Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, is probably my favorite city out of all the places I've been to in the Baltics. It is, by far, the most photogenic capital city out of all, surrounded by medieval structures, ancient churches, and criss-crossing cobblestone streets that are begging for you to explore.
With its vibrant skyline dominated by medieval towers, churches, and houses, fun-loving locals, and a thriving young creative scene, Tallinn is an amazing city to visit that rivals those of Hamburg or Copenhagen when it comes to its energy, but much, much smaller and way less crowded.
If you are planning to visit the Baltic Countries, Tallinn is definitely one of the places you should stop by for a day or two. There are many great things you can do here, and to make the best out of your trip to Tallinn, you are going to love this travel guide.
Without further ado, here are the best things to do in Tallinn, Estonia, and all the information you need to plan your epic backpacking trip there. Let's first take a look at the best things to do in Tallinn for solo travelers, all laid out on a map below:
Tallinn Things To Do Itinerary Map
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must Visit: | Patkuli Viewing Platform |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Best Museum: | Learn More About the Baltic Sea at Lennusadam Museum |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | Citybox Tallinn |
| 🌤️ When to visit: | Jun - Aug |
10 Best Things to Do in Tallinn, Estonia
1. Check Out Tallinn's Skyline at Patkuli Viewing Platform
- 📍 Location: Patkuli Viewing Platform [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: No closing time
- 💰 Entry Fees: Free
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This is one of my favorite viewpoints in the city; you can see the iconic cityscape of Tallinn from here. Highly recommended!"
Patkuli Viewing Platform is probably one of my favorite places in Tallinn. It is a viewpoint located on the hills of Tallinn's old town where you will be able to see an unobstructed view of the old town's skyline.
This is where the true beauty of Tallinn really shines. From this viewpoint, you will be able to see not only the beautiful vibrant roofs of Tallinn's houses but also all the old medieval stone towers, walls, and the spire of St Olaf's Church all at once, which is quite a sight to behold.
To get to the viewpoint, you can either walk up the 157 steps from the bottom of the cliff via Patkuli Stairs, or you can take the more scenic route around and through the Old Town, which should take you through some of the most beautiful attractions in Tallinn.
- Tallinn Backpackers (Budget)
- Citybox Tallinn (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Conference & Spa Hotel Tallinn (High-End)
- Day trip from Helsinki to Tallinn. Ferry included (4 hours)
- Tallinn City Private Tour (3 hours)
- Private Shore Excursion: Tallinn Old Town Walking Tour with Round-Trip Transfer (5 hours)
There is no closing time at the viewpoint, as it is simply a platform along the cobblestone street right by the cliff. Plus, there is no entrance fee whatsoever, so you can visit anytime you like.
Where to Stay in Tallinn, Estonia?
2. Hang Out at Tallinn Town Hall Square
- 📍 Location: Tallinn Town Hall [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: June - August: Mon - Thu, 11 AM - 6 PM; Fri - Sun, 11 AM - 4 PM. Sep - May: visits by appointment, Mon - Fri, 10 AM - 4 PM.
- 💰 Entry Fees: 7 EUR during the summer season; 14 EUR for private visits outside the seasonal opening period. Town Hall + Tower combined ticket: 12 EUR in summer.
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "The town hall is a great place to begin your exploration of the old town. The town hall itself is okay, but the square and its lively surroundings are what I enjoyed the most."
Tallinn Town Hall is the heart of Tallinn's Old Town, and it is one of the best places to hang out in Tallinn. Surrounding the Town Hall is a large square full of restaurants and cafes where people like to congregate.
The Town Hall itself is pretty incredible, as it is believed to be the oldest city town hall in Northern Europe. The Town Hall was constructed all the way back in the 13th Century, and it still retains its unique Gothic architectural style for over 700 years.
The Town Hall is now regularly open to individual visitors from June through August, with tickets costing 7 EUR per adult. From September to May, you can still visit by appointment on weekdays, although the special admission price is 14 EUR. If you are visiting in summer, you can also buy a combined Town Hall and Tower ticket for 12 EUR.
If not, you can also spend some time here and stroll around Town Hall Square, indulging yourself in all the restaurants and cafes, and admiring all the colorful European-style houses surrounding it.
3. Stroll Around the Bastion Passages
- 📍 Location: Kiek in de Kök Museum [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: May - September: 11 AM - 6 PM daily; October - April: 11 AM - 6 PM, Tuesday - Sunday.
- 💰 Entry Fees: 16 EUR
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "If you are into medieval history, be sure to check out these old bastion passages. It's a wonderful piece of medieval history, all preserved."
