Things to do in Tallinn
The complete guide to the capital of Estonia
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is a small but innovative city. While lots of visitors include Tallinn in their Baltic countries itinerary, the truth is that it could also be a standalone destination. The city is definitely not the most vibrant capital you’ve seen in Europe, but that’s not why you are here. Tallinn has a different set of experiences, and in this travel guide, I’ll try to cover some of them. Apart from mentioning the best things to do in Tallinn, I’ll also include the places I visited, plus tips on how to budget and where to eat.
As always, I’ll keep this travel guide to Tallinn strictly informative. For more photos and impressions from my visit, please see my travelogue from Tallinn. So, let’s start with the best things to do in Tallinn.
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[tab title="How to go" icon="icon-entypo-info"]There are several ways to reach Tallinn, the easiest of them is definitely by airplane. Tallinn’s International Airport receives quite some traffic. Therefore you won’t have a problem flying to Tallinn from any capital in continental Europe. On the other hand, if you are in Helsinki and thinking of visiting Tallinn, consider taking the catamaran for a daily excursion. Traveling time is 90 minutes, and Helsinki deserves a visit.
I flew directly from Berlin to Tallinn in late November, and a return flight cost me 87 euros. November is not high season for visiting Tallinn, and it can be gloomy. However, I don’t regret spending some days in Tallinn. You can check the best prices for flights to Tallinn here.
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[tab title="Where to stay" icon="icon-entypo-info"]As you might have read in other posts, I always prefer staying as close to the city center as possible. Tallinn was no exception, and I focused on staying somewhere in the medieval Old Town. There is a plethora of accommodation in the Old Town obviously, therefore everything is a matter of budget. I chose the Hotel Hestia Maestro, where a double room costs 45 euros (late November 2018), breakfast included.
I was overall satisfied with my choice, but I can’t say I went crazy. The rooms are really big, and even the standard rooms are more than 20sq.m. However, the interiors feel old and dated. I don’t really like seeing wallpapers, so this didn’t make me happy either. Last but not least, the wi-fi is not very reliable, and the breakfast is average, with a very small selection. One can call the breakfast adequate but nothing more than that. The biggest plus of the hotel, though, is definitely its location. You are literally in the very middle of the city, close to loads of restaurants and bars. Even when you are tired, you will always find a place to eat or drink within fifty meters.
As I said, I didn’t go crazy with the hotel itself, but if I had to revisit Tallinn, I would probably stay in the same hotel. For this price, I doubt I could find a room of this size, in the same area, and including breakfast.
For all other options, please check here or use the interactive map below.
Booking.com
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[tab title="Where to eat and drink" icon="icon-entypo-info"]Tallinn has less than half a million inhabitants, but your options are more than enough. Here’s what I tried:
- Rataskaevu 16. I can’t recommend this restaurant enough! This is one of the best places to eat in Tallinn -if not the very best. The atmosphere is magnificent, the service outstanding, and the food delicious. Be prepared to spend some extra cash, but it totally deserves it. For the record, I ordered the goat cheese in the oven, the chicken breast, and the amazing cheesecake with blue cheese. Together with a glass of red wine, I paid 32 euros. A bit pricey, true, but this is a meal to remember. Rataskaevu 16 became overnight one of my favorite restaurants in Europe.
- Kompressor. Best pancakes in the city at a super reasonable price. With a maximum of 5 euros, you can order a portion that will definitely be enough for your lunch or dinner. A wide selection of sweet and salty pancakes. Self-service. Check the Kompressor here.
- Caffeine. A nice coffee shop in the center of Old Town. They offer cakes and sandwiches, and the coffee is good. My option for a quick lunch break.
- Galaktika Parim. A burger joint in the heart of the Old Town. It stays open until late, so this is a place to get some food if everything is shut. Decent burgers, craft beer, a pleasant atmosphere, and some football on the TV.
- Ancho. Decent Mexican food in the heart of the Old Town. Friendly service, moderate prices.[/tab]
[tab title="Sightseeing" icon="icon-entypo-info"]Apparently, one of the top things to do in Tallinn is to stroll around the medieval Old Town. The architecture is extremely well-preserved and, therefore, unbeatable. You will come across the Town Hall Square several times during your stay, so make sure to follow every time a different road away from it. It’s not exactly a maze of streets, but you can definitely walk the medieval Old Town a couple of times and explore its variety. The historic center of Tallinn is a fine example of a medieval northern European trading city, dating back to the 13th century. And, of course, it’s a Unesco World Heritage site.
