Tallinn in 2 days: everything you need to know

Tallinn has a magical Old Town and a modern city vibe outside of it. It’s the perfect blend of old and new. It’s a beautiful city and Tallinn’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Estonia’s capital is a great place to visit when you’re in Northern Europe. In this blog post I’ll share what you should do in Tallinn in 2 days. 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.

Are you looking for help with planning your trip? Check out these helpful resources:

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.

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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.

What should I visit in Tallinn?

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. You can join an Old Town walking tour to learn more about the history of Tallinn, including the Town Hall Square.

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.

Kiek in de Kök Museum and Bastion Tunnels

the author at kiek in de kok museum in tallinn

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!

Kohtuotsa viewing platform

Tallinn has multiple viewing platforms where you can get great views of the Old Town. Kohtuotsa is the most popular viewing platform. 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.

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.

St. Olaf’s Church

the author in front of st olaf church in tallinn

St. Olaf is the largest medieval building in Tallinn. It was built in the 12th century. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Where should I stay in Tallinn?

Mid-budget hotels

There are plenty of options in the old town and other parts of Tallinn. Here are some examples: Iglupark, Hilton Tallinn Park, Movenpick Hotel Tallinn.

Iglupark

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!

bread pudding at Rataskaevu 16 in Tallinn

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

pasta from Samsa Family Bakery in Tallinn, a must eat on a Tallin in 2 days itinerary

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.

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. 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.