Tallinn
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Tallinn
Steeped in Medieval charm, yet always at the cutting edge of modernity, Tallinn offers today’s travellers plenty to see. The city is big enough and interesting enough to explore for days, but also small and compact enough to give you the full Tallinn experience in just a few hours.Find your trip
What makes this easily the most picturesque of Old Town's lanes particularly interesting is that it's home to the St. Catherine's Guild, a collection of craft workshops where artists use traditional methods to create and sell glassware, hats, quilts, ceramics, jewelry, hand-painted silk and other wares.
This impressive 13th-century church houses a museum dedicated to church art, displaying medieval burial stones, exquisite alarpieces and Tallinn’s most famous painting, 15th-century artist Bernt Notke’s eerie composition, Dance with Death. The building's acoustics also make it a prime concert venue, with organ or choir performances held here most weekends. Entrance is free with Tallinn Card.
The viewing platform on the north side of Toompea hill sits visibly on the limestone cliff. On the right you'll see the Town Wall with its defensive towers. On the left lies Kalamaja and Pelgulinn areas with Railway Station as landmark. Winding series of steps, built in 1903, lead down the cliff face to Nunne Street and Shnelli park below.
This spectacular, onion-domed structure perched atop Toompea Hill is Estonia's main Russian Orthodox cathedral. Built in 1900, when Estonia was part of the tsarist Russian empire, the cathedral was originally intended as a symbol of the empire's dominance. The church's towers' hold Tallinn's most powerful bell ensemble, consisting of 11 bells, including the largest in Tallinn.
Once upon a time, from 1549 to 1625 to be precise, this 14th century Gothic church was considered to be the tallest building in the World. But it’s gigantic, 159-meter spire, meant as a signpost for approaching ships, also turned out to be a very effective lightning rod. Throughout the church's history lightning hit the spire repeatedly, completely burning down the structure three times.
With 1.9km of its original city wall still standing, Tallinn boasts one of Europe’s best preserved medieval fortifications together with 20 defensive towers. In fact, a large part of what gives Old Town its fairy tale charm is the system of walls and towers that surrounds it.
Open since as far back as 1422, this curious little shop on the corner of Town Hall Square is in fact the oldest continuously running pharmacy in Europe. Marzipan was one of the pharmacy's best sellers, one that local legend insists was actually invented as a curative here in the 15th century.
This open, garden-like area on the slopes of Toompea Hill happens to be the legendary birthplace of the Danish flag, according to a well-known legend. According to the story, Valdemar's forces were losing their battle with the Estonians when suddenly the skies opened and a red flag with a white cross floated down from the heavens. Taking this as a holy sign, the Danes were spurred on to victory. Today the garden remains a place where locals honor the role Denmark played in Estonia's history. Halfway down the steps towards Rüütli street you can see an iron sword and shield with a Danish cross, and each summer, Danneborg Day is celebrated here.
What makes this easily the most picturesque of Old Town's lanes particularly interesting is that it's home to the St. Catherine's Guild, a collection of craft workshops where artists use traditional methods to create and sell glassware, hats, quilts, ceramics, jewelry, hand-painted silk and other wares.
This impressive 13th-century church houses a museum dedicated to church art, displaying medieval burial stones, exquisite alarpieces and Tallinn’s most famous painting, 15th-century artist Bernt Notke’s eerie composition, Dance with Death. The building's acoustics also make it a prime concert venue, with organ or choir performances held here most weekends. Entrance is free with Tallinn Card.
Top-notch European dining and a superbly-restored Medieval interior make this Old Town establishment an excellent option for those searching for something a cut above the ordinary. Dominic also bills itself as a 'wine restaurant' and indeed its knowledgeable sommelier stocks among the best vintages in town.
Head up the iron spiral staircase and then settle into a wicker chair to enjoy Elevant’s peaceful, sophisticated ambiance. Here you'll find a selection of tasty Indian standards, along with daring dishes like wild boar kebab and moose curry, all served up by friendly staff. For a dessert with a difference, try the fritter banana in crunchy chickpea dough.
This is a moderately priced restaurant that offers simple food in a relaxed atmosphere, the highlight being its hand-made bread. This place is like a city-state on the border of Old Town, surrounded by Town Wall with superb garden inside. The daring team of Leib, head chef Janno Lepik and Baltic’s best sommelier Kristjan Peäske, do their utmost to serve local, fresh and seasonal food. The lovely lush garden with a little sandpit for children makes it especially cozy during summer time visits.
Just as the name promises, this sharp, Old Town restaurant focuses on all sorts of fish dishes – from herring fillet salad and tiger prawn pasta to oven-baked baby trout – and offers a decent selection of wines. Some non-fish dishes, such as a risotto and a beef burger, are also available, and it opens early to serve decidedly fish-free omelettes and porridge.
The ultra-elegant Telegraaf Hotel has created this superb restaurant where the traditions of Russian and French cuisine are combined to create a symbiosis of rich flavors. Chef de Cuisine Vladislav Djatšuk, a 2009 finalist in the world's top gastronomy contest, the Bocuse d'Or, has reproduced the recipes of forgotten masters, infusing them with his own experience and vision.
This restaurant in the old town has become a favorite of Tallinners as well as visitors, with its tasty foods and friendly service showing that every customer is a welcome guest here. A terrace is open in the summer where you can have dinner and spend time, protected from wind and noise. The bread baked on location is definitely worth a try. As this is a popular place, it would be a good idea to make a reservation.
This fascinating restaurant makes the most of its unique location — you'll find it halfway down the famous St Catherine's Passage in the heart of Tallinn's Medieval Latin Quarter. It's long been known in Tallinn for its top-notch, traditional Italian food, which is served up in unforgettably charming, centuries-old dining rooms.
Run by the same group that created the illustrious Bocca, Tchaikovsky and other award winners, Chedi offers Asian-style creations such as Singapore roast chicken and Mongolian-style venison stir fry. The grilled lamb chop with chocolate sauce is a favorite.
Top-notch European dining and a superbly-restored Medieval interior make this Old Town establishment an excellent option for those searching for something a cut above the ordinary. Dominic also bills itself as a 'wine restaurant' and indeed its knowledgeable sommelier stocks among the best vintages in town.
Head up the iron spiral staircase and then settle into a wicker chair to enjoy Elevant’s peaceful, sophisticated ambiance. Here you'll find a selection of tasty Indian standards, along with daring dishes like wild boar kebab and moose curry, all served up by friendly staff. For a dessert with a difference, try the fritter banana in crunchy chickpea dough.
This medieval shop, based in Olde Hansa along with a typical restaurant, sells souvenirs from local and international producers including glassware, pottery, silver jewellery and authentic replicas of items used by medieval townsfolk.
Hidden in a quiet, Old Town courtyard is this site dedicated to the master craftsmen of old. Here visitors can shop for handicrafts and jewellery, view art exhibitions, and sample the heavenly confections created in the popular Chocolaterie Café. Comfortable accommodation is available in the courtyard’s guesthouse.
This shop gathers together local craftsmen, small businesses and farm food producers. There is a fun mix of modern and traditional handicraft or design items, which make perfect gifts buy.
Navitrolla is an Estonian artist whose art has sold well around the world. The walls in the gallery are all covered with his funky works, which explore intriguing themes. Oil paintings, the most valuable of them all, can only be purchased at the gallery. Graphics by the artist are available both framed and unframed.
Draakoni Gallery primarily shows works by young Estonian artists, with foreign art exhibitions a few times a year. The "inside of the Dragon" can contain pictures in various techniques as well as 3D objects, while performance art events are organised from time to time in the cellar room. The gallery's salesroom has a large selection of contemporary Estonian prints, paintings and photographs. The gallery, founded in 1983, is located in the Old Town in an Art Nouveau building featuring dragons on the facade. It is run by the Estonian Artists' Association.
One of the most unique jewellery galleries in the Nordic countries, A-Gallery offers Estonian contemporary jewellery art of the highest quality. Exhibitions and sales are taking place in parallel: the works of around 70 jewellery artists are showcased and sold here.
This ceramics studio inside the historic Löewenschede Tower is a place where you can watch artists at work, buy or order their creations, and see exhibitions. The studio organises regular ceramics courses that are suitable for drop-ins. Booking by phone, it's also possible to organise your own group event for your colleagues, friends or family.
Leading Estonian label Bastion has built a reputation for producing fresh styles for sophisticated women. Its chief designers Merike Pääro and Monika Randloo have been recognised as two of the nation's best, and the company is often called upon by A-listers in need of something for a special occasion.
This medieval shop, based in Olde Hansa along with a typical restaurant, sells souvenirs from local and international producers including glassware, pottery, silver jewellery and authentic replicas of items used by medieval townsfolk.
Hidden in a quiet, Old Town courtyard is this site dedicated to the master craftsmen of old. Here visitors can shop for handicrafts and jewellery, view art exhibitions, and sample the heavenly confections created in the popular Chocolaterie Café. Comfortable accommodation is available in the courtyard’s guesthouse.
The city's international airport, Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport, provides excellent facilities and a wide variety of services. Its convenient location – just 4 km from the city centre – means transport to most destinations takes surprisingly little time.
Ferries cross the Gulf of Finland between Tallinn and Helsinki several times a day, covering the distance in roughly 2 to 3 hours. From late spring to late autumn, high-speed vessels also operate on the route, reducing travel time to just 1.5 hours. Ferries between Tallinn and Stockholm depart every evening, with the trip taking approximately 15 hours. All St Peter Line's cruise ships make a Baltic Sea circuit twice per week and can be used for one-way overnight travel from Tallinn to St Petersburg. A return trip is possible by bus or train. In some cases, continuing cruise passengers can stay in St Petersburg visa-free. The world's largest cruise agencies have included Tallinn in their itineraries – the city receives over 300 calls per season, making it the third busiest cruise destination in the Baltic Sea region. Passenger terminals are located within walking distance of the medieval Old Town.
Estonia can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
International connections are provided by Lux Express and Ecolines. Regular routes connecting Tallinn with Riga, Vilnius and St Petersburg operate several times a day. International and intercity buses arrive and depart via the Tallinn Central Bus Station (Tallinna Autobussijaam):
Central Tallinn is very compact and easy to get around, and reaching farther out destinations is simple thanks to the city's network of buses, trolleys and trams. The public transport network operates from 6:00 to 23:00 (some lines until 24:00). The ticket system works on a random-inspection basis, so you can board via any door and don't have to show anything to the driver. You must, however, have a validated ticket or you risk a €40 fine. Some riders are entitled to use the system for free: children under school age (under 7), an adult travelling with a child under 3 years of age, registered Tallinn residents (using a personalised Smartcard and carrying ID). When planning no more than 3 journeys on public transport use the single journey tickets costing 1.60 Euros. You can purchase the tickets from the driver directly. Enter at the front door and keep in mind that tickets are only sold at stops, not while the vehicle is moving. If you plan more than 3 journeys on public transport it is cheaper for you to get the plastic (non-registered) smartcard. This smartcard is easy to top up with money or travel cards and then to validate your e-ticket(s) at the start of each journey. One smartcard can be used by different people (family members, colleagues etc.). Tallinn Card holders travel free on public transport. Validate your Tallinn Card by touching the orange card readers (at all entrances) at the start of each journey.
Taxis can be hailed on the street, ordered by phone or ordered via the Taxify app. They can also be found queued up at taxi stands in front of larger hotels and at some major intersections. Rates are not uniform – they are set by the taxi company or operator, and can vary widely. Each taxi's rates are posted on a yellow sticker on the car's right rear window. The cost usually consists of a base fare (starting fare) plus a per-kilometre fare. Above is an example of the typical fare range. If you want to avoid misunderstandings, you can ask the driver to approximate the cost of the trip in advance.
Pharmacies are usually open from 10:00-19:00. Two of them stay open all night: Südameapteek – Tõnismägi 5, ph: +372 644 2282 and Vikerlase 16, ph: +372 638 4338. Pharmacies in shopping centres are usually open from 9:00-21:00.
The city's international airport, Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport, provides excellent facilities and a wide variety of services. Its convenient location – just 4 km from the city centre – means transport to most destinations takes surprisingly little time.
Ferries cross the Gulf of Finland between Tallinn and Helsinki several times a day, covering the distance in roughly 2 to 3 hours. From late spring to late autumn, high-speed vessels also operate on the route, reducing travel time to just 1.5 hours. Ferries between Tallinn and Stockholm depart every evening, with the trip taking approximately 15 hours. All St Peter Line's cruise ships make a Baltic Sea circuit twice per week and can be used for one-way overnight travel from Tallinn to St Petersburg. A return trip is possible by bus or train. In some cases, continuing cruise passengers can stay in St Petersburg visa-free. The world's largest cruise agencies have included Tallinn in their itineraries – the city receives over 300 calls per season, making it the third busiest cruise destination in the Baltic Sea region. Passenger terminals are located within walking distance of the medieval Old Town.
