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What to do in Tallinn - 30 sights and experiences

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Looking for tips on things to see and do in Tallinn? We've travelled to Estonia several times to seek out all the gems, with guides and lots of research. Here are all our tips from shopping, restaurants, hotels, sights, what to do and much more.

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Things to do in Tallinn

Tallinn, or Reval as it was historically known in German, Danish and Swedish, is the capital and largest city of Estonia. Tallinn is located on the Gulf of Finland in the northern part of the country and has, according to Wikipedia, around 430,000 inhabitants.

Göra i Tallinn
It is nice to discover the medieval city on foot and here Viru Gate
Göra i Tallinn
Heading into town but first a beer...

The Old Town, which is the most famous part of the city, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Tallinn is one of the best preserved medieval cities in the world. Here are some tips on things to see and do in Tallinn.

Tallinn
StCatherine's passagen is a must
Göra i Tallinn

1. Stroll around the old town

One of the most obvious things to do in Tallinn is to wander around the Old Town, or Vanalinn as the neighbourhood is called in Estonian. Tallinn is a true medieval city, dating back to the Hanseatic period. Strolling around the cobbled streets and reading the signs all around, you'll see that many of the houses were built as early as the 15th century.

Town Hall Square - Raekoja Square in The old town is like a living medieval town
Tallinn

The city has a medieval wall over 1800 metres long and amazing gates that are worth seeing. For example, the pharmacy located at the Town Hall Square was completed in 1422 - and has now been operating as a pharmacy in the same building for almost 600 years, making it the oldest pharmacy in the world! Don't miss Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square).

Tallinn
The curtain wall with the towers
Tallinn

2. Visit Toompea hill (Cathedral Hill)

In the western part of Tallinn's medieval city centre is the Cathedral Hill, or Toompea as it is called in Estonian. It is 20-30 metres higher than the rest of the city and is home to many of the city's most important historical buildings.

Up here you can see a lot of historic Tallinn, and the Kohtuotsa viewing platform is located on the northern slope of the Domberg, which provides the perfect view of the city below.

Tallinn

3. Check out the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

When you're in the upper part of Tallinn, make sure to check out the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. This impressive Orthodox cathedral is named after the Russian warrior prince St Alexander. It recalls the time when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire. The cathedral is beautiful both inside and out - and after dark.

Tallinn
The impressive Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

4. Guided tour in Kalamaja

A city is almost always best experienced with a guided tour, and the same goes for Tallinn. If you've never been to Tallinn before, it can obviously be interesting to take a guided tour of the Old Town. If you want to see a little more, it can be interesting to venture a step outside the most touristy areas. When we were here we tried to take a guided tour of the Kalamaja neighbourhood.

Tallinn
Our Estonian guide spoke perfect Swedish

The trendy Kalamaja neighbourhood is a short walk from the Old Town. There are many beautiful turn-of-the-century wooden houses, mixed with modern houses and communist-style buildings. The lifestyle is reminiscent of Söder in Stockholm, with second-hand shops, pastry shops and a creative centre with artists and design shops.

The centre of Kalamaja is Telliskivi (the brick), and on Telliskivi 51 street you'll find the cool wine bar Shvips. Try the Estonian sparkling rhubarb wine Abavas, which is very good.

Tallinn
Don't know what to do in Tallinn? Head to Kalamaja!

5. Visit restaurants and bars

There are plenty of nice restaurants and bars in the Old Town, and if you want to get a seat at the very best, it can be good to book a table in advance. One of the restaurants with a good reputation is Restaurant Cru, but if you don't get a seat there (which we didn't), don't despair. It can still be a nice evening!

Tallinn
There was an evening of 20s atmosphere last night - a great way to end a wonderful day!

We ended up at Restaurant Scheeli, and were surprised by 20s atmosphere, piano and a whole bunch of couples dancing in 20s clothes. Super fun! The restaurant can of course have different types of entertainment, but otherwise we were really happy with the food. For starters we chose goat cheese and for the main course duck with carrot puree and red cabbage.

