Tallinn Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Tallinn, Estonia's capital, effortlessly blends medieval charm with a modern spirit. Its well-preserved Old Town and lively cultural scene offer a unique experience for visitors.
With 379+ hand-picked places to explore, Tallinn rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Below is our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for, with every place linked to its full profile.
Must-See Attractions in Tallinn
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Kadriorg Palace — a stunning Baroque palace surrounded by manicured gardens and a superb art collection. Just as worthwhile is Patkuli Viewing Platform: patkuli provides expansive views over Tallinn's old town, with the harbor in the distance. Russalka Memorial completes the picture: a poignant tribute to sailors lost at sea, depicting an angel reaching towards the heavens.
Kadriorg Palace
Tallinn • Historic Architecture
A stunning Baroque palace surrounded by manicured gardens and a superb art collection.
Patkuli Viewing Platform
Tallinn • Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
Patkuli provides expansive views over Tallinn's old town, with the harbor in the distance.
Russalka Memorial
Tallinn • Monuments & Statues
A poignant tribute to sailors lost at sea, depicting an angel reaching towards the heavens.
Tall Hermann
Tallinn • Historic Architecture
An iconic medieval tower standing tall as part of Toompea Castle's complex.
Museums & Culture in Tallinn
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour: an engaging maritime museum set in a unique seaplane hangar. Locals will also point you to Museum of Occupations and Freedom Vabamu — experience Estonia's complex 20th-century history through compelling exhibits. And for something different, there's Tallinn Town Hall: the oldest town hall in the Baltic region, a rare example of Gothic architecture.
Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour
Tallinn • Museums
An engaging maritime museum set in a unique seaplane hangar.
Museum of Occupations and Freedom Vabamu
Tallinn • Museums
Experience Estonia's complex 20th-century history through compelling exhibits.
Tallinn Town Hall
Tallinn • Historical Sites
The oldest town hall in the Baltic region, a rare example of Gothic architecture.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Tallinn • Historical Sites
A striking Russian Orthodox cathedral with grand domes and intricate mosaics.
Best Things to Do in Tallinn
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Spot of Tallinn — versatile sports complex with facilities for skateboarding, BMX, and gymnastics. Viru Bog Trail earns its reputation too — scenic hiking trail through a tranquil bog landscape, featuring wooden boardwalks. Round out the shortlist with Estonian Open Air Museum — expansive museum showcasing historic Estonian rural life across various farmsteads and traditional buildings.
Spot of Tallinn
Tallinn • Sports
Versatile sports complex with facilities for skateboarding, BMX, and gymnastics.
Viru Bog Trail
Tallinn • Outdoor
Scenic hiking trail through a tranquil bog landscape, featuring wooden boardwalks.
Estonian Open Air Museum
Tallinn • Indoor
Expansive museum showcasing historic Estonian rural life across various farmsteads and traditional buildings.
Kumu Art Museum
Tallinn • Indoor
An architectural marvel and Estonia's largest art museum, showcasing both classical and contemporary art.
Where to Eat in Tallinn
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Restaurant 180° by Matthias Diether — offers a contemporary dining experience with innovative dishes by Michelin-starred chef Matthias Diether. Just as worthwhile is Rataskaevu16: known for its cozy atmosphere and traditional Estonian dishes with a twist. Restoran Kolm Sibulat completes the picture: casual dining spot known for its inventive, globally inspired menu.
Restaurant 180° by Matthias Diether
Tallinn • Fine Dining
Offers a contemporary dining experience with innovative dishes by Michelin-starred chef Matthias Diether.
Rataskaevu16
Tallinn • Local Cuisine
Known for its cozy atmosphere and traditional Estonian dishes with a twist.
Restoran Kolm Sibulat
Tallinn • Local Cuisine
Casual dining spot known for its inventive, globally inspired menu.
Horisont Restaurant & Bar
Tallinn • Fine Dining
Elevates dining with panoramic views of Tallinn and an exquisite menu.
Tallinn After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Horisont Bar: perched high above the city, Horisont Bar offers breathtaking views alongside a sophisticated cocktail menu. Locals will also point you to Botaanik — a cozy bar known for its expertly crafted botanical cocktails. And for something different, there's Heldeke!: a unique cabaret bar blending performances with creative cocktails.
Horisont Bar
Tallinn • Rooftop Bars
Perched high above the city, Horisont Bar offers breathtaking views alongside a sophisticated cocktail menu.
