Tallinn City Guide
Tallinn is the north's best-preserved Hanseatic town: a medieval old town of red brick and towers, the Toompea hill above it and, beyond, a surprisingly digital, modern city on the Baltic. Ready-made routes from the Viru Gate lead you through the lanes, up to the postcard viewpoint and to the harbour - with no planning needed.
🗺️ Open Tallinn interactively – map & navigationOur walking tours of Tallinn
Ready-made routes from the station guide you through Tallinn – to the right spots from the very first step, with no planning needed.
Altstadt, Domberg & Hafen
From the twin-towered Viru Gate to the Town Hall Square with northern Europe's oldest town hall, up onto Toompea hill to the Kohtuotsa postcard viewpoint, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the parliament castle. Back down into the lower town through the St. Catherine's Passage, up the tower of St. Olaf's church for the best all-round view and to the Fat Margaret bastion at the harbour.
- Viru Gate (Viru väravad) – The walk begins at the Viru Gate, the classic entrance to the old town: two round, ivy-clad 14th-century defensive towers, with a flower market in front. Beyond, the cobbled Viru street opens up towards the city's medieval heart.
- Raekoja plats & Town Hall – The Raekoja plats is the historic market square, framed by colourful gabled houses and the Gothic town hall of 1404 - northern Europe's oldest surviving town hall. Atop its spire turns "Old Thomas", the city's emblem; in summer the tower can be climbed.
- Kohtuotsa viewpoint (Toompea) – On Toompea hill lies the city's most famous view: from the Kohtuotsa platform you look over a sea of red tiled roofs and the green church spires of the lower town, with the modern skyline and the Baltic beyond. Tallinn's postcard shot par excellence - loveliest in the early evening.
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – Facing the parliament castle rises the Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of 1900, with its striking black onion domes and golden crosses - a piece of the tsarist era on Toompea. The opulent interior of icons and mosaics is impressive, though photography isn't allowed inside.
- Toompea Castle & Parliament – The pink castle on Toompea is today the seat of Estonia's parliament (Riigikogu). Behind it rises the medieval "Tall Hermann" tower, where each morning the Estonian flag is raised to the national anthem - a symbol of independence. Quiet lanes and more viewpoints lie all around.
- St Catherine's Passage (Katariina käik) – Back in the lower town, St. Catherine's Passage runs through one of the old town's most atmospheric lanes: narrow, partly vaulted, its wall lined with old gravestones from the former St. Catherine's church. In the little workshops (Katariina Gild) artisans work with glass, leather and ceramics. In the morning, soft light falls into the lane.
- St. Olaf's Church (Oleviste) tower – St. Olaf's Church was reputedly the world's tallest building around 1500, with its 159-metre tower. Climb the 258 steep steps to the viewing gallery - at the top waits the best all-round view over the whole old town, the harbour and the Baltic. Only with some fitness and no fear of heights.
- Fat Margaret (Paks Margareeta) – To finish, Fat Margaret, a massive 16th-century cannon tower on the northern edge of the old town near the harbour. Inside, the modern Estonian Maritime Museum tells the country's seafaring story; from the roof terrace you look over the city wall to the sea. The tram back is right beyond.
Getting there & around
Tallinn runs on trams, trolleybuses and buses; the old town itself is small, cobbled and car-free, so best on foot. Buy tickets via the app (Tallinn Transport) or the green smartcard; for residents public transport is even free. From the airport, tram 4 reaches the centre in ~20 min; from the ferry port it's a few minutes. Payment is in euros, and Estonia is extremely digital - card and contactless work almost everywhere. And try the dark rye breads and a Vana Tallinn herbal liqueur.
Going out & nightlife
Rooftop bars
- Radisson Sky Bar (Lounge 24) – Bar on the 24th floor of the Radisson with all-round glazed views: the old town's red roofs, the church spires and, beyond, the Baltic - the city's highest drink.
Nightlife quarters
- Telliskivi Creative City – Tallinn's hipster heart in an old factory complex by Balti jaam station: street art, design shops, craft bars, street food in the Balti market and the Fotografiska photo gallery - young and lively at night.
- Altstadt: Vana turg & Suur-Karja – Around Vana turg and Suur-Karja, medieval-looking taverns, cocktail bars and clubs line up - touristy, but atmospheric under old vaults.
Food & restaurants
- Rataskaevu 16 – One of the city's most popular restaurants in the old town: modern Estonian cooking, honest and affordable, with classics like braised elk. Reservation essential.
- Olde Hansa – The medieval-themed restaurant by the Town Hall Square: candlelight, servers in costume, game dishes and spiced honey beer - kitschy and touristy, but a genuinely fun experience.
Bars & clubs
- Suur-Karja & Telliskivi (spät) – Late on, it's the clubs of Suur-Karja in the old town or alternative Telliskivi with its bars and gigs - Tallinn's nightlife is compact but lively until morning.
Stage & concerts
- Nationaloper Estonia – The grand theatre at the edge of the old town houses opera and ballet under one roof - Estonia is a nation of singers, and classical music runs deep here.