Tallinn
Colourful main course: duck, carrot puree, green beans, carrot, pear and cranberry.

Perhaps one of the most popular taverns in the Old Town is the medieval Olde Hansa. Sure, it's a bit touristy, but that's not always a bad thing!

Another classic is the medieval restaurant Olde Hansa - cool entrance!

6. Shopping is always a nice thing to do in Tallinn.

Of course, you can take the opportunity to shop when you are in Tallinn! There are several large malls, such as Viru Keskus, where you will find a lot of chains you recognise but maybe also something new.

Tallinn
(Fake) fur is popular

If you wander around town, you'll find things like designer clothes, (faux) fur in every conceivable style, Baltic amber, knitted mittens, umbrellas with crocodile or skull handles and all sorts of other things ...

Tallinn
Trinkets, jewellery and paintings - you can tell that Tallinn is a popular tourist destination.

7. Discover the harbour of Tallinn

If you've had your fill of Old Town, you might want to explore the harbour. Here you'll also find the abandoned and windswept Linnahall Olympic Stadium, where graffiti mixes with the sound of the sea.

With a view from Linnahall and towards Tallinn

Along the seafront, you'll also find the 19th-century Patarei sea fortress, which later became a prison. Walking around here today feels peaceful, while at the same time evoking a sense of history.

Tallinn
Peter at one entrance to Patarei

If you continue your walk, you will arrive at the ship and icebreaker Suur Toll, which was taken into use by the Reds during the Russian Revolution in 1917. Read more about our exploration of Tallinn harbour.

The icebreaker Suur Toll has been through a few things.

8. Learn more in museums

Next time we visit Tallinn we hope to visit some of the museums. There are, among others, nine museums that are part of the museum group "Linnaeus Museum”.

Other museums that might be interesting are the Maritime History Museum, which is very popular, and the Estonian Open Air Museum, which tells about the local culture. Another museum that seems a bit special is KGB Museum, which is located in the Viru Hotel, and also right next to the Estoria Hotel, which we'll talk about below.

Tallinn

9. Visit the Kadriorg Palace

Kadriorg Palace is located in the Kadriorg neighbourhood, just outside the most central part of the city. This Baroque palace was built during the reign of Peter the Great as Russian Tsar, and was intended to be used as a summer residence by Empress Catherine I.

Tallinn
Kadriorg Palace in summer
Tallinn
Kadriorg Palace in Tallinn

After the First World War and Estonia's independence, the castle became an art museum, then a presidential palace, and then an art museum again... Read more our visit to the Kadriorg Palace.

Tallinn
Peter fights with ... Poseidon?

While you're there, there's also the KUMU Art Museum, which has everything from the 18th century onwards.

Walk 7 minutes from the Old Town to Viru Square, take bus 3 to Kadriorg Palace which takes 15 minutes.

10. Play in the Proto discovery workshop

The newly opened (2019) Proto Experience Centre in Tallinn Harbour. This really is a super fun experience for all ages. Put on your VR glasses and throw yourself into a fairytale world. Many experiences involve two people playing and helping each other. Enormous fun!

Walk 31 min and is 2.5 km or bus 73 from Vabaduse in the old town which runs every 20 min. Get off at Proto avastustehas on the Peetri 10, 10415 Tallinn

More to do in Tallinn?

11. See St Olav's Church, which is 124 metres high.

Tallinn's largest medieval building, and according to sources, St Olaf's Church was the tallest building in the world from 1549 to 1625. Lightning has struck the church many times, and three of them the church has burned... In 1625, 1820 and 1931. Located on Lai 50.

12. Swim at Pirita beach north of Tallinn.

If it's summer and the weather is nice, you can of course swim here, and at other times of the year you might take a refreshing walk. Pirita beach is 6 kilometres long. Walk 11 min from the old town to Vira Keskus 5, 14 min by bus and then walk again 7 min.

