10 Of The Best Things To Do In Tallinn Estonia

Tallinn is one of the world’s most northerly capital cities but is less visited than many of its southern counterparts. And I don’t know why!

It has one of the best preserved Medieval old towns in Europe, a long and interesting history, quaint cobblestone streets and city walls to explore, great cafes and Helsinki (in Finland) is just a ferry trip away!

If you’re considering a trip to Tallinn and wondering what to include in your itinerary, then you’re in the right place! I have visited Tallinn twice, including for its Christmas market, and in this post I’m detailing 10 of the best things you can do in Tallinn in just 2 days. What to see, where to go and what to buy…it’s all covered! I’ll also set out some practical information for visiting Tallinn and some further options to add to your itinerary if you’re planning a longer stay.

A Brief History of Tallinn

Before I set out my list of 10 of the best things to do in Tallinn, I think it helps to have a sense of the city and its past so I have pulled together this very brief overview of the history of Tallinn:

• 3000 to 2500 BCE – archeological findings indicate hunter-fisher communities were in Tallinn’s city centre
• 1154 – Tallinn first appears on a world map
• 1219 – the Danes capture Tallinn and build a fortress on Toompea hill
• 1285 – Tallinn (known at that time as Reval) joins the Hanseatic League and trade flourishes
• 1346 – Tallinn is sold to the Teutonic Knights
• 1530 – the weather vane known as Old Thomas is placed on top of the Town Hall
• 1561 – the Teutonic Order dissolves and Tallinn passes into the ownership of Sweden
• 1710 – Tallinn is captured by Peter the Great and becomes part of the Russian Empire
• 1918 – Estonia becomes an independent state with Tallinn as its capital
• 1940 – the Soviet Union annexes Estonia
• 1941 to 1944 – Tallinn is occupied by German forces
• 1944 – Soviet control is re-established and Tallinn expands in population as people from elsewhere in the Soviet Union arrive in the city to work in industry
• 1991 – Estonia declares independence and Tallinn becomes the capital
• 2004 – Estonia joins the European Union
• 2011 – Estonia adopts the Euro (€) as its currency

As you can see, Tallinn has been shaped throughout its history by Danish, Swedish and Russian influences. Today, whilst Estonian, Russian and English are all spoken, the city still retains a certain medieval charm.

10 of the Best Things to Do in Tallinn

To help you with planning your own itinerary, here are 10 of the best things to do in Tallinn. I did all of these over just 2 days in my most recent trip to Tallinn:

1. Join a Walking Tour

If you’ve read any of my other posts (thank you!) you will know I’m a big fan of walking tours. They are led by locals and are not only a great way to learn more about a city but they help you get your bearings too. You get loads of historical information along with a few myths and legends and most tour guides are happy to recommend places to eat and activities to do (or avoid!).

I joined this walking tour in Tallinn. It’s a tips based tour meaning you pay what you think the tour was worth. It was really good and I highly recommend it.

If you have mobility issues, the steps and cobblestones on this walking tour make it unsuitable for you, however you may want to consider this hop on hop off sightseeing bus option.

2. Explore the Old Town

Tallinn’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and regarded as one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. Medieval walls, towers and cobblestoned streets give it a fairytale like feel while little alleys, courtyards and decorative doors really do entice you to explore further.

I would recommend taking some time to just wander around, although be aware of course that part of the Old Town is on the hill known as Toompea.

When you’re in the Lower Town (that part of the Old Town at the foot of Toompea), don’t forget to look up at Old Thomas still on top of Tallinn Town Hall!

All that exploring can be tiring, but don’t worry! In the Old Town you will find lots of cafes and restaurants, including my selection of 3 of the best cafes in Tallinn and the popular medieval themed Olde Hansa restaurant.

3. Visit Kiek in de Kök

The Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum is over 500 metres long and definitely worth including in your Tallinn itinerary. Its exhibitions are arranged over 6 floors and explain Tallinn’s history, historical weaponry and generally how the people of the city have defended it over the years.

The museum is made up of four medieval towers:

• cannon tower, Kiek in de Kök
• Maiden Tower
• Marstall Tower
• Short Leg Gate Tower

The towers are connected to one another by the city’s longest wall gallery which gives you views out over the Old Town and onto the Danish Kings Garden (more on that below!).

The museum also includes the underground bastion passages. I ventured down into these on my own and found them to be pretty creepy!

Here’s the key information you’ll need when planning to visit:

• the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm between October and April and Monday to Sunday at the same times between May and September
• there are various ticket prices depending on what you want to see. For the museum in its entirety (all towers and bastion passages) tickets cost €16; just the 4 towers, €12 and just the bastion passages, €10. Concessions and family tickets are available
• an audio guide is available so make sure you have headphones and data
• there is a café in the Maiden Tower

Check the official Kiek in de Kok Fortifications Museum website for up to date visitor information including as to ticket pricing, accessibility and visitor suitability.

