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Capital and largest city of Estonia
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Tallinn is Estonia's capital and largest city. Tallinn is an important port of the Baltic Sea, with the busy passenger section of the port reaching the foothill of the picturesque medieval Old Town, which has been astonishingly well preserved and is a since 1997.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Parliament of Estonia
Seat of Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu). The castle complex consists of several parts: the western wall and the towers of Tall Hermann, Pilsticker and Landskrone built by the Danes between 13th and 15th centuries; the classic style building of the government of the Estonian Governorate built 1767–1773 by the Russians, and the building of the Riigikogu from the 1920s. It's believed that already in the middle of the 11th century there was an ancient Estonian wooden fortress on the location.
A classic onion-domed Russian Orthodox church, built 1894–1900, during the Russification period when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire. In 1928, when Estonia was independent, it was argued that the church is a symbol of oppression and architecturally non-suitable, therefore should be demolished. But it survived also the Soviet times, and now is used by the Estonian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate.
Tallinna toomkirik
The oldest church in Tallinn, built as a Catholic church in 1229, but renovated and expanded many times since then. It became a Lutheran church in 1561.
Stenbocki Maja
Today, the Stenbock House is the seat of Estonia's government, but it was built as a courthouse in late 18th century, at the behest of the erstwhile Russian authorities. The Russian treasury eventually found itself unable to pay for the building, so the Count Stenbock, who erected the edifice, was left with it as his personal residence. The treasury was only able to buy it more than a century later, when it finally became the courthouse it was intended to be.
Eestimaa rüütelkonna hoone
The green Renaissance revival building was erected in mid-19th century as the fourth consecutive home of the Estonian Knighthood, a congregation of essentially German nobles who pratically controlled Estonia up to its independence in 1920s. Since 1920s, it played host to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, National Library, and the art collections on display at Kumu. As of 2014, it is home of the Estonian Academy of Arts. The building is not open to the public as it is used for instruction and faculty work.
This section of town is known as All-Linn or "Lower Town", as it's where the merchants and artisans of old Tallinn lived. Today, Viru is still Tallinn's trendiest shopping street and the entire All-Linn is the busiest (and most touristy) bit of Tallinn.
Raekoja plats
The square in the heart of the Old Town, just next to medieval Town Hall (Raekoda), ringed with cafes and restaurants. The square was used as a marketplace.
Raekoda
Tallinn Town Hall, built at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries, is the oldest town hall in the Nordic countries and Baltic states. Its heavy stone structure dominates the square. Nowadays it's used as a museum where smaller concerts are held. The weather vane on top of the spire is called Vana Toomas ("Old Thomas") and it has become a symbol of the city.
Oleviste kirik
Built in the 12th century. Today it is a Baptist church and probably the most visible landmark on the northern end of the Old Town. When Estonia was part of the Soviet Union the tower was used as a radio tower and a surveillance point.
Niguliste kirik
St.Olaf's lookalike is at the other end of the Old Town. Heavily damaged in World War II and a fire in the 1980s, it is now an art museum and houses Bernt Notke's famous Danse Macabre from 1633.
Museum of Occupations and Freedom
Educates and involves the people of Estonia and its visitors and encourages everyone to think about the recent past, to sense the fragility of freedom, and to stand for freedom and justice.
A section of the City Wall can be climbed from the corner of Suur-Kloostri and Väike-Kloostri, with entry into three towers possible. Quite frankly, the views from up on Toompea are better, and the spiral staircases are steep and somewhat claustrophobic.
Great Guild
The History Museum's main location is the medieval Great Guild Hall. Here, the permanent exhibition takes you through 11,000 years of Estonian history by means ranging from striking exhibits of artifacts to interactive "time capsules". Topics covered include a surprisingly wide range, from coinage and wine to the history of the Great Guild building itself. On top of that, there are always some temporary exhibitions which usually serve as a link with present-day Estonia and Tallinn.
Fat Margaret
The Maritime Museum dates back to 1935 and is housed inside the largest of the Tallinn city wall towers, aptly named "Fat Margaret" (Paks Margareta). Visiting the museum allows one not only to see the potpourri of maritime-themed artifacts, but also the 16th-century cannon tower and experience the view from the cafe on its roof. While the museum is the original location of the Meremuuseum, you absolutely cannot miss their second location in the Seaplane Harbour, where the ships and airplanes are stored (see below). Next to the museum, facing the sea, is the Broken Line (Katkenud liin) monument to the 1994 MS Estonia shipwreck.
