Tallinn is the medieval, vibrant, capital city of Estonia and is bursting with history, culture and wonderful things to do and see. Brad and I had the chance to explore Tallinn with Visit Estonia and we quickly fell in love with this beautiful city.
So, if you need inspiration on what to do in Tallinn, then read on for my full guide on the best things to do in Tallinn.
What I REALLY love about Tallinn, is that the majority of all the best tourist attractions are located in the Old Town (or close to it) which means it’s easy to access all the best places to visit in Tallinn by walking.
Brad and I spent a full day seeing all the best sights in the Old Town and we didn’t need anything other than our 2 feet!
Like many other places in Europe, we found that autumn was a wonderful time to visit Tallinn.
It’s still quite busy following the summer tourists, but the autumn colours are in full bloom and Estonia in autumn is an amazing scene. With what resembles Indian spices in orange, red and yellows, it’s the perfect backdrop to the city attractions.
However, I’ve heard great things about Tallinn during winter and the Christmas season, so I think that would be a great time to visit too.
Since Tallinn is the capital city, it’s super easy to fly here! You can get cheap flights across mainland Europe, and you can visit from international destinations too. I suggest you use Skyscanner to find the best deals on flights to Tallinn.
Or, you can do what Bradley and I did and road trip to Tallinn. Estonia is a small but mighty country with beautiful sights to see.
We picked our Tinggly campervan from Lithuania and travelled north to Estonia through the Baltics.
Or, if you're coming from the north, you can get the direct Helsinki to Tallinn ferry. We did this the other way around and it's very straightforward.
Tallinn really is one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe, and is the perfect place for a city break. So I suggest you spend at least 3 nights there! You could spend more, but no less or you’ll miss out on all the best things to do in Tallinn.
If you fancy exploring more of what Estonia has to offer in general, then it’s a great idea to rent a car for a couple of days. After you’re done exploring all the best tourist attractions in Tallinn, head out and explore the country!
Tartu is another great Estonian city that is worth visiting.
If you decide to rent a car and explore the surrounding areas of Tallinn, then I recommend you check out Jagala Waterfall.
It’s Estonia's highest natural waterfall and it actually looks pretty cool. It’s only about 30 minutes outside the city centre of Tallinn, but it’s worth it to drive on the Estonian roads lined with beautiful Autumn colours. This waterfall can also freeze and a frozen waterfall looks super cool (if you haven’t seen one before).
One of the more unique things to do in Estonia, but worth it if you’re there for a few days!
This is one of my favourite spots in all of Tallinn because this cathedral is a work of art, both inside and out! It’s easy to find and it’s free entry.
You can get a good shot of this cathedral from every angle, but give yourself time to really appreciate the beautiful architecture on show.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is open all year round, Monday to Sunday. Opening hours are typically 7 am/8 am to 6 pm/7 pm and differ depending on the day.
The cathedral's viewing platform is only open from April/May to September.
If you're short of time, you can always view the cathedral from outside along with other iconic attractions on this Old Town walking tour.
The tour lasts for around 2 hours and you'll be immersed in the area's culture and history.
This Art Museum is just as famous for its outside as well as inside! This spot is a real treat in the summer when the gardens are in full bloom with beautiful colours. It’s a restored palace that houses some brilliant art, and it was built when Estonia was part of Russia.
You can easily access the area by walking from the Old Town (which will take about 35 minutes), or you can opt for public transport to get you there.
The Kadriorg Art Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday. Opening hours are as follows; Tuesday (10 am to 6 pm), Wednesday (10 am to 8 pm), and Thursday to Sunday (10 am to 6 pm).
The entrance fee is €12 for adults but family tickets are also available.
Toompea Castle is worth visiting and it’s very beautiful. But it’s no longer a castle as such, as it’s used as the Estonian Parliament (pretty cool spot for a government).
Free tours can be arranged in advance, and you can watch sessions of parliament from the public gallery if you’re interested to see how the government works!
These tours take place Monday to Friday and last for around 45 minutes.
The Old Town of Tallinn is bursting with amazing places to eat. When we were walking around, we were spoilt for choice and couldn’t decide on where to dine.
There are lots of options of authentic Estonian food, which is actually a blend of different foods into one!
We ended up eating in a restaurant that was located in a cellar. It was called Munga Kelder and it was awesome. The vibe was amazing, the food was reasonably priced and tasted great!
Another popular place to eat in Estonia is Olde Hansa which is quite expensive, but you’re paying for the experience too, so if you want medieval dining, then I suggest you head there!
Feeling really hungry? Then why not indulge in an Estonian food tour?
The Danish King's Garden is one of the weird, yet wonderful sights in Tallinn. The area is the birthplace of the Danish flag. The garden remains an area where locals honour the role Denmark played in Estonia's history.
There are spooky looking monks dotted over the place too, and if you’ve seen Harry Potter, you’ll see a resemblance to the dementors.
It’s a totally free area to explore too, so again, a great spot for those looking for the best places to visit in Tallinn on a budget!
The Danish King's Garden is open 24/7.
This has to be one of the most picturesque spots in all of Tallinn! This winding road is half hidden walkway that leads to what was once St Catherine's church.
There is a collection of workshops located in the area, but the ambience of the passage is what you really seek. You’ll feel it as you walk through, trust me!
If you’re looking for an awesome “Instagram Worthy” spot, then this is one of the best places to visit in Tallinn.
Viru Gate feels like the grand entrance into the Old Town and it’s a really cute spot because it’s lined by florists.
Brad bought me a red rose and that made my day! I don’t think it’s very expensive, so you can delight your partner with a rose too by the gate if you wish :P
This is a good time to mention that Tallinn is a great spot for couples, as there is a very romantic vibe about the place.