13. Book a cruise to the cool city of Tallinn.

Around 1.5 million people visit Tallinn every year, including more than half a million cruise passengers.

14. take part in Kalevipoeg

Kalevipoeg is the country's national epic. It tells the story of a giant hero who throws stones and talks to hedgehogs.

15. Run with your partner on your shoulder too!

Estonians are also adept at the non-Olympic sport of "Running with the partner on the shoulders". Although it originated in Finland, Estonian couples won the Wife Carrying World Championships for 11 consecutive years between 1998 and 2008. They found their own technique called "Estonian Carry".

16. Tasting the oldest café in Tallinn and Estonia

Maiasmokk Cafe has been operating since 1864 and is the oldest in the country. The interior of the shop has remained the same for over a hundred years and adds to the antique charm of the shop. It is located at Pikk 16.

17. take a selfie at Parliament Riigikogu and Toompea Castle

The Castle on the Cathedral Hill and the Parliament of Estonia were built from the old walls founded between the 13th and 14th centuries. The castle was later rebuilt around 1767-1773 in late Baroque style. One of the towers, the Herman Tower, still stands, with the Estonian flag flying at the top. This is located at Lossi Square 1A.

18. Shop at Tallinn's fabulous Christmas market

As readers voted... it was Tallinn's annual Christmas market that was number one in Europe in 2019, and not for the first time. Discover the Christmas market between 15 November and 7 January.

19. Coffee break at the TV tower in Pirita

The 314-metre TV Tower is the tallest building in Estonia. Sit down on the outdoor terrace and have a drink or a bite to eat at the restaurant, and enjoy the panoramic view. The TV Tower is located at Kloostrimetsa tee 58a, Pirita Linnaosa

20. Cosy at Skansen in Tallinn - ROCCA AL MARE

If you want to stroll among windmills and small houses, it's like Skansen in Stockholm. It is located on Kopli Bay by the sea and shows village life in old Estonia.

21. book a table at the Manna La Roosa restaurant

Manna La Roosa every style you can think of comes together. Throw it all in a blender, and serve some really good food with it, and you have the perfect experience. You can find Manna La Roosa at Vana-Viru 15.

22. Be childish at the NUKU Puppet Museum in Tallinn

Spread over several rooms and dungeons, NUKU has exhibitions on puppets, decor and set design, lights, shadow theatre and horror basements. Play with puppet, stick, mitten and shadow puppets and masks. You can try on costumes and wigs in the actors' wardrobe and build a stage on the theatre artists' magic table. For the whole family at Lai 1, Nunne 4.

23rd Finsmaka at NOA restaurant in Tallinn

The top restaurant in or just outside Tallinn is called NOA, with a crazy good reputation and a lake view. Don't think it's cheap, and if you're eating in summer you'll have to order well in advance. Don't forget the dessert "SEXWITHEX" if you are there. It is located at Ranna tee 3.

24. Look inside the Telliskivi creative workshop (Fotografiska)

10 minutes from the Old Town is Balti railway station and the neighbourhoods of Pelgulinn and Kalamaja. Here you will find Estonia's largest cultural centre at Telliskivi 60a-8.

25. Make history in the bastion corridors of Tallinn Old Town

In the 17th and 18th centuries, secretive fortifications were built in Tallinn. An exciting journey through time during your stay in the city, but only with a guide.
More info at the Tallinn Tourist Information centre in the old town at Niguliste 2.

26. Photograph all the street art in Tallinn

There's lots of art on buildings around Tallinn and some of it is really cool. Check with the tourist information centre in the old town to find these.

Tallinn

27. invite you to Keik in the Kitchen

"Kiek in de kök" is a gun tower in Tallinn. Built in the 15th century, the tower is 38 metres high, with a diameter of 17 metres. The walls are up to 4 metres thick. Thanks to its height, it was said that you could even see into the enemy's kitchen. The site can be found on Komandandi tee 2.