Now the Interior Ministry and not generally open to the public, this is where the KGB detained and tortured suspected dissidents. A Soviet-era joke says that this was the tallest building in Estonia: even from the basement, you could see Siberia. Interrogations were indeed conducted in the basement and you can see even today how the windows were crudely bricked up with concrete to mute the sound.
Thomas the Train
Departs every 20 minutes; so takes the round trip.
An artillery tower, which is today a museum.
The Freedom Square is one of the main squares in Tallinn, featuring the simple and elegant St. John's Church from the 1860s and the contemporary Victory Column, erected in 2009 to commemorate the Estonian War of Independence of 1918-1920. The square looks especially spectacular at night, when the column is lit up.
An industrial district between the city and the Tallinn Port. The buildings are from the 19th and 20th century, with motifs of Art Nouveau and Historicism. New and stylish apartment buildings with shopping centre have now been built there widely regarded as architectural masterpiece in Tallinn.
A fine example of Soviet Brutalist architecture designed by Raine Karp and Riina Altmäe and built for the 22nd Moscow Summer Olympic Games in 1980 for sailing events held in Tallinn. Scale the exterior of this crumbling monumental eulogy to mass culture and marvel at the fact that beneath its crumbling exterior lies a 5,000-seat amphitheatre (that last held a concert in 2008) and a 3,000-seat ice rink. It is closed to the public as negotiations regarding its redevelopment continue. It is maybe a last chance to see part of Tallinn's overlooked architectural heritage in its current form.
Eesti Kaasaegse Kunsti Muuseum
Already when entering, this place plays with what a museum should look like: you enter into a café. The exhibition rooms are diverse, as they make use of old industrial space. The shows are prepared by artists, hence the place builds a bridge between the upcoming and the established scene.
Peeter Suure merekindluse suurtükipatarei
In the 18th century, the coastal protection batteries, part of the larger Peter the Great’s sea fortress system, were built in the island.
An imperial Russian summer residence built by Italian architect Niccolo Michetti for Tsar Peter the Great in 1718. It is in a 90-ha (222-acre) park in the eastern part of the city. The Tsar, a classic and mysterious Russian soul, preferred to stay in a modest house nearby. This event signified the beginning of Tallinn's fame as a summer resort for noble and rich Russians for most of the 18th and 19th centuries. The palace houses some painting collections and other art. A portion of the complex is now occupied by the Office of the President and not available to the public.
Opened in 2006, this is the largest government-built building since the liberation and it is an almost 50,000 m² (538,196 ft²). The museum, whose architecture is by itself enough to justify the visit, houses a cyclopic house, partly cut out of limestone rock. Permanent exhibition is obviously focused on Estonian art in a wide interval of time. Quality of many pieces is very good and well worth a visit. Also very interesting is the (not too spontaneous) turn of interests of artists toward socialist themes during the USSR period. Exhibitions of modern art, mixed with net/social applications, are often surprising and amusing. Not to be missed or overlooked.
A huge Modernist structure where the All Estonian Song Festival, which is held every five years, features 34,000 singers and dancers in addition to a massive audience. The festival played an important role in Estonia getting free from the Soviet Union at its fall.
A 314 m high, free-standing structure with an observation deck on the 21st floor which, with its 170 m, is the highest in Northern Europe. It offers spectacular views across Tallinn and, on a clear day, you can see Finland.
The Tallinn Botanic Garden is in the eastern outskirts of Tallinn, 10 km from the city centre and 3 km from the Pirita Sailing and Recreation Centre.It is a must see destination for nature and plant lovers. The "greenhouse" located near the ticket office houses variety of plants, flowers, trees, cactus family and lot more. Spring temperature is maintained always inside the greenhouse, even during winter season. The outdoor garden is vast and has varied flower collections.
Tallinn's most famous cemetery, housing Estonia’s presidents Konstantin Päts and Lennart Meri, as well as chess player Paul Keres. If you're not there to see the graves of Estonian celebrities, it's a peaceful experience to just stroll among the trees.
A monastery of Scandinavian female saints, as well as a landmark of 16th-century catacombs and ruins. It includes a guest house operated by the nuns.