If you are into medieval history and ruins (who doesn't!?) then you are going to want to spend some time and stroll around the old bastion passages starting from Kiek in de Kök Museum.
The museum forms a complex of over 500 meters long, and you will have access to the 4 medieval towers, as well as the mysterious underground bastion passages that were constructed in the 17th Century. These passages were used as another line of defense for the city, connecting with the walls and towers you see around Tallinn.
To access the bastion passages, you can visit the Kiek in de Kök Museum. General admission to the full fortifications museum currently costs 16 EUR and includes the towers and underground passages. From May to September, it is open daily from 11 AM to 6 PM; from October to April, it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM.
4. Admire the Beauty of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- 📍 Location: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: Free
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This is one of the prettiest cathedrals in Tallinn; the onion domes are iconic!"
One of the prettiest cathedrals you will see in Tallinn is Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a stunning onion-domed Russian Orthodox cathedral constructed at the top of Toompea Hill dominating the skyline of Tallinn's Old Town.
This Orthodox church was built in 1900 when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire, as a way to extend its influence over the increasingly unruly Baltic territory.
Despite its oppressive symbolism, the city never managed to demolish the structure after it gained independence, and it has since been turned into one of the most important landmarks in the city that you can visit.
The cathedral is packed with mosaics and icons, as well as a stunning golden altar at the center, despite its small interior. If you are in Tallinn's Old Town, don't forget to visit the cathedral and admire its stunning beauty. The cathedral opens from 8 AM to 6 PM every day, and it is free to enter.
5. Visit St. Nicolas' Church
- 📍 Location: St. Nicholas' Church and Museum [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 10 AM - 6 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: 15 EUR
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It's a nice church turned museum where you can see some really cool medieval artifacts and religious artworks. It's not a must for most, but if you are into art, you might want to check it out."
Another church you should visit in Tallinn's old town is St. Nicholas' Church and Museum, an old medieval church originally constructed in the 13th century before it was bombed by the Soviets and restored again after the war.
Nowadays, it has been converted into a museum to store all the ecclesiastical art from the Middle Ages onward, which you can visit and learn a bit more about Tallinn's past.
Inside, you will find all kinds of exquisite medieval artifacts and religious artworks, including one of the most famous religious artworks of all – Danse Macabre or the Dance of Death by Bernt Notke. This artwork depicts the transience of life, the skeletal figures of Death, and the feeble ones.
St. Nicholas' Church, now the Niguliste Museum, is open from 10 AM to 6 PM. From May to September it is open daily, while from October to April it is closed on Mondays. Adult admission is currently 15 EUR and includes access to the museum's medieval ecclesiastical art collection and its newer glass lift and skydeck.
6. Go Up to Toompea Castle
- 📍 Location: Toompea Castle [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: Free excursions
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "A nice place to drop by as you explore the old town is one where you can admire it from the outside if you don't want to go on a tour of the interior."
Toompea Castle has been the seat of power in Estonia since the 13th century, and it is one of the most prominent structures in Tallinn. I highly recommend visiting it when you are in Estonia.
Perched off a limestone cliff towering over the city of Tallinn, Toompea Castle may look like a formidable fortress. However, if you walk up the Toompea Hill through the Old Town, you will be surprised to find a stunningly pink Baroque-style façade that is nothing like its stone medieval fortress look on the other side.
If you wish to go inside, there are free excursions running every weekday for both single and group visits, but you will have to reserve a spot in advance from here or you can just admire the beauty of the castle from the outside.
7. Hunt Down all the Accidentally-Wes-Anderson Buildings
- 📍 Location: Tallinn [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I am a big fan of Wes Anderson and his movies, and there are so many buildings here that are aesthetically similar to movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel. Be sure to keep an eye out for them."
Speaking of pink-colored buildings, Tallinn is filled with pastel-colored architecture and structures that will remind you of some of the set pieces in Wes Anderson movies.
I called these "Accidentally-Wes-Anderson Buildings", and if you are a big fan of his quirky and aesthetically satisfying movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel, you are going to love Tallinn.
Spend some time and walk around the criss-crossing cobblestone streets of Tallinn's Old Town, and keep an eye out for some of these pastel pink buildings and houses when you are in Tallinn.
8. Go Up Tallinn Tv Tower
- 📍 Location: Tallinn TV Tower [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Mon - Thu: 10 AM - 9 PM; Fri - Sun: 10 AM - 10 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: 18 EUR online / 19 EUR on-site; evening ticket after 5 PM: 10 EUR
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It's a nice excursion you can take if you want to get out of the city for a bit and do something adventurous."
