is the only surviving Gothic town hall in northern Europe. Inside, you can visit the Trade Hall (whose visitor book drips with…

Great Guild Hall

The Great Guild Hall (1410) is a wonderfully complete testament to the power of Tallinn's medieval trade guilds. Now a branch of the Estonian History…

Kadriorg Art Museum

Kadriorg Palace, a baroque beauty built by Peter the Great between 1718 and 1736, houses a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia devoted to Dutch, German…

Seaplane Harbour

Kalamaja & Telliskivi

When this cavernous, triple-domed building was completed in 1917, its reinforced-concrete shell-frame construction was unique in the world. Resembling a…

Telliskivi Creative City

Once literally on the wrong side of the tracks, this set of abandoned factory buildings is now Tallinn's most alternative shopping and entertainment…

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16 awesome things to do in tallinn [estonia] in 2024.

Tallinn is the medieval, vibrant, capital city of Estonia and is bursting with history, culture and wonderful things to do and see. Brad and I had the chance to explore Tallinn with Visit Estonia and we quickly fell in love with this beautiful city. 

So, if you need inspiration on what to do in Tallinn, then read on for my full guide on the best things to do in Tallinn.

What I REALLY love about Tallinn, is that the majority of all the best tourist attractions are located in the Old Town (or close to it) which means it’s easy to access all the best places to visit in Tallinn by walking.

Brad and I spent a full day seeing all the best sights in the Old Town and we didn’t need anything other than our 2 feet!

Travellerspoint

When is the best time to visit Tallinn?

Like many other places in Europe , we found that autumn was a wonderful time to visit Tallinn.

It’s still quite busy following the summer tourists, but the autumn colours are in full bloom and Estonia in autumn is an amazing scene. With what resemble Indian spices in orange, red and yellows, it’s the perfect backdrop to the city attractions. 

However, I’ve heard great things about Tallinn during winter and the Christmas season, so I think it would be a great time to visit too. 

What is the best way to get to Tallinn?

Since Tallinn is the capital city, it’s super easy to fly here! You can get cheap flights across mainland Europe, and you can visit from international destinations too. I suggest you use Skyscanner to find the best deals on flights to Tallinn. 

Or, you can do what Bradley and I did and road trip to Tallinn. Estonia is a small but mighty country with beautiful sights to see. 

We picked our Tinggly campervan from Lithuania and travelled north to Estonia through the Baltics.

Or, if you're coming from the north, you can get the direct Helsinki to Tallinn ferry . We did this the other way around and it's very straightforward.

How long should you spend in Tallinn?

Tallinn really is one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe , and is the perfect place for a city break. So I suggest you spend at least 3 nights there! You could spend more, but no less or you’ll miss out on all the best things to do in Tallinn. 

If you fancy exploring more of what Estonia has to offer in general, then it’s a great idea to rent a car for a couple of days after you’re done exploring all the best tourist attractions Tallinn has to offer and head out and explore the country! 

Tartu is another great Estonian city that is worth visiting.

The top things to do in Tallinn 

1. check out jagala waterfall .

If you decide to rent a car and explore the surrounding areas of Tallinn, then I recommend you check out Jagala Waterfall. 

It’s Estonia's highest natural waterfall and it actually looks pretty cool. It’s only about 30 minutes outside the city centre of Tallinn, but it’s worth it to drive on the Estonian roads lined with beautiful Autumn colours. This waterfall can also freeze and a frozen waterfall looks super cool (if you haven’t seen one before). 

One of the more unique things to do in Estonia , but worth it if you’re there for a few days. 

2. Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral 

This is one of my favourite spots in all of Tallinn because this cathedral is a work of art, both inside and out! It’s easy to find and it’s free entrance. 

You can get a good shot of this cathedral from every angle, but really stand and appreciate the beautiful architecture on show. 

3. Explore the Kadriorg Art Museum 

This Art Museum is just as famous for its outside as well as inside! This spot is a real treat in the summer when the gardens are in full bloom with beautiful colours. It’s a restored palace that houses some brilliant art, and it was built when Estonia was part of Russia. 

You can easily access the area by walking from the Old Town (which will take about 35 minutes), or you can opt for public transport to get you there. 

4. Visit Toompea Castle 

Toompea Castle is worth visiting and it’s very beautiful. But it’s no longer a castle as such, as it’s used as the Estonia Parliament (pretty cool spot for government). 