28. Dancing around the Singing Field in Tallinn

Tallinn Song Festival with the stage built in 1959 to accommodate the 30,000-strong choir, which performs every 5 years and most recently in 2019.
This is the largest amateur choir event in the world and the next one is in 2024. If you want to experience a 5 km long procession and 10,000 people in costume, 80,000 in public, and then dance all night, then this is for you!

29. More to do outside Tallinn?

A day trip while you're in the city, there are three things that stand out within an hour by car. Hiring a car for a day is easy and convenient and the roads are really good.

Lahemaa National Park

Experience a national park for a day, bring a packed lunch and walk the trails of the national park.

Drive towards Narva on the E20, which takes 37 minutes and is 46.1 km long.

Experience the Jägala case

The largest waterfall in the Baltics, which is 70 metres wide at its peak and has an 8-metre drop.

Take the E20 towards Narva and turn off at Laagna tee, which takes 27 minutes and is 26.2 km.

Rummu quarry

Swim or dive in the crystal clear waters of the former Soviet prison, once a quarry. A trendy bathing paradise!

Tallinn

Drive Keila-Haapsalu/roads 17 and 8, which takes 45 minutes and is 42.4 kilometres.

29. Staying put can also be done in Tallinn

There are of course lots of different hotels in Tallinn. We have stayed at two of them and we liked both, but in slightly different ways. Hilton Tallinn Park is the hotel for those who are looking for a modern and exclusive hotel with a large delicious breakfast buffet, gym, spa and a large casino.

We were pleased with the comfortable beds, WiFi worked great and higher up in the hotel you have really good views. The Hilton is located at Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 23.

Tallinn
One of the best things to do in Tallinn! Hot tub at the Hilton Tallinn Park
Tallinn
Peter decides to go for a rack of lamb at the hotel's restaurant.

If you prefer a simpler, but very colourful hotel, you can choose the Estoria Hotel, located just outside the gate of the Old Town. The name "Estoria" is a mix of "Estonia" and "stories", and each room has its own story to tell about Estonia. It's nice!

We were very happy with our room here, and above all, the location just outside the Old Town is fantastic.

Tallinn
Hotel cosiness at Estoria in Tallinn
Tallinn
From our room we look out over the Old Town.

Travelling to Tallinn

You can travel to Tallinn either by plane or by ferry. For example, you can fly with SAS, Air Baltic or LOT Polish Airlines Stockholm (one hour flight time). Another way to travel is to take ferry to Tallinn from Stockholm.

We travelled with Tallink Silja Line and had a hugely enjoyable cruise. Peter's brother Michael and his wife Gunilla joined us in Tallinn where they spent a day, and then left us to continue around Estonia. It was both of our birthdays and they offered us an extra nice cruise. Wow! A lot of love!

Tallinn
Travelling on Tallink Silja should be a celebration.
Tallinn
Nice company on the trip
Tallinn
God, that's good!

The WiFi was not working well, but on the other hand the special breakfast was very good. absolutely fantastic! Starting the morning with sparkling wine, cold smoked salmon, duck liver pâté, scrambled eggs, whitefish roe and Karelian pies with egg butter is not bad!

Tallinn
Best breakfast ever!
Tallinn
View from the Tallink Silja Line ship Baltic Queen.

30. Tallinn Card

If you're spending one to three days in the city, it's a good idea to buy a "Tallinn Card", as so much is included. Prices are available at the tourist office in the old town.

The tourist information centre is located in the old town at Niguliste 2.

All our top tips for Estonia. Click on the image!