The oldest suburb of Tallinn, dating back to the 14th century. It was probably inhabited by fishermen (Kalamaja means "Fish house") and mostly houses workers. The current wooden buildings are from the 19th century.
Built by Tsar Nicholas I in 1820 as a fortress to protect the city from the sea-born attacks, it was turned into a notorious KGB prison in 1920. The prison ceased operations in 2004.
Lennusadam
Lennusadam, literally "air port", was constructed in 1916 for the purpose of serving the seaplane fleet with a spectacular, three-domed concrete hangar. Today, it serves as an outpost of the Maritime museum, serving its large collection of complete ships, aeroplanes and maritime and military equipment too large to fit the Fat Margaret. Inside the hangar, the highlight is the complete submarine Lembit, whose interior can be visited as well, a shipwreck from the 16th century and a collection of smaller boats and seaplanes. The crown of the collection moored outside in the harbour is the steam-powered icebreaker Suur Tõll. Throughout the museum, a number of state-of-the-art technologies and solutions are employed for a more engaging and enjoyable visit, and the museum has a wide range of activities and tours on offer. As the Seaplane Harbour is a bit out of the way, those getting peckish can enjoy a meal at the museum's restaurant Maru inside the hangars.
This museum includes 72 buildings of Estonian vernacular architecture and village milieu of the Tsarist time of rule in a dark, dense forest. This museum provides a picture of the life and its hardship in the old times. The Folklore Society Leigarid gives free dancing performances here at 11:00 each Saturday and Sunday. The museum organizes special events during Easter, which provide more insight on Estonian traditions and culture. Also they organize a big party on June 23rd at night, the day before Jaanipäev (Saint John day), there are big fires , music and dancing to celebrate the shortest night of the year.
This is an enormous area. Among its live exhibits, you'll find the world's best collections of mountain goats and sheep, which means there are a lot of them! Tallinn Zoo defies the realities of a relatively modest town -- it features all the elephants and crocodiles a visitor would expect to see in a larger zoo, as well as a breathtaking maze of lake-size ponds that host birds in summertime. It also has pets that children can cuddle in children’s petting zoo.
Keskaja Päevad
Come and experience the medieval atmosphere of the historic Hanseatic City! You can find workshops and market with traders, participate in tours and witness exciting tournaments.
A former industrial site, it now Tallinn's main creative hub, site of many events (see website).
for youngsters
PROTO Avastustehas
Indoor amusement park where amusements take place with the help of VR glasses.
One of the largest water parks in Northern Estonia.
The water park has several fun water equipment: a wave pool, a flow pool and eight different slides, the longest of which is over 120 m. For toddlers, there is a separate area with two smaller slides, a climbing area and a 0.20-m-deep swimming pool.
The oldest and largest amusement park for the whole family.
Pirita rand
A large sandy beach which in summer is full of locals and tourists.
Stroomi rand, Pelgurand
The water is clean and warm, and it is the gay friendliest beach of Tallinn.
Harku järv
Small lake that draws a lot of people. The lake gets dirtier by the year and swimming is not always recommended. Watch out for the vipers on the shore!
The water is one of the purest in all of Tallinn beaches.
The water quality is fairly good and it gets deep quite soon when you go in. The huge waves coming from the ships break on shore for the joy of all swimmers. The historical Katariina Pier is nice to walk on.
International skateboarding and BMX event.
Biggest international horse riding competition in Baltic states, includes showjumping and dressage. Takes place in Saku Suurhall.
The festival combines a feature film festival with the sub-festivals of animated films, student films and children/youth films.
Laulupidu
First held in 1869, takes place every five years. In 2014, 35,000 choral singers gathered to perform for an audience of 90,000 people. It is recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Tickets go on sale in January for three dance festival performances and two song festival concerts.
Showcase festival, aiming to stage the best and most outstanding Estonian talent on two nights in Tallinn's most vibrant live venues, as well as a networking event for the music industry professionals.
In addition to Tallinn, jazz concerts also take place in Tartu and Pärnu.
Music and theatre festival, held at the ruins of the historical Pirita (St. Bridget's) convent.
Rocca al Mare. Estonia's largest concert and exhibition space, the venue for the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest. The hall and its facilities include an excellent shopping centre that can easily be reached by trolleybus 6.