Botaanik
Tallinn • Cocktail Bars
A cozy bar known for its expertly crafted botanical cocktails.
Heldeke!
Tallinn • Cocktail Bars
A unique cabaret bar blending performances with creative cocktails.
Club Studio
Tallinn • Nightclubs & Discos
A popular spot known for its world-class DJs and electric atmosphere.
Where to Stay in Tallinn
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Hotel St. Petersbourg — boutique hotel blending Russian historic elegance with modern comforts in Tallinn's Old Town. Schlössle Hotel earns its reputation too — intimate luxury in a 13th-century building, offering personalized service and charm. Round out the shortlist with Hotel Telegraaf, Autograph Collection — historical charm meets modern luxury in this elegantly restored former telegraph building.
Hotel St. Petersbourg
Tallinn • Luxury Hotels
Boutique hotel blending Russian historic elegance with modern comforts in Tallinn's Old Town.
Schlössle Hotel
Tallinn • Luxury Hotels
Intimate luxury in a 13th-century building, offering personalized service and charm.
Hotel Telegraaf, Autograph Collection
Tallinn • Spa Hotels
Historical charm meets modern luxury in this elegantly restored former telegraph building.
Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallinn
Tallinn • Luxury Hotels
A contemporary retreat offering stunning views and sophisticated design, perfect for business and leisure travelers.
Shopping in Tallinn
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Balti Jaama Turg — vibrant market-style mall with a focus on local products and cuisine. Just as worthwhile is Kalev Chocolate Shop & Workshop: dive into the world of Estonian chocolate at this interactive shop and workshop. A.G.A.N completes the picture: offers handpicked vintage fashion and accessories, focusing on rare finds.
Balti Jaama Turg
Tallinn • Malls
Vibrant market-style mall with a focus on local products and cuisine.
Kalev Chocolate Shop & Workshop
Tallinn • Souvenir Shops
Dive into the world of Estonian chocolate at this interactive shop and workshop.
A.G.A.N
Tallinn • Vintage & Thrift Shops
Offers handpicked vintage fashion and accessories, focusing on rare finds.
Estonian Design House
Tallinn • Souvenir Shops
A creative space promoting local designers, offering a wide range of innovative products and ideas.
Parks & Green Spaces in Tallinn
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Aegna Island Trails: island trails offering a mix of coastal views and wooded paths just a short ferry ride from Tallinn. Locals will also point you to Paljassaare Special Conservation Area — a prime birdwatching location with diverse avian species year-round. And for something different, there's Pirita River Trail: a scenic trail offering picturesque views along the Pirita River and through lush green surroundings.
Aegna Island Trails
Tallinn • Hiking Trails
Island trails offering a mix of coastal views and wooded paths just a short ferry ride from Tallinn.
Paljassaare Special Conservation Area
Tallinn • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
A prime birdwatching location with diverse avian species year-round.
Pirita River Trail
Tallinn • Hiking Trails
A scenic trail offering picturesque views along the Pirita River and through lush green surroundings.
Rocca al Mare Coastline Trail
Tallinn • Hiking Trails
This trail offers a scenic coastal walk with views of Tallinn Bay and the open sea.
Tallinn Like a Local
The spots most visitors walk straight past.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Kadriorg District — a serene neighborhood with beautiful parks and the Kadriorg Palace. Røst Bakery earns its reputation too — artisanal bakery known for freshly baked goods and a minimalist Scandinavian atmosphere. Round out the shortlist with Telliskivi Creative City — an artistic hub filled with studios, galleries, and hip eateries in repurposed warehouses.
Kadriorg District
Tallinn • Hidden Neighborhoods
A serene neighborhood with beautiful parks and the Kadriorg Palace.
Røst Bakery
Tallinn • Secret Foodie Spots
Artisanal bakery known for freshly baked goods and a minimalist Scandinavian atmosphere.
Telliskivi Creative City
Tallinn • Hidden Neighborhoods
An artistic hub filled with studios, galleries, and hip eateries in repurposed warehouses.
Speakeasy by Põhjala Brewery
Tallinn • Secret Bars & Speakeasies
An exclusive spot by Põhjala Brewery offering craft beers and a cozy, authentic speakeasy experience.
58 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Tallinn that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Tallinn list:
- Food Sightseeing Estonia· Walking
- Toompea Hill· Historic Architecture
- Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF)· Seasonal
- Whisper Sister· Cocktail Bars
- Raekoja plats· Historic Squares & Plazas
Planning where to stay in Tallinn?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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