Photos by Marko Leppik
For the ultimate view of Tallinn and its skyline, there is no better place to be than at the top of the Tallinn TV Tower, the highest open viewing platform in Northern Europe, standing at 314 meters high.
Photos by Bernt Rostad
From this height, the view of Tallinn and its surrounding landscapes can't get any better than this. You can either enjoy the view from the open-air viewing platform or participate in the "Walk Along the Edge" activity that will allow you to see over the edge of the TV tower with a harness.
The TV Tower is currently open from 10 AM to 9 PM Monday to Thursday and until 10 PM Friday to Sunday. A standard adult ticket costs 18 EUR online or 19 EUR on-site, while an evening ticket after 5 PM costs 10 EUR. You can also book the ticket for the TV Tower from here: Book Tallinn TV Tower entrance ticket.
9. Be Amazed by the Architecture of Kadriorg Art Museum
- 📍 Location: Kadriorg Art Museum [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 10 AM - 6 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: 15 EUR
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "The architecture and the garden here are worth visiting in themselves."
Kadriorg Art Museum is a beautiful Baroque-style palace located not too far from Tallinn city center. The palace was constructed in the 18th century by the Russian Empire, and it is currently used as a museum to display foreign art from the 16th to 20th centuries.
Like most palaces in Europe, the Kadriorg Art Museum consists of an elaborately designed garden with fountains and flowerbeds that surround the stunning pink-colored Roman-Baroque-style palace. The interior is as grand as the exterior, with intricately designed sculptures and murals that you can expect from European palaces.
You should be able to reach the palace with Tram #1, #3, and #5, all leaving near Tallinn's old town. Punch in the location on Google Maps, and you should be able to see which tram stop you should go to get to Kadriorg Art Museum.
The entrance fee to Kadriorg Art Museum is currently 15 EUR per adult. The museum is open from 10 AM to 6 PM Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday, with extended hours until 8 PM on Wednesday. From May to September it is also open on Mondays from 10 AM to 6 PM; from October to April it is closed on Mondays.
If you are short on time and looking for a convenient way to get to the Kadriorg Art Museum, you can also go with an organized excursion tour that includes other places as well. Additionally, you can go on a bike tour to visit the Kadriorg Art Museum among other places around Tallinn, which is another fun way to get around this beautiful city.
10. Learn More About the Baltic Sea at Lennusadam Museum
- 📍 Location: Lennusadam Museum [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: May - September: 10 AM - 7 PM daily; October - April: 10 AM - 6 PM, Tuesday - Sunday.
- 💰 Entry Fees: 22 EUR
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "The Baltics have always played an important role in European history, so if you want to learn more about it, this is a great place to be."
Photos by PilotGirl
Last but not least, do not forget to visit one of the best museums in Tallinn, the Lennusadam Museum, an amazing maritime museum with a ton of things to do, like walking inside a submarine, where you can explore ships and submarines.
The museum is housed inside Tallinn's enormous early-20th-century seaplane hangars rather than a medieval tower. Its exhibits cover Estonia's maritime and naval history, with highlights including the full-size Lembit submarine, historic boats and aircraft, and hands-on displays. It is a great interactive museum with a ton to do, so be sure to spare at least a couple of hours for your visit.
Lennusadam, or the Seaplane Harbour, is open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM from May through September. From October through April, it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Adult admission is currently 22 EUR, and the museum recommends allowing at least two hours for a visit.
The Baltic Travel Video
When to Visit Tallinn, Estonia?
The best time to visit Tallinn, Estonia is from June to August when the weather is nice and warm, making it great for you to explore the outdoors.
June to August is the high season, so this is also when Tallinn is at its busiest, especially around the Old Town and on days when cruise ships are in port. The trade-off is long daylight hours, warmer weather, and the widest range of seasonal opening hours.
If you prefer fewer crowds, late May and September are also good options, although the weather is cooler and some seasonal attractions operate shorter hours. Tallinn is very much a year-round city, so you do not need to avoid the rest of the year entirely; winter can be extremely cold and daylight is limited, but the Old Town and major museums remain accessible.
How to Get to Tallinn, Estonia?
To get to Tallinn, you will have to either fly into its international airport or catch one of the many buses that run between other cities in Europe via Latvia from Western Europe or take a cruise via Finland from Northern Europe.
To find a flight to Tallinn, you are going to have to search for flights that fly into Tallinn International Airport (TLL).