The Toompea Loss is also a must-see. It’s Tallinn’s castle, and it’s located on the top of a small hill. There you can admire the eye-catching Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Wandering around this part of the castle will bring you to a couple of viewpoints. On a clear day, you will enjoy some amazing views of the city. Spend some time and enjoy Tallinn from above. On the other hand, if you don’t want to do everything on your own, consider booking a walking tour. Several tour operators will walk you around the top attractions of Tallinn. One of the best walking tours in Tallinn is this one, and you’ll see all the places mentioned above in 90 minutes.
Tallinn is the home of two fascinating museums. The first one is Kumu, the art museum of the city, and I encourage you to visit it. Apart from the impressive architecture of the building, the Kumu Art Museum hosts carefully curated exhibitions that bring together historical aspects and contemporary Estonian art. You can combine the Kumu Museum with a visit to the nearby Kadriorg Park, a perfect place for an afternoon stroll. The second one ( which I also highly recommend) is the Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour, an exciting maritime museum. The location is prime, straight at sea, and you will also see the authentic submarine Lembit from the 1930s, the century-old steam-powered icebreaker Suur Tõll, a Short 184 seaplane, mines, cannons, and lots of interesting exhibits.
From the Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour, you will also have the chance to visit the nearby neighborhood of Kalamaja, one of the most laid-back areas of Tallinn. I did visit these three places in one day, and it must say that they were among my favorites things to do in Tallinn because I somehow had the chance to understand better the city.
Last but least, Tallinn is home to the Telliskivi Creative City. Located in a former industrial complex close to Kalamaja, that’s where the creative heart of Tallinn beats. Telliskivi Creative City is the largest creative center in the country, and there you’ll find studios and creative companies. Apart from that, the designer stores and studios give the place a colorful touch. You can easily spend some relaxed hours at Telliskivi and get a better impression of how and why Tallinn is improving in terms of innovations. That’s hands down one of the best things to do in Tallinn, and you shouldn’t miss it.
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[tab title="How to budget" icon="icon-entypo-info"]I expected Tallinn to be slightly cheaper, but I was probably judging by its neighboring capitals (Vilnius, Riga). While the flight and accommodation were relatively cheap, I found the cost of living above average. A full meal will cost you more than 20 euros (starter, main dish plus one drink). The coffee and cakes are also priced like pretty much everywhere in Europe (2.50-3 euros for a small cup of coffee, 3-4 to euros for a cake or sandwich). To be on the safe side, I would calculate approx. 35 euros per day for transport, food (one proper meal, plus a cup of coffee and something to eat for lunch, a bottle of water). I needed slightly less, approx. 28-30, but as I said, it’s better to be on the safe side.
Quite obviously, when I ate at Rataskaevu 16 I exceeded my budget. However, I didn’t regret it at all, and I consider this meal as one of my best for 2018. Uber is also available in Tallinn, and it’s a really good option if you’d like to go to the airport. It will cost you less than 7 euros, and you’ll have the flexibility that public transport won’t offer you.
Overall, Tallinn’s prices lie somewhere in the middle. You won’t spend that much, but it’s not extremely cheap, like for example the cities of Ukraine.[/tab]
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Day trips from Tallinn: History & Sightseeing
Apart from the best things to do in Tallinn, one should consider taking a day trip. Due to its strategic location in the Baltic Sea, Tallinn offers several day trips opportunities that you shouldn’t miss. If you are not in Tallinn for a day, consider the following options. I have only added the ones that combine history and sightseeing in order to make the most out of your day trips.
- Helsinki. The capital of Finland is just 90 minutes away by ferry. Helsinki is one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe, but keep in mind that it’s extremely expensive. There are several tour operators offering day trips to Helsinki. Check the prices for a tour to Helsinki from Tallinn here.
- Lahemaa National Park. Lahemaa National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Estonia. A day trip to Lahemaa will also expose you to the countryside of the country. Enjoy the natural beauty of Lahemaa National Park’s peninsulas, bays, forests, and beaches. Book a tour to Lahemaa National Park from Tallinn here.
- Naissaar Island. An exciting visit to Naissaar Island, a military truck ride, stunning Lighthouse views, overgrown fortress ruins and, secret underground tunnels. This tour is Estonia’s past in a nutshell. Book a tour to Naissaar Island here.
So, that’s it with my travel guide to Tallinn. Let me know if you have been to Tallinn and what did you think about it.
More about Tallinn: My Tallinn travelogue
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Last Updated on May 21, 2020 by George Pavlopoulos