And if you’re wondering what “Kiek in de Kök” means, well, it translates to mean “peep into the kitchen”. The height of the tower meant that guards could look down into the kitchens of the houses nearby.

4. Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

The Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox church built between 1894 and 1900 when Tallinn was part of the Russian Empire. Architecturally, its 5 onion domes make it stand out from the other buildings nearby whilst inside you are greeted, unsurprisingly, with a gilded and opulent interior. The Cathedral has 11 bells, one of which weighs 15 tons!

It is free to enter the Cathedral, but photography is not permitted.

4. Stop by the Toompea Castle

Directly opposite the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is Toompea Castle and within it, the tall medieval tower known as Pikk Hermann, the Estonian Parliament (the Riigikogu) and the pink coloured Province government building.

Pikk Herman (known in English as Tall Hermann) is in the southwestern corner of Toompea Castle and dates from around 1371. Its current height of 45.6 metres and shape date from the late 15th century however. The Estonian national flag flies from the top of Tall Hermann.

Tall Hermann is open to visitors on 4 June, 20 August and during Riigikogu Open House Day in April.

The Province government building, once referred to as Toompea Palace, was built between 1767 and 1773 on the orders of the Russian Empress Catherine II.

Guided tours of Toompea Castle are available for free but need to be booked in advance. Check the official Parliament of Estonia website for more details and to book.

5. Wander along St Catherine’s Passage

This narrow, pedestrian street certainly has a creepy feel to it in the evening! On one side of the passage is a wall that once formed part of St Catherine’s Friary, thought to have been built 700 years ago. The wall itself is now covered with historic tombstones that were part of the Friary graveyard.

There are also various shops along the Passage so even if history and creepy things aren’t your vibe, shopping may be!

6. Admire the Views from Patkuli Viewing Platform and Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform

There are a couple of great lookout spots in Tallinn that are both worth visiting.

The Patkuli viewing platform is in one of the oldest parts of Tallinn and gives you a great view over the old town, its walls and towers. You can access the lookout from the Lower Town by climbing up the 157 steps or you can access Toompea via the steps near Freedom Square.

The Kohtuotsa viewing platform is not far from the Patkuli viewing platform and is famous for its graffiti wall. The view here is from the northern side of Toompea.

7. Visit the Balti Jaam Food Market

If meat, fish, vegetables, street food, supermarkets, clothing, household goods and antiques are your thing, then you have to visit the Balti Jaam market!

The market has an amazing range of goods and is located only a short walk from the Old Town.

The nearby bus stop is where you can pick up the airport bus so you may want to consider visiting the market on your way to or from the airport.

8. Checkout the Bronze Statues in Danish Kings Garden

I only saw these statues during the day but I can imagine them taking on a creepy feel at night! There are 3 of them, 2 are at ground level and the 3rd is looking down on you.

The Danish Kings Garden is next to Kiek in de Kok. The name comes from a legend that says it was here that the Danes, who were fighting a losing battle against the Estonians, saw a flag float down from the heavens which inspired them, turned the battle in their favour and became the national flag of Denmark.

9. Visit the Old Town Hall Pharmacy

When you’re in the Town Hall Square, opposite the Town Hall itself you will find the old Town Hall Pharmacy, also known as the Raeapteek. It is one of the oldest, continuously run pharmacies in Europe, having been in the same building since at least 1422! In fact, by then it was already on its third owner! Suggestions are that it may have started as early as 1415.

It is free to enter and there is a small museum inside displaying medical equipment and treatments. Look out for the plague mask!

10. Shop for Linen

Shopping may not be high up on your to do list, but Tallinn, like Riga and Vilnius, is known for selling good quality linen. There are plenty of shops in the Old Town and if, like me, you visit for the Christmas market, you’ll have many options there too.

You will also find plenty of other things to buy such as jewellery, woollen products, chocolate and amber. As far as amber is concerned, keep in mind that although the Baltic States are known for their amber, it’s not native to Estonia.

More Time in Tallinn?

If you’re planning on spending more than a couple of days in Tallinn or you’re looking for some alternative things to do, then you might want to check these out:

• visit the Telliskivi Creative City
• visit some of Tallinn’s museums including the Maritime Museum, Estonian History Museum, Estonian Open Air Museum, Kadriorg Art Museum and Fat Margaret Museum
• join a cooking class
• climb Helleman Tower
• visit the KGB prison cells
• take the ferry to Helsinki for the day

There are plenty of tours and activities to keep you busy in Tallinn and beyond…check out more options here:

Tallinn Christmas Market

If you’re a fan of Christmas markets then you may want to think about visiting Tallinn in December! Tallinn has a fairytale feel to it at the best of times, but at Christmas it becomes even more magical.

Town Hall Square plays host to the market where you’ll find numerous traditional wooden stalls selling everything from household goods, clothing, jewellery and decorations to food and drink. Discover more in my guide to the Tallinn Christmas market.

Getting to Tallinn

There are several ways you can get to Tallinn:

1. Flying

Direct flights to Tallinn Airport (TLL) are available from London and other European cities. I flew from London Stanstead. Many lower cost airlines provide a direct service to Tallinn so check out the options and book here:

I flew to Tallinn with this small suitcase which fits perfectly under the seat in front of mine. It’s ideal for a short city break to Tallinn and I highly recommend it.

2. Ferry

Ferries operate between Helsinki and Tallinn and between Stockholm and Tallinn. You can check ticket availability and book here:

3. Bus or Train

You can also travel to Tallinn from elsewhere in Europe using the bus or train network. Depending on your origin however, travel times may be longer than flying but they are likely to be a cheaper option.

Whatever your originating city, you can review all available options and make a booking using the Omio search form above.

How to Get to/from Tallinn Airport

The airport is located about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) from Tallinn city centre and you can make the journey there (and back) in 1 of 2 ways:

1. Bus

The cheapest option is to jump on:

• bus number 2 which arrives (and departs) from Baltic Station close to the Balti Jaam Market; or
• bus number 15 which arrives (and departs) from bus stop “Estonia” in the city centre near the Solaris Shopping Centre

A ticket costs €2 and can be bought using a contactless payment card (not cash) from the validator by the front door of the bus itself or from the ticket machine at the airport. The journey takes around 20-25 minutes.

I caught the bus back to the airport. It’s convenient, easy to use and ran on time!

2. Taxi

I travelled from the airport by taxi as my flight got in around midnight and I didn’t want to deal with finding my hotel in the dark!

There are plenty of taxis at the airport located just outside the arrivals hall. The fare will be around €15 to €20.

Where to Stay in Tallinn

I recommend staying in the Old Town as this will put you close to all the main things to see and do in Tallinn. I stayed in the Hotel Meriton Old Town Garden Hotel which dates from the mid-1300s and is just a short walk from Town Hall Square.

You can search all available accommodation options and book here:

When to Visit Tallinn

Deciding when to visit Tallinn will depend on what you’re wanting to do once there. When planning your trip, keep in mind:

• Spring (April to May): mild temperatures (average highs of 11 to 17°C/52 to 63°F), manageable crowds
• Summer (June to August): warmest temperatures (average highs of 20 to 22°C/68 to 72°F) and longest daylight hours, busiest period with larger crowds including cruise ship arrivals and higher prices
• Autumn (September to November): cooling temperatures (average highs of 4 to 17°C/39 to 63°F), autumnal colours, fewer crowds
• Winter (December to February): coldest and darkest period (average highs of -2 to 1°C/28 to 34°F), snowfall is likely, Christmas market in December

I first visited Tallinn many years ago in March and the temperature was cool with some light snowfall. More recently, I visited in December and although the daytime temperature was cold (around 0-2°C/32-36°F), there was no snow or ice.

Overall, the best time to visit for good weather and daylight hours is Summer but don’t discount December and the Christmas market!

Staying Online In Tallinn

If you like to stay online when travelling, either to keep in touch with family and friends, update social media, make bookings or use google maps, but you don’t have a phone package that includes data roaming and you don’t want to incur roaming charges from your home provider, then consider an eSim from Airalo.

Easy to install, an eSim avoids the need to buy a local Sim card (and risk losing your home Sim when taking it out!) and allows you to continue using your own phone number for calls and texts.

I have used data packages purchased from Airalo on several occasions now and highly recommend them. When time is of the essence as it can be when travelling, accessing online resources can be a real time saver. For solo travellers, it can also be a comfort to know you have online access all the time.

If, like me, you already have an a data roaming allowance included as part of your mobile phone tariff, you won’t need to purchase an eSim if you think that allowance will be sufficient for the duration of your visit.

Final Thoughts

Tallinn is a much underrated destination in my view. It’s Old Town is one of the best preserved you will see whilst its medieval architecture gives it a distinct fairytale vibe! There are plenty of opportunities for history lovers to indulge their interests, for shoppers to fill their baskets and for explorers to venture along alleys and into courtyards…and those who love to eat and drink are also catered for!

Tallinn isn’t a large city but that just makes it perfect for a 2 or 3 day city break. Hopefully I have convinced you to go ahead and book that trip and given you more than enough ideas to create your own perfect itinerary.

If you need any further assistance in planning your trip to Tallinn, do check my Resources page.

Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.