Tallinn Travel Guide

Discover the best places to visit, things to do, where to stay, and more in Tallinn, Estonia.


Introduction to Tallinn

Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, is a charming destination with a rich Old Town, baroque architecture, and picturesque landscapes. Located in North Estonia and on the coast of the Baltic Sea, Tallinn boasts a mix of modern and historical experiences that make it a fascinating place to visit.

List of Places to Visit in Tallinn

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  • Old Town: This UNESCO World Heritage site is a medieval town center with cobbled streets, Gothic architecture, and a charming atmosphere.
  • Toompea: The upper town of Tallinn features stunning views, historic buildings like the Tallinn Cathedral, and the Estonian Parliament.
  • Kiek in de Kök: An artillery tower and museum showcasing Tallinn’s military history from the 15th to the 20th century.
  • The Estonian History Museum: This interactive museum takes visitors through Estonia’s history, from ancient times to today.
  • Kumu Art Museum: Estonia’s largest art museum, featuring modern and contemporary art from Estonian artists.

Natural Attractions of Tallinn: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  • Kadriorg Park: This 70-hectare park is home to the Kadriorg Palace, numerous gardens, monuments, and art museums.
  • Pirita Beach: A sandy beach with views of Tallinn Bay.
  • Tallinn Botanic Garden: Covering over 120 hectares, this garden is home to around 8,000 different plant species.
  • Lahemaa National Park: A beautiful and diverse national park featuring forests, bogs, waterfalls, and old fishing villages along the coast.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Tallinn

  • Pirita Promenade: Along the Gulf of Finland, this paved path is perfect for a leisurely walk, jog or bike ride.
  • Kakumäe Nature Reserve: Take a hike through pine forests and sea cliffs in this stunning nature reserve.
  • Lahemaa National Park: With over 720 square kilometers of beautiful nature, this national park offers plenty of hiking and biking trails.

Best Things to Do in Tallinn: Activities and Tours

  • Tallinn Food Tour: Explore Tallinn’s gastronomic offerings with a foodie tour of the city, where visitors can try local specialties and learn about the city’s culinary history.
  • Tallinn Pub Crawl: Get to know Tallinn’s vibrant nightlife scene through this walking tour of the city’s best bars and pubs.
  • Tallinn Bike Tour: Get a unique perspective of the city while cycling through Old Town, the beach, and the parks.

Week-Long Itinerary for Tallinn

Day Activity
1 Explore Old Town, Toompea, and the Tallinn Cathedral.
2 Take a stroll in Kadriorg Park, visit the Palace, and the Kumu Art Museum.
3 Discover Tallinn’s maritime history at the Seaplane Harbor Museum and enjoy a seafood dinner at the nearby Pakri Brewery.
4 Spend the day hiking in Lahemaa National Park and explore the nearby fishing village of Käsmu.
5 Take a trip to the island of Saaremaa for a day of relaxation and exploring the Seaside Spa.
6 Experience Soviet history at the Patarei Prison Museum and finish the day at a unique underground bar in the city.
7 Shop for souvenirs at the Telliskivi Creative City and enjoy a farewell dinner at one of Tallinn’s Michelin-star restaurants.

Food and Drink Scene of Tallinn

Must-Try Dishes

  • Black bread: A staple of Estonian cuisine, this bread is made with rye flour and molasses, giving it a rich flavor.
  • Kama: A traditional Estonian dessert, made with flour, peas, and barley. It’s usually mixed with sour cream or kefir.
  • Blood sausage: A traditional Estonian sausage, made with pork blood, barley, and onions. It’s often served with lingonberry jam.
  • Vana Tallinn: A sweet liqueur made from rum, vanilla, and cinnamon. It’s the perfect way to finish a meal in Tallinn.

Local Beverages

  • Beer: Estonians love their beer, and Tallinn has several fantastic breweries, including Põhjala, Õllenaut, and Pühaste.
  • Kali: A non-alcoholic drink made from bread and fruit that has a slightly fermented taste. It’s a popular thirst-quencher in Tallinn.
  • Kohuke: A chocolate-covered curd snack that is perfect for a quick snack or breakfast on the go.
  • Birch juice: A refreshing drink made from birch trees, often found in markets throughout the city.

Where to Stay in Tallinn: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

  • Hestia Hotel Europa Tallinn: A modern hotel located in the heart of the city.
  • OldHouse Hostel: A budget-friendly option in the Old Town.
  • EELC Holy Spirit Parish Guesthouse: A unique guesthouse in a historic building close to many attractions.

What to Buy in Tallinn: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

  • Amber jewelry: Tallinn is known for its amber jewelry, and visitors will find plenty of shops selling it throughout the city.
  • Vana Tallinn: This sweet liqueur makes a great souvenir or gift.
  • Woollen products: Estonian wool is of high quality, and visitors can find scarves, socks, and other woollen products in the markets throughout the city.

Local Culture and Customs of Tallinn

Estonians are proud of their culture and traditions. They value punctuality, honesty, and directness. Visitors should be respectful of their customs, including removing their shoes before entering a private home.

Best Time to Visit Tallinn

The best time to visit Tallinn is during the summer months of June through August when the weather is mild and there are plenty of outdoor events and festivals to enjoy. However, winter brings a unique charm to the city, with Christmas markets and snowy landscapes.

Do’s and Don’ts of Tallinn

Do:

  • Explore Tallinn’s Old Town and Toompea.
  • Try the local cuisine and drinks.
  • Visit the outdoor markets for local produce and handmade crafts.

Don’t:

  • Forget to remove your shoes before entering someone’s home.
  • Talk loudly in public places.
  • Smoke in non-designated areas.

