Are you planning to visit Tallinn on your next trip? In our Tallinn travel guide, you will find everything you need to know about Estonia’s capital. The first time we visited this city was thanks to Visit Estonia, the Estonian Tourist Board. Honestly, we didn’t know anything and we weren’t really expecting much about this place. So, we have been surprised by everything we have found! Tallinn is a perfect mix of modernity, history and creativity at the same time. This city has now become one of our favorite cities in Europe! Keep reading this guide for things to do and see, tips on accommodation, where to eat and more.
Where is Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital of Estonia. Located in the northern part of Estonia on the Gulf of Finland, it has a population of more than 400,000 people. Tallinn has regular routes to cities such as Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Stockholm.
How to get to Tallinn
The fastest way to get to Tallinn is by plane. In fact, there are many flights (Ryanair, LOT, Air Baltic, Lufthansa …) that connect Tallinn to the main European cities.
Tallinn’s small airport is modern, functional and only a few kilometers away from the city center. From the airport, you can take a cab to reach any city destination. Besides, a cheaper alternative to get around is with Uber or Yander.taxi to catch a ride. The airport is also connected to the Old Town by a bus service.
Another way to get to Tallinn is by ferry. There are daily routes every hour connecting Tallinn with Helsinki. In fact, the two Baltic capitals are just 51 miles away, a two-hour ferry trip. The price of a one-way ticket is around €20.
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How many days do you need to visit Tallinn?
In our opinion, 3-4 days may be enough to visit the city. Indeed, Tallinn is not that big. In addition, most of the attractions and viewpoints are conveniently massed in the city centre. Therefore, if you are only interested in the Old Town, a one-day trip could be enough to visit the major sights. Instead, if you have more time available you can also visit the other neighborhoods, the surrounding area and the nearby beaches.
What to do and see in Tallinn
Tallinn is a beautiful city, an extraordinary mix of modern and old, which you could visit at any time during the year and is extremely photogenic. Moreover, this city is full of scenic viewing points, colorful streets, quirky cafes, beautiful doors and long stories to tell.
During your visits, you can use the Tallinn Card which offers you free admissions to museums, one free sightseeing tour of your choice, free use of public transport and more. This overview will give you a mix of highlights and top historical spots, however, if you want the complete list head to Best things to see and do in Tallinn.
In addition, here is a list of the most insta-worthy photographic spots in Tallinn. So if you are interested, don’t miss this post!
Raekoja Plats, the Old Town square
Located in the Old Town, the heart of Tallinn, this old square is the perfect place to start your visit. Raekoja Plats is surrounded by small cobbled streets, with local restaurants and shops. In addition, the entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most important building in the square is the impressive Gothic Town Hall. You will also find an ancient pharmacy and pastel-coloured houses. Moreover, at Christmas, this old square is filled with typical markets and a beautiful Christmas tree.
Tallinn view platforms
Tallinn boasts stunning viewing platforms with incredible views of the Old Town. Most of these lookout points are free and often crowded especially during sunset. One of our favorites is Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform, located in the Toompea part of the city. This place is also famous for the catchy quote “the times we had” on the wall. Plus, it’s only a few steps away from Patkuli Viewing Platform, one of our favorite places in Tallinn. In fact, in this place, we felt like we were in a Disney movie when we saw the castle towers, the church spires and the Gulf of Finland in the backdrop.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an Orthodox cathedral situated up on Toompea Hill. With its onion-domed structure, this cathedral is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. It was completed in 1900 by the architect Mikhail Preobrazhensky and dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky. In addition, the cathedral boasts 11 bells, including Tallinn’s largest 15-ton bell, icons and various mosaics inside.
Where to eat and drink in Tallinn – Our selection
The restaurants and more generally the food in Tallinn is delicious. We have tried various restaurants in the city and tasted different foods. So this is our list of must-try restaurants. Moreover, if you want the complete list don’t miss The Best Places To Eat In Tallinn – Tallinn Food Guide.
Farm Restaurant
The first restaurant we tried in town. It offers modern Estonian cuisine and its dishes are truly delicious. In addition, its location is in the heart of the Old Town and it’s possible to book online through their official website. The stick ice cream made of spiced baltic sprats is a really good appetizer for your lunch/dinner.
Address: Müürivahe 27B, Tallinn, Estonia 10140
Vegan Restoran V
This restaurant was the first vegan restaurant in Estonia. It’s 100% vegan meaning everything is free from dairy, egg and meat. A paradise for vegans but not only! In addition, it’s usually crowded, as a result we recommend that you reserve your table in advance.
Address: Vegan Restoran V / Rataskaevu 12, Tallinn
Rataskaevu 16
Just a few steps from Vegan V, this restaurant is located in the Old Town. Rataskaevu 16 boasts more than 7000 reviews on TripAdvisor and with good reason. Besides, they have the best black bread ever eaten, real goodness! Therefore, it’s not easy to find a table, so you need to book in advance.
Address: Rataskaevu 16, 10123 Tallinn, Estonia
Where to stay in Tallinn
The Old Town is one of the best choices for accommodation in Tallinn. In fact, all the main attractions are located in this area. However, Tallinn is a very compact city, so it is not difficult to walk through the neighborhoods. We can recommend some of the best city center apartments on Airbnb. In addition, there are also nice hotels in Tallinn. The Schlössle Hotel, the Radisson Blu Sky Hotel, and the Hotel Telegraaf are among the best options.
- Super Old Town Apartment With Sauna
- Nuns Tower Studio Apt with Fireplace
- Rotermann City center apartment with ROOF TERRACE
If you haven’t found your accommodation in Tallinn yet, take a look below and find the best solution for your needs.
Even more useful tips for visiting Tallinn
The euro is the official currency in Tallinn and Estonia. You don’t need a lot of cash as credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
The best time to visit this city is from May to September when the weather is warmer. For this reason, expect more tourists and tours also thanks to the daily cruises. However, Tallinn is also very fascinating in winter, especially at Christmas with all its typical markets. If you plan to visit this city in winter, bring warm clothes because the temperatures are usually low (between 0°C and -7°C).
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So if you’re heading to Tallinn, check out our other posts on this charming Baltic capital.
