Tallinn has a magical Old Town and a modern city vibe outside of it. The capital city of Estonia is the perfect blend of old and new. In this blog post I’ll share what are the best things to do in Tallinn. If you only have time for a day trip from Helsinki, you can also use this information to plan the perfect day trip. This blog post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.
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Tallinn is a beautiful city and its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Estonia’s capital is a great place to visit when you’re in Northern Europe.
Most people just take a day trip from Helsinki to Tallinn. That’s enough to see the Tallinn Old Town, but I highly suggest you spend a few more days in Tallinn to explore other neighborhoods. There are so many cool things to do in the capital of Estonia!
Tallinn is probably one of the cutest and dreamiest cities I’ve ever visited. When you’re walking through the Old Town it feels like you’re in a fairy tale. The Old Town’s cobblestone streets, the colorful historic buildings, and the ancient city walls create such a magical atmosphere! You have to experience it at least once.
Take a guided tour of the medieval Old Town
If you want to learn more about everything you see in the Old Town, then you should book a guided tour. While exploring on your own allows you to get lost in the little streets and discover places at your own pace, booking a guided tour is the best way to learn more about what you see.
Stroll through Town Hall Square
Strolling through the Town Hall Square should definitely be on your Tallinn itinerary. It used to be the center of the Lower Town since the 13th century. Nowadays you can find a lot of cafes here during the summer and a dreamy Christmas market.
Besides the town hall building, all houses in the square are colorful. They are very well maintained and look beautiful.
Admire the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Alexander Nevsky is an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral that was built right before 1900, when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire. The church is built on Toompea Hill and it is a beautiful building that has a lot of decorations.
Visit Kiek in de Kök Museum and Bastion Tunnels
The Kiek in de Kök Museum is a main attraction in the Estonian capital. It comprises four medieval towers, including Kiek in de Kök, which used to be an artillery tower used to protect Tallinn in medieval times.
Kiek in de Kök means “peek into the kitchen” because people in the tower could see into the kitchens of the people across the street. There are still windows where you can look into the kitchens of the buildings across the street.
The coolest part of the museum is the Bastion Tunnels. You’ll go underground and walk through these tunnels that were used for a variety of purposes for many centuries.
The tunnels are cold. The temperature in the tunnels is 7-10 degrees Celsius no matter the season. So make sure to have a light jacket with you. The stairs used to go down in the tunnels are damp, so make sure you don’t slip.
Once you’re in the tunnels the exhibit is amazing. They use props, screens, and old objects to tell the story of the tunnels and how they were used for different things depending on the year or century. I highly recommend visiting this museum!
Enjoy incredible views from Kohtuotsa viewing platform
Tallinn has multiple viewing platforms where you can get great views of the Old Town. Kohtuotsa is the most popular observation deck. It is located in the city center within walking distance from all other attractions.
One of the walls of the viewing platform has Tallinn written on it with a red heart on the letter “i”. It’s a very instagrammable spot. And the view of the Old Town of Tallinn is breathtaking.
The platform is pretty small, but when I visited in August there weren’t many people. I saw a big crowd with a guide going there after I left. These crowds spend only about 10-15 minutes. So you can wait a bit and then you’ll have the place to yourself before the next crowd shows up.
Take a picture with the Viru Gate
You can find Viru Gate at the entrance to the Old Town. It was built in the 14th century and it was part of the defense system of Tallinn. It is on Viru Street, one of the busiest streets in the Old Town, with a lot of shops and restaurants.
Climb to the viewing platform of St. Olaf’s Church
St. Olaf is the largest medieval building in Tallinn. It was built in the 12th century in the heart of Tallinn. The church has a 60 meter high viewing platform with beautiful views of the Old Town.
It’s free to go inside the church, but you’ll have to pay 5 euros to go up to the viewing platform. They only accept cash, so make sure to have some on you when you visit.
Explore Telliskivi Creative City
Telliskivi is hands down one of my favorite places in Tallinn. It’s located in the former industrial complex of Tallinn and it has a lot of art galleries, street art, shops, and creative companies.
Street art and immersive art are my favorites. I was in heaven at Telliskivi. There are so many amazing street art murals! Plus, they had a Banksy exhibit when I visited.
If you love this type of art, you must go here. Entrance is free for everyone. The creative city is very close to Balti Jaama Turg, an amazing food hall with lots of delicious food options.
Visit Kadriorg Art Museum
The museum is located in Kadriorg Palace, a baroque palace built in the 18th century. This palace was the summer residence of the Russian czar Peter the Great.
Today it is the only museum in Estonia devoted to early European and Russian art. They have paintings, prints, sculptures on display.
The main hall of the palace has great acoustics and is also a concert hall.
Check out Fotografiska Museum
Fotografiska is a modern international art museum, focused mainly on photography. It was founded in 2010 in Stockholm, and it also has locations in Tallinn and NYC.
The museum is located in the Telliskivi Creative City. Couldn’t think of a more perfect location. Check it out if you like photography.