Safety and Health

Safety in Tallinn

Tallinn is a safe city, but visitors should take the usual precautions, including being aware of their surroundings and belongings.

Health in Tallinn

Tallinn has excellent healthcare facilities, and EU citizens are entitled to free or reduced-cost emergency care.

Getting to Tallinn: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near Tallinn

  • Tallinn Airport: The only international airport in Tallinn, serving direct flights to several major European cities.

Bus Stations Near Tallinn

-Tallinn Bus Station: The central bus station, with connections within Estonia and to neighboring countries.

Other Options

  • Ferry: Tallinn is well-connected by ferry to Helsinki, Stockholm, and St. Petersburg.

How to Get Around in Tallinn

Tallinn is a walkable city, but visitors can also use public transportation, including trams, buses, and trolleybuses. Taxis are available but can be expensive.

Where to Go Next from Tallinn: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

  • Helsinki: Only a 2-hour ferry ride away, the capital city of Finland offers a unique blend of modern and traditional Finnish culture.
  • Pärnu: Known as Estonia’s “summer capital,” Pärnu is a charming seaside town with beautiful beaches and parks.
  • Saaremaa: The largest island in Estonia, Saaremaa is a beautiful and peaceful destination with old windmills, local crafts, and spa treatments.

Conclusion

Tallinn is a fascinating destination with a unique mix of history, modern culture, and nature experiences. There’s something for everyone in this charming Estonian city, making it a must-visit destination for any traveler.

Tallinn skyline in a painting from 1816 Tallinn skyline in a painting from 1816 View from the Old Town towards the modern skyline of Tallinn View from the Old Town towards the modern skyline of Tallinn The districts of Tallinn - tourists will probably spend most of their time in ''Kesklinn'' (the city centre), which includes the Old Town The districts of Tallinn - tourists will probably spend most of their time in ''Kesklinn'' (the city centre), which includes the Old Town Tallinn's port at night Tallinn's port at night Cruise ships moored in Tallinn harbour Cruise ships moored in Tallinn harbour Boats and yachts in the Tallinn Port marina Boats and yachts in the Tallinn Port marina Tallinn Airport is a relatively small one, serving around 2 million passengers annually Tallinn Airport is a relatively small one, serving around 2 million passengers annually ''Balti Jaam'' at night ''Balti Jaam'' at night The big neon sign makes the ''Bussijaam'' easy to find at night The big neon sign makes the ''Bussijaam'' easy to find at night A tram passes by the Old Town A tram passes by the Old Town Taxis in Tallinn come in all sorts and sizes, and have no particular colour or unifying features apart from the taxi sign on the roof and the stickers on the doors Taxis in Tallinn come in all sorts and sizes, and have no particular colour or unifying features apart from the taxi sign on the roof and the stickers on the doors Traffic in Tallinn Traffic in Tallinn A bicycle trail between Stroomi beach and Rocca al Mare A bicycle trail between Stroomi beach and Rocca al Mare Toompea hill seen from the tower of St. Olof's church Toompea hill seen from the tower of St. Olof's church Toompea Castle in wintertime Toompea Castle in wintertime Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Alexander Nevsky Cathedral The Viru Gate The Viru Gate The Town Hall The Town Hall St. Nicholas Church St. Nicholas Church The city wall The city wall Rottermann Quarter Rottermann Quarter Linnahall Linnahall Kadriorg palace and park Kadriorg palace and park The KUMU The KUMU The Botanical Gardens seen from the TV Tower The Botanical Gardens seen from the TV Tower One of the wooden houses of Kalamaja One of the wooden houses of Kalamaja Inside the Seaplane Harbour hangars Inside the Seaplane Harbour hangars At the Estonian Open Air Museum At the Estonian Open Air Museum A beach on the Baltic Sea shore. A beach on the Baltic Sea shore. Estonian Song and Dance Celebration in 2009 ''Photo: Egon Tintse'' Estonian Song and Dance Celebration in 2009 ''Photo: Egon Tintse'' Saku suurhall Saku suurhall Freedom Square Freedom Square Viru Keskus Viru Keskus Stockmann Stockmann Christmas market in December 2010 Christmas market in December 2010 Sadama Turg is conveniently located near the ferry terminals. Sadama Turg is conveniently located near the ferry terminals. Restaurants and cafes on Raekoja plats Restaurants and cafes on Raekoja plats Old Europe meets New Globalisation Old Europe meets New Globalisation Maiasmokk Maiasmokk Lamb Rogan Josh at restaurant Guru. Lamb Rogan Josh at restaurant Guru. Kohvik Moon Kohvik Moon ''Vanaema Juures'', a typical Old Town cellar restaurant ''Vanaema Juures'', a typical Old Town cellar restaurant Vanaturu Kael street in the Old Town Vanaturu Kael street in the Old Town Fire dancer in Tallinn Fire dancer in Tallinn Hell Hunt is easily identifiable by its wall sign. Hell Hunt is easily identifiable by its wall sign. Freedom square at night Freedom square at night Some of the beers available at 100 õlle koht. Some of the beers available at 100 õlle koht. Club Hollywood. Club Hollywood. Hotel Euroopa seen from the Marina of the Port of Tallinn Hotel Euroopa seen from the Marina of the Port of Tallinn View of downtown Tallinn at night, including the Swissotel and Radisson towers View of downtown Tallinn at night, including the Swissotel and Radisson towers Old Town Walls Old Town Walls Pikk Hermann (Tall Hermann) tower and the Estonian Parliament building (Riigikogu) Pikk Hermann (Tall Hermann) tower and the Estonian Parliament building (Riigikogu)