9 fantastic things to do in Tallinn’s storied Old Town

The medieval Old Town of Tallinn is one of Europe’s most beautiful. From the quaint cobbled streets to the immense views from Toompea, Tallinn attracts tourists from across the world.

Many visitors arrive on short itineraries – perhaps on a long weekend or a tour of the Baltics. Whether you stay for a day or a week, making the most of your time in Tallinn is crucial. Here are our suggestions for the top nine things to do in Tallinn’s stunning Old Town.

1: Soak in the atmosphere in Tallinn’s Town Hall Square

Best for: Getting a feel for the heart of Tallinn’s Old Town.

A city square usually ranks among the first places to visit when discovering a new destination, and Tallinn is no exception.

The picture-perfect surroundings of Tallinn’s medieval churches and houses make Town Hall Square the ideal place to begin your exploration of Estonia’s capital.

The tourist information, the start-point of many of the city’s best walking tours, is just 30 seconds away. Pick up a map before grabbing a seat in one of the many bars and restaurants surrounding the square, and plan your trip with the best view in town.

We love: Heading to the Town Hall Square at sunrise. This is one of our favourite things to do in Tallinn’s Old Town, since you can avoid the crowds that descend on the square later in the day. It’s well worth the early alarm.

2: Visit the Parliament Building on Toompea Hill

Best for: Visiting the seat of Estonia’s government.

Toompea Hill is probably our favourite part of Tallinn. Beautiful old streets, ancient churches and some of the best city views around.

While strolling around, it’s worth taking some time to visit Estonia’s parliament, known as the Riigikogu. The Riigikogu building is located within the larger Tallinn Castle complex, which can be visited as part of a free guided tour. Estonia’s constitution was ratified in 1992 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. This means that Estonia is still relatively young and gives the building particular poignancy.

Tours in English take place every Friday at 11am.

3: Admire the best views of Tallinn from Toompea’s viewing platforms

Best for: An unbeatable vista of the city.

Of course, no visit to Toompea would be complete without taking in the views! Once you’ve reached the top of the steep streets, it is easy to understand why this location was chosen for a castle! The views from the different platforms stretch for miles, with a constant stream of visitors looking to enjoy a sunrise, sunset and everything in between.

Our favourite viewing platforms in Tallinn are:
– The Maiden’s Tower/Neitsitorn platform, halfway up the hill from the Town Hall Square. This has fantastic views back across the roofs of the Old Town and the tower of the beautiful St. Nicholas Church.
– The Khotuotsa platform, with some insta-perfect graffiti (“The Times We Had”) and lovely views across the city to the Baltic Sea.
– The Patkuli platform, possibly the most popular sunset spot in the Old Town. Iconic views, but often crowded at peak times.

4: Keep an eye out for signs of Tallinn’s Soviet history

Best for: Learning about Estonia’s turbulent past.

Estonia hasn’t had it easy. Its first period of independence began in 1918, and lasted just 22 years. In 1940, the Soviets invaded and held the country for a short time – until Nazi Germany came along. Estonia was occupied by the Nazis until 1944 when it switched back into Soviet hands.

It remained part of the USSR until the Soviet Union crumbled in 1991. There was plenty of time for Soviet architects to make their mark on post-war Tallinn. Although the USSR legacy may not be as ‘in your face’ as other post-Soviet states, there is plenty of history hiding in plain sight.

Our favourites include:
– The Soviet worker motifs on top of the old Soprus cinema, near St. Nicholas’ Church
– The KGB museum on the ‘hidden floor’ of the Viru hotel
– Linnahall, built for the 1980 Olympics and now standing abandoned on the shore of the Baltic Sea. A great place for sunset in Tallinn!

If you’re short on time but still want to learn about Tallinn’s communist past, there’s a free walking tour every day at 13:30 during peak season.

5: Eat traditional Estonian food at a local restaurant

Best for: Enjoying some classic Estonian cuisine.

Tallinn has plenty to offer foodies on any budget, and Estonian cuisine is well worth seeking out.

There are plenty of straightforward options around Town Hall Square. The vast majority of these will cater almost exclusively for tourists, which is not to do them a disservice.

However, if you’re seeking an authentic local experience, then it may not surprise you that you won’t hear any Estonian being spoken in the ‘medieval-themed’ taverns which hide in plain sight around the square.

Seeking truly authentic, modern Estonian cuisine may require somewhat more research. We make no claims to be experts on this matter, but this excellent post from Beer and Croissants should give you some good inspiration for where to start looking.

6: Walk on Tallinn’s city walls

Best for: A stroll along the historic boundary of Tallinn.

Tallinn may not have city walls which are as complete as the likes of Dubrovnik, Croatia or Khiva, Uzbekistan, but there is one section which has been well-preserved for visitors to explore. Located on Suur-Kloostri, you can follow this map to find it.

After paying your entrance fee of 2EU, you will head up the small staircase. From there, you’ll enter the narrow stone walkway. This offers a fleeting glimpse into a bygone time when Tallinn’s walls would have been teeming with activity.

Visitors to the walls can head up the watch towers to get more angles and impressive views across the terracotta rooftops of Tallinn’s Old Town.

Many of the larger towers around the walls have been converted into gift shops or museums. Fees for these can be fairly minimal, but will quickly add up. Our tip would be that once you’ve seen one or two dedicated to medieval history, you probably don’t need to visit any more!

7: Visit some of Tallinn’s best museums

Best for: Learning the stories behind the city of Tallinn.

Tallinn’s Old Town is home to a wealth of museums, with themes that span the centuries. Even if the medieval period doesn’t quite float your boat, you won’t be short of options. Here are a few different suggestions:

– The Estonian Health Museum offers what it suggests on the tin and more. From the history of medicine to a close look at human anatomy (!), the variety of exhibits means this is one of the Old Town’s most popular museums. It also offered virtual tours during the Covid-19 outbreak, which we think was a great idea.

– The Niguliste Museum can be found in St Nicholas’ Church, one of Tallinn Old Town’s most iconic and recognisable buildings. Inside, you’ll find a unique collection of medieval art and a world-class exhibition of silverwork. The entire church has been restored and converted to house the museum.

– The KGB Cells Museum can be found via an unassuming entrance of an unremarkable apartment block on the edge of the Old Town. The mundane exterior is not a coincidence. The basement contains a series of cells, where KGB officers would hold and interrogate suspects during the Soviet occupation of Estonia. The cells are home to a simple but powerful exhibition explaining the KGB crimes carried out in the building. This was one of our favourite museums in Tallinn – the material is heavy, but it’s well worth the visit.

Of course, there are plenty more museums to visit. From the history of Tallinn to exhibitions of Estonian maritime, there will be something for everyone.

8: Admire the beauty of the St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Best for: One of the most beautiful buildings in Tallinn.

Built in the late 1800s, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral can be found on Toompea Hill. In contrast to the classic spired churches you’ll see on most Tallinn postcards, this is an Orthodox cathedral built in typical style.

The intricate domes, adorned with the classic Orthodox cross, stand atop an ornate interior. It’s well worth visiting, especially if you’ve not stepped foot inside an Orthodox place of worship before. The exterior is particularly beautiful at sunset when it catches the final light of the day.

9: Venture out of the Old Town for more Tallinn adventures!

Best for: Day trips from Tallinn.

Of course, Tallinn has plenty to offer outside the walls of the Old Town. Some are barely a ten-minute walk, whilst some may be worth a full-day trip. Here are a few of our favourites:

– The Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom is just outside the Old Town. It provides an excellent insight into the history of Estonia, and the people who fought for its freedom. The museum is modern, high-tech and is well worth a visit.

– Take a quick walk down to the port and visit Linnahall. The massive structure was built for the 1980 Olympics and is crumbling slowly into disrepair. Nonetheless, we think it’s the best place in Tallinn to watch the sunset!

– Another building with an Olympic link is the colossal TV tower. Reaching over 300 meters into the sky, it’s the tallest building in Estonia. Visitors can access an observation deck with incredible views over Tallinn and beyond.

– From the top of the TV tower, you’ll be able to see the incredible nature surrounding Tallinn. From forests to the sea, if you’ve got the time to explore beyond the city – do it! Estonia has some beautiful scenery, and much of it is accessible on a day trip by car.

We hope you find these tips useful for your trip to Tallinn’s Old Town. If you have any more suggestions, please do let us know in the comments!

Read Next:
– Sunset at Linnahall
– Taking the ferry between Tallinn and Helsinki

The best things to do in Tallinn’s Old Town: Our final thoughts

Tallinn is one of our favourite European cities. We’ve been lucky enough to visit on a few trips, and it’s a delight every single time. Understandably, the Old Town is a highlight of every stay in Tallinn, and it’s where we spend most of our days when exploring the city.

There are endless things to see and do among the storied streets, and even in the city walls themselves. We still haven’t worked our way through all of the museums and churches, and we certainly haven’t eaten our way through all the excellent restaurants. Tallinn is one of those places that we’ll keep returning to, happy in the knowledge that there will always be something new to discover.