Tallinn Travel Guide

A visually stunning, quaint, medieval city located right on the Baltic Sea, Tallinn must be seen to be believed. A city rich in culture, Tallinn is able to offer so much to those who visit. Whether you are looking for a quick weekend getaway, a day trip from nearby Helsinki, or traveling throughout the Baltic states, this picturesque city will be sure to leave an imprint on your memory. This Tallinn travel guide will hopefully get you started on planning a trip to a city that is surely loved by all who visit.

Getting Into Tallinn

By Air

Tallinn has just one airport which is conveniently located just 20 minutes from the Old City. Tramline no. 4 leaves from outside the main terminal building. The tram stop is officially called Lennujaam, just look for the signs in the airport. Tickets must be bought inside the terminal. A one-way ride costs just €1.50.

By Bus

If you arrive in Tallinn by bus, it is a high possibility that it will be from the south and most likely from Riga. Tallinn being the most northern of the Baltic states means many people either start or end a trip here. If you are arriving or leaving Tallinn by bus, you have two main options, Flixbus and LuxExpress. Both of these companies leave and depart from Tallinna bussijaam, the main bus station in Tallinn. Trams no. 2 and 4 take you to and from the city centre, operating daily from 5:30 a.m. to midnight. Any time before or after this will require a taxi, this station is not within walking distance of the Old Town.

By Train

It is unlikely that you will arrive in Tallinn by train unless you are arriving from another city in Estonia. Buses are a far more convenient way to travel across borders in the Baltic states. However, if you are, it will be the Balti jaam station that you arrive at. This station is just a few mins west of the Old Town city centre.

By Boat

Traveling to Tallinn from Finland seems to be the way many tourists choose to visit the city. During the summer months, many tourists arrive in Tallinn on a day trip from its neighbour to the north which is just two hours away by boat. The ferries arrive just 1km from the Old Town. Tickets can be bought from here.

Where To Stay in Tallinn

You will find most of Tallinn’s tourist attractions inside the Vanilinn district. This area is home to the city’s Old Town. It is likely that your entire stay will be based here so staying anywhere else makes little sense. Hotels and hostels are aplenty. Finding one within any budget is easily done.

Personally, I stayed at the Draper Start-Up Hostel for Entrepreneurs, just a short walk from the epicenter of the Vanalinn district, the Town Hall Square. It was a cheap, simple option with comfy beds, good size lockers, and a nice common area and garden terrace. If you are looking for a hostel, then I would certainly recommend this one.

What To Do In Tallinn

Explore the Old Town of Tallinn

The Old Town of Tallinn has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Tallinn has managed to preserve its structure of medieval origins, making it one of the most beautiful and fairy-tale-like cities in all of Europe. Walking through the mazy cobble-stones streets, it’s near impossible not to truly appreciate the beauty of your surroundings. Whilst the Old Town itself isn’t big in size, it has many places that must be seen, some of which I have listed below;

Town Hall Square, the main square in Tallinn
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the largest and grandest orthodox Cathedral in Tallinn
Fat Margaret’s Tower, a cannon tower, now home to the Estonian Maritime Museum
Viru Gate, where 2 large watchtowers mark the entrance to the Old Town
Freedom Square Capture Area, home to the Cross of Liberty and the Monument to the War of Independence
Patkuli viewing platform, for an enchanting view of the Old Town as well as its towers and walls
Toompea Castle, now the home of the Parliament of Estonia
St. Nicholas Church, a medieval church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron of the fishermen and sailors

Old Town - Tallinn — As beautiful a city as you will find

KGB History

Tallinn’s time as part of the Soviet Union is not immediately obvious when visiting the city. You can still, however, revisit and learn about this relatively recent period in history. Both the KGB Prison Cells and the KGB Museum are located inside or just a few minutes walk from the Old Town. The KGB Prison Cells are the former KGB headquarters in Tallinn, telling the stories of the human rights violations and the other crimes committed by the KGB during this time. The KGB Museum is located inside the Viru Hotel and exhibits KGB artifacts from the Soviet occupation, including uniforms, cameras & spy gear.

See Tallinn from a height

The many viewing platforms around the Old City offer incredible free views of Tallinn. An alternative to this is the Tallinna Teletorn or Tallinn TV Tower. This 314 meter high communications tower with a glass-floored viewing platform and Northern Europes highest open viewing platform offers a view of Tallinn from a distance, as well as superb views of the surrounding countryside.

Telliskivi

Located in a former industrial complex, this up-and-coming hot spot has become one of the most popular areas among the locals. Packed with bars and restaurants of all different kinds and price ranges, Telliskivi takes you away from the Old Town and into a more futuristic, artsy way of life in Tallinn.

The Old City Hall

This throwback to the times of the Soviet Union is a start contrast from the beauty that you come to expect in Tallinn. Completed for the Moscow 1980 Summer Olympics, this fascinating complex is designed to incorporate the ancient pyramids of the Mayans, as well as the old bastions surrounding Tallinn’s Old Town dating back to Swedish rule. Although now lying in ruin, and the inside, inaccessible, the City Hall is an interesting look at a different era in Tallinn and Estonia’s past. Visiting here also gives you a beautiful view across the Baltic Sea.