The oldest still operating café in Tallinn, dating back to 1864. Coffee, tea, chocolate and various sweet and savoury pastries at quite cheap prices. Spacious with stylish decor. Next door is the Maiasmokk confectionery shop, which sells good quality Estonian chocolates.
Very tasty and varied pancakes. There are also other dishes. Fantastic place with great food and drinks, especially kvass!
If you'd like to scoop nostalgia. Very interesting to eat in a special way. They have a small menu to offer but very good and very typical. The waitress plays at having the character of a sour waitress but with humor. A memorable experience.
Very cozy place. Delicious pizza, affordable prices, pleasant service. Great environment.
Pizza, falafel, hummus, soup, beer. Fast food joint with wild staff and increasing customer service.
Great place to enjoy home-made Ukranian food
Used to be an industrial hall, now made a great bistro/bar which tends to become very busy in the evenings (book if you can, but as it's big you might well be lucky and find the one spare table. Good value for price.
Cafe Narva long boasted an old-style interior preserved from the Soviet area; today's chic interior seems questionably authentic. Ladies at the counter are somewhat brusque (still) and mostly Russian-speaking, although this should not prevent you from enjoying traditional food of Soviet workers as well as delicious pastries baked on the premises.
Puffid bakery offers snacks for every taste, curd pockets, a special children's set, croissants, baguettes and salads with different fillings.
Embassy of Pure Food
Excellent organic, biodynamic and Demeter food, also full vegan options. Beautiful interior, very charming and romantic, wonderful service.
The Tallinn branch of the Finnish Amarillo tex-mex restaurant chain. Serves a variety of tex-mex style food including hamburgers, steaks and salads. The menu is the same as in Finland. The staff speak Estonian and English and some of them even speak Finnish.
An Indian and European mix cuisine in the Tallinn Old Town. Serves international cuisine for tourists' tastes, don't expect traditional Estonian cuisine here. You can eat either inside or at the (rather cramped) terrace on Pikk street.
A very nice little Italian restaurant stashed away in a small side passage in the Old Town. Offering genuinely excellent food at reasonable prices with good service. Its only "flaw" is that it's hard to get into and is most often completely full, even on off-season week nights. You may want to call ahead and make a reservation. Pizzas and pasta dishes are around €10.
Italian cuisine, pizzas, pastas and a variety of Italian appetizers (antipasti), salads, soups, carefully selected wines, classic cocktails and Italian desserts.
A rather small Italian restaurant in central Tallinn. Easily accessible by tram and bus lines as it's located near the Vabaduse Väljak square.
French food bistro in a hip vintage-industrial-modern setting. Has cheap daily offers.
A new Indian restaurant in central Tallinn, just outside the old town. Easy to find as it's on the same street as the Kalev Spa. Offers authentic Indian cuisine with plenty of spices. Try the Indian tea for dessert.
pizza baked in a wood oven, with the choice of topping being aligned to traditional south Italian pizza. Small place, just one big table everybody shares. Combining traditional elements and a rather modern/hip atmosphere.
A rather small restaurant with a nice, minimalistic decor. Serves traditional Estonian food with a Russian influence. Voted best restaurant in Tallinn in 2010. Very popular among tourists, and as such it is usually quite full. Prior reservations are recommended but not mandatory.
This place offers an assortment of huge and delicious pancakes. Don't give in to the temptation to order two portions, one pancake is usually enough. This place used to be less touristic, but is now.
This open kitchen type restaurant serves good flame-grilled food at decent prices, especially popular for its daily lunch specials, King Club sandwich and burgers.
A traditional restaurant in the heart of the Tallinn Old town. The menu is centered on various kinds of steaks, but there are also pastas and vegetarian dishes available. Main courses €15–23.
A middle ages-themed restaurant one block away from Raekoja plats – even the names of the dishes are medieval themed. Outdoor seating available in the summer, when they also played medieval (what else?) music on a small outdoor stage, and they seem also to have sword fight and oriental dance performances. Probably the main competitor of Olde Hansa and a bit touristy indeed but fun.
Georgian food as it is done in Georgia. It's well out of the way, but that's a good thing. Almost everyone at this restaurant is local (although the menu has English), and tourists are not in sight, so the food here is good and great value. Try the Khinkali or the Harcho.
An Italian restaurant near the Kadriorg Park.
