How to spend one day in Tallinn

Are you thinking of taking a daytrip across the Baltic Sea on your stay in Helsinki? Or maybe you're passing through Tallinn with just a few hours to spare before heading to your next destination? Either way, you definitely should not miss out on exploring Estonia's capital - even if it is just for a couple of hours. In order to make sure to see all the important sights and make the most of your time in Tallinn, I have created this intinerary for you. With this guide you will leave Tallinn feeling like you have truly experienced the best of the city.

If you are staying in Tallinn for longer, check out my guide with the best things to do in Tallinn here.

Why visit Tallinn?

Estonia's capital is truly unique, offering a mix of medieval feeling and modern, artistic flair, with many picturesque streets and unqiue experiences. From strolling through cobblestone streets that transport you back in time to discovering vibrant street art in trendy neighborhoods, Tallinn offers plenty of things to do. 

How to get there?

By ferry:

There are several ferry lines running between the Finnish and Estonian capital, making taking a daytrip from Helsinki incredibly easy. I chose to travel with the Eckerö line, which took me from Helsinki to Tallinn in a little over two hours. The price for a single one-way ticket is around 25€ without vehicle and the ferry terminal is easily accessible 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 check out SSL direct ferries website to find the most suitable option for you. The route is quite popular and especially in the peak season it might be booked out quickly. I recommend booking well in advance to avoid them being booked out. 

By plane:

Perhaps you have a longer layover in Tallinn, and want to figure out whether using the time to explore the city is worth it? The answer is yes! The airport is located incredibly close to the city center and reaching it via public transport only takes around 30 minutes. 

By train:

Thinking about squeezing Tallinn into your Interrail route but having only limited time? No worries! You could arrive in the train station in the morning, explore the city for a couple of hours and then continue straight on to your next stop in the evening. Or maybe you are staying in a different city in Estonia and want to take a daytrip to the capital. Elron operates Estonia's domestic trains, offering good connections between cities. A journey from Estonia's second largest city Tartu to Tallinn for example, takes around 3h with the cost ranging from 10-16€. 

By bus:

Getting to Tallinn by bus is also possible, though I would not suggest doing it if you want to get from another Estonian city to Tallinn, as the trains work a lot better. However, as the baltics are not as well connected with railways as other regions in Europe, taking the bus to travel from one baltic country to another might be the easier solution than taking the train. Flixbusses, for instance, run several times a day between Tallinn and Riga, 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.

Tallinn in One Day Intinerary

Morning/noon: explore Tallinn's lower old town

Especially if you are arriving in Tallinn by ferry it makes sense to start your Tallinn intinerary in Tallinn's old town before heading towards the more modern and alternative quarter of Telliskivi later on. The historical center of Tallinn 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 city walls and through the old city gates truly feels like stepping back into the Middle Ages. 

Tallinn's old town is divided into two parts: the upper and lower town. We are going to start in the lower one. To begin your adventure here, the best place to enter is through Viru Gate. Tallinn's old town is surrounded by a 1.85 km long city wall, with over 20 towers and two gates, with Viru Gate being the more famous one, as it is one of Tallinn's most iconic landmarks. From there, head to Katariina Käik (St. Catherine's Passage), a small, charming cobblestone street hidden between buildings. The earlier you get there, the better, as it tends to get quite crowded. However, even with many tourists around, it is still a beautiful place to explore. Here you are not only greeted with the feeling of having stepped back into the Middle Ages but you also find many cute craft stores, that are worth exploring.

Next, make your way to Raekoja Plats, the main square of Tallinn. This historic plaza has served as the city's marketplace since the Middle Ages. Today, it's surrounded by colorful medieval buildings, cozy cafés, restaurants and shops. Moreover, it is home to the city's town hall. If it is already around lunchtime, this is the perfect spot to take a break. The square offers a wide range of dining options, but the true highlight are certainly the medieval themed restaurants. These places do not just serve food but they offer an immersive experience that lets you step back in time. The most famous medieval restaurant is Olde Hansa, where you will be greeted by servers in medieval costumes and get to enjoy your meal with medieval music playing in the background. Other great alternatives include Peppersack and III Draakon, both offering similar experiences. If you wish to eat later, I will include some more food suggestions later on. 

Noon/early afternoon: visit Tallinn's upper town

From Raekoja Plats, we are going to head to Tallinn's Upper Town, also known as Toompea. To reach it, I recommend walking to Pika Jala Väravatorn and then continuing along Pikk Jalg, a small cobblestone street that leads you straight to our first stop in the upper town: Alexander Newski Cathedral. This orthodox style cathedral is one of the most iconic buildings in Tallinn. Alongside its gorgeous architecture it 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. 

From the cathedral, make your way to the Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform. On the walk to the platform you will pass through narrow medieval streets lined with colorful houses until you finally reach the viewing platform where you get greeted with gorgeous views over the city. The platform is a popular spot, and it can get a bit crowded, but it truly lives up to the hype. From here, you can head towards another viewing platform, the Patkuli Viewing Platform. It offers a different but equally impressive perspective of Tallinn. Just next to the platform, you will find the Patkuli Stairs, which lead you back down the hill straight toward our next destination.

Afternoon/early evening: Balti Jaam Market & Telliskivi creative center

After exploring Tallinn's historic center, it is time to head over to a more modern and alternative part of the city. We are going to start with Balti Jaam Market, a market that spans three floors and around 300 vendors. This market offers an incredibly selection of street food, and is especially perfect if you have not had lunch yet. You will find a wide range of cuisines, from Georgian to Chinese, and of course traditional Estonian. If you have already eaten lunch and are in the mood for something sweet, I highly recommend stopping by Pohjala Deli. Their pastries are amazing, and the café is a great little spot to recharge. 

Once you have finished strolling through the market, head toward the Telliskivi Creative Center, a once industrial part of town that has reinvented itself as Tallinn's creative hub. To get there, exit the market on the side opposite the train station and take a turn to the left. You will soon find yourself in a cool area full of street art and hip restaurants, including Peatus, which is a restaurant set inside an old train carriage. If you keep walking you will soon reach the heart of Telliskivi. The area 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 see and do here that the best approach is to simply wander around at your own pace and admire the art, explore the boutiques and do not hesitate to walk into any exhibition that catches your eye. If you would like to plan ahead, you can check out Telliskivi's website to inform yourself about current exhibtions, shops and events. One of the most popular attractions in Telliskivi is the Fotografiska, a contemporary photography museum, that is worth visiting. Telliskivi is also a great place to end your day with food. F-Hoone, for instance, is one of the most highly praised restaurants in the area, making it a perfect place for dinner. If you are in the mood for a snack or dessert, I recommend getting ice cream at La Muu.