Go up the Tallinn TV Tower
The Tallinn TV Tower is the tallest building in Estonia (314 meters). It also has the tallest open viewing platform in Northern Europe (175 meters). As the name suggests, the building was made for broadcasting TV programs. And the viewing platform is meant to attract tourists from all over the world.
If you are more adventurous you can also walk along the edge of the platform. This reminds me a bit of Toronto’s CN Tower edge walk. Fun stuff if you want some adrenaline into your life!
The TV Tower is in a suburb of Tallinn, further away from the city center. So you’ll have to take either public transportation or a car to get there.
FAQs about Tallinn
Where should I stay in Tallinn?
Mid-budget hotels
There are plenty of options in the old town and other parts of Tallinn. You can read my detailed post on the best neighborhoods to stay in Tallinn.
I stayed at Iglupark, a new concept in the Kalamaja neighborhood in Tallinn. Every accommodation option is an iglu hut right by the Baltic Sea. The iglu has everything you need: a beautiful bedroom with some incredible views of the sea, a kitchenette that comes with free coffee and water, a full bathroom, free wifi.
It’s a very tranquil area and you are surrounded by boats, the sea, and the freshest air. If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, I think you’ll love this place. You can explore the city during the day and relax by the sea in the mornings and at night.
Iglupark also has 5 saunas and one of them is just for people who stay in one of their huts overnight. After the sauna you can jump straight into the Baltic Sea for a swim.
Luxury hotels
If you have a higher budget and are seeking a more luxurious option then I recommend Schlössle Hotel, Hotel Telegraaf, or Radisson Collection Hotel.
Hostels
Unfortunately, I am not the right person to recommend you any hostels. I am in my 30s and I value comfort, so I will always choose to stay at a hotel vs a hostel. I can see how a hostel is a great option for younger people, but I’m at a different stage in life, so I prefer hotels.
Airbnb
I also tend to pick hotels over Airbnbs because I feel like it’s less of a risk and it’s a more reliable option. One time when I visited Miami with my friends we booked an Airbnb that looked great in pictures but looked really bad in reality. We ended up going to a hotel instead. After that experience I tend to avoid Airbnbs altogether.
What should I eat in Tallinn?
ROST Bakery
As soon as you get off the ferry, run don’t walk to ROST Bakery. It’s the best bakery in Tallinn. They make the most delicious cinnamon buns, cardamom buns, and rhubarb buns. So delicious! And their coffee is very good too.
Besides these buns, they also serve traditional croissants, pain au chocolat, some savory croissants and sandwiches, and pastel de nata. There is always a line, but the waiting shouldn’t be more than 10-15 minutes.
You can eat your pastries inside or at their tables outside. The bakery is in a modern neighborhood in Tallinn, so take some time to walk around to enjoy the juxtaposition of old vs new before you visit the Old Town.
Rataskaevu 16 Restaurant
Rataskaevu 16 is the best restaurant in Tallinn’s Old Town. Their free bread and butter is to die for. The food is so good! I tried the roasted elk for my main course and it was really tender and full of flavor.
For dessert you have to try their bread pudding. It’s an apple and rhubarb bread pudding, with strawberry ice cream and salted caramel sauce. The combination works so well together. An incredible dessert!
The staff is so nice here too! The girl who took care of my table always asked me questions about myself and recommended things to do in Tallinn. She brought me extra water. And she even drew some mushrooms on my bill and wrote “I hope you have a nice vacation!”. She was speaking Estonian, English, and French with guests. Outstanding customer service!
I didn’t try Olde Hansa, the medieval restaurant located in the Town Hall Square. I read the reviews before my visit and lately people have been saying that the restaurant is very expensive for what you get, customer service could be better, and the whole thing feels a bit like a tourist trap. If you want to give it a try despite the reviews, then this restaurant could be a fun experience.
Sai sandwiches
This sandwich shop was recommended to me by a local and it did not disappoint. It’s a small shop very close to Viru Gate. They make mouthwatering focaccia sandwiches and the price is quite affordable for Tallinn. If you need a quick bite, this place is perfect.
Samsa Family Bakery at Balti Jaama Turg
Balti Jaama Turg is a renovated food market that has shops on 3 floors. It’s very close to Telliskivi Creative City. You can find fresh produce and a lot of eateries here.
Samsa Family Bakery is an Uzbek restaurant that’s located close to the main entrance to the market. Their food is so delicious! They sell Uzbek pilaf, bread, soup, pasta, and dumplings.
The restaurant always has a line and it’s popular with locals and tourists alike. You can’t go wrong with anything you order off their menu.
Tallinn fun fact
In case you didn’t know, Estonia was under Soviet occupation and was a state in the USSR during 1940-1941 and 1944-1991. They became an independent state on August 20, 1991. It’s pretty surreal that independent Estonia and I are the same age.
And since we’re talking about this, another fun fact for you: Romania (my native country) was never part of the USSR. This is a common myth about Romania, but even tough Romania was a communist country until 1989, it was never part of Soviet Union.
Tallinn card
Before I dive into the main attractions in Tallinn, I want to give you a heads up about the Tallinn card. If you have the card you get free entry to the main attractions, free public transport, and priority entrance to some attractions.
It also gives you discounts for shopping, tours, dining. It’s much cheaper to get the card rather than buying individual tickets for everything.
How can I get to Tallinn from Helsinki?
All practical details of getting to Tallinn from Helsinki are in this blog post. But I’ll share here the short version.
Getting to Tallinn from Helsinki is super easy. A two hour ferry ride and you’ll be in the capital of Estonia. Taking the ferry is the best way to go to Tallinn. There are 3 ferry operators that have daily departures between the two capitals: Tallink Silja Line, Viking Line, and Eckerö Line.
I took the Tallink Silja ferry line as it seems like it’s the most popular choice out of the three ferry companies. And I loved how modern the ferries were. It feels like you’re on a mini cruise ship.
I recommend booking your ferry tickets in advance to make sure you’ll catch the ferry at your desired departure times. The earliest ferry leaves at 7:30am from Helsinki and the next one is at 10:30am. There are a lot of people on these ferries daily: a mix of business people, locals, as well as tourists. Plus a lot of cars that travel in between the two countries by ferry.
Ferry ticket prices are around $40-50 for a round trip, depending on departure times. That seems like a reasonable price to me.
Is Tallinn safe for solo female travelers?
Yes, I felt very safe in Tallinn. I personally didn’t see any scammers or pick pockets even in crowded areas in the Old Town. As always, be on high alert. But I had a great experience in Tallinn.
How to get cell phone data when visiting from abroad?
The cheapest and most convenient way to get data while visiting from abroad is to buy an eSIM. An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you activate a data plan from a provider without having to use a physical SIM card. They are super easy to use.
I use Nomad eSIM (use code IOAN43TM for 25% off your first purchase). You can go to their website, select the country you’re traveling to, select how many GB of data you want, and how many days you want the eSIM to be active for. After you pay you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to activate the eSIM.
You can activate it on your phone and the process takes under 1 minute. Once the eSIM is activated you don’t have to do anything else. When you’re at your destination you will automatically get data.
What is the best time for a trip to Tallinn?
I think the best time to visit is the summer months. If you go in the summer the days are longer and the weather is around 20+ degrees Celsius. So it’s warm and you can walk around and explore the city. It’s much cooler than Western Europe, so you’ll be much more comfortable walking around all day.
If you’re taking just a day trip to Tallinn from Helsinki and you’re visiting Helsinki during the winter months to enjoy the Scandinavian winter activities, I still recommend you visit Tallinn. I bet the Old Town looks beautiful covered in snow.
Do I need to book tickets for attractions in advance?
I highly recommend you book all the tickets online in advance of your trip. Cruise ships stop in Tallinn and there are a lot of people taking day trips to Tallinn from Helsinki, so I think it’s a good idea to book things in advance to not miss out on certain things. I’m a planner, though, so I’m biased.
Do people speak English in Tallinn?
Yes, people speak English in Tallinn. They are a bit cold towards tourists. What do I mean by that? For example, in a store, they will help you at the register, but there won’t be much chit chat and there is rarely a smile.
Do I need cash?
I didn’t use cash at all when I visited, I paid for everything with a credit card. But it’s always recommended to carry some cash with you so you can tip tour guides or buy souvenirs or something else from small mom-and-pop shops in case they don’t accept credit cards.
Pro tip: always get cash from an ATM in the airport instead of going to an exchange place. Your bank will always have better exchange rates when taking out cash in a foreign currency from an ATM.
How many days do I need in Tallinn?
I think 2 days are enough to see the main attractions in Tallinn since it’s not such a large city. If you want to explore just the Old Town, then a day trip from Helsinki is enough.
How can I get around Tallinn?
Tallinn, like most European cities, is very walkable. They also have great public transport options, so you can take advantage of that to get to all major attractions.
If you come to Tallinn by ferry from Helsinki, you can walk from the ferry terminal to the Old Town. It only takes about 15 minutes.
If you are flying to Tallinn, have a lot of luggage and don’t want to deal with public transportation you can take a taxi or order a car on ride-sharing apps. Fun fact: Bolt, the ride sharing app, is an Estonian company.
Alternatively you can also schedule a private transfer.
Do I have to tip in Tallinn?
Tipping is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged. I usually leave 1-2 euros as tip when I eat out. They highly appreciate it when you do this.
Do you recommend Tallinn as a solo destination?
Yes, I highly recommend Tallinn as a destination for solo female travelers. It’s a gorgeous city, it’s safe, and their pastries are delicious.
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Ioana was born and raised in Romania, lived in NYC for 14 years, and is now back in Romania. She fell in love with traveling when she was little and used to visit her aunt in Vienna. Then in high school she was able to visit Siberia, Turkmenistan, Istanbul, and Tokyo through chemistry competitions. As an adult she started to travel solo once she turned 30 and visited 20+ countries so far. Ioana is a full time travel blogger and content creator with an audience of 75K+ people on Instagram. She loves to share travel recommendations and tips.