Visiting Tallinn Old Town, Estonia

Tallinn is the capital of the little-known country of Estonia. With only a fairly small population of around 430,000, Tallinn city really packs a punch with its many charming attractions.

We visited this grand Baltic city on a crowded day, and checked out the sights of its Medieval Old Town. Tallinn’s charming Old Town is the best preserved Medieval old town in Northern Europe. In 1997, the Old Town was inducted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s so much to see here - we already know that we’ll be visiting again someday very soon!

Here are our best pictures from our 1 Day in Tallinn Old Town.

Lots of people visited Tallinn on this particular day, but this didn’t deter us from checking out this beautiful city!

Tallinn was definitely an aesthetic treat

Where to stay in Tallinn

Accommodation in Tallinn’s Old Town can range from inexpensive to luxury prices. There are a good range of hotels worth staying in, which include:

Low Range

Mid Range

High Range

Tour or self-guided?

This is a question we get a lot when it comes to our 1-day itineraries. We write our itineraries based on completing them self-guided, but of course if you’re looking for extra information and history about each place, we recommend going on a tour.

Viator has a plethora of quality tours on offer when it comes to exploring Tallinn. Some of these tours take you to places that even we couldn’t squeeze into our day - so going on one could be an efficient use of time. Some tours you may want to check out are:

1. Viru Gates

Built in the 14th century, the Viru Gates were erected to defend Tallinn City.

2. Pikk Hermann

Pikk Hermann is a medieval defensive tower that sits on top of Toompea Castle built in 1371

3. Riigikogu

Known as the official Estonian Parliament Building, the Riigikogu passes laws and resolutions for the country.

Riigikogu, Tallinn was under construction when we visited

The Estonian Parliament Building, Tallinn

4. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox Church built in 1900. It is Tallinn’s grandest and most famous church.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn from below

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral can be seen from various points in Tallinn city

5. St Mary’s Church

The oldest church in Mainland Estonia, St Mary’s Church is the only building in Toompea which survived the 17th century fire of Tallinn.

6. Toompea Hill

An icon of Tallinn city, this limestone hill sits at the center of Tallinn and offers panoramic views of the Baltic city. Toompea Hill is a must-do when visiting Tallinn.

7. Patkuli Viewing Platform

The Patkuli Viewing Platform offers views of the Old Town and is great for a photo spot.

Patkuli Viewing Platform is one of Tallinn’s best viewpoints

Patkuli Viewing Platform is only a minute’s walk from Kohutuotsa Viewing Platform, the other popular Tallinn platform

Patkuli Viewing Platform offers great scenic views of Tallinn Old Town

8. Kohutuotsa Viewing Platform

Located on the northern side of Toompea Hill, the Kohutuotsa Viewing Platform is Tallinn’s most popular viewing platform - and with good reason. The views here are breathtaking.

Kohutuotsa Viewing Platform is perhaps Tallinn’s most popular viewing platform

9. Great Guild Hall and Estonian History Museum

The Great Guild Hall used to be used by merchants and artisans coming in and out of Tallinn during the city’s heydey, and now is the Estonian History Museum.

Great Guild Hall in Tallinn is now the Estonian History Museum

10. Rataskaevu Street

Rataskaevu Street is one of Tallinn’s many scenic streets and a popular gathering place for locals.

11. St Catherine’s Passage

St Catherine’s Passage is a hidden walkway that perfectly encapsulates Tallinn’s medieval feel.

St Catherine’s Passage’s old ruins, Tallinn

St Catherine’s Passage in Tallinn is semi-hidden

Many vendors sell various things at St Catherine’s Passage, Tallinn

12. St Nicholas’ Orthodox Church

St Nicholas’ Orthodox Church is another gorgeous church in Tallinn Old Town.

13. Linnamusseum – Tallinn City Museum

The Linnamusseum is a museum featuring art and photographs of Tallinn City. Great for a quick history lesson of the city.

14. Tallinna Raekoja Plats (Town Square)

Talinna Raekoja Plats is the market place and center of the Lower Town, and has been here since the 13th century.

Tallinna Raekoja Plats is Tallinn’s pastel-coloured town square

From Tallinn’s Town Square, you can head off to other attractions in Tallinn’s Old Town

Tallinn’s town square gets very busy at times

Tallinna Raekoja Plats in Tallinn is also home to many vendors selling souvenirs

15. Tallinna Raekoda (Town Hall)

The Tallinna Raekoda is the oldest Town Hall in the whole of the Baltic and Scandinavian regions, and was completed in 1404.

The Town Hall area in Tallinn can get super crowded

Tallinna Raekoda is Tallinn’s Town Hall, and the oldest in the whole Baltic and Scandinavian regions

16. Old Town Tallinn

A general stroll around Old Town Tallinn will lead to many surprising finds.

Old Town, Tallinn – yet some streets were empty

Old Town, Tallinn – plenty of interesting architecture in Tallinn

Old Town, Tallinn – This medieval city is famous for its pastel colours

WHAT WE MISSED

Kadriorg Palace and Park

Kadriorg Palace is a colourful palace that was built for Catherine I of Russia.

We didn’t get a chance to visit this place as it was a bit further away from the Old Town (about a 10 minute drive, or 30 minute walk).

You can read what we thought of Catherine I’s other palace, Catherine Palace in St Petersburg here.

Visited, or planning to visit Estonia? We’d love to hear from you. Let us know in the comments below!

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