Where to stay in Tallinn, Estonia: the ultimate guide

Tallinn is such a dreamy city. I think it’s quite underrated and most people just take a day trip from Helsinki to visit Tallinn’s Old Town. However, I think it’s worth spending a few days here to explore other things such as Telliskivi Creative City, Kadriorg Park, and Kalamaja, a neighborhood by the Baltic Sea. In this post I’ll share my recommendations on where to stay in Tallinn during your first visit. This 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 Old Town

Hotel Telegraaf

If you want to stay in the heart of the Old Town in a luxurious 5-star hotel, then Hotel Telegraaf is the perfect place. It is one of the best hotels in Estonia’s capital and its central location means that all cultural attractions in the Old Town are a short walk away. It’s located in a historic building from the 19th century that used to be the telegraph office.

The hotel offers plenty of rooms and suites, a spa, and restaurant Tchaikovsky which blends French food with Russian traditions. The suites are located in the original part of the building, while the spa is located in a new part of the building.

The hotel is part of Autograph Collection Hotels, a Marriott Bonvoy brand. This is great if you have Marriott status and you’re loyal to this hotel brand.

The author at Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform in Tallinn

Schlössle Hotel

Another amazing luxury hotel in the heart of Tallinn is Schlossle Hotel. It is located in a medieval building dating from the 13th century. How cool is that?

It is surrounded by narrow cobblestone streets in an area where a lot of merchants traded and lived. It’s the best option if you want to combine medieval architecture with elegant rooms and modern amenities in a perfect location.

Unlike Hotel Telegraaf, Schlossle Hotel is a boutique hotel and is not part of a large chain. Could be a great thing if you love unique boutique hotels or it could be a not so great thing if you want to score those loyalty points.

The hotel has a restaurant, Stenhus Restaurant, a cigar lounge and a summer garden. This hotel is one of the best places in Old Town Tallinn.

Outside Old Town, but very close to it

Original Sokos Hotel Viru

Original Sokos Hotel Viru is located in Estonia’s first high rise building and one of the tallest buildings in Tallinn. It’s also connected to Viru Keskus, one of the best shopping malls in Tallinn. It also has a meeting center, restaurants, bars, a beauty salon, a gym, and the KGB museum.

What? A shopping mall and a museum right at your hotel. So cool! You still need to buy tickets to go to the KGB museum. But still, if you’re having a rainy day while in Tallinn and you’re staying at this hotel you are all set. You can go to a museum, do some shopping, go to the salon without having to leave the hotel.

This hotel wins for all the amenities it offers and for the great views of Tallinn if you’re able to score a room on a high floor.

Citybox Tallinn City Center

Citybox is an innovative hotel concept that has locations in Oslo, Helsinki, Stockholm, Brussels, Bergen, Antwerp, and Kristiansand besides Tallinn. It’s a minimalist hotel built in a great location, very close to the Old Town and within walking distance from the ferry terminal.

What do I mean by minimalist? The rooms are tiny and they have just the strictly necessary things in them for a good night’s sleep. So forget about having a fridge, a mini bar, a coffee machine, and free breakfast. It’s literally just a bed, a desk and a bathroom. They do offer free wi-fi though.

They have a communal kitchenette on one of the floors where you can boil water and cook something. You can also find a fitness center inside the hotel.

If you’re looking for a very practical accommodation or if you want to sleep in a hotel close to the ferry terminal the night before you take the ferry, then Citybox is a good place.

I stayed there for a night before I headed back to Helsinki by ferry. It was perfect for what I needed and you can’t beat the price per night. If you’re looking for a more traditional, mid-budget hotel then you’ll be disappointed if you stay here.

the author at town hall square in tallinn

Kalamaja

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.

FAQs about Tallinn

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.