Free tours can be arranged in advance, and you can watch sessions of parliament from the public gallery is you’re interested to see how the government insides work! 

5. Dine in the Old Town

The Old Town of Tallinn is bursting with amazing places to eat and dine. When we were walking around, we were spoilt for choice and couldn’t decide on where to eat. There are lots of options of authentic Estonian food, which is actually a blend of different foods into one! 

We ended up eating in a restaurant that was located in a cellar. It was calld Munga Kelder and it was awesome. The vibe was amazing, the food was reasonably priced and tasted great!

Another popular place to eat in Estonia is Olde Hansa which is quite expensive, but you’re paying for the experience too, so if you want medieval dining, then I suggest you head there!

TOUR: Feeling really hungry? Then indulge in a Tallinn food tour! Book yours here. 

6. Visit the Danish King’s Garden 

The Danish King's Garden is one of the weird, yet wonderful sights in Tallinn. The area is the birthplace of the danish flag. The garden remains an area where locals honour the role Denmark played in Estonia's history.

There are spooky looking monks dotted over the place too, and if you’ve seen Harry Potter, you’ll see a resemble to dementors. 

It’s a totally free area to explore too, so again, a great spot for those looking for the best places to visit in Tallinn on a budget! 

7. Check out St Catherine's Passage 

This has to be one of the most picturesque spots in all of Tallinn! This winding road is half hidden walkway that leads to what was once St Catherine's church.

There is a collection of workshops located in the area, but the ambience of the passage is what you really seek. You’ll feel it as you walk through, trust me! 

If you’re looking for an awesome “Instagram Worthy” spot, then this is one of the best places to visit in Tallinn. 

8. Visit the Tallinn town hall 

The Tallinn Town Hall stands proud as the oldest city call in Northern Europe and the only one that’s preserved in Gothic style (my favourite style!) During August and July the Town Hall is open for visitors who can visit the whole area, including the attic and basement.

Prices start at 5 euro entrance, and you can visit at other times but with prior request I believe. 

9. Get your picture at Viru Gate 

Viru Gate feels like the grand entrance into the Old Town and it’s a really cute spot because it’s lined the florists. Brad bought me a red rose and that made my day! I don’t think it’s very expensive, so you can delight your partner with a rose too by the gate if you wish :P 

Which is a good time to mention that Tallinn is a great spot for couples, there is a very romantic vibe about the place. 

10. Visit St Olaf's Church 

Considered one of the symbols of Tallinn, this iconic church is very beautiful and a great picture spot. You can actually check out the amazing view from the top via 232 steps to the observation platform.  The viewing platform is only open in the summer months, not winter. 

TOUR: You can take a walking tour of the Old Town if you’d like to learn more about the history of the sights you’re seeing. Check this one out. 

11. Explore the KGB Prison Cells 

This was a super unique experience and something I was looking forward to seeing. I’ve studied the KGB extensively in my history lessons in high school and in university and I was intrigued to learn more about the tragic ongoings of the KGB prison cells.

These are the actual prison cells, which is a harrowing, harsh reality as you walk through. 

It’s not a very big museum as such, but it’s more than enough to show you what it was like to be a prisoner during those times- horrific. Each exhibition is in an old cell and it was a truly insightful experience I think you should visit! 

One of the top things to do in Tallinn for sure! 

It’s a 5 euro entrance fee for adults and you can pay card. 

12. Explore the city’s defensive walls 

The oldest parts of the walls of Tallinn were actually built in the 13th century, which means they have a long history! For just a couple of euro, you can climb up the walls and walk along them in one section.

It’s a short tour, but it does give some beautiful views and with learning a little bit about the history of the walls. 

13. Check out the KGB museum located in a hotel 

So this was one of the first things Brad and I checked out when we got to Tallinn, but we didn’t get past the door. Basically, we didn’t realise you can only access via guided tour, and when we visited, the next guided tour in English wasn’t until 3 hours away. We had our day planned meticulously, so we couldn't fit it in. 

But, I think this is an excellent spot. It’s located in the Hotel Viru and I believe it’s the only hotel that holds a museum. You’ll get an insight into the KGB history, and of course the role that this hotel played in all that.

Just book your tickets in advance, it was super busy when we arrived! 

Definitely one of the more unique Tallinn tourist attractions on offer! 

14. Check out Tallinn TV tower

Tallinn TV tower is located outside the main area of the city, so it’s not really walking distance. It’s northern Europe's highest viewing tower and on a clear day, you’ll be treated to some awesome views! 

You can actually “walk on the edge” of this TV tower if you’re feeling brave for only 30 euro, and looking for something truly unique to do in Tallinn. Or, you can dine at their restaurant which boasts amazing views (I’m not surprised!) 

It’s 13 euro to enter the tower for adults. 

You can purchase a fast track ticket right here! 

15. Pop into the Tallinn Creative City 

This is one of the spots Brad and I didn’t go to, but I think is worth mentioning. This is the largest creative hub in all of Estonia, consisting of creative companies, studios and offices of NGOs.

Basically it’s a buzzing place and it hosts over 600 events that take place. There is lots of street art, unique eating spots and photo galleries, it's a great place to spend an afternoon. 

16. Wander the cute streets of the Old town 

The Old Town of Tallinn is filled with cobbled streets and corners that you’ll find cute cafes, delicious eateries and cute souvenir shops. I suggest you just wander around without a map and just see what you discover.

I ended up going into a cute shop located underground and wanted to buy everything in there! In the end I just got a shot glass for my collection, but there are lots of gifts you could bring back to family and friends. 

A tour can be a great way to find the best spots, check this one out!

Is Tallinn expensive? 

Not overly, for a capital city, I think it’s quite well priced, however in comparison to the rest of Estonia, the prices in Tallinn are higher. But it’s far cheaper than most European capital cities and it’s great value for money. 

But, if you're looking for ways to visit Tallinn on a budget, then I suggest you eat outside of the Old Town. You’ll find better deals. 

Getting around Tallinn 

Like I mentioned before, one of the great things about Tallinn, Estonia, is the fact that most of the best sites in Tallinn are within walking distance from any accommodation located in/near the Old Town. 

However, another option is to use the classic sightseeing Hop on Hop off bus, it’ll take you to the best things to do in Tallinn and you can hop on and off as you need too. 

You can book your ticket ahead of time here too. 

CityBee is also an electric scooter rental company and you can download the app and pick up a scooter and take it for as long as you need, then simply leave it within the Old Town for the next person to pick up. We used them in Lithuania , and it’s a brilliant way to sightsee, so using it in Tallinn, is a great idea too. 

So there you have it! My guide to the top things to do in Tallinn. I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and I hope it’s inspired you to do all these amazing things in Tallinn! If you’ve got any other suggestions to add to the list of Tallinn attractions, then simply drop a comment below.

A big thank you to VisitEstonia for hosting us for our stay in Tallinn at their StoryTellers Nest! 

For more help planning your trip in Estonia, check out our other guides:

• Our 2 Week Baltic Road Trip
• The 13 Best Things To Do In Estonia

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The 21 Very Best Things to Do in Tallinn, Estonia

• Post author By thebumpercrew
• Post date April 7, 2024
• Categories In City Breaks , Europe , Things to Do , Travel
• No Comments on The 21 Very Best Things to Do in Tallinn, Estonia

If you’re looking for the very best things to do in Tallinn, you’re in the right place! Tallinn is a superb mix of old and new, where medieval meets trendy. Tallinn reminded me (Joel) of several other European cities. It is a hybrid of cities and has the essence of other towns and cities from across the continent. Tallinn shares some architectural details with Tirana, the Albanian capital, and other European cities, such as Munich , with an ever-slightly Bavarian feel. Tallinn has something to offer everyone and should be on your list of places to visit!

Things to Do in Tallinn

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, which lies in the Baltic Sea region of eastern Europe. It’s the country’s beating heart with its fantastic art scene and unique medieval centre, and is packed to the brim with history, culture and things to see and do. Tallinn is relatively small for a capital city and is the perfect size to explore over a weekend, meaning most things to do in Tallinn are in the city centre or within walking distance. Without further ado, here’s our list of the best things to do in Tallinn, Estonia.

Old Town District

1 | Walk Through Viru Gate

First up on our things to do in Tallinn is to walk through Viru Gate. Viru Gate is synonymous with many medieval towns. Viru Gate was built in the 14th century as a former barbican – the outer defence of a walled city – but now marks the entrance to Tallinn’s Old Town. Lining the route to Viru Gate are a series of florists, so if flowers are your thing, Viru Gate is the place to buy them!

📍 Viru Gate, Viru tänav, 10140, Tallinn

2 | Wander Old Town

Once you step through Viru Gate, you’re in the beating heart of Tallinn, known as Old Town (Tallinna vanalinn, in Estonian). Old Town is the oldest part of Tallinn and has wholly preserved its medieval origins, boasting Gothic spires, endless cobbled streets and charming architecture. Because of this, Tallinn Old Town is now the best preserved medieval city in Northern Europe, and thanks to its 13th-century city plan (which is still intact), Old Town was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Step inside Old Town, and you’ll realise it lives up to its reputation.

3 | Take a Free Walking Tour

Something we always aim to do in a new city is a walking tour. We usually Google’ free walking tour’ to see what’s on offer. If you’ve never done one before, understand they are free because you don’t formally pay for the tour but give tips at the end based on what you think it was worth. We’ve done them all over the place, including in Athens , and they are always fun, energetic and filled with great information about the city you might not otherwise find out about. You can find free walking tours on Google or head on our recommended walk at traveller.ee to uncover Tallinn’s local life and history. Details below!

📍 Tourist Information Centre, Niguliste 2, 10146, Tallinn

4 | Explore With the Tallinn Card

Tallinn has an abundance of museums and attractions to get stuck into, from the KGB museum to the maritime museum, which we’ll discuss later on our list of things to do in Tallinn. If museums are your thing, consider buying the Tallinn Card . It gives you access to over 50 museums and attractions around the city, including a few things on this list, and makes visiting all these wonderful places a little lighter on your wallet.

5 | Wander Down Katariina käik

Katariina käik, also known as St. Catherine’s Passage, is one of Tallinn Old Town’s most famous and picturesque lanes. The lane itself doesn’t offer much other than an opportunity for a picture. Still, a lovely restaurant named Restoran Controvento lines Katariina käik, where you can take a few minutes out of your day to enjoy the lane’s ambience over coffee.

📍 Katariina käik, 10140, Tallinn

6 | Get Your Hangover Cure at Europe’s Oldest Pharmacy

So, I’d heard that Tallinn is popular for stag and hen parties, and I can confirm this is true. I saw no fewer than half a dozen hen parties in one evening. And with a heavy night out often comes a heavy hangover. With said hangover may come a headache and if you’re in search of some painkillers, look no further than Raeapteek, Town Hall Pharmacy.

The significance? Town Hall Pharmacy is the oldest pharmacy in Europe that has continuously been in business in the same building. Although the exact opening date is unknown, the pharmacy has been operating since at least 1422! Inside, you’ll find a museum with artefacts of a bygone era of medicine, full of weird and wonderful things once used for medicine.

📍 Raeapteek, Raekoja plats 11, 10146 Tallinn

7 | Have Coffee at Master’s Courtyard

Master’s Courtyard ( Meistrite Hoov in Estonian) is one of the cutest courtyards in Tallinn. And if you didn’t know it was there, you’d walk right on past and be none the wiser. Master’s Courtyard is home to a cute cafe, and arts and crafts workshops, and worth popping in for coffee or a wander. While you’re there, look at the picture on the wall on the left-hand side as you walk in – it shows how Master’s Courtyard used to look.

📍 Master’s Courtyard, Vene 6, 10123, Tallinn

8 | Visit Tallinn Town Hall

Built in 1322, Tallinn Town Hall is the oldest surviving town hall in Northern Europe and the only one preserved in the Gothic style. Once inside, you can explore four floors of history and even climb the 115 steps up the tower to the belfry. Access to Tallinn Town Hall is available with the Tallinn Card but only during selected dates. Check out the Tallinn Town Hall website for up-to-date information.

📍 Raekoja plats 1, Old Town, 10146, Tallinn

💶 €5, free with Tallinn Card

9 | Enjoy a Drink in the Town Square

A town square is the undisputed hub of many European towns and cities, and it’s no different in Tallinn Old Town. Tallinn Town Hall Square is the centrepiece of the city and a magnet for tourists. Why? Because it’s vibrant, it offers a place to sit, relax, grab a drink and a bite to eat and watch the world go round in one of the most beautiful settings in Tallinn.

Be aware that restaurants around Town Square can be a bit pricey. It may be worth avoiding here if you’re on a budget. However, if you’re not, it’s a great place to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the ambience of Old Town.

📍 Town Hall Square, Raekoja plats 1, 10114, Tallinn

10 | Visit Freedom Square

Freedom Square is a representation of national symbolism and civic pride within Tallinn. During Estonia’s first period of independence, Freedom Square was a location for parades and fanfare. Once the country fell back into Soviet rule, the square fell into neglect. Freedom Square has returned to its former glory and features cafes, art galleries and places to sit and enjoy the atmosphere. Freedom Square is a stark contrast to Tallinn Old Town – it’s a vast, open space with a different feel to the cobbled streets of Old Town and is also home to St. John’s Church – an unmissable, dominating bright-yellow church that sits on the edge of the square.

📍 Freedom Square, Vabaduse väljak 9, 10142, Tallinn

Toompea Hill District

11 | Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built in 1900 when Estonia was part of the tsarist Russian empire and is the most lavish Orthodox church in Tallinn. It is Estonia’s main Russian Orthodox cathedral and resembles the Kremlin with its onion-domed structures. You can wander inside, where you’ll find a little gift shop. Be aware – the inside isn’t as remarkable as the outside, so don’t be disappointed!

📍 Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Lossi plats 10, Kesklinna linnaosa, Tallinn

12 | Visit the Domed Church

Not far from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on Toompea Hill sits St Mary’s Cathedral, which was constructed sometime before 1233. Access is through a small, unassuming door which takes you into a church dressed unlike any other I’ve ever seen. There are tons of coats of armour on the walls and some strange wooden structures towards the altar, which offer an alternative, interesting church interior you wouldn’t usually see. Inside, you can also climb the 69-metre climb the 69-metre Baroque bell tower for some decent views over Tallinn.

📍 St Mary’s Cathedral, Toom-Kooli 6, 10130, Tallinn

13 | Admire the Views From the Viewing Platforms

If you venture outside Tallinn, you will notice Estonia is a flat country. The highest point in the country is just over 300 metres. That’s pretty small compared to the mountains back in the UK, like Ben Nevis. Anyway, the point I am making is that it’s hard to get good views, so head up to Toompea Hill for some of the best views of Tallinn. The Patkuli viewing platform offers views north, towards the sea, and the Kohtuotsa viewing platform offers views into Tallinn Old Town.

📍 Patkuli viewing platform, Rahukohtu, 10130, Tallinn

📍 Kohtuotsa viewing platform, Kohtu 12, 10130, Tallinn

14 | Visit Kiek in de Kök

Built in 1470, Kiek in de Kök was the mightiest artillery tower in the Baltics. Today, Kiek in de Kök serves as a museum for Tallinn’s fortifications. It’s split into three parts – the Kiek in de Kök artillery tower, Maiden’s Tower, the underground passages, and the Carved Stone Museum.

If you’re not interested in going inside Kiek in de Kök, visit the grounds on either side of the wall. There is a beautiful garden named Komandandi Garden on the western side of the big round tower. On the opposite side of the main wall, you’ll find the Danish King’s Garden , which was the birthday of the Danish flag. Access to Kiek in de Kök is available with the Tallinn Card.

📍 Kiek in de Kök, Komandandi tee 2, 10130, Tallinn

Telliskivi District

15 | Explore Balti Jaama Turg Market

It’s time to step outside Tallinn Old Town and into the hip Telliskivi District, also known as the Cultural Kilometer. The first stop on our journey outside Old Town is Balti Jaama Turg Market. If vintage is your thing, Balti Jaama Turg Market is the place to go! It’s full of vintage clothes shops and antique centres where you can get lost for hours in the treasure trove of items on offer. You’ll also find food stalls selling groceries and hot food, and if organic is your thing, head to Biomarket – it sells only organic food, cosmetics and natural cleaning products.

📍 Balti Jaama Turg Market, Kopli 1, 10412, Tallinn

16 | Get Hipster at Creative City

Before I visited Tallinn, I’d read a little bit about Creative City. I wasn’t particularly sold but decided to take a punt and visit the place, and I’m glad I did. Creative City is a vibrant part of Tallinn that’s home to some hipster stuff, like bars and restaurants and the fine-art photography centre, Fotografiska . If you’re looking for a trendy place to visit for a drink, consider heading to Nudist Winery . A creative location wouldn’t be complete without the next thing on our list of things to do in Tallinn – street art.

📍 Telliskivi Creative City, Telliskivi 60a, 10412, Tallinn

17 | Wonder at Tallinn’s Art Scene

Street art is a growing part of Tallinn and Estonia’s identity and is a world away from the communist era of Estonia. It’s colourful, creative and a feast for your eyes. A formal street art programme was created in Tallinn in 2016, which launched Estonia from medieval to modern on the global street art map. Street art always makes for interesting travel pictures and is one of my favourite things to photograph while travelling.

Tallinn Port District

18 | Visit Port Noblessner

Port Noblessner is a former submarine shipyard and one of the fastest-developing areas of Tallinn. It’s a trendy little spot with a mix of interesting architecture, open spaces and cafes. There’s also the former foundry, which is now home to Proto Invention Factory – a place where you can immerse yourself in a virtual reality world.

📍 Port Noblessner, Tööstuse 48, 10416, Tallinn

19 | Visit Lennusadam Maritime Museum

Lennusadam Maritime Museum is one of the most popular museums in Estonia and sits in the notable Seaplane Hangar – an impressive structure with its dominating hangar doors. For history and maritime buffs, Lennusadam Maritime Museum is the place for you. It’s a place for Estonian maritime culture’s collection, preservation and presentation, a little like the Maritiman in Gothenburg . You can get eyes on the 1930s submarine, EML Lembit, which was the pride of the Estonian Navy and one of only two submarines in Estonia’s naval history. Access to Lennusadam Maritime Museum is available with the Tallinn Card.

📍 Lennusadam, Vesilennuki 6, 10145, Tallinn

20 | Climb the Crumbling Tallinna Linnahall

Next up on our list of things to do in Tallinn is to visit Tallinna Linnahall. Built in the Soviet era for the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics, Tallinna Linnahall is a 5,000-seat concrete amphitheatre that is now just a crumbling relic of the communist era in Estonia. Located just a few hundred metres from Old Town, Tallinna Linnahall is a stark contrast to the beauty of endless cobbled streets in Tallinn and reminded me of my time in Tirana, Albania, with similar crumbling buildings such as the Pyramid of Tirana.

📍 Tallinna Linnahall, Sadama 1, 10415, Tallinn

21 | Explore Kadriorg Park

The last thing on our list of things to do in Tallinn is to explore Kadriorg Park. It’s last but certainly not least because it’s wonderful. Located just a short distance from the city centre (a 30-minute walk from Old Town), Kadriorg Park is an unmissable part of Tallinn. The park is beautifully landscaped with its expansive green lawns, winding paths, and stately trees. It’s also home to a few surprising things – the Office of the President of the Republic of Estonia , the stunning Kadriorg Palace , which now houses the Estonian Art Museum, and the wonderfully peaceful Japanese Garden , where you might even catch sight of a red squirrel!

If you’re visiting Tallinn and have the time, planning a trip to Kadriorg Park is definitely worth it. If walking isn’t your thing, you can get to the park via bus or tram from Viru Gate.

📍 Kadriorg Park, A. Weizenbergi 26, 10127 Tallinn, Estonia

Is Tallinn worth visiting?

Absolutely, yes! Tallinn is a fantastic city that is worth visiting. It’s full of history and culture and has plenty of things to see and do to keep you occupied. Tallinn is relatively small for a capital city, so you can explore the whole city in a weekend without missing too much.

Are two days in Tallinn enough?

Two days in Tallinn is a suitable length of time to visit. You’ll be able to explore the old cobbled streets and see the top attractions on your list of things to do in Tallinn. But be under no illusion – despite its size, Tallinn packs a punch with its exhaustive amount of things to do. So, allow an extra day to explore Tallinn if you want to scratch beneath the surface of what this wonderful city has to offer.

Is one day in Tallinn enough?

No. Ha. One day in Tallinn is not enough. Despite the size of the city (it’s relatively small for a European capital city!) Tallinn offers a wealth of things to do. Allow for at least two days to explore the city. If you like to scratch beneath the surface (like us!), you’ll need two nights / three days.

Things to Do in Tallinn Map

Things to Do in Tallinn, Estonia

• Walk Through Viru Gate
• Wander Old Town
• Take a Free Walking Tour
• Explore With the Tallinn Card
• Wander Down Katariina käik
• Get Your Hangover Cure at Europe’s Oldest Pharmacy
• Have Coffee at Master’s Courtyard
• Visit Tallinn Town Hall
• Enjoy a Drink in the Town Square
• Visit Freedom Square
• Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
• Visit the Domed Church
• Admire the Views From the Viewing Platforms
• Visit Kiek in de Kök
• Explore Balti Jaama Turg Market
• Get Hipster at Creative City
• Wonder at Tallinn’s Art Scene
• Visit Port Noblessner
• Visit Lennusadam Maritime Museum
• Climb the Crumbling Tallinna Linnahall
• Explore Kadriorg Park

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