Offers generous portions of Russian food. In the warm summer months, people dine on the terrace. In winter, they head down to the warm cellar. To fill up, get a small zakuski (which is anything but small) appetizer plate. It's big enough for three and costs €9, then dip your pelmeni dumplings (costing €6) in smetana or the other sauces provided and wash it down with a shot of vodka (€5).
Considered among the best restaurants in Tallinn. Originally located in Mustamäe, the restaurant came under threat of closing down in March 2019 when the building housing it was demolished. Instead of closing down, it opened in new premises in Kalamaja in northern Tallinn.
Umami offers Estonian-style cuisine with an international twist, as well as a diverse wine list. The restaurant has a spacious terrace and is a short walk away from the ferry terminal. The burger of the day is worth trying.
Translates as "At Grandma", which gives you an idea of the warm welcome you can expect here. Friendly and attentive staff are happy to explain the traditional dishes. Excellent value for money. It's a tiny place, so reservations are essential in the high season. Try the meatballs or the pork with sauerkraut and don't miss the kama porridge for dessert.
The name pretty much says it. This is a modern cocktail bar and restaurant serving vodka and caviar, fish dishes and a wide range of wines.
One of the trendiest restaurants in Tallinn. Features Italian cuisine by Nicola Tanda. It also has a nice bar to enjoy cocktails and snacks. This is one of the busiest restaurants in Tallinn. Reservations are highly recommended.
chedi
Modern Asian kitchen supervised by Alan Yau from Hakasan, London. Modern and warm interior to give a retro Asian impression. Reservations recommended for the weekend and during summer holidays.
Good traditional Estonian restaurant close to the main square. Try the house beer or vodka and fresh buckthorn and honey apertif with your blood sausage or the famous pork knuckle with extra spicy mustard. The traditional desserts are also worth a try. Live traditional music Sep-May F Sa nights.
This is primarily a wine bar, but it has light meals as well. From the outside it looks like a cosy oasis, and you might think the place is one little rustic room on display but there is more tables behind the wine bar. Welcoming staff and a good selection of wine by the glass. A good place for a relaxed meal, or with your friends before or after dinner.
The ruling king among Tallinn's purely touristy restaurants with some of them trying to copy its style. The place is simply medieval, not just in terms of food but also in the sense of performance - no electricity, no music except live and authentic, no modern inventions. The house special is bear meat "marinated in rare spices and cooked over a fire in honour of Waldemar II, the brave King of Denmark" costing €40+. Try one of the extraordinary beers, such as the honey beer. It is not likely that you will meet any locals here.
Reopened and two new chefs Martin Meikas and Ranno Paukson with focus on Modern Estonian kitchen. Good view of old town.
As the name suggests, it is a Russian restaurant, but don't expect wooden benches, traditional food, and folk music. On the contrary, you will find a selection of Russian delicacies ranging from pancakes with caviar to pelmeni with pork and wild mushrooms, along with fusion-style cuisine (rabbit with Jerusalem artichoke being a good example). Expect delicious food and very high prices, but if you are looking for typical Russian fare, try to find another place for dinner.
Kohvik Mademoiselle
A café with the high quality confectionery products.
Café Wabadus
located just next to the freedom square, this café has good drinks as well as dishes. The interior is a great blend of classical styles of prior decades with the modern times.
Plenty of beers to choose from in this large authentically styled and decorated Bavarian Beer hall, including 5 of their own beers made on site. Try the Medovar Honey beer.
Popular Irish pub on one of the nightlife axes. Attracts younger people and is relatively new, so no pub crawlers puke in front of the door.
The widest selection of beers of any pub in town including many quality imports from Brewdog and Mikkeller. Good English-style pub-grub, featuring award winning fish and chips. Monthly comedy nights from the "Comedy Estonia" and quiz nights.
The name means "the gentle wolf" in Estonian. A comfortable and homey pub in the Old Town and offers a wide selection of beers (including two of their own brews) and some pretty decent food. Don't miss the spare ribs.
A legendary gathering place for Finns. This bar, also known as Lokaal Helsinki, is a popular destination for both locals and tourists who crave a cozy atmosphere and Finnish music.
Founded 1935 by local art community and claiming to have had the best accessible cuisine in the former USSR since 1958 during the Russian occupation.
Laboratory themed bar known for its shots in test tubes. You should definitely try the "Brain Scan".