Kadriorg Park

It might be a bit out of the Old Town, but on a beautiful sunny day, it is worth the walk. This 70-hectare park is a fantastic place to escape the city. Its most popular places for a stroll are the flower beds surrounding the Swan Pond and the promenade leading from there to the president’s palace. Don’t confine yourself to just these though, go deeper into the park where it gets more peaceful and a little wilder for some true serenity.

Where To Eat In Tallinn

Unfortunately, despite some extensive research before arriving, I found the food in Tallinn to be a little below average. Most of it was nice but barring one meal, nothing was truly spectacular. Below is a list of all the places I ate and whether or not I would recommend them.

Samsa Family Bakers

Starting with the spectacular, this was certainly the restaurant I was most excited to try upon arriving in Tallinn, and it didn’t disappoint. The constant queue of people in a city where nearly every food place seemed empty was a tell-tall sign of what was to follow. This Uzbeki restaurant had a limited menu but what it lacked in options, it made up for in taste. I went with the Lamb Cheburek, filled with tender and juicy lamb mince. The pilaf rice dish looked most excellent also and if I had had the opportunity to return, this would have been what I was trying. For the food alone, this is the only place I would consider a must-eat from my time in Tallinn.

III Draakon

To enjoy the second of my must-try recommendations, you need to take a trip back to medieval times. Entering into III Draakon, which is located right on Town Hall Square, that is exactly what will happen. Prepare to be greeted by near darkness with only candles illuminating the tavern. On arrival, you will be ‘welcomed’ by one of the short-fused and tough tavern ladies who work there. Prepare for them to bark orders or recite some old joke or tale to you. What you come to expect from a restaurant is totally different from what you will find here. Expecting a menu or even a spoon for your soup, then you are in the wrong place. Of course, it is all an act and just some harmless fun that will make for a unique dining experience that you won’t forget in a hurry. The food is also pretty good and the prices are the best you will find in the area. Check out the elk soup and a meat pie for a warming, hearty meal that will be perfectly accompanied by a glass of wine or a pot of beer.

Kaja Pizza Kook

I was excited by this place. They exclusively sold wood-fired pizzas, closing at 7 pm or even earlier if they ran out of dough. I went at 6 pm and they were all sold out. Returning the next day for lunch, my expectations had been raised even higher. Whilst the pizza was perfectly fine, I was a little disappointed. The sauce was a bit too sweet for my liking. Even though it is just a minor complaint, when a vital component isn’t perfect it has a huge effect on the whole pizza. The selections of pizzas were really good, as was the quality of the dough and toppings (pepperoni and artichoke for me), the sauce just spoilt it a little bit. That being said, I did eat it all and left stuffed. It is a little outside the city so bear that in mind before deciding to come here.

F Hoone

Located right in the heart of the Telliskivi cultural centre, F Hoone is a favourite amongst locals. Inside an imposing 100-year-old industrial building, F Hoone is a place you can go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and enjoy their fantastic food in a modern environment accompanied by a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Breakfast will cost you less than €5, whereas something from the later menu costs an average of €10, a bargain considering F Hoone was one of the few restaurants I saw that could attract a crowd at any time in the day.

Bueno Gourmet Food Truck

Thankfully bad food experiences are a rare occasion when I travel. Writing about them is also not something I would normally do. However, my disappointment with Bueno Gourmet after reading such good reviews prompted me to do just that. I went there for some food at 6 pm on a Saturday. Normally this would be the beginning of a busy evening for any restaurant or food truck in the Tellisivski area of Tallinn. I opted for the Carne Asada Tacos. This was, unfortunately, unavailable. I ordered a Beef Burrito instead and asked for a regular Coca-Cola, also unavailable. This lack of preparation should have been a glaring indictment of what was to come. My food came out quite quickly, a burrito of just minimal lukewarm beef, some sauce, and some lettuce. Never had I seen an emptier burrito in my life.

Kompressor

The pancakes at Kompressor are well-known and loved by locals. They are massive in size and come with as many topping selections that you could possibly think of. Its central location meant it was one of the few restaurants packed from open to close. Whether you fancy savoury or sweet, the options are endless, and to top it all off, the pancakes are huge! Expect a bit of a line before ordering and it might take some time for the food to come out during peak times. At the end of it all though, you are sure to leave happy with your meal and have an understanding of why this is a favourite among locals.

It is not going to take you a week or even a weekend to see all of Tallinn. This small city can be appreciated and seen on a day trip from neighbouring cities. However, to truly feel the tranquility that Tallinn offers, I recommend treating the city as more than just a day-trip destination. It is very rare that a city can make you stop and recognize how beautiful a place you are in. Tallinn will do exactly that. It may not be action-packed or an overly exciting place to visit, but Tallinn is certainly one of not just Europe’s but the world’s most historic and stunning cities.