Interesting things to do in Tallinn. What to see in Tallinn in one day? Orthodox Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky
Tallinn is rightly called the “castle city”, because it has managed to preserve the spirit of the Middle Ages. Over the long years of its existence, Tallinn has managed to change several names and nationalities. The Germans, Danes, Russians, and Swedes left their historical imprint on the city. It is this cultural mix that gives the city a special atmosphere and attracts tourists from all over the world.
First of all, visit the heart of Tallinn – Town Hall Square. As in any medieval city, Town Hall Square was a place where people flocked on holidays and market days. On the square one could make purchases, watch a performance by traveling artists, or witness an execution. Today the square remains a place of general fun and celebration. It is on the square that the carnival takes place, dedicated days Old town. In the center of the square there is a stone slab - a wind rose. While on the square, you can see the Town Hall. At its top there is a spire with the weather vane of the “city guard” of Old Thomas - the main symbol of Tallinn. The Town Hall building is made in the Gothic style, reflecting the image of Northern Europe. In the Town Hall you can visit the burgher lobby and the magistrate's hall. Of particular interest to tourists is the cellar in which wine was stored in medieval times. The Magistrate's Hall is rich in works of medieval art depicting bible stories and ancient legends of these places.
Modern Tallinn is, first of all, sea town. Large passenger and cargo ports are located here. Convenient location of Tallinn on the shore Gulf of Finland makes it the economic center of Estonia.
The Estonian capital is clearly not one of the cities whose exploration plan needs to be drawn up for a week. If you don’t delve into museums and pubs with a detailed inspection and tasting menu, then you can see all the main attractions of Tallinn in one day.
It’s definitely worth starting with the old city, since almost everything most interesting for tourists is located within its boundaries. If you are traveling with children, you may need to slightly deviate from the route towards the zoo and the maritime museum, which we recommend even for adults to visit.
What to see in the old town?
All excursions start and end in the center of the old city. This is probably the place to start your day in Tallinn.
In the Estonian capital, Town Hall Square is the place where life is in full swing, almost non-stop. Crowded, cheerful fairs, festive concerts and other exciting events are often held here. During the warm months, city guests enjoy sitting at the tables of cozy street cafes scattered throughout.
Since 1404, the square has been decorated with the Gothic Town Hall building, which differs in its architectural style from the medieval merchant houses surrounding the place. In its halls there are constantly held receptions and concerts for officials.
The general public can only get inside the Town Hall in July and August.
Observation deck
In order to see most of the medieval fortress wall and several powerful towers on it, you should definitely go to the Patkul stairs.
Here, since 1903, a fairly spacious observation deck has been equipped for city guests, which is considered one of the best such structures in Tallinn. Climbing 157 low steps is a task that is quite feasible for every inquisitive tourist.
Among the city's sacred buildings, the building of the Dome Cathedral, which has risen on a hill since the 13th century, stands out with its ascetic white facade and the large size of the internal hall.
On certain days, visitors become listeners to soulful organ music. For some Russian tourists, it is unexpected to see in the list of celebrities buried in the temple the name of I. Krusenstern, the famous navigator.
Orthodox Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky
Considering the fact that more than 38% of Tallinn residents are representatives of the Russian nation, it is not surprising to come across an Orthodox church here.
The majestic building of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral differs from neighboring sacred buildings with a brightly painted facade, five onion domes and a high belfry. You can hear the melody of 11 bells before every service.
Walking through the streets of the Old Town, admiring the facades of houses and churches, looking into numerous souvenir shops and workshops, you will reach the spacious observation deck of Kohtuotsa. Here, travelers not only look at the now more familiar city, flooded with evening lights, but also listen to street musicians play, and some of them even dance to simple tunes.
"Three sisters"
Guests of the city can continue their acquaintance with the Estonian capital on Pikk Street, where you can clearly feel its venerable age. Here, at number 71, a cozy hotel is hidden in three medieval houses.
But what is interesting for tourists is not the hotel, but the facades of these ancient buildings. Once upon a time they successfully played the role of merchant trading houses. Their long history began in 1362, but only in 2003, after restoration, the Three Sisters turned into a luxury hotel that retained its medieval facade.
Among the sacred buildings of the city, St. Olav's Church stands out, famous for its 124-meter spire and named after the Norwegian king.
Tourists try to get here primarily for the observation deck located inside high tower. From here you can look for a long time at the gable roofs of ancient buildings, many ships scurrying in the port, and slender church spiers, as if guarding the tranquility of the city.
Although Tallinn has many ancient buildings concentrated in its small territory, it was the Viru Gate that managed to become a symbol of the city.
Once upon a time it was part of a powerful medieval bastion, erected back in the 14th century. Now the remains of the wall of the ancient fortress and two towers, which are called the Viru Gate, have been preserved. Behind them is the Town Hall Square, historical monuments The Middle Ages, as well as many temple buildings and souvenir shops where you can buy memorable souvenirs. And in front of them begins the “domains” of the modern city.
How to entertain children?
Maritime Museum Lennusadam
Parents traveling with their inquisitive children should definitely visit Lennusadam, or Seaplane Harbour, an interactive sea airport museum. Here in the hangar, young tourists can see with their own eyes several real sailing ships, a seaplane, a submarine and other exhibits directly related to the sea.
Of greatest interest to young travelers is the Suur Tõll, a museum ship located at the pier. Young guests can walk through the cabins, boiler room and other rooms of the icebreaker steamship and for a few minutes feel like sailors setting off on a long voyage.
Those parents who travel by rented or their own car will quickly take their children to the maritime museum. From the city center there are taxis (5 €) and buses - No. 73 and City Tour (from Viru Square).
Zoo
As always, we do not exclude the possibility of visiting the zoo with children. Here you will find:
- Amur tiger Bowman,
- Amur leopard Darla,
- chimpanzee Quincy,
- Cape eagle owls Debi and Credi,
- African savannah elephant Fina,
- polar bear Nora,
- and many others.
Children will not only be able to get acquainted with animals and birds from different continents, but also watch them feed.
You can get to the zoo by city buses:
- to the Zoo stop: 21, 21B, 22, 41, 42, 43.
- to the Numenuku stop: 10, 28, 41, 42,43, 46, 47.
The capital of Estonia, a kind of oasis of the Middle Ages, has always been and remains a desirable place for filming many feature films about the past. It is the special flavor of Tallinn (formerly Revel) with its architectural and cultural monuments, with narrow cobbled streets, conveys the atmosphere of bygone eras and ancient fairy tales. The combination of nostalgically sweet patriarchy with vibrant modernity makes visiting Tallinn extremely interesting. We'll tell you what to see in Tallinn in 1, 2 and 3 days. Also everything interesting places we marked it on the map.
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Even if you only have 1 day of stay, it will leave the most unforgettable experience from the main attractions of the Estonian capital.
The Dome Cathedral
The Dome Cathedral - ancient temple Tallinn (1229) – business card city, a world-famous religious building dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary. It contains the burial places of great personalities, knights and eminent nobles, as evidenced by tombstones and sarcophagi (107), which are works of art sculpture of their time. A special atmosphere reigns here, imbued with high spirituality created by Saturday organ music concerts.
Open to the public: Thu – Tue, 09.00-18.00. Address: Doma Laukums, 1.
Entry price: 5 Ls.
Church of Oleviste (St. Olaf)
Oleviste Church, considered until the 19th century. the tallest building in the world, built in the 13th century. This is one of the main symbols of the city, famous for its unsurpassed spire (124 m), making a stunning impression.
Address: Lai, 50. Open to everyone - Mon. – Sun, 11.00-17.00.
Entry price: adults – 1.5 €, children – 0.6 €.
Tallinn City Wall
This is a unique monument of medieval fortifications, with many watchtowers. Colossal structures are evidence of reliable protection from enemies, a symbol of the enormous work of their creators, and are impressive to the core. In the Fat Margaret tower there is a Maritime Museum with interesting exhibits.
Open for guests and city residents – Wed-Sun, 10.00-18.00. Tickets: adults – 3.20 €; det. – 1.6 €; seventh – 5.11 €.
Toompea Castle
Toompea Castle is an ensemble of ancient buildings with a unique “Long Hermann” tower. The castle complex has housed government authorities for many centuries, and now houses the country's parliament.
Address: Lossi plats, 1. Excursions – Mon.-Fri., 10.00-16.00. Price – 8 euros.