A cozy alternative bar in Old Town with a small dance floor.
Really fun place, popular with tourists.
The name means "the place of 100 beers" and the establishment indeed serves over 100 different types of beer. Traditional Estonian pub snacks also available. It's in an underground cellar so it's not suitable for people with limited mobility.
Texas-style cantina is a casual place for a Corona or, if you must, a Bud, or even to try out the frozen margaritas churning in the electric mixer behind the bar. More serious drinkers can try the "tequila flights": 3 or 5 shots of different tequilas to give you a sampling, not that you're likely to remember which was which next time around.
An avant-garde theatre/bar.
A bar that serves only one kind of drink, so it's easy to decide what to get: a moderately sweet, cognac-infused spirit on cherries (the name means "The Drunk Cherry"). You won't find anything like it anywhere else.
On the top floor of the Radisson Blu Hotel, it offers spectacular views of Old Town and the Baltic sea from a trendy indoor setting and a breathtaking outdoor terrace. Lounge 24 serves a variety of light fares to full dinner menu, and a wide selection of beverages. Open to the general public.
A terrace bar restaurant near the railway station.
At the pier behind Linnahall; you are really at the sea.
Plays middle of the road pop and disco. Popular with the young crowd. Reasonably priced.
Open to all who can get past the strict "face control". Over-the-top décor (chandeliers, leather seats) and prices to match.
Big club, popular with young Estonians during the week (Ladies Night on Wednesday) and general party crowd at the weekend. Standard is euro trash and top40 songs. Gets started at 23:00 but before 01:00 the party doesn't rock.
Golden Time Striptease Club
A strip club with excellent interior design and good music.
striptease night club and karaoke
Klubi HALL
Techno music club.
Bubblegum pop and live events.
Tallinn's flashiest nightspot, run by legendary warehouse party organizers Vibe, often has foreign DJs playing. Expensive and has strict face control, so dress up.
If Russian club music, vodka shots and a vibrant crowd is your desire, this is the base. Pretty empty until 01:00 after then it fills up. They have a nice terrace during summer which is a popular meeting point as the main bus terminal is 100 m away and many stop their for the wait on the first bus in the morning. The club does have many bouncers but as long as you don't carry weapons or start a fight, they are rather passive.
Basement club on Vabaduse square. Popular with late twens and smaller groups. Music focus is on 1990s and 2000s. Door policy is relaxed but most people are dressed up. Usually starts going at midnight.
Gentlemen's club with erotic shows and luxurious drinks. Popular with business travellers and male tourists.
Friendly staff, small kitchen and large common room. Wi-Fi available in all of the rooms.
The place with a character. Painted walls, daily events, workshops and unplugged concerts make this place different from other hostels. A must stay for artistic spirits. Friendly staff and free Wi-Fi. As of 2018, this hostel closes during the winter season.
Hostel with a big living room, kitchen and a lot of clean toilets and showers. Free Wi-Fi.
20 beds
Australian-owned.
Changed owner a couple of times and also the name but still on the same place. Clean, friendly and flexible staff.
Hotel quality accommodation at hostel prices. Hostel occupies a house that is over 600 years old, with the centre of the Old Town just out the door. Fully equipped kitchen, common area, free Wi-Fi, free tea and coffee.
Even booking a place here online (either through the well known suspects or their own website), does not mean they have accommodation available. They are unreliable with regards to updating the status of their beds. So, better not have this stress and book somewhere else.
A very nice, friendly and stylishly decorated hostel in the northern part of the Old Town, very near to the centre of Tallinn. The staff speak excellent English. The rooms are good enough to pass for hotel rooms, but have no private bathrooms. No restaurant, and no breakfast provided - you cook your own food or dine elsewhere in Tallinn. Free Internet connection available for hostel guests.
Includes a sauna.
This is not the best Park Inn in the world, but with some luck you can get a super low room rate compared to its sister hotels under the main Radisson brand.
A former hospital converted into a hotel. Located just south of the Old Town, it is easily accessible by public transit with bus and tram stops nearby.
Self-service hotel. Guests handle booking, payment, check-in and check-out themselves.
An old building with an interior that is also antique. However, the rooms are modern with flat-screen TVs.
Featuring ski-to-door access, garden, terrace free WiFi and parking.
