A complete guide to Tallinn, Estonia, from the stunningly preserved medieval Old Town and Toompea hill to the creative Telliskivi district and cutting-edge digital culture. Covers historic landmarks, museums, local food, and day trips along the Baltic coast.
The heart of Tallinn's medieval Old Town, surrounded by colorful merchant houses dating to the 15th century. The Gothic Town Hall (1404) is one of the oldest in Northern Europe. Climb the tower (EUR 5) from May to September for views over the square. In December, the square hosts one of Europe's best Christmas markets.
Climb the Town Hall tower for views
Visit the Town Hall Pharmacy (one of the oldest in Europe)
Visit the Raeapteek (Town Hall Pharmacy)
Operating since at least 1422, this is one of the oldest continuously running pharmacies in Europe. The small free museum in the back room displays historical remedies including mummy powder and burnt hedgehog. Still a working pharmacy selling modern medicines alongside its medieval displays.
Walk the medieval city walls and towers
Tallinn has one of the best-preserved medieval city walls in Europe, with 1.9 km of wall and 20 surviving towers. The Hellemann Tower and Wall walkway (EUR 4) provides access to walk along a section of the wall. The Kiek in de Kok tower (EUR 6) houses a fascinating military history museum and connects to underground bastion tunnels.
Walk the Hellemann Tower wall section
Visit Kiek in de Kok tower and bastion tunnels
See St. Olav's Church tower
Once the tallest building in the world (159 meters, now 124 meters after reconstruction), the tower offers the best panoramic view of Tallinn. The 258-step climb (EUR 5) is open from April to October. The view covers the entire Old Town, port, and surrounding city. On clear days you can see across the Gulf of Finland to Helsinki.
Browse the St. Catherine's Passage
A picturesque alley between the ruins of St. Catherine's Church and surrounding buildings, now home to artisan workshops where craftspeople make glass, ceramics, hats, and jewelry. You can watch them work and buy directly. One of the most atmospheric spots in the Old Town, free to walk through.
Toompea (Upper Town)
Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
A grand Russian Orthodox cathedral built in 1900 with onion domes and an ornate mosaic interior. Free entry but photography is not allowed inside. Located on Toompea hill opposite the Estonian Parliament. The cathedral's bells are the largest in Tallinn and ring before each service.
See the Kohtuotsa and Patkuli viewpoints
Two free viewing platforms on Toompea hill offering the classic postcard views of Tallinn's red rooftops, church spires, and the port beyond. Kohtuotsa looks north over the Lower Town; Patkuli faces northwest toward the coast. Both are small platforms that can get crowded with tour groups midday. Early morning is best for photos.
Visit Kohtuotsa viewpoint for rooftop views
See the Patkuli viewpoint facing the sea
Explore Toompea Castle and the Long Hermann tower
The castle has been the seat of power in Estonia for over 800 years and now houses the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu). The Long Hermann tower flies the Estonian flag, raised each morning with a ceremony. The castle grounds are open but interior access is limited to guided tours booked through the Parliament website.
Visit the Dome Church (Toomkirik)
The oldest church in mainland Estonia, with origins from 1233. The interior is filled with elaborate carved coats of arms of Baltic German nobility. Free entry (donations welcome). The church played a central role in the Baltic German community for centuries. Much less crowded than the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral nearby.
Creative Districts and Modern Tallinn
Explore the Telliskivi Creative City
A former industrial complex converted into Tallinn's coolest neighborhood, with vintage shops, design studios, craft breweries, street art, and weekend markets. The Saturday flea market draws locals and visitors alike. Several excellent restaurants and bars operate in the converted factory buildings. Free to explore, about a 10-minute walk from the Old Town.
Browse the weekend flea market
Check out the street art on factory walls
Visit the Seaplane Harbour (Lennusadam) maritime museum
One of the best maritime museums in Europe, housed in a massive WWI seaplane hangar. Highlights include a 1930s submarine you can explore inside, a century-old icebreaker, and a full-size seaplane replica. Interactive exhibits and a flight simulator make it engaging for all ages. Admission EUR 15. Located in the Kalamaja district, a 20-minute walk from the Old Town.
Walk through the Kalamaja neighborhood
A charming residential area of colorful wooden houses between the Old Town and the sea. The neighborhood has transformed from working-class to trendy, with cafes, bakeries, and small galleries appearing in the wooden buildings. Pearu street and Salme street have the prettiest houses. The Balti Jaama Turg market at the edge of Kalamaja is excellent for food.
Visit the KGB Museum at Hotel Viru
The top floor of the Soviet-era Hotel Viru was a secret KGB listening station monitoring hotel guests. Now a fascinating museum showing original surveillance equipment and the secret room where agents worked. Tours (EUR 13) run several times daily and must be booked in advance. A unique Cold War experience.
Food, Drink, and Local Culture
Eat at a traditional Estonian restaurant
Estonian cuisine features black bread, smoked fish, pork, and forest ingredients like mushrooms and berries. Leib (black bread restaurant) and Rataskaevu 16 in the Old Town serve excellent modern Estonian food. Expect to pay EUR 15-25 for a main course. Olde Hansa offers a medieval dining experience with period-accurate recipes and candlelight.
Try Estonian craft beer
Estonia has a growing craft beer scene. Pohjala Brewery (in the Noblessner district) has a taproom with 20+ beers on tap in a stunning waterfront setting. Koht in the Old Town and Pudel Bar in Kalamaja are also excellent. A pint of craft beer costs EUR 5-7. Pohjala's Cellar Series stouts and Tanker's IPAs are standouts.
Visit the Balti Jaama Turg market
A modern market next to the train station, renovated from old market buildings. Two floors of food vendors, restaurants, vintage clothes, and local products. The street food section has excellent variety at good prices. Open daily, liveliest on Saturday mornings. A great spot for lunch that is not overpriced.
Experience a medieval dining evening at Olde Hansa
A restaurant in the Old Town serving medieval recipes by candlelight, with staff in period costume and no modern lighting. The elk and wild boar dishes, mead, and honey beer are memorable. Touristy but genuinely fun and the food quality is high. Main courses EUR 18-28. Book ahead for dinner, especially in summer.
Day Trips
Visit the Kadriorg Palace and park
A Baroque palace built by Peter the Great in 1718, set in Tallinn's most beautiful park. The palace houses the KUMU Art Museum (EUR 8), Estonia's largest art museum in a striking modern building by Finnish architect Pekka Vapaavuori. The park is free and perfect for walking. Tram 1 or 3 from the city center, about 15 minutes.
Visit the KUMU Art Museum
Walk through Kadriorg Park
Day trip to Lahemaa National Park
Estonia's largest national park is 70 km east of Tallinn, with coastal forests, manor houses, and bog trails. The Viru Bog boardwalk trail (3.5 km) is the most popular hike. Palmse Manor is a beautifully restored Baltic German estate. A car is the easiest way to explore, though organized day tours run from Tallinn (EUR 50-70).
Take a ferry to Helsinki for a day trip
Regular ferries cross the Gulf of Finland in 2-2.5 hours, with tickets from EUR 15-30 each way. Tallink, Viking Line, and Eckeroline operate multiple daily crossings. A day trip is very doable with an early departure and late return. Helsinki's South Harbor, Senate Square, and the Design District are walkable from the port.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need in Tallinn?
Two to three days covers the Old Town, Telliskivi, Kalamaja, and the maritime museum comfortably. One day works as a day trip from Helsinki but only covers the Old Town highlights. Add a day for Kadriorg/KUMU or a Lahemaa National Park excursion. Tallinn is compact, so you can see a lot without rushing.
Is Tallinn expensive?
Tallinn offers excellent value compared to Scandinavian and Western European cities. A restaurant meal costs EUR 10-20, a beer EUR 4-6, and mid-range accommodation EUR 50-100 per night. The Old Town can be slightly more expensive than surrounding neighborhoods. Museum entries are generally EUR 5-15. Public transport costs EUR 2 per ride or EUR 5 for a day pass.
When is the best time to visit Tallinn?
June through August offers the warmest weather (18-22°C) and white nights with extended daylight (up to 19 hours in June). The Christmas market in December is one of Europe's best and makes winter visits magical despite short days and cold temperatures (-5 to -10°C). May and September are pleasant with fewer crowds.
Is Tallinn's Old Town authentic or reconstructed?
Unlike many European cities damaged in WWII, Tallinn's Old Town survived largely intact and is genuinely medieval, not rebuilt. The city walls, churches, and merchant houses are original structures from the 13th to 16th centuries. This authenticity earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. It is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Northern Europe.