Tallinn, capital of Estonia, is a medieval city perhaps small in size, but great in potential: ancient buildings and suggestive colors make it one of the favored destinations for tourists. Here is a guide that can help you organize your trip to Tallinn: what to see, how to get around, where to stay, and what to eat.
- What to visit in Tallinn: places of interest in the Estonian capital
- 1 Old Town
- 2 City Hall of Tallinn
- 3 Vene Street
- 4 St. Olaf’s Church
- 5 Church of the Holy Spirit
- 6 Convent of Saint Bridget
- 7 Kadriorg Palace
- 8 Tallinn Museums
- Tallinn in a nutshell: how to get there, where to stay, what to eat
- 9 How to get to Tallinn
- 10 What to eat in Tallinn
- 11 Where to stay in Tallinn
What to visit in Tallinn: places of interest in the Estonian capital
The city of Tallinn, Estonia, is not very large and, by equipping yourself with comfortable shoes, you can visit it on foot in one day. Indeed, if you are wondering how to get around Tallinn to fully enjoy its beauties, we recommend doing it on foot. This guide will help you understand what to see in Tallinn and what to do during your stay.
1 Old Town
The Old Town is the oldest part of Tallinn and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also known as the Upper Town, it represents the most characteristic area of Tallinn. Being mostly closed to traffic, it is walkable. In our list “What to visit in Tallinn” it is definitely in first place. It is precisely in this area that you can find the nightlife of Tallinn, also thanks to the large number of students who live in this city, which hosts Tallinn University, the third university in Estonia.
2 City Hall of Tallinn
Located in the Town Hall Square, it is the only example of a Gothic-style city hall in Northern Europe. Unique in its kind for its 64-meter-high bell tower. Reaching the top will cost you a bit of effort – a climb of 115 steps – but we can assure you it will be well worth it: an amazing view of the city awaits you!
3 Vene Street
Vene Street is the most unique street in Tallinn and is famous for having been the street of Russian merchants in the past. It will be fascinating to watch the artisans working along the St. Catherine’s Passage, under the medieval arches in the historic center. Vene Street is certainly one of the things to see in Tallinn.
4 St. Olaf’s Church
St. Olaf’s Church is one of the first buildings constructed in Tallinn. It is a Gothic church particularly known for its bell tower, which is as tall as 124 meters: it is, in fact, one of the tallest buildings in all of Europe.
5 Church of the Holy Spirit
On your tour of Tallinn, you must stop at the Church of the Holy Spirit to admire its Baroque-style interiors, the Renaissance pulpit, and especially the famous clock painted on the facade, considered one of the oldest in Estonia.
6 Convent of Saint Bridget
Convent of Saint Bridget: these are the remains of an ancient convent. We recommend visiting it at sunset to be able to take beautiful photos.
7 Kadriorg Palace
Kadriorg Palace is a magnificent baroque-style palace, once the Tsar’s residence. Today home to the Estonian National Art Museum, the palace and its gardens are one of the key highlights on your “Things to do in Tallinn” list.
8 Tallinn Museums
The Estonian capital certainly does not lack important museums. Depending on the length of your stay, you can decide which museums to visit. We recommend not missing the Applied Art and Design Museum and Rocca al Mare, an open-air museum that will captivate you.
Tallinn in a nutshell: how to get there, where to stay, what to eat
9 How to get to Tallinn
Once you arrive at Tallinn Airport, the Tallinn Airport Lennart Meri, you can reach the city center, about 4 km away, by taking the bus or a taxi. At the moment, in fact, Tallinn does not have a railway or subway service that could serve the connection to the airport.
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Tallinn Airport Lennart Meri10 What to eat in Tallinn
There are many restaurants in Tallinn where you can eat typical cuisine. Don’t miss the chance to try dishes based on marinated eel, sult boiled pork, and leib, the traditional black bread of Estonia.
11 Where to stay in Tallinn
The costs for a stay in Tallinn are slightly higher compared to other capitals of the Baltic States, but you can still find good deals by booking well in advance. When choosing your hotel in Tallinn, we definitely recommend the Old Town area, a reference point for monuments and museums and, at the same time, restaurants and venues.