From the US, unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Tallinn, but you can still fly into the city via one of the many transit flights that pass through cities like Helsinki (Finnair), Zurich (Swiss Airlines), or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) from big cities in the US like New York, Boston, and Miami.
From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via local carriers such as British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa to Tallinn. You can also go with low-cost airlines like airBaltic, Wizz, and RyanAir that often fly directly from big cities around Europe for as low as 14 USD.
From Asia, your only option is to fly into Tallinn via transit flights through big European cities like Helsinki via Finnair, or you can transit in Istanbul via Turkish Airlines, which can take anywhere from 12 to more than 16 hours, including transit time.
It's not ideal, but this is the only way to do it from Asia. A better way would be to visit Tallinn as part of your larger Europe trip, which is exactly what I did to make the long flight worthwhile.
To find a cheap flight to Tallinn, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and choose the best one.
How to Get Around Tallinn, Estonia?
By Walk: Tallinn's tourist attractions are all located within the confines of its old town, and you should be able to walk to most of the tourist attractions I listed here without using any public transportation.
By Buses & Trams: Tallinn has one of the best public transportation systems out there. If you are looking to go further, such as the TV Tower or Kadriorg Museum, you can simply punch in the location on Google Maps to find which trams and buses can take you there. It is as simple as that.
Tallinn uses the same ticket system across city buses, trams, and trolleybuses. For visitors, a 1-hour ticket costs 2 EUR, a 24-hour ticket 5.50 EUR, a 3-day ticket 9 EUR, and a 5-day ticket 11 EUR. You can use an Ühiskaart smartcard, buy a QR ticket, or simply tap a contactless bank card at the front-door validator for a 1-hour ticket, which makes short visits much easier than the old paper-ticket system.
By Train: You can also take a train to other cities like Tartu if you want to do a day trip there. Simply go to Tallinn Railway Station and catch one of the trains from there. You can find Tallinn's train schedule here.
By Tours: If you want to dive deeper into the culture and history of Tallinn, you can also opt for walking tours or day trips to travel further into the countryside of Estonia from Tallinn. You can find tours to join in Tallinn with the link below:
How Many Days To Spend in Tallinn, Estonia?
One full day (2 nights) should be enough to see everything in Tallinn. Yup, it's that small, and it helps a lot that all the tourist attractions are conveniently concentrated in one area. Below is a rough 1-day itinerary for Tallinn, Estonia.
Day 1: Visit all the tourist attractions within Tallinn, such as the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Mary's Cathedral, stroll around Toompea, and hang out at Tallinn Town Hall, etc.
How Much Money Do I Need For Tallinn, Estonia?
With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending in Tallinn, Estonia as follows:
Accommodation: For 2 nights in a hostel dorm or simple budget room, allow around 50 - 80 EUR per person. Prices vary significantly by season, with summer weekends usually costing more.
Food: For a budget-focused trip using bakeries, casual restaurants, and supermarkets, allow around 35 - 50 EUR for one full day of meals and drinks.
Transportation: Most of the Old Town is walkable. If you use public transport for Kadriorg, the TV Tower, or Lennusadam, allow around 5.50 - 9 EUR; a 24-hour Tallinn transport ticket costs 5.50 EUR and a 3-day ticket costs 9 EUR.
Activities: Visiting Niguliste Museum (15 EUR), Tallinn TV Tower (18 EUR online), Kadriorg Art Museum (15 EUR), and Lennusadam (22 EUR) comes to around 70 EUR. Add another 16 EUR if you also visit the full Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum.
Total Budget for 1 day in Tallinn: 160 - 210 EUR (180 - 240 USD) per person
Is it Safe in Tallinn, Estonia?
Estonia is a very safe country to travel around. You won't find many problems here, especially if you compare it with bigger cities like Paris and Barcelona, where pickpockets and thieves run rampant. I'm not saying it never happens in Estonia, but it is rare and not as prevalent as in Western Europe.
That said, it is always a good idea to take precautions and be aware of your belongings and surroundings when you are traveling. Anything can happen, especially if you are in a crowded area, so don't forget to keep your belongings near you when you are out and about at all times.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Estonia?
There are 3 major carriers in Estonia: Telia, Tele2, and Elisa. All of them offer pretty similar 4G/LTE coverage, so picking one over another shouldn't make that much of a difference.
Telia remains one of the main options, and its prepaid brand Super is easy to use for a short trip. A basic Super starter SIM still costs 1 EUR and currently includes 300 MB of 5G data, while a 4 EUR starter pack includes 4 GB of 5G data plus prepaid credit, calls, and SMS. The included data is valid for 30 days.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
First Published:
Last updated:
