Tallinn, cosa vedere nella perla del Mar Baltico

Tallinn, capital of Estonia, is a medieval city perhaps small in size, but great in potential: ancient buildings and evocative colors make it one of the favorite destinations for tourists. Here is a guide to help you best organize your trip to Tallinn: what to see, how to get around, where to sleep, and what to eat.

What to visit in Tallinn: places of interest in the Estonian capital

The city of Tallinn, Estonia, is not very large and, armed with comfortable shoes, you can visit it on foot in one day. Yes, if you are wondering how to get around Tallinn to fully enjoy its beauties, we recommend doing so 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 can be explored on foot. 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 living in this city, which hosts the Tallinn University, the third university of Estonia.

2 Town Hall of Tallinn

Located in Town Hall Square, it is the only example of a Gothic-style town hall in Northern Europe. Unique in its kind for its 64-meter-tall bell tower. Reaching the top will cost you some effort – a climb of 115 steps – but we can assure you it will be truly worth it: a breathtaking 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 St. Catherine’s Passage, under the medieval arches in the old town. Vene Street is certainly one of the things to see in Tallinn.

4 Church of St. Olaf

The Church of Olaf is one of the oldest buildings constructed in Tallinn. It is a Gothic church particularly known for its bell tower standing at 124 meters tall: indeed, it is among the tallest buildings in all of Europe.

5 Church of the Holy Spirit

On your tour of Tallinn, you should stop at the Church of the Holy Spirit to admire its Baroque-style interiors, the Renaissance pulpit, and above all the famous clock painted on the façade, 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 that was once the residence of the Tsar. Today, it houses the Estonian National Art Museum, and the palace and its gardens are one of the highlights on your “Things to do in Tallinn” list.

8 Museums of Tallinn

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 a bus or a taxi. Currently, Tallinn does not have a railway or metro service that connects with the airport.

10 What to eat in Tallinn

There are many restaurants in Tallinn where to eat typical cuisine. Don’t miss the chance to try dishes based on marinated eel, sult boiled pork, and leib, the typical black bread of Estonia.

11 Where to sleep in Tallinn

The costs for a stay in Tallinn are slightly higher compared to other Baltic capitals, 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, for restaurants and bars.