Kadriorg Palace
Kadriorg Palace, built under Peter I as a gift to his empress wife, was the royal residence before the 1917 revolution. The magnificent Baroque building is surrounded by a park, the landscape beauty of which is striking in its beauty and perfection of lines. Now the palace houses rich collection works of foreign art.
Address: A. Weizenbergi 37.
Opening hours: Thu – Sun, 10.00-17.00. Ticket price: 5 ls
What to see in 2 days
In 2 days you have the opportunity to see a number of other, no less interesting, objects shrouded in romance.
Viru Gate
Viru Gate – a symbolic “door” to Old city, a once powerful entrance structure with thick walls and towers, erected in the 14th century. The original appearance of the gate has been lost; only 2 towers and the wall of the small entrance remain, from which excursions around medieval Tallinn begin. But even the remains of the ancient gate are very impressive.
Katarina kayn
Katharina käin (Katharina Lane) is also called the Craftsmen's Courtyard because of the various workshops there for making glass, leather and ceramic souvenirs. At first the lane was named after the Church of St. Catherine, built 7 centuries ago. The spirit of the true Middle Ages reigns here, thanks to the ancient monastery and the same houses located in a row. A tour along the alley is an exciting journey into the past and present.
Dollhouse
Dollhouse - a museum of designer dolls, opened in the Old Town in 2010, began with the organization of an international doll exhibition in Tallinn. The purpose of its opening is not only to popularize the art of making dolls, but also as a charity event. Famous people Estonia began to create dolls, learning from experienced craftsmen, and selling exclusive samples at auctions. Exhibitions and master classes are regularly held here, where you can see real puppet masterpieces.
Address: st. Vene, 12/1B. Open for visits: Tue.-Sun., 11.00-18.00.
Entrance price: adults. – 5 €, study – 4.5 €, free. – children under 3 years old.
What to see in 3 days
A three-day stay in Tallinn is a happy opportunity to see the most significant historical and architectural monuments of world significance.
Town Hall
The Town Hall, a Gothic building built 600 years ago, is the only well-preserved example of such buildings in Northern Europe. Each century added new elements, and as a result arose architectural masterpiece, with a high spire topped with a unique weathervane in the form of a figurine of Old Thomas. Skilled Revel craftsmen decorated the town hall with forged copper spillways - dragon heads. You can climb up from the basement along the stairs (115 steps) to the tower and from there, from a 64-meter height, admire an amazing panorama of the city.
Address: Town Hall Square, 1. Excursion to the tower - from 27.06 to 31.08, Mon.-Sat. - 10.00-16.00. Entrance price – adults. — 4€, children. – 2 €.
Dominican monastery
The Dominican Monastery is the oldest Catholic monastery in Europe, founded by St. Dominic in honor of St. Catherine (13th century). The sacred remains of monastery buildings, a garden, a chapel, church ruins, and a barn, located in the Lower Town, now serve as a museum. The works of medieval Tallinn stone-cutters, objects of monastic life, symbols of spirituality and other exhibits are stored here. In summer, various concerts and theater performances are organized in the courtyard. A visit to the monastery is a touch of the mysterious past.
Big Guild
The Great Guild is a 15th century building with a Gothic portal, massive doors and lancet window openings, built by Tallinn merchants. Trade meetings, lavish celebrations, luxurious feasts took place here, the scope of which is amazing in the amount of food eaten and drunk (according to archival data). Having visited Big Guild, which now houses the Historical Museum, you can learn a lot of interesting things about the merchant, trade, cultural and family traditions of the Estonians. The exhibitions of the new exhibition “11 thousand years of Estonian history” tell about this.
Address: st. Pikk, 17.
Open: May-September – Mon-Sun, 10.00-18.00; Oct.-Apr. – Thu.-Tue. -10.00-18.00. Tickets: 5 €, discounted tickets – 3 €.
If you have not yet chosen a hotel in Tallinn, we recommend that you pay attention to the options presented below. All of them are located in the city center, have high ratings and offer the best conditions.
Tallink City Hotel
850 meters from Town Hall Square
Fabulous
2574 reviews
Booked 28 times today
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Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Conference & Spa Hotel Tallinn
3475 reviews
Booked 56 times today
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Gotthard Residents
600 meters from Market Square
1917 reviews
Booked 28 times today
30.05.2018 Maria Glazunova
Tallinn is one of the smallest European capitals, and despite this, it is simply impossible to see all the sights of Tallinn in 1 day; there are many of them, both historical and modern, both paid and free.
In the Old Town alone, which, by the way, has been perfectly preserved to this day, there are a couple of dozen stunning places, and there are so many medieval churches with bell towers that you can climb for gorgeous views! And also a fortress wall along which you can walk, and ancient bastion towers with dungeons, and many interactive modern museums, pleasant parks and gardens, city observation decks, elegant palaces and cathedrals, a tall TV tower, medieval streets and unusual neighborhoods.
I will talk about all this in this article, looking ahead, I will only say that when wondering what to see in Tallinn, get ready to see an impressive list, to visit each point of which even 3-4 days will not be enough, So, if you If you have only one day or weekend allocated to Tallinn, I guarantee that it will be very eventful, you will even have to choose what to visit in Tallinn this time and what to leave for your next visit :)
Of course, some of Tallinn’s attractions are only good for the summer season; moreover, some of them are only accessible in the warm season, but there are also all-season ones. In the article you will find not only descriptions of all these places worth visiting, based on personal experience, but also prices/mode and my recommendations on the best time to visit this or that site.
In total, we spent several months in Tallinn different time years, so we studied this city very well and based on the results of all the trips, I wrote this voluminous description of the sights of Tallinn. I have read many sites and I can say with confidence that you will not find such complete and detailed information in one place, so you're very lucky =)
In my opinion, it is impossible not to fall in love with Tallinn; you want to come here again and again! Don't believe me? Check it out here: .
At the end of the article you will find a map of Tallinn with attractions and tips on how to get there, where to eat in Tallinn, and which hotel is best to stay in, but now let’s get down to the details!
Old city
First of all, Tallinn attracts with its antiquity, its cozy fairy-tale Old Town with crooked cobblestone streets, an intimate central square and many churches. It is here, in the Old Town, that almost all the main attractions of Tallinn are concentrated.
The main entrance to the Old Town passes through the Viru gate, most of which, together with the wall, were, alas, destroyed, but the famous Viru gate towers were preserved, now they are the symbol of the city - two picturesque towers, in the summer we found them entwined with ivy, and in the winter - sparkling in the Christmas lights!
Old Town Hall
The heart of the city is, of course, Town Hall Square with the Gothic Town Hall from the early 16th century.
In the summer and during the Christmas market, holiday markets are held here, where they sell various souvenirs, including handmade ones. You can also enjoy food at the fair local cuisine and try the drinks. Mmm, I still remember the aromatic, spicy taste of glögg (non-alcoholic mulled wine).
If we talk about the sights of Tallinn, then the Welcome Square and the Town Hall are probably the most recognizable symbols of the city.
IN summer time There is an observation deck at the Town Hall - Town Hall Tower at level 64 m , Keep in mind that you will have to climb 115 steps, but the reward will be a gorgeous view of Town Hall Square, all the spiers and tiled roofs in the area.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11:00 – 18:00, only from 1.05 to 15.09.
- Price: 3€, free with Tallinn Card.
On the Town Hall itself, pay attention to the spillways, they are in the form of dragon heads, and it is crowned with a spire with a figurine of the city guard, Old Toomas (Vana Toomas), this weather vane is a symbol of Tallinn. Inside the Town Hall there is the famous tavern-tavern "III Draakon" with pies, salmon stew and cucumbers, which visitors themselves catch into their plates from a tub.
From May to November, all the cafes on the square put their summer terraces with tables on the street; it is probably simply impossible to find a more pleasant place in the Old Town for lunch or a coffee break between sightseeing in Tallinn!
Yes, many people criticize these establishments, saying that they are aimed at one-time tourists. It may be true that some of them have mediocre cuisine, but we can confidently recommend it; it regularly takes honorary positions in restaurant ratings; its regulars are not only tourists, but also local residents.
Well, my favorite restaurant on Town Hall Square is the 1st floor, which has a more cozy atmosphere and a fireplace, but on the second floor you should definitely look into the toilet, it is very unusual - the ceiling is hidden in the abyss of a long chimney.
We visited a couple of dozen Tallinn cafes and restaurants, and compiled our top “delicious establishments” of Tallinn, by the way, it also includes those cafes that are on Town Hall Square and near it: .
There is a point on the square (a special tile), standing on which you can immediately see 5 main spiers of the city (Town Hall Tower, Oleviste, Niguliste, Pühavaimu and the Dome Cathedral), be sure to find it.
In the evening, Welcome Square becomes as if mystical,
and during the Christmas market - magical and fabulous!
Town Hall Pharmacy
The oldest pharmacy in Europe (Town Hall Pharmacy) is located here - in Tallinn, on Town Hall Square, it was run by 9 generations of the Burchardt dynasty for almost 400 years.
Walking inside the pharmacy, it’s as if you’re stepping back several hundred years!
Antique pills, potions and even dried hedgehogs, snakes and crocodile are stored in medicine cabinets and shelves.
which were also used for treatment in those days. Even the Russian emperor ordered medicines from this famous pharmacy. I could hardly resist buying medicinal chocolate with garlic :)
Outside and inside, all the appropriate surroundings of an old pharmacy are present; the old copper cash register has also been preserved. The pharmacy is definitely worth adding to the list of places to see in Tallinn!
- Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 – 18:00.
- Price: for free.
Not far from the pharmacy is one of the oldest streets in the city of Sayakang, it starts under an arch, take a look there too!
Church of the Holy Spirit
Sayakang Street leads directly to the Holy Spirit Church - an ancient church of the 16th century with a baroque wooden interior inside,
and on the street on the main facade of the temple there is the oldest carved clock in Tallinn.
On Mondays at 18:00 the church hosts free “musical hours” where you can listen to the ancient organ.
Opposite the church is a beautiful medieval house - the building of the Great Guild, now Historical Museum(Estonian History Museum – Great Guild Hall, 6€, free with Tallinn Card, Mon-Sun 10:00 – 18:00),
and between them is the famous coffee shop and the Marzipan Museum (I’ll tell you about it later, separately).
- Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 – 18:00, Sat 9:00 – 16:00, in the autumn-winter period the schedule is shortened.
- Price: 1.
Oleviste Church with observation deck
St. Olav’s Church was built in the 13th century, and until the 17th century it was the tallest in the world, the height of the tower is impressive - 124 m.
Due to the fact that now the Oleviste Church is not the highest, the sunsets from its observation deck right under the spire have not become worse, especially since all the other sights of Tallinn are lower and from here they are in full view :)
You can only go up on foot – 258 steps, but it’s worth it, believe me!
The Oleviste Tower is open, alas, only from April 1 to October 31, but you can look into the 13th century church itself at any time,
from the outside you can see the grave of the same master Olaf who built the church.
Associated with the tragic death of the master and the grave at the foot of his main creation scary legend, it’s very easy to find, both in the boarding school and in free booklets on the sights of Tallinn, so I won’t retell it :)
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 – 20:00 (July and August), 10:00 – 18:00 (April-June, September, October).
- Price:
Tower of the Dome Cathedral
The beautiful Dome Cathedral is one of the oldest Lutheran cathedrals in Tallinn; its tower also offers a wonderful view of the city; the platform in the Dome Church (Toomkirik) is located at an altitude of 69 m.
It was no exception for us, and of course we looked there, because for me the sights of Tallinn are, first of all, all kinds of observation platforms, towers and bell towers, from which endless city panoramas open, each of which is different from each other.
Once upon a time, this white stone Dome Cathedral was the main temple of the German nobles who lived in Estonia. The famous navigator, man and steamship I.F. is buried in the cathedral. Krusenstern.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sat 09:30 – 17:30, in the autumn-winter period – Tue-Fri 09:30 – 15:30.
- Price: 5€, free with Tallinn Card.
Niguliste Church and organ concerts
People come to St. Nicholas Church mainly to look at the unique ancient altar and medieval tombstones
and the painting “Dance of Death”, and also look into the “Silver Pantry”, this is not just a church, but a real museum (Niguliste Museum).
And not everyone knows that on Sundays at 16:00 free organ concerts are held in the Niguliste Church, so after seeing enough of the sights of Tallinn, come here to delight not only your eyes, but also your ears :)
Moreover, if you have never heard the sounds of an organ or seen anything like it, we were there, I recommend coming at least 10-15 minutes in advance to take a comfortable seat (according to acoustics, it is better to sit in the middle, and not in the front rows directly under the organ).
- Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11:00 – 17:00, in the autumn-winter period – Wed-Sun.
- Price:
Monument to Victory in the Liberation War
From Harju Hill, next to the Niguliste Church, there is a stunning view of the relatively new sights of Tallinn - Freedom Square, St. John's Church, and the Victory Monument - the “Cross of Freedom”, a symbol of the liberation of Estonians from the occupiers, when they gained independence.
On the hill you can find cast slabs telling about the Baltic Way - a living chain of people stretching from Tallinn to Vilnius.
In general, it’s good to come up here at sunset to admire the city and the sky in blue and purple colors, there are even benches!
Vyshgorod
Vyshgorod or the city on a hill, there are several paths and stairs leading here, where live musicians and artists perform on weekends.
There are observation decks with panoramic views, and the Duma Church, and the garden of the Danish King, and the Orthodox Cathedral, and the narrowest and shortest streets in the city, in general, many of the sights of Tallinn are there, and, of course, the main object of Vyshgorod - medieval castle Toompea.
Toompea Castle
Toompea Castle is hard to miss; this huge stone hulk rises on the Toompea hill of the same name, and, of course, attracts the attention of tourists. The castle was founded in the 13th-16th centuries; despite the fact that parliament now sits there, it is open to tourists.
The main treasure of the castle is the highest 46-meter fortress tower “Long Hermann” (Pikk Hermann), every day the Estonian flag is raised and lowered on it, there is an observation deck nearby.
- Opening hours: Tours of the castle are held on weekdays from 10 to 16, by appointment only ( [email protected]).
- Price: for free.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The old town is rich not only in Catholic churches and towers, you can also find Tallinn's Orthodox sights, the most famous of which is the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with its majestic domes.
Almost all Russian tourists consider it their duty, if not to look inside the cathedral, then at least just to approach the temple.
- Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 – 16:00.
- Price: for free
Gun turrets and fortress wall
What I really love about Tallinn is that the true spirit of the Middle Ages has been preserved there, and the main attractions of Tallinn are precisely the medieval buildings! In addition to the cobblestone streets, the city has a huge fortress wall (Tallinn Town Wall) with 21 towers, many of which you can look into, as well as walk along the wall itself from tower to tower.
You can do this in Tallinn in 3 places, but if in one of them it’s just a very short walk and a cafe overlooking the city (in the Maiden’s Tower),
then in others you can actually walk along the wall, looking at all the sights of Tallinn from above.
It’s definitely worth a look at the Hellemann Tower, where a fairly large section of the wall of 200 m is open for a walk, with views of both sides of the city.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9:00 – 19:00, in the autumn-winter period 10:00 – 10:00.
- Price: 4€, free with Tallinn Card.
Another section of the open wall, a shorter one, is located between Nunne, Sauna and Kuldjala streets.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11:00 – 19:00, in the autumn-winter period Fri-Tue 11:00 – 16:00.
- Price: 2€, free with Tallinn Card.
There is also the Epping Tower, which is also open to the public and has an exhibition of knightly armor inside.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11:00 – 18:00, in the autumn-winter period Sat-Sun 11:00 – 16:00.
- Price: 6€, free with Tallinn Card.
On the outside of the wall in the summer, flower festivals and various contemporary art exhibitions take place,
the exhibitions are not removed until the end of September, this is something unusual, be sure to check it out. We went to several exhibitions at once, and walked around them with great pleasure; they were all free!
Crafts Lane - St. Catherine's Lane
St. Catherine's Passage in itself attracts attention, even if artisans did not live there, it can safely be included in the list of “what to see in Tallinn”.
Be sure to come here on a weekday, and then you will have a chance to see all the craftsmen of the Katarina Guild at work, someone blowing vases and glasses from glass,
someone sculpts pots from clay, someone paints silk or makes ceramic figurines, there are artists, weavers, hatters and other artisans, all in St. Catherine's Lane.
On the northern side of the lane you can see the ruins of the Church of St. Catherine, hence the name, and on the southern side - the facades of residential buildings
and those same studio workshops.
This is not the only epicenter of craftsmen, you can also look into the ceramic art studio at the BoCa Pott cafe, where the master speaks Russian, and if you decide to sit in the cafe, you will drink tea/coffee from his handmade cups.
There is another unusual “craft” place - the craftsmen’s courtyard at the Pierre Chocolaterie cafe. Medieval buildings that survived all the fires and destruction have been preserved here; now the courtyard is chosen by free artists.
You can also meet artists near the walls of Vyshgorod, some simply sell their works, while others create on the spot - they draw pictures and immediately sell them.
Observation platforms of the Old Town
Mmm, these are my favorite sights of Tallinn - “viewpoints” or observation platforms, there are several of them in the city, they are all free, and from everywhere you can see gorgeous views of the city with red tiled roofs, spiers, unusual weather vanes and chimneys.
The most inspiring and memorable view from the site Kohtuotsa view point,
From here you can see the roofs of the Old Town, the high-rise buildings of the new district, and even the TV tower! To see everything in detail, there are even telescopes, and so that you don’t rush anywhere and enjoy the views to your heart’s content, there are benches.
Local musicians also wander here and, as soon as they recognize a Russian, sing songs in Russian or play the accordion, for which they receive their well-deserved eureka from the tourist :)
If you decide to stop in some hotel in the center of the Old Town, then don’t be lazy and come here early in the morning, even before breakfast, to watch the sunrise!
Area Patkuli (Patkuliview point) – the best place for photographs of the fortress wall and towers, as well as St. Olaf's Church and the passenger port.
This lookout is located on the north side of Toompea Hill at the very edge of a high flagstone ledge. The view opens onto the fortress wall and defensive towers; you can climb here from the Lower Town, from where a winding staircase, built more than 100 years ago, leads along the former fortress moat.
At the bottom of the stairs, by the way, we found an unexpected monument - a plaque of honor in memory of the first president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin.
And on the site itself there are a couple of souvenir shops, as well as street carts with traditional Estonian fried nuts in spices and caramel.
There is another site, at the foot of the Duma Tower - Piiskopi view point, the view from there is not the most picturesque - the stadium is below, and at a distance you can see the Kalamaja and Pelgulinn districts, as well as the railway station.
There is also an area next to the Kiek in de Kek tower, but it’s more pleasant to just stroll there, and for the view it’s better to go up to the Maiden Tower at the Kiek in de Kek museum on the 4th floor (entrance to the cafe - 2 €, free with Tallinn Card, Tue-Sat, 11:00–18:00).
And if you want absolutely stunning views, then be sure to go up to the terrace of the Lounge24 bar, it is located 5-7 minutes walk from the Old Town, a stunning view of the central attractions of Tallinn will certainly make you drink a cup of coffee or even stay for lunch :)
You can also watch gorgeous sunsets there, even if you decide not to order anything at the bar, it’s worth looking out onto the terrace for 5-10 minutes; it’s on the 24th floor.
Also with excellent views of the city there is the executive restaurant Horisont on the top floor of the hotel
Ancient buildings, streets, squares
It is very interesting to walk around Old Tallinn; no matter the building, there is always an object with some kind of history or legend.
Ancient Theater is located in a historical building,
the doors and ceilings have been preserved there, the theater is still operational, they even have a summer stage and an auditorium under open air.
And next to the theater there is a “Walk of Fame”, where the performances that were staged in the theater are immortalized. Among the Russian authors we found Dostoevsky and Pelevin.
"3 Sisters"- this is a medieval building on Pikk Street, right behind the Great Sea Gate, now there is a building of the same name and, with interiors from the 15th century. And once upon a time these were simple merchant houses, in which living quarters were on the ground floors, and the upper ones were used as warehouses.
cat well located on one of the tiny squares of the Old Town, and it is also not without many legends, it is located opposite, here it is right behind the horse.
Kaarli Church
Kaarli Church is the most majestic 19th century church in Tallinn, located outside the Old Town, but very close to it. It was built in the neo-Gothic style by a St. Petersburg architect on the site of the original church that burned down. Kaarli Church has excellent acoustics, and because of this, concerts are held here; there is a hall with 1,500 seats.
We weren’t at the concert, but every time we come to Tallinn, we still come closer to take a photo, it really reminds me of old German Gothic churches :)
Segways/bicycles
Riding Segways or bicycles around the city is a great way to get to know Tallinn; in a couple of hours you can see almost all the sights of Tallinn, if not from the inside, then at least from the outside.
True, alas, winter will be a hindrance in this case, but this is at least another reason to plan a trip from spring to autumn.
There are rental points in and near the Old Town. If you plan to buy a city guest card - Tallinn Card, then you will have 3 hours of free rental, during which time you can see all the main attractions of Tallinn in the center, as well as take a ride around the nearest areas in the surrounding area, for example, go to Kadriorg .
We rode around Tallinn both on bicycles and on Segways:
Museums
Maritime Museum – Seaplane Harbor and Fat Margarita
“Seaplane Harbor” (Lennusadam - Seaplane Harbor) is one of the few museums in Europe where we spent half a day, the exhibition is huge, and also very interesting, and it is also the most popular museum in Estonia, so it’s on the list of museum attractions in Tallinn , this is object No. 1!
It’s not for nothing that the entire Seaplane Harbor is dedicated to the Estonian Maritime Museum - a huge hangar building with a real seaplane and a British submarine, which you can not just look into, but go down several levels and walk through all the compartments.
The collection of the Maritime Museum contains a whole host of unique items, including boats, sailing ships, sea mines, as well as interactive stations and stimulators that clearly tell the history of the country.
The museum also includes a century-old icebreaker steamship moored right in the harbor opposite museum complex, where you can also walk around all its premises, look into the cabins, holds, boiler rooms and cook's department.
Another part of the museum is located on the territory of the Old Town - on Pikk Street at the Sea Gate in the medieval gun tower Fat Margaret's Tower.
They called it that because of its size: it is 25 m in diameter, 20 m high, and there are 155 loopholes in the tower.
The museum's exhibitions are dedicated to navigation, and occupy 4 floors; these include various diving equipment, fishing gear and an entire wheelhouse from a trawler. Previously, the tower was used as an armory and later as a prison.
Also from May to September you can climb the tower to the very top, where there is an open observation deck overlooking the Old Town, the Oleviste Church and the passenger port.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 – 19:00, in the autumn-winter period from 1.10 to 30.04 – Tue-Sun 10:00 – 18:00.
- Price: Airplane Harbor – 14€, Fat Margaret Tower – 6€, free with Tallinn Card.
By the way, with one ticket you can visit all parts of the museum on different days, we did just that - we spent one day at the Seaplane Harbour, and a few days later, using the saved ticket, we came to Fat Margarita.
For little boys, and their fathers as well, the Seaplane Harbor and Fat Margarita are the most desirable and visited attractions of Tallinn.
By the way, sea gate there is a relatively new monument “Broken Line” - in memory of the maritime tragedy that occurred in September 1994, when it sank in the Baltic waters near Tallinn passenger ship, 852 people died 🙁
Kik-in-de-Kek and the Bastion Dungeons
Kiek in de Kök is the most powerful tower of the fortress wall, 38 meters high, inside there is a museum exhibition on 6 floors,
but the most genuine interest and curiosity is a walk through the ancient underground tunnels connecting the Ingermanland and Swedish bastions (Bastion Passages), built back in the 17th century.
At first, the underground labyrinths were used by the military for reconnaissance and capturing prisoners,
later in Peaceful time- simply as storage facilities, and in the 20th century they were converted into a bomb shelter, so a whole underground city with plumbing, electricity, ventilation system, etc.
The excursion is conducted by a guide, without him it probably wouldn’t be so interesting, and with the narration, wandering through the labyrinths even takes on some mystical meaning, and in some places the picture of everyday life is recreated, so the imagination works even better. There are also a couple of modern halls that take you into the future, I won’t go into details, it’s better to see everything with your own eyes!
For a long time, the dungeons were not an attraction of Tallinn, they were closed to visitors, so now during the season there is a real rush there, you must sign up for the excursion, preferably a couple of days in advance, you can book the excursion directly at the Kiek in de Kök or by phone (that’s exactly what we did: +372 644 6686), there are Russian groups.
- Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10:30 – 18:00, in the autumn-winter period from 10:00 – 17:00.
- Price: museum – 5€, underground passages bastions – 9€, free with Tallinn Card.
Photo museum in the Town Hall Prison
Photographers may be interested in visiting the Museum of Photography (Town Council Prison – Museum of Photography), where an old darkroom is located and rare cameras from various companies are stored, a rather impressive collection.
The ambience is also added by the fact that the museum is located in the former Town Hall prison, the internal partitions are still preserved in their original form.
- Opening hours: Wed-Mon 10:30 – 18:00.
- Price: 2€, free with Tallinn Card.
KUMU – Art Museum of Contemporary Art
The building itself, which houses the Kumu Art Museum, attracts attention. The modern style of architecture, where the combination of unusually smooth lines and catchy, powerful decorative details, makes the object somehow cosmic, or at least as if from another era, but the main treasure lies inside. The museum has both permanent and temporary exhibitions. The museum is located in Kadriorg.
If you find yourself in the Estonian capital in cold winter or bad weather, then the museum attractions of Tallinn are just what you need; the KUMU Museum will definitely not leave you indifferent!
- Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10:00 – 18:00, on Wednesdays until 20:00, in the autumn-winter period, working days are Wed-Sun.
- Price:
Well, our favorite museum of contemporary art is
KGB Museum
On the top floor Hotel Viru (Original Sokos Hotel Viru) The KGB Museum is located. The museum tells interesting facts about the work of the committee members, for example, that listening devices were built into many of the rooms and the necessary guests were accommodated there.
They say that the rooms were left in the same “disorder” as when the employees urgently left them; the entire pile of papers and even cigarette butts from the ashtray remained untouched.
The trick of the museum is that it is located on the top 22nd floor of the hotel, where there are no more rooms, but there are two gorgeous observation decks with stunning views like new,
and to the Old Town.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 – 19:00, by appointment only and as part of the excursion, there are Russian-speaking guides.
- Price: 10€ (The Museum is not included in the list of freely visited sites with the Tallinn Card).
Museum of Occupations
We are always interested in learning about historical facts in another interpretation, to hear the opinion of another country regarding the actions of the Soviet Union. Before this, we had already visited the Lithuanian and Latvian genocide museums.
The Estonian Museum of Occupations is quite good, there is an impressive collection, there are videos, all available information is duplicated in Russian, so you can plunge headlong into the history of the occupation of Estonia Soviet Union and Germany, fortunately there are plenty of exhibits from those times to feel the whole atmosphere.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 – 18:00, in the autumn-winter period – Tue-Sun 11:00 – 18:00.
- Price: 6€, free with Tallinn Card.
Well, what impressed us most was that it is located in the KGB building, where interrogations and executions took place, a harsh spectacle, the spirit of cruelty still hovers there, since evidence of the merciless Soviet regime has been preserved.
Health Museum
The Health Care Museum is very cool, modern, interactive, and in a relaxed atmosphere allows you to learn a lot of interesting things about your body, health, birth and other important aspects of life.
We even visited the health museum twice; by the way, a unique exhibition “Natural Death” is currently being held there, which will last until the end of summer 2017.
- Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10:00 – 18:00, Wednesdays until 19:00.
- Price: 8€, free with Tallinn Card.
NUKU Puppet Museum
If you are traveling with children, then the NUKU Puppet Museum is worth a look; children will love it! In addition to puppets, you can see various ancient mechanisms in the museum; there are also puppet shows on the schedule.
In general, this museum is also a theater with a 60-year history, so you can go “behind the scenes” and see ancient exhibits. We also stopped by for a while.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 – 18:00.
- Price: 8€, free with Tallinn Card.
Kalev marzipan museum room
The Kalev Marzipan Museum is a very small exhibition of a wide variety of marzipan figurines (about 200 exhibits in total), located in the adjacent hall of the famous oldest coffee shop Maiasmokk, so you can combine a visit with a cup of coffee and eating cakes :)
On weekdays during working hours, you can watch how a master hand-paints marzipan sweets made in molds dating back to the 19th century.
Marzipan was invented a long time ago in the Middle Ages, as a tasty medicine for the burgomaster, who did not like bitter things, but now it is just a delicacy made from almond flour and powdered sugar, which both adults and children are delighted with, and we are no exception !
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 – 21:00.
- Price: free of charge, upon presentation of the Tallinn Card - a marzipan bar and a cup of tea/coffee as a gift.
Whenever we are in Tallinn, we buy ourselves a couple of marzipan bars in the Kalev brand store in Rotermann (they are also sold in the museum and coffee shop, but are a little more expensive).
Legends of Tallinn – interactive theater-museum
If you have already seen all the sights of Tallinn, but you didn’t have enough mysterious legends, enveloping this medieval town, and if you also love theater, then yes, Tallinn Legends is worth a look!
In the underground labyrinths of an ancient basement in the center of the Old Town, a couple of meters from the Town Hall, you can become a spectator of mini-performances where live actors tell ancient legends, a total of 10 interactive rooms and 9 creepy legends.
And since the performance is also in Russian, and light and pyrotechnic special effects are used to create the atmosphere, children will especially like this place.
- Opening hours: Wed-Fri 12:00 – 18:00, Sat-Sun 11:00 – 20:00.
- Price: 16€, discount with Tallinn Card – 50%.
Tallinn TV Tower
We even have a separate post about the Tallinn TV Tower - this is perhaps the most modern tower we have been to. It is 314 m high (the observation deck is at 170 m), in addition to the fact that it offers views of the Old Town, the Baltic Sea, the Pirita district and other attractions of Tallinn, the observation deck is also a kind of storehouse of information! Space electronic “mushrooms” are placed everywhere - devices with interactive displays, and soft sofas under them, so this is also a kind of educational project, in which any visitor to the tower can participate.
And for extreme sports enthusiasts, the Tallinn TV Tower has open area, so you can tickle your nerves and walk in a harness along the very edge of the tower. Well, more modest visitors can also go outside, wrapped in a blanket, although, alas, they won’t get to the very edge, but we already had a blast walking at such a height in windy weather :)
In the evening there is a restaurant in the TV tower, for romantics - perfect place for dinner among a thousand city lights.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 – 19:00.
- Price: 10€, free with Tallinn Card.
Rocca al Mare Open Air Museum
If you want to see the natural attractions of Tallinn, and you are also interested in learning how Estonians lived in villages 3-4 centuries ago, what kind of life they led, what decorations were in their houses, what farmsteads, a village school, a tavern or a fire station looked like, then The Estonian Open Air Museum Rocca al Mare is the place!
The Estonian Open Air Museum contains rare houses from all regions of Estonia, courtyards and farms have been recreated, the most interesting thing is to walk with an audio guide, it is also in Russian. The fact that the park is located on the rocks next to the sea adds to the picturesqueness.
It’s best to go for a walk in the summer, but in the fall and winter, despite the natural golden or snow-white fairy tale, many houses are already closed, and, to be honest, it’s worth setting aside 2-3 hours for a walk, so you can have time to freeze. Well, if you get really cold or you’re running out of time, then you can take a ride around the park-museum in a cart with a cab driver!
In the winter season, it is only worth visiting here on weekends, when various festivals and holidays are held in the park, for example, you can visit the Christmas village, Christmastide, ski festival, Maslenitsa and Easter, and other family and children's events, themed matinees.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 – 20:00, in the autumn-winter period from 10:00 – 18:00.
- Price: 8€, free with Tallinn Card.
Botanical Garden
We continue to delve into the natural attractions of Tallinn - the Tallinn Botanic Garden is located in a quiet, picturesque valley of the Pirita River, surrounded by pine trees, covering an area of 123 hectares. This is a huge collection of all kinds of plants, including an impressive collection of orchids, more than 4,500 species of flora in total! At different times of the year, seasonal exhibitions are held in the Tallinn Botanical Garden.
By the way, it’s convenient to combine a visit to this park with a visit to the TV tower, firstly, they are nearby, and secondly, combination ticket These two attractions are cheaper.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 – 20:00, in the autumn-winter period from 11:00 – 17:00.
- Price: 5€, free with Tallinn Card.
Zoo in Tallinn
Alas, the Tallinn Zoo is in some disrepair, there are many animals and birds, more than 350 species, a total of more than 7,700 individuals, but the enclosures are quite old.
The zoo is located far from the city center, it’s worth going there if you haven’t been to the zoo for a long time and really miss the animals. We saw there a polar bear, tigers, elephants, giraffes, camels, and even an alpaca, as well as quite rare animals, completely unusual :)
There is also a rope town on the territory of the zoo (Zoo Adventure Park), a visit is paid separately.
We combined the trip with a visit to the Estonian Open Air Museum, they are not exactly nearby, but on one side of the city, keep this in mind when compiling your list of places “what to see in Tallinn”
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9:00 – 19:00, in the autumn-winter period from 9:00 – 17:00.
- Price: 7€, free with Tallinn Card.
Rotermann Quarter
Rotermann Quarter is a quarter where old industrial buildings and modern architecture live side by side, now it is a fashionable area, and even in the very center of the city, a 5-minute walk from Viru Square.
This is an area with history, as evidenced by numerous red brick buildings that were once factories, workshops and boiler houses,
even the pipe has been preserved; among all these “scenery” of Rotermann City, the film Stalker was once filmed here on this particular street.
Now in Rotermann all the factories are inactive, they have been converted into modern buildings, but at the same time the walls, as part of the culture, have been preserved, there are a couple of unusual new office buildings, a cinema, a casino, expensive boutiques with designer clothes, a gourmet cheese store and a boutique chocolate factory. Kalev, as well as many trendy cafes and restaurants (we recommend visiting, very cool place).
Kalamaja
Kalamaja is once the oldest fishing village and is now a bohemian and creative district located near the Old Town. Once upon a time, boatmen and pilots lived here, they called their area “Fish House”, and they did not think that then, a hundred years later, their area would become elite, it would be included in the “attractions of Tallinn”.
We walked and rode Segways around Kalamaa; both young people and families with strollers love to walk here, the place is quiet and peaceful.
A distinctive feature of Kalamai is its three-story wooden houses, many of which are no longer made of wood, but are made in such a style that they seem to be made of wood,
old houses are restored, and new ones are built in a similar style to preserve the local atmosphere and culture.
In Kalamai we discovered the house in which Alexander Blok lived,
in general, in this area there is a yacht port, a museum of modern art (open only in summer), the Seaplane Harbor museum, the Energy Discovery Center (9:00–18:00, 9 €, free with Tallinn Card ), a children's museum, trendy cafes and restaurants (we recommend), designer houses and even the whole creative town of Telliskivi, but I’ll tell you about it separately.
Telliskivi
The town of Telliskivi Creative City is a haven for creative people passionate about design; there are workshops and a whole street of shops where they produce and sell unusual items, designer clothes, interior items and eco-products.
The Telliskivi area is a huge space, a platform for creative people,
that is why here you can see not just graffiti, but real masterpieces.
On Saturdays, a flea market is held here, where you can find unusual exhibits, decorative elements and custom clothing.
If you are far from all this, and have already seen all the main attractions of Tallinn, then it is clearly worth a look here, at least to admire the street art.
In Telliskivi there are also several cafes with a special focus, the menu has atypical dishes and drinks, for example, the cravings of raw foodists and vegans are satisfied, and the establishments themselves are also unusual - in cargo sea containers or railway cars :)
Primorskaya embankment
The luxurious long embankment Pirita Promenade with a bike path and a walking path is a great place for cycling, rollerblading and just walking. Tourists walk here every day, and on weekends they are also joined by locals.
From the center you can come to Kadriorg Park, or rather, walk to the sculpture of Amandus Adamson - a monument to the crew of the sunken battleship "Rusalka", where you just need to cross the road to immediately find yourself in the park.
Or go further along the embankment and get to the resort port area of Pirita, and all this, while admiring the marine species, port ships and the Old Town. If you love sunsets, then come here during sunset hours, the atmosphere during the walk will be amazing.
Only in the summer, sometimes in windy weather, alas, a specific smell of sea mud comes from the sea 🙁 you can hide from it in the park, which is laid out parallel to the embankment.
Kadriorg
Kadriorg is a quiet green area near the city center. Back in the 17th century, Tsar Peter I founded his estate here, built a wonderful park and palace for his wife Catherine I - Ekaterinenthal or in Estonian Kadriorg Palace - Kadriorg Art Museum.
Now it is a pleasant place for walks and picnics,
there are museums, alleys and flower beds lined with flowers,
ponds with fountains and even a Japanese garden. The most beautiful time for this park – of course, autumn!
- Opening hours: Thu-Sun 10:00 – 17:00, Wednesday until 20:00.
- Museum entrance fee: 6.5€, free with Tallinn Card.
Well, in winter you can always look into one of several museums in the park (house-museum of Peter I - 3 €, children's museum, KUMU museum, art museum, children's and museums of Estonian writers), and of course, into the palace itself, built in Baroque style. As you can see, Kadriorg has collected several attractions of Tallinn in one place.
Pirita – coastal district of Tallinn
Tallinn's spa culture was once born in Pirita; there are baths here, as well as a yacht harbor where the Olympic sailing regatta took place.
In summer, Pirita is also the most popular resort area, there is a well-maintained sandy city beach 2 km long, there are changing cabins, toilets, and playgrounds, parking, a cafe, and the coast guard is also on duty.
In general, Tallinn has 5 official city beaches: Pirita itself with stunning views of the Old Town, Pikkari (on the Paljasaare peninsula for surfers and fishermen), Stromka (for lovers of board games, trampolines and exercise equipment), Harku (on a lake with warm water for swimming and opportunities for fishing) and Kakumäe (the most remote with a small number of vacationers), the beach season lasts from May 15 to September 15.
In the off-season, the beaches look, alas, dull(
Near the yacht port in Pirita there is ruin convent Saint Brigid(St. Bridget's Convent ruins),
which was destroyed during the Livonian War back in the 16th century, what remains of the medieval monastery is a 35-meter western pediment, which has been standing for 500 years. All this creates an incredible atmosphere. In the summer, various festivals are held there, the most famous is the musical one, which takes place in August within the walls of the monastery right in the open air. Nearby there is a modern building where the almshouses moved.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11:00 – 18:00, in the autumn-winter period from 12:00 – 16:00.
- Price: 2€, free with Tallinn Card.
Singing field
The singing field is huge concert hall open-air, stretching from the slope of Lasnamäe to Kadriorg, near the Pirita area.
In the summer, music festivals are held here, including a beer hall. The unique shell stage of a rather unusual design accommodates thousands of artists at the same time, and the auditorium is even larger. It’s simply impossible to walk or drive past without looking here!
The biggest summer event is taking place here music Festival– Estonian song festival, annually it attracts 34 thousand artists and 200 thousand spectators.
Such famous stars as Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga performed on the stage of the Singing Field.
Cemetery of monuments to Lenin and Stalin
This unusual place with a mountain of old monuments to leaders was suggested to us by local residents, but we were always interested in learning about the atypical sights of Tallinn; we ourselves would never have guessed that such a thing even existed.
See for yourself, unusual, right?
Former leaders in parts,
and even from an unusual angle.
The “cemetery of leaders” is hidden in the Pirita area in the park complex with the Maarjamäe Memorial, behind this castle.
Linnahall - abandoned concert hall
Another atypical attraction of Tallinn is the roof of Linnahall, also known as Gorhall (under the USSR - the Lenin Palace of Culture and Sports). They built a palace for the 1980 Olympics concert hall, but there was also a second purpose - military, in the event of a Finnish attack on the USSR, therefore the location is strategic - in seaport, in front of the fortifications of the Old Town.
The roof looks massive, but in essence, apart from a huge bridgehead overlooking the sea, there is nothing here.
Now it is a popular place for young people to hang out.
We went up once to watch the sunset, for a change 🙂 but perhaps the sunrise from the sea side is more photogenic. If you have already seen all the main attractions of Tallinn everywhere, then you can look here too.
Quests in Tallinn
There are not so many quests in Tallinn, but there are definitely plenty to choose from! During our trip we completed 2, both modern, realistic, exciting and quite creepy in plot and scenery, so this entertainment is not for the faint of heart. But, you must admit, sometimes you want to add something unusual to your walks around the standard sights of Tallinn, so why not play a quest :)
Restaurants and cafes in Tallinn
There are a lot of restaurants and cafes in Tallinn, so choosing where to eat in Tallinn is always very difficult. After all, there are restaurants where you can simply go for a quick bite and forget, and there are also those that will remain in the memory as individual attractions of Tallinn. Some specialize in haute cuisine, while others specialize in traditional Estonian and even ancient Estonian medieval cuisine, and there are also those whose main focus in dishes is modern trends.
We visited a variety of establishments, including European, Indian, and vegetarian dishes. Some cafes themselves simply have a cozy atmosphere, and some offer wonderful views of the city!
In some establishments you don’t even need a look, all the attention is on the delicacies on the plate and the original presentation :)
Hotels in Tallinn
Find a hotel in Tallinn and see current prices you can here.
If your main goal is to see the sights of Tallinn,
This is the ancient fortress in Narva, and unusual preserved burial places, the Jägala waterfall, and much more.
I also tell you in detail about our wonderful day in national park Lahemaa, where we walked through the swamps, in my opinion, this place is definitely a “must visit”, especially if you have already seen the sights of Tallinn and have a free day or even half a day.
That's all I have! I hope the guide article “Attractions of Tallinn” helped give you an idea of this wonderful city, and now you know exactly what to see in Tallinn during your trip!
Excursions around Tallinn
Well, if you want not only to walk around Tallinn and see the sights on your own, but also to learn its history, listen to interesting legends and stories, then we recommend paying attention to the excursions that local residents conduct in Russian, especially since their prices are in Tallinn is quite acceptable.
Sights of Tallinn on the map
Finally
If you plan to visit all the significant sights of Tallinn, including the Seaplane Harbour, the TV Tower, Botanical Garden, visit the dungeons of the Bastions, ride around tourist route on a bus with an open roof, and also repeatedly use public transport, go to walking tour with a guide, rent a bike, and look into a lot of museums, then we recommend buying a “city guest card” - Tallinn Card, which gives you the opportunity to visit about 40 attractions in Tallinn, some of which you can skip the long queue.
Tallinn cards are available for 24, 48 and 72 hours, the cost for an adult is from 25 euros, see current prices. Children under 6 years old, accompanied by an adult, go free!
The savings will be significant, we ourselves used this card, and our parents, following in our footsteps, managed to see almost all the sights of Tallinn over the weekend using the Tallin card.
The card also gives discounts in many cafes, no more than 15%, but that’s nice! And for some events - as much as 50% (skating rink in winter, summer dinner cruises and guided walking and cycling excursions). Discount on the theater - 20%, and on the largest spa in the city, Aqua Spa at the hotel Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel– 34% discount.
In addition to the museums described in the article, there are about a dozen more museum attractions in Tallinn, entry to which is also free with a Tallinn card - these are the Russian Museum and the City Museum, and the Museum of Architecture, the Museum of Applied Arts, the Museum of Nature, the unique popular science center of Energy and even a food museum and a drinking culture museum with wine tasting (the usual cost of which is from 3 to 15 euros, and with the Tallinn Card).
You can buy a Tallinn card at the official tourist center next to the Niguliste Church (address: Niguliste 2), it is open seven days a week (Mon-Fri: 9:00-19:00; Sat-Sun: 9:00-15:00), and They also sell cards on ferries, in hotels, bus stations, airports and online.
You can also find detailed information about festivals and events in Tallinn on the website www.visittallinn.ee (there is a Russian version).
If, after seeing all the sights of Tallinn, you find little impressions, or you have a couple of extra days left, use shuttle ferries from the Tallink company,
Tallinn is a city that, over its long history, has been ruled by different nations, but has always benefited from this, becoming more beautiful every year. Tourists are attracted by the old narrow streets of Tallinn, beautiful medieval town halls and fortress walls that remember bloody battles. Here you can feel the breath of antiquity in literally every house and object, and the national cuisine combined with local beer and wines will not leave any gourmet indifferent. All this makes the city very attractive for tourism; our compatriots often choose Tallinn as their vacation destination. Today we will tell you what to see and where to go on vacation.
Ferry travel
Our compatriots often try to combine a trip to the Nordic countries with a tour of Tallinn. This is possible if you buy a ferry ticket from Helsinki. Taking advantage of this convenient opportunity, you can get acquainted with the main attractions of the Estonian city in one day and take many amazingly beautiful photographs.
Keep in mind that Tallinn is an extraordinary city, so we wouldn’t recommend getting to know it in a hurry. But if this is your only opportunity to visit here, then we will tell you where to go in Tallinn in one day from the ferry.
Since one day is still very little for the Estonian capital, try to include all the most interesting things in your sightseeing, which you will remember for a long time later, admiring the photographs taken during this trip.
First of all, try to see Tallinn from a bird's eye view. Believe me, a simply incredible picture will open before you, worthy of the brush of a talented artist. The city has several observation platforms, from each of which the landscapes of Tallinn look special. Therefore, visit at least two observation platforms to be able to compare what you see. Experienced tourists recommend climbing the tower of the Dome Cathedral or the Patkuli observation deck. The most beautiful and memorable views open from here.
Where can you go in Tallinn to feel the breath of time? Of course, you cannot leave the Estonian capital without seeing its main attraction - the Old Town. Here everything looks exactly as it did in the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries, because the owners of the buildings are forbidden to change their appearance in any noticeable way. Therefore, walks through the Old Town make a lasting impression even on the most skeptical tourists. Be sure to start your tour from Town Hall Square. In the Middle Ages, it was here that all the townspeople gathered on holidays or in sorrowful moments. The stones of this square remember fairground dances and the last dying cries of executed criminals. Tallinn residents have a legend that anyone who sees all five spiers from the square can make a wish, and it will definitely come true. You can wander around the Old Town for so long that you simply won’t have any more free time to think about where else to go in Tallinn.
However, if you have a few hours before the ferry departs, then take a look at the Kiek in de Kek museum, located in a medieval tower. The tower itself looks very unusual, and inside it there is a museum with an exhibition dedicated to the history of the city, starting from the thirteenth century. Interesting examples relate to military actions that affected Tallinn.
If you leave the city on the evening ferry, you will not have time to enjoy the excellent cuisine of the many restaurants and taverns. It is here that citizens and guests of the Estonian capital flock, but we think that this will be a reason to organize another trip here. And you definitely won’t have any questions about where to go in Tallinn.
Day trip
For those who have the opportunity to spend not only a day but also a night in Tallinn, the city can open up much more widely. What is a must see and where to go? In Tallinn you can see a lot of interesting things in one day and night.
In the morning, head to the Old Town, which consists of two parts. Vyshgorod and the Lower Town are separated by approximately twenty minutes of travel; most tourists advise starting sightseeing from the lower part of the Old Town.
The following buildings deserve your attention:
- Town Hall. It dates back almost six hundred years; in all of Northern Europe it is the only town hall that can boast of such magnificent condition. Near this building there are many summer cafes and restaurants, and there are also souvenir shops where you can buy something interesting and unusual as a gift for your friends.
- Tower "Fat Margaret". There is a real maritime museum here, where all the items that have at least some connection with the Baltic Sea are collected. The exhibition consists of vintage maps, compasses and ship cladding parts. Keep in mind that the museum is only open five days a week - Wednesday through Sunday. You can get here from ten o'clock in the morning to six o'clock in the evening.
In Vyshgorod, it is worth seeing the Dome Cathedral, which locals consider the oldest in the city. It offers a magnificent view of the city. No less beautiful is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which is the largest Orthodox religious building in the Estonian capital.
The Occupation Museum is located a two-minute walk from the cathedral. Be sure to visit this place; it will tell tourists about the time when Tallinn was occupied by German soldiers. Household items of that time are collected here, including cars and even food. Visitors will be shown a half-hour film translated into three languages. Russian is one of them, so our compatriots will be able to understand what it is about.
Where to go in Tallinn to have a delicious dinner? In this matter, first of all, focus on your preferences. If you come to the city as a couple, then you will undoubtedly like Rataskaevu 16 and Von Krahli Aed. These establishments offer excellent seasonal dishes in the incredibly romantic medieval atmosphere of the Old Town. But a friendly group will like it better in Paar Veini, it’s always here in the evenings live music and sells delicious local wine.
Those who walk all night until the morning can be advised not to go to bed, but to watch the sunrise at the Patkuli observation deck. From the hill you will have a wonderful view of the city, towards which pink fingers are slowly reaching rising sun. This incredibly beautiful picture will be etched in your memory for a long time.
Evening Tallinn
Many tourists don’t even think about where to go in Tallinn during the day. After all, there are a lot of museums, shops and historical attractions that you should definitely have time to visit. But not everyone knows where to go in Tallinn in the evening. Let's try to tell you how to brighten up your evening leisure in the Estonian capital.