Facts about Tallinn

  • Language?  Estonian (many also speak English or Russian) 
  • Residents? 430 000 (2017)
  • Currency? Euro
  • Price point? A little cheaper than in Sweden
  • Time difference? +1 hour
  • Emergency number? 112
  • El? Like Sweden
  • Water? It may be better to choose bottled water
  • Religion? Atheism or Orthodox or Lutheran Christianity
  • Flag? The flag of Estonia is blue, black and white.
  • National anthem? Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm (My fatherland, my happiness and joy)
  • Watch out for? It is usually recommended to use taxis belonging to established companies.
  • Think about? While English works well in Tallinn and other major cities, it can be difficult in rural areas.

Shopping

  • Viru Keskus at Viru väljak 4/6 is a shopping centre that has everything.

Museums

  • Tallinn City Museum on Vene 17
  • Museum of Photography at Raekoja 4/6
  • Children's museum Miiamilla at L.Koidula 21 c
  • Museum in Kalamaja on Kotzebue 16
  • House of Peter The Great on Mäekalda 2
  • Tallinn Russian museum at Pikk 29 a
  • Maritime History Museum in the marina on Vesilennuki tee 6
  • Estonian Outdoor Museum at Vabaõhumuuseumi tee 12
  • Conversation centre Kanut on Pikk tn 2
  • KGB Museum at Viru väljak 4
  • Proto experience workshop at Peetri 10, 10415 Tallinn.

Hotels in Tallinn

  • Hotel Viru at (Hotel Estoria) Viru selected 4
  • Hilton Tallinn Park at Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 23
  • The three sisters boutique hotel at Pikk 71/Tolli 2 from 1362 is three interconnected merchant houses. Some past guests: His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip and Sting.
  • CRU Hotel at Viru 8 Tallinn City Centre

Restaurants in Tallinn

  • Restaurant Borde at Pikk 71/Tolli 2 city centre Tallinn
  • Restaurant CRU at Viru 8
  • Depoo (Telliskivi 62) in Kalamaja
  • Olde Hansa on Vana Square 1
  • Scheeli on Vana torg 2
  • Vegan Restoran V at Rataskaevu 12 (vegetarian food)
  • Leib Resto ja Aed on Uus 31 (Estonian food)
  • Tabak on Suur-Karja 4 10140 in Tallinn (Fine Dining)
  • Maiasmook café at Pikk 16 is the oldest pastry shop in Tallinn dating back to 1864.
  • Rae Meierei at Dunkri 5, 10123 in Tallinn

Michelin restaurants in Tallinn

  • Noa Chef's hall (1 star 2022) at Ranna Tee 3 in Tallinn.
  • 180 Degrees restaurant (1 star 2022) at Staapli 4 in Tallinn.

Pubs in Tallinn

  • Tuba Baar at Müürivahe 15 in Tallinn (Old Town)
  • Koht (moonnshine bar) on Lai 8 in Tallinn (old town)
  • Pörgu at Rüütli 4 in Tallinn. Food and beer
  • Pöhlala Tap Room at Niguliste 2 in Tallinn (harbour area)
  • Pudel bar at Telliskivi 60a-5 in Tallinn in Kalamaja
  • Sip wine and beer shop at Telliskivi 62 in Tallinn I Kalamaja.
  • Whisper Sister at Pärnu mnt 12, 10146 in Tallinn

Hamburgers in Tallinn

  • Veg Machine (vego) on Kopli tn 1 (Balti jaam market) in Tallinn
  • Estonian burger factory at Pärnu mnt 41a next to IMAX.
  • Diner on Vabaduse pst 39 next to Nömme or Olümpia hotel
  • Burger box on Kopli tn 4 opposite (Balti Jaam market)
  • Dereku burgers at F.R. Faelhlmanni tn 3 at Kadriorg

Travelling to Tallinn

  • Flights including from Stockholm to Tallinn. Fly with SAS, Norwegian, LOT or Air Baltic.
  • Ferry runs between Stockholm and Tallinn (Tallink Silja Line and St Peter Line) and between Kapellskär and Paldiski 9 hours (DFDS Seaways).

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