Considered one of the symbols of Tallinn, this iconic church is very beautiful and a great picture spot.
You can actually check out the amazing view from the top via 232 steps to the observation platform (there's a €5 fee).
St Olaf's Church is open from April 8th to October 31st, Monday to Sunday (10 am to 6 pm) with the viewing platform only being open during the summer months.
You can take a walking tour of Tallinn if you’d like to learn more about the history of the sights you’re seeing, with this Old Town walking tour being a popular option!
The tour only lasts for 1.5 hours making it a great option for those who are short of time and you'll visit some of the city's hidden gems.
This was a super unique experience and something I was looking forward to seeing. I’ve studied the KGB extensively in my history lessons in high school and in university and I was intrigued to learn more about the tragic ongoings of the KGB Prison Cells.
These are the actual prison cells, which is a harrowing, harsh reality as you walk through.
It’s not a very big museum as such, but it’s more than enough to show you what it was like to be a prisoner during those times- horrific. Each exhibition is in an old cell and it was a truly insightful experience -I think you should visit!
One of the top things to do in Tallinn for sure!
The KGB Prison Cells are open Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm. A standard ticket costs €9 for adults.
The oldest parts of the walls of Tallinn were actually built in the 13th century, which means they have a long history!
For just a couple of euro (€4 per person), you can climb up the walls and walk along them in one section.
It’s a short tour, but it does give some beautiful views and you'll learn a little bit about the history of the walls.
Opening hours for the city walls depend on the time of year, but they are primarily open 11 am to 5 pm/6 pm.
However, the walls are closed on certain days throughout the year (although they are always open during the weekend) so ensure you check this in advance.
So this was one of the first things Brad and I checked out when we got to Tallinn, but we didn’t get past the door.
Basically, we didn’t realise you can only access via guided tour, and when we visited, the next guided tour in English wasn’t until 3 hours away. We had our day planned meticulously, so we couldn't fit it in.
But, I think this is an excellent spot. It’s located in the Hotel Viru and I believe it’s the only hotel that holds a museum. You’ll get an insight into the KGB history, and of course the role that this hotel played in all that.
Just book your tickets in advance as it was super busy when we arrived! Tours typically run Monday to Sunday, with 3-5 tours running every day.
Definitely one of the more unique Tallinn tourist attractions on offer!
Tallinn TV tower is located outside the main area of the city, so it’s not really walking distance. It’s northern Europe's highest viewing tower and on a clear day, you’ll be treated to some awesome views!
You can actually “walk on the edge” of this TV tower if you’re feeling brave enough and looking for something truly unique to do in Tallinn. Tickets cost €41 per person or there's a group experience ticket available.
Or, you can dine at their restaurant which boasts amazing views (I’m not surprised!). Here, you can indulge in Estonian cuisine from the A`la carte menu.
Those just wanting to visit Tallinn TV Tower can do so for €18 per person (€10 in the evening) - You can purchase a fast-track ticket on GetYourGuide.
The tower is open Monday to Sunday (10 am to 6 pm/7 pm) but the restaurant is open until 10 pm from Thursday to Sunday.
You can purchase a fast track ticket right here!
This is one of the spots Brad and I didn’t go to, but I think it's worth mentioning.
Telliskivi Creative City is the largest creative hub in all of Estonia, consisting of creative companies, studios and offices of NGOs.
Basically it’s a buzzing place and it hosts over 600 events that take place. There's lots of street art, unique eating spots and photo galleries here, making it a great place to spend an afternoon.
Telliskivi Creative City is open year-round, Monday to Sunday. Opening hours are typically 11 am to 7 pm on weekdays, and 11 am to 5 pm on the weekend.
The Old Town of Tallinn is filled with cobbled streets and corners where you’ll find cute cafes, delicious eateries and cute souvenir shops. I suggest you just wander around without a map and just see what you discover.
I ended up going into a cute shop located underground and wanted to buy everything in there! In the end I just got a shot glass for my collection, but there are lots of gifts you could bring back to family and friends.
If you don't want to explore solo, then this private walking tour is a great alternative!
The tours range for 2-6 hours, making it a popular option as you can decide on the length. Not only will you visit iconic attractions, but you'll get a local insight in into the Old Town as well as some top tips from your guide (including some fantastic places to eat).
Not overly, for a capital city, I think it’s quite well priced, however in comparison to the rest of Estonia, the prices in Tallinn are higher. But it’s far cheaper than most European capital cities and it’s great value for money.
But, if you're looking for ways to visit Tallinn on a budget, then I suggest you eat outside of the Old Town. You’ll find better deals.
Like I mentioned before, one of the great things about Tallinn, Estonia, is the fact that most of the best sites in Tallinn are within walking distance from any accommodation located in/near the Old Town.
However, another option is to use the classic sightseeing Hop on Hop off bus. It’ll take you to the best things to do in Tallinn and you can hop on and off as you need too.
You can book your ticket ahead of time here too!
CityBee is also an electric scooter rental company and you can download the app and pick up a scooter and take it for as long as you need, then simply leave it within the Old Town for the next person to pick up. We used them in Lithuania, and it’s a brilliant way to sightsee, so using it in Tallinn is a great idea too.
So there you have it! My guide to the top things to do in Tallinn.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and I hope it’s inspired you to do all these amazing things in Tallinn! If you’ve got any other suggestions to add to the list of Tallinn attractions, then simply drop a comment below.
A big thank you to VisitEstonia for hosting us for our stay in Tallinn at their StoryTellers Nest!
For more help planning your trip in Estonia, check out our other guides:
Leave a comment
Let us know what you think!