The hotel is in an old bank building and features and overdose of pretentiousness for what are essentially quite simple rooms.
formerly Clarion
The Euroopa has a first-rate location overlooking the marina basin of the Old Town Port of Tallinn, and is generally a very modern hotel. The rooms are spacious and comfortable and perhaps the only downside to it all are wildly clashing textures and patterns throughout the hotel.
The hotel in the conspicuous white early 20th century building may look like many others in Tallinn with the slightly outdated and pretentious decor, but behind this veneer lies a true dedication to detail, extending as far as featuring a bathtub duck in the courtesy toiletries set.
Operated by the local company Tallinn Hotels, the Hotel Palace is stuated in a 1937 building with a stark gray period facade, somewhat contrasting with its name. The interiors have been refurbished in mid-2014 and now feature furniture and fixtures reminiscent of the interwar period. The art-deco theme is continued in the use of motifs from paintings of Konrad Mägi, a famous Estonian painter whose lifetime covered the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
formerly Reval Hotel Olümpia
390 air-conditioned rooms and bars and restaurants. It also has a conference centre, health club with swimming pool and saunas. Free WiFi throughout the hotel.
Tallink's City Hotel has a very central location, right opposite the Viru shopping centre, but unfortunately it is let down by poor service standards dictated by the group business that is the hotel's mainstay.
The Tallink Express is the cheapest of the hotels provided by the ferry operator Tallink, sandwiched between their spectacular headquarters and the Tallink Spa & Conference Center. The rooms, furniture and fixtures are rather basic, and the location a tad remote and not in a pleasant or picturesque part of Tallinn.
Tallink's most upscale property is just what the label says, with a pool spa with a number of water-based amenities and a conference centre. The rooms are modern and decorated with sometimes bewilderingly clashing patterns, and some overlook the main pool atrium rather than the outside. There is a considerable distance from the hotel to everything else but the ferry terminal.
With a location close to the shore of Lake Ulemiste within walking distance to the airport, this hotel counts as Tallinn's airport hotel. Apart from the airport and the Ulemiste shopping centre, it is not quite close to anything. Everything about the hotel is reasonably modern, though let down by small niggles.
The hotel has outdated rooms, some of which do not have much in terms of a view, while others feature sloping roofs, and it is bested by other hotels in many other respects. But this is all made up by its brilliant location on the Viru Street in the heart of the Old Town.
The hotel is based in a historic building once belonging to the von Stackelberg family, sitting just outside of the Old Town of Tallinn. The rooms are quite spacious for a historic property though, and there is an on-site spa providing wellness treatments.
31 rooms and six suites. The hotel is a small complex of 14th and 16th century buildings with rooms all looking in on the central courtyard. The historic buildings contrasts nicely with the luxurious designer interiors of the rooms.
A modern hotel at Viru Väljak square in the city center. Good and generous breakfast buffet.
Really nice and comfortable hotel in the middle of the Old Town. Free internet access. It has a very good hotel restaurant. The building is from the 14th century and has lots of character.
287 rooms
The Savoy is the most upmarket property among those operated by the local company Tallinn Hotels. The large building stands out among its Old Town surroundings, while the interior is appointed in a simple and conservative style. Due to the limitations of the historic buildings, some rooms, especially singles, are rather smallish.
Old storehouse that is converted in a barock-gothic boutique hotel. By some measures the oldest hotel (first erected in 14th century) and renovated in detail to fulfill today's requirements of a 5-star hotel. Only 23 rooms, spa and part of Leading Hotels of the world.
This is a large matchbox of a building and, for a long time, it was the tallest modern building in Tallinn. It's very centrally located at the edge of the Old Town. In the Soviet days, when Tallinn was a hotbed of espionage, Viru was the city's premier hotel and every single room was famously bugged by the KGB. Today it's just a very good Finnish-run business hotel, and even the grey facade has been whitewashed.
The Estoria is a part of the same building complex as the Viru hotel, but it follows the upmarket "Solo" concept and features colourful and unique design elements throughout its interior. The level of comfort and facilities is higher than at the Viru, but the 93 rooms are placed in a smaller building with less spectacular views.
The St. Petersburg is a sister hotel of the Schloessle, operated by M.C Hotels, and as such a member of Summit Hotels and the Preferred Hotels Group. The boutique property is housed in a historic building at a corner of pedestrianized streets in the Old Town. The interior is filled with exquisite appointments and designer or vