15 things to do in Tallinn

Thinking of spending some time in Tallinn? Find out what the city has to offer in this guide!

Tallinn is the perfect destination for a small weekend getaway, offering a unique blend of medieval feeling and modern, artistic flair. From strolling through cobble stone streets that transport you back in time to discovering vibrant street art in trendy neighborhoods, Estonia's capital city offers plenty of things to do.

Do you only have one day to visit Tallinn? No worries, I got you! Check out my post on the perfect one day intinerary here.

When to travel to Tallinn?

I came to Tallinn at the end of September. It was already in the off-season, so it was not super crowded but the weather was still quite nice and sunny. I definitely think late summer or early autumn is always a good time for traveling. Before visiting Tallinn, I had also seen a lot of photos of the Christmas market in Tallinn, which looks dreamy. The Christmas market season in 2025 starts on the 21st of November and ends on the 27th of December so if you are still looking for a destination during Christmas time you may consider a trip to Estonia's capital city. Here you find more events in Tallinn.

How long to stay?

I stayed two nights, which was enough to see the main sights and get a good glimpse of what Tallinn has to offer. I think Tallinn is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway but of course you can stay longer if you wish to explore the surrounding area. I had also saved places like Glehn Castle, Nomme Orthodox Church of John the Baptist or Pirita Beach on Maps which I did not manage to visit.

How to get there?

By ferry:

I arrived in Tallinn by ferry, and can recommend this to anyone who is planning on travelling to Estonia from Finland. I chose the Eckerö line which takes you from Helsinki to Tallinn in a little over two hours. The price for a single ticket is around 25€ for people traveling without a vehicle and the ferry terminal is easily accesible from the city center. On board you are not only greeted with incredible views over the Baltic Sea, but you will also find a great variety of food and entertainment options. Alternatively, the Viking Line and Silja Line also take you from Helsinki to Tallinn. To compare prices and find the most suitable option for you check out SSL Direct Ferries. The route is quite popular and especially in the peak season it might be booked out quickly, so make sure to book it well in advance.

By plane:

The airport is located close to the city center and reaching it via public transport only takes around 30 minutes. Tallinn is well connected with other major European cities and affordable airlines such as RyanAir make traveling to Tallinn on a budget possible. To find cheap flights I recommend Skyscanner.

By train:

Another option would be traveling to Tallinn by train, especially if you are planning on visiting Tallinn on an Interrail trip. Acoording to the Interrail planner there is a direct train connecting Tallinn with Riga. Or you may consider traveling to several places in Estonia for which the Estonia Pass offers a good option.

By bus:

The baltics are not as well connected with railways as other regions in Europe so sometimes taking a bus might be the easier solution. Tallinn is connected to other European cities such as Helsinki or Riga via busses, which are fairly affordable. Flixbusses run several times a day between Tallinn and Riga for instance, and if you book them well in advance, they offer a cheap option for around 12€ per person.

Getting around Tallinn

In Tallinn all the main spots are very close together and I did not use public transport at all as I walked everywhere. If you wish to use public transport you can purchase a one hour ticket for 2€ or a day ticket for 5.50€ here.

Where to stay?

Tallinn offers good accomodations with fair prices (especially when you are coming from Finland ;)). I traveled with two friends and we shared a room together in Adoryal Hotel. We were quite content with the hotel - even my friend who has higher standards in hotel rooms than men. It was located next to the ferry terminal and not far from the old town, which is the perfect location to reach everything by foot. If you are traveling solo hostels are of course always great. Browsing Booking.com or Hostelworld, I have come across Imaginary Hostel and the Monks Bunks Hostel and Bar, which sound like great options.

Things to do

1) Get taken back in time in Tallinn's old town

Tallinn's historical center dates back to the 13th century and is recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site. It is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe, where walking through the narrow cobblestone streets, alongside the historical city walls and through the old city gates truly feels like stepping back into the Middle Ages. The entire old town is worth exploring, but if you need some help deciding what spots you definitely should not miss, keep on reading!

2) Visit Toompea Hill and Castle

Tallinn's old town consists of an upper and lower town, with Toompea being the upper one. It offers great viewpoints over the city, colorful houses and narrow streets. There you will find Toompea Castle, which is where the Estonian government is located today. You can book a free tour of the castle on weekdays, which will take approximately 45 minutes and is available in Estonian, Russian and English language.

3) Enjoy the view over Tallinn from Patkuli and Kohtuotsa viewing points

Located in the upper town, this viewing points offer great views over the city. The viewing points are some of the most popular spots, which is why it may get crowded, especially during peak season. But who knows, if you are lucky like us you might meet a lovely Polish couple who will take your photo.

4) Visit Alexander Newski Cathedral

The cathedral is an orthodox style church, which alongside its gorgeous architecture also tells a story about Tallinn's history. It was completed when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire as a means to reinforce Russian dominance over Estonia. It is just as stunning from the inside as it is from the outside so make sure to have a look inside, the entrance is free.

5) Admire the colorful houses in the Town Hall Square (Raekoja Plats)

The Town Hall Square lies in the heart of Tallinn and has played an important role as the market place since the Middle Ages. Surrounded by colorful medieval houses, charming cafés, restaurants and small shops, the square is always buzzing with life still today. The town hall as well as the colorful houses create a beautiful space with many photo opportunities, and the medieval themed restaurants and people in medieval costumes make you feel like you have stepped back in time. If you are planning on visiting Tallinn during the Christmas season, this is where you will find the city's main Christmas market.

6) Learn about the city on a free walking tour

I always like to join a free walking tour when visiting a new city, especially when I am only there for a couple of days as it allows me to get a good overview over the main attractions, as well as learn some interesting facts. Check out what types of tours are offered in Tallinn here.

7) Walk along the city walls and through the city gates

Tallinn's old town is surrounded by a 1.85 km long city wall, with over 20 towers and two gates. The most famous of the two is the Viru Gate, which is a popular photo spot in Tallinn. Not only offer the city walls a glimpse into medieval life but you can also walk on top of them and get a great view over the city. If you are planning on going up, it is best to start from Kludjala Tower. From there you can walk on the walls to Nunne and Sauna Tower.

8) Dine in a medieval restaurant

To truly immerse yourself in the medieval spirit of Tallinn, a visit to one of the city's many medieval-themed restaurants is a must. The most famous is Olde Hansa, located just off the Town Hall Square. It does not only offer you a medieval inspired food but a whole experience with medieval music, medieval interior and waiters in medieval costume. Its popularity is well earned, though because of it, it can also be a little pricey. Other great alternatives includes Peppersack, III Draakon and Maikrahv, all offering a unique dining experience.

9) Walk down St. Catherine's passage (Katariina Käik)

The passage is located next to the St. Catherine's church, which used to be largest church in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. It is a charming narrow cobblestone street, which today is home to many cute craft stores. The passage makes a great photo spot, however, to capture it in its full glory it is advisable to get there early in the morning or evening, when there are less people out. The passage is quite narrow so it can get crowded easily, especially since it is one of the most popular spots in Tallinn. 

10) Admire Tallinn's doors

I'm not sure if it is just a niche interest of mine, but I was absolutely fascinated by the doors in Tallinn - seriously half of my photos ended up being doors. There was something about their colorful patterns and unique details tht was just so beautiful. Even ordinary residential houses often have beautifully crafted, unique doors. one door that especially stood out to me was the one at Mustpeade Maja (House of the Blackheads), so I definitely recommend walking past it and admiring the detail in its door.

11) Explore Balti Jaam Market

Balti Jaam? More like Balti Yum! The market is located next to the train station and between the old town and Telliskivi creative center. With three floors and about 300 traders, you will find anything you need at the market. From fresh vegetables, meat, fish to some amazing street food options. With Georgian, Chinese, traditional Estonian and many more options, the market offers something for everyone. For breakfast I went to Pohjala Deli, who offer amazing pastries. I then came back for lunch and got some dumplings from NuFace, which were good but not extraordinary.

12) Get inspired in Telliskivi

Once an industrial part of the city, Telliskivi has now transformed into one of Tallinn's most creative and dynamic neighborhoods with so much to do. It is full of vibrant street art, alternative shops and plenty of events happening throughout the year, such as exhibitions or other cultural happenings. There is so much to do here, so my advice would be to just wander around the area, take in th street art, explore the unique shops and don't hesitate to step into an exhibition that catches your eye. If you do need some recommendations, I would recommend to get ice cream at La Muu and dinner at F-Hoone, which I did not manage to try myself but heard great things about. The area is also home to several museums and galleries, most notably the Fotografiska, so I would recommend to visit one of them as well. To find out more about the shops and exhibitions in Telliskivi click here.

13) Admire Tallinn's street art

Most of Tallinn's street art is located in the Telliskivi area. When heading towards Telliskivi creative center from the Baalti Jaam Market, you will already pass by a cool area with creative spots such as the Peatus restaurant, and of course a lot of street art. In the heart of Telliskivi you will find a lot more. If you are really interested in art or love a good walking tour you might want to take a guided tour through Telliskivi.

14) Have dinner at The Kurze

Everyone who knows me knows I am obsessed with dumplings, so when my friend found this restaurant she knew I would love it. This cozy spot serves delicious dishes from the Dagestani cuisine and has a very chill and relaxed vibe which makes it perfect for a nice laid-back dinner. While their dumplings are definitely the star, the menu also offers a variety of other tasty options that are worth trying. Check out their menu here.

15) Watch the ferries go by from the roof of Linnahall

If you are looking to get away from the hustle and relax you may want to consider heading to Linnahall. Linnahall is an impressive architectural gem, and if you are interested in architecture you can also book a tour to have a look inside. The price for a regular ticket is 14€ (student tickets are 8€). But if you want to save money it is also impressive to just see it from the outside. You can go on the roof and sit down and watch over parts of the city and over the water. We ended up sitting there with some snacks and just watched the boats go by.