27 Best things to do in Tallinn
In June 2022 we made a 2-week road trip in the Baltic States. We started in Vilnius (Lithuania), rented a car, and explored as much as we could on the way to Tallinn (Estonia) while stopping by Latvia.
Tallinn was our last stop officially even though we took a day trip a Helsinki.
Tallinn is the biggest and the capital of Estonia. It is also the most visited city in the Baltic states and for good reason. It was as well our favourite capital. Tallinn has a beautiful cobblestoned old town with great medieval vibes. There are lots of places to go around to discover Tallinn. From the old tower to the communist monument. Tallinn has a lot to offer.
A few things to do in Tallinn are museum or places to visit but you don’t need to enter them. We were there during one of their bank holidays, so it was closed and we had a great time just walking around the best things to do in Tallinn.
Talking about numbers, Tallinn has 426 538 inhabitants for 159.3km². So, it is not that big of a city.
If you too are planning a trip to the Baltic states, Tallinn has to be on your itinerary, then let ‘s dive in these best things to do in Tallinn.
Table of Contents
Mapping the day
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Getting there
Getting to Tallinn is super easy. It has an international airport and have lots of daily arrival. For example, we flew back from Tallinn to Frankfurt. From the airport, if you do not rent a car, you can just take the Tram line 4 for 15min for 2€. (Read More here). Or you can take the bus 2 or bus 65 for 2€.
You can also use local bus. The station is located in the city center. You can check here for Estonia or there for international routes.
Or there is always the train option, Tallinn Railway Station is located next to the city center. So, if you are coming from another city in Estonia, there will probably be a train. Check more here.
And If you are coming from Scandinavia, there will most probably be a ferry. Check more here
Moving Around
Everything can be done walking. When we arrived there, we parked our car and didn’t touch it for the whole stay. For this guide, all can be done walking. Only, if you want to do more things around Tallinn, you will need a car.
Actually, if you finish with Tallinn, the best would even be to give back your car and then take the tram to the city to save some money.
When to Visit
You can visit Tallinn all year round but be aware that temperature varies from the extreme 30°C in summer to freezing -25°C in winter. Also, the length of the day varies a lot from 4h in winter to almost 18h in summer.
The touristic season is mostly July and August and is made of local tourism. Generally, the Baltic states are not the most touristic countries in the world nor in EU.
The best time to visit it in term of weather are from May to September but we would without a doubt recommend June as the best month to visit it. Out of 16 days in the Baltic states, we only got 2 of them with rain. It wasn’t yet too hot and wasn’t too cold and really enjoyed it.
Where to Stay
We stayed 3 nights in Tallinn. We spent 2 days in Tallinn and 1 in Helsinki. As it was the end of a 2-weeks road trip that was enough for us as some of the other things to do in Tallinn are things that we did in other places in Estonia.
What to Eat
While in Tallinn, we tried a few places that we would recommend:
- Restaurant Olde Hansa: Pricy and touristy restaurant in the city center. But 100€ worth it. Really great to get a small bite and a beer in a medieval atmosphere
- Kofeman Cafe / Wine : A nice coffee shop in the main square. Great coffee and beautiful views.
- Kehrwieder Saiakang Chocolaterie: A nice place for a pie and a drinks. It is located in a small street next to the town hall and have a nice terrasse.
- Nikolay Bar-buffeé: Super nice place to try amazing local pies. They offer Savory, sweet and season pie to eat there or take away.
Best things to do Tallinn
Free Walking Tour
We did the 11am (also at 2pm) Free Walking Tour with “Estadventures” from the tourist information center. The guide was friendly and passionate about Estonia. It was great to learn about the history of the city while strolling around the main sites.
Vanalinn
Vanalinn, Estonian for Old town is the heart of the city and where you will be spending most of your time in Tallinn. There are numerous cosy and beautiful streets to visit. The best is to just stroll around trying to discover the next street.
Tallinn Town Hall
Tallinn Town Hall is its square is the main square in town. You will walk through it many times. It is a beautiful square filled with shops and restaurants. The town hall is the oldest city hall in North-Europe and the only preserved one in Gothic style. It dates back the 13th century and can be visited for 5€ from Monday to Saturday (11am to 4pm).
Town Hall Pharmacy
Next to the square, it is worth making a quick stop to see the Town Hall Pharmacy, the oldest pharmacy in Europe that has continually operated on the same premises. It was first mentioned in town records in 1422.
St. Catherine's Passage
Also known as Catherine’s Alley and formerly known as Monk’s Alley, is a super cute street looking like a medieval one that goes from Vene Street past the southern end of the Dominican monastery to Müürivahe. A number of handicraft workshops can be found here, in which you can watch the artists at work such as creating ceramics, hats, glass, and more.
St. Nicholas' Church and Museum
St. Nicholas’ Church is a medieval church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron of the fishermen and sailors. Built in the 13th century, it was partially destroyed in the Soviet bombing of Tallinn in World War II. Today it houses the Niguliste Museum, a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia
Kiek in de Kök Museum and Bastion Tunnels
Kiek in de Kök is a tower on the old fortification of Tallin. Today, it serves as a museum complex over 500 metres long that includes four towers: Kiek in de Kök, Maiden’s Tower, Tallitorn Tower, and the Gate Tower of the Short Leg. The fortification museum also includes mysterious underground bastion passages, which house the Carved Stone Museum.
If you want to visit it, you can from Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm for 12€
Maiden Tower Museum-Café
The Maiden Tower is located in the Danish King’s Garden. Built as a defence tower in the 14th century, it has a colourful history as an artists’ home and a popular bar. Today, you can walk along the town wall for some amazing views or explore the displays on Tallinn’s café culture, sweet makers and the fascinating story of the tower itself.
The entrance can be done from Monday to Sunday 9am to 6pm in high season for 10€.
Danish King's Garden
Danish King’s Garden is a small park where the flag of Denmark, Dannebrog, according to tradition, is said to have been born. Every year on 15 June, Dannebrog or the Day of the Danish Flag is celebrated in the garden.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an orthodox cathedral on Toompea hill. It was built in a typical Russian Revival style in 1894–1900, when the country was part of the Russian Empire. The cathedral is Tallinn’s largest orthodox cupola church and can be visited for Free.
Toompea Castle
Toompea Castle used to be a medieval castle on Toompea hill. Now, all that remains is one of its towers. Today, the castle is more a mansion that houses the Parliament of Estonia. A small park on its side allows you to see the old tower
St Mary's Cathedral
St. Mary’s Cathedral is also located on Toompea Hill. Originally established by Danes in the 13th century, it is the oldest church in Tallinn and mainland Estonia. It is also the only building in Toompea which survived a 17th-century fire.
Patkuli viewing platform
The name says pretty much everything. The Patkuli viewing platform gives an idyllic and enchanting view of the Old Town as well as its towers and walls, which can be seen all the way down to the port.
Kohtuotsa viewing platform
This one, provides excellent views over the red roofs and towering spires of the Old Town as well as of the gleaming highrise buildings in the new part of the city. In the background is the Gulf of Finland, the port and the Pirita district.
Piiskopi viewing platform
Located in a hidden green garden, also known as Piiskopi aed or Bishop’s Garden. There you can get a view of the other side of Tallinn.
Wall of Tallinn
Nunnatorn ja linnamüüri platvorm, a great point where you can actually see the Walls. Some of the tower can be visited if you wish to
St Olaf's church
St Olaf’s church is the city’s biggest medieval structure in Tallinn; Its name come from the sainted Norwegian king Olav II Haraldsson. The church was first mentioned in 1267 and became one of the main churches in the Lower Town.
Freedom Square
Freedom Square is a popular meeting place where the monument to the War of Independence is located. (Estonian doesn’t really like this monument, it ain’t beautiful and cost a lot to maintain).
Viru Gate
Viru Gate was part of the defence system of the Tallinn city wall built in the 14th century. The Viru Gate was demolished to let place for a horse-drawn tram route that connected the Old Market with Kadriorg. However, the corner towers were preserved.
Balti Jaama Turg
Balti Jaama Turg is the biggest market in town. Everything can be found there and it is on the way to the Telliskivi Creative City
Telliskivi Creative City
Telliskivi Creative City is located in the former industrial complex of Tallinn, which houses galleries, small shops, various creative companies, start-ups, and restaurants.
It features industrial, modern vibes along with lots of street arts.
Kalamaja
Kalamaja, the wooden house district of Tallinn is perfect for a short walk on the way north of the city. The area isn’t crowded and we even got to see children selling cookies on the streets.
Lennusadam
Or the Seaplane Harbour is the maritime museum. The free part of the museum consist of different ships put on land that can be visited or at least boarded. A bit further there is also an Igloo town with coffee and small shops.
Patarei Merekindlus
Paterei Fortress was first a fortress built in 1837 as part of the fortifications for the tsarist Russian state. But in 1918, the Republic of Estonia converted it to a prison. For Estonians, Patarei is one of the most prominent symbols of Soviet and Nazi political terror.
Today, the complex is a museum of crimes of communism and an accompanying international research centre in Tallinn.
Tallinna Linnahall
Linnahall (or the V. I. Lenin Palace of Culture and Sports) is a multi-purpose venue located in the harbour built in 1980. It was used for the 1980 Olympic games when Tallinn was SSR.
But now, the building is abounded and just a reminder of the past Era. It is though an impressive and massive structure.
Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia (EKKM)
The Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia is a self-established, artist-run contemporary art museum founded in 2006. You don’t even need to enter it to discover some of the art. There are statues and Contemporary Art around it as well.
Tallink Ferry Terminal
Go on a day-trip to Helsinki. We boarded the 7am Tallink megastar. A huge ferry ship with lots of restaurants and coffee shops that took us to Helsinki. There we spent the full day walking around the capital of Finland.
More things to do in Tallinn
If you want to do more things to do Tallinn, here are other things that were on our list:
- Kadriorg Park
- Tallinn Botanic Garden
- Tallinn TV Tower
- Estonian Open Air Museum
- Jägala waterfall
- Lahemaa National Park
- KGB Prison Cells
An amazing 3-day Tallinn Itinerary
You will be going to some places a few times, but it will be worth it. For example, the viewpoints are much better in the morning without the crowd.
Day 1:
- Arrive in Tallinn
- Tallinn Town Hall
- Town Hall Pharmacy
- Catherine’s Passage
- Vanalinn
- Nicholas’ Church and Museum
- Kiek in de Kök Museum and Bastion Tunnels
- Maiden Tower Museum-Café
- Danish King’s Garden
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Toompea Castle
- St Mary’s Cathedral
- Nunnatorn ja linnamüüri platvorm
- Nunna torn, Sauna torn & Kuldjala Torn (towers)
- St Olaf’s church
- Freedom Square
- Viru Gate
- Balti Jaama Turg
Day 2:
- Patkuli viewing platform
- Kohtuotsa viewing platform
- Free Walking Tour
- Telliskivi Creative City
- Kalamaja
- Lennusadam
- Patarei Merekindlus
- Tallinna LinnahallContemporary Art Museum of Estonia (EKKM)
Day 3:
- Tallink Ferry Terminal (Day trip to Helsinki)
“Rääkimine hõbe, vaikimine kuld – Talking is silver, silence is golden”
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