Even if you have already been to Town Hall Square during the day, be sure to walk along it after dusk. You'll be surprised how different this place is when illuminated by street lights. In addition, the main influx of tourists will have subsided in the evening, and you can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the shops, where, in addition to souvenirs, jewelry and products of local handicrafts are sold. Right on the street you can buy the most delicate pastries, the likes of which you will not try in any other European city.
The Music Museum, located on Sibyllegatan-2, will give you the pleasure of contemplating various musical instruments that can be played by any visitor.
It is impossible to imagine an evening without a delicious dinner, so we will tell you a couple of places where you should definitely go. Cafe More is a fairly casual establishment where tourists can expect salads and sandwiches, but the cafe's signature dish is homemade rhubarb ice cream. It is made by the owner herself according to a recipe inherited from her ancestors. Believe me, you have never tasted anything tastier than this Estonian delicacy. If you want to enjoy views of the city while dining, then stop by the Lounge 24 bar. It is rarely noisy here, so tourists have the opportunity to taste delicious dishes in a calm atmosphere national cuisine.
Winter trip
If your vacation falls during the cold season, then don’t worry, we will definitely tell you where to go in Tallinn in winter. With the onset of snowfalls, the Estonian capital turns into something incredibly fabulous and bewitching. Many travelers who have the opportunity to compare say that winter Tallinn is much more attractive than summer and offers its guests a lot of entertainment.
Be sure to take a train ride through the Old Town. This route will be interesting to anyone, because it’s so nice to immerse yourself in childhood for a few minutes, looking at medieval buildings and fortress walls. The carriages are closed, so tourists will not feel the cold, but they will be able to fully appreciate the beauty of the historical part of Tallinn and will regret that twenty minutes of this walk will fly by almost instantly.
Many observation platforms in the city also operate in winter time, so don't miss the chance to see how the white blanket covers the medieval streets and houses. If you are lucky enough to take a couple of similar photos, then you can safely exhibit them in competitions.
In winter, it always delights city guests with an exhibition dedicated to scientific and technological progress. It is interactive, which makes it even more interesting and unusual.
It's hard to imagine a picture of winter European city without open skating rink. Tallinn also has it, usually it is poured on Harju Street. On the territory of the skating rink there is a small cozy cafe where it is nice to have a snack after a fun and active pastime. All necessary equipment can be rented, and a storage room is available for personal items. The skating rink looks especially solemn in the evening, when it is illuminated from almost all sides.
In the last month of winter, a festival is held in Tallinn extreme species sports The performances of athletes and amateurs evoke an enthusiastic reaction from the audience.
New Year in Tallinn
Many people strive to visit the Estonian capital during the winter holidays. Where to go in Tallinn New Year? Let's find out.
The most important city events during the winter holidays take place on Town Hall Square. It is here that the main Christmas tree of the city is placed, decorated and illuminated with numerous lanterns and garlands. Before Christmas, a festive fair opens on the square, where you can buy gifts for yourself and all your loved ones. You will definitely meet Santa Claus near the Christmas tree; he warmly welcomes all guests of the city. After shopping, it’s nice to have a snack in a cafe almost next to the Christmas tree. In winter, smiling waiters will offer you aromatic mulled wine and hearty food that will not let you freeze.
During the winter holidays, trails open on the Singing Field where skiers and snowboarders can try their hand. All equipment is rented here, and the cost of skiing does not exceed five euros.
Guests of the city who are wondering where to go in Tallinn during the Christmas and New Year weeks will forever remember the organ music concert in the Dome Cathedral. These evenings are traditional for holidays and always attract a lot of spectators.
Winter tale for children
Parents often take their children with them on trips during the Christmas holidays. In this regard, adults have to carefully plan their trip and find out information in advance about where to go in Tallinn with a child in winter. And we, for our part, will tell you a couple of places where it will be interesting to spend time for both adults and their offspring.
The youngest travelers should take them to Nuku; it is located in the Old Town and has the largest collection of theatrical puppets in all of Europe. During the excursion, children will be able to see how dolls come to life in tandem with an actor. And the bravest kids, who are not afraid of the basement, will appreciate the collection of scary dolls, which in performances depict villains and all sorts of evil spirits.
The Marzipan Museum is a dream for a little person with a sweet tooth. It is located in a famous confectionery shop, where children have the opportunity to see how professionals turn a small piece of marzipan into fabulous and colorful figures. Particularly active children will even be able to take part in a master class and create something unusual and tasty with their own hands.
Be sure to take your child to Skypark, which is the largest trampoline center in the world. Children of any age will find something to do here, and parents will have a chance to take a break in the cafe.
If you are planning a trip at another time of the year, then we will tell you where you can go in Tallinn to make the trip memorable for children too.
What else can you show children in Tallinn?
Most often people go on a trip with a child in the spring or summer, so it is during this period that the capital of Estonia is filled with children of different ages walking around the city with their parents. They do not always enjoy visiting historical sights, so think in advance about where to go in Tallinn with your child.
The zoo is a place where children will always be interested. In the summer season it is open until nine o'clock in the evening, which allows you to spend the whole day on its territory. Be aware that the area is always busy, so be prepared for crowds around the enclosures of everyone's favorite elephants and crocodiles.
If your baby is inquisitive, then be sure to spend time on a trip to the port sea ships. This museum is incredibly interesting inside and out. It is located near the pier where it is moored a large number of sea vessels. You can look at them endlessly, but save your energy for a tour of the museum itself, which is a huge hangars where seaplanes are located. All of them are being reconstructed, so children can learn everything about shipbuilding first hand. It also contains exhibits telling about sea vessels, their history and even military gadgets. The museum’s special pride is a submarine from the beginning of the last century; you can go down into it and inspect all the compartments.
If all of the above is not enough for you and you are still puzzled by the question “where to go in Tallinn with a child,” then consider the option of taking an excursion to the Kiek-in-de-Kek tower. The exhibition itself will not be particularly interesting for children, but by appointment you can go on a special excursion to the dungeons of the medieval tower, where there is a real labyrinth of passages and galleries.
Gastronomic guide to Tallinn
Tourists always want to know places where they can have a tasty and inexpensive meal. After all, on the one hand, this information significantly saves the budget, and on the other hand, it reveals the national flavor, which is important to experience on any trip. So where can you go to eat in Tallinn? We have prepared for you a list of places where you will be pleased to have lunch or dinner:
- Vanaema juures. This is a national cuisine restaurant located at Rataskaevu 10/12. Here you will be offered the most delicate potato casserole and stewed cabbage, which Estonians love so much. The average bill for a two-course dinner, dessert and drink usually does not exceed twenty euros.
- Mekk. This establishment is a godsend for those who crave something unusual. After all, the local chef gives preference to seasonal cuisine, so in the summer there are many dishes made from vegetables, and in the fall - from mushrooms and berries. Mekk is especially famous for its desserts; cakes with various fillings receive many rave reviews. The average bill fluctuates around thirty euros.
- Glad Estlander. Here you will be offered real medieval dishes, their recipes came to modern Tallinnians from their ancestors. Most dishes are cooked over an open fire, so they have a unique taste. Meat prepared in this way acquires a particularly unusual aroma.
- "Compressor". This pancake shop is suitable for those who want a tasty, satisfying and quick meal. An excellent three-course meal will cost you only fourteen euros.
Of course, these are not all catering establishments in the Estonian capital. Perhaps during your trip you will discover new cafes worthy of recommendation to other tourists traveling to Tallinn.
What to see and where to go: a few more words about the capital of Estonia
There is one amazing street in the Old Town that we couldn’t help but mention in our article. It is called Long, or Pikk, and it is on it that a lot of attractions are located. For example, the building, which has the telling name “At the Dragon’s,” amazes the imagination with its monsters spread across the façade. It was built more than a hundred years ago and still attracts the attention of tourists.
This is also where the best establishment catering in the Old Town, where all guests of the Estonian capital, without exception, try to visit - "Vinoteka". On Pikk Street in Tallinn, there is no need to think about where to go. At every step there are architectural and cultural monuments that you want to carefully examine and capture in photos. It’s interesting that almost all the tasks on this street are covered in ancient legends. This gives them a special flavor and charm. You should definitely pay attention to the house of the Brotherhood of Blackheads, and the main building of the Russian Embassy, the facade of which is decorated with masks and intricate figures.
Amazing city
It is impossible to get to know Tallinn well even after several trips, because every time tourists see the same city, but generously seasoned with new colors, smells, sounds and legends. Like a delicious dish, you want to try it again and again, enjoying a wonderful journey through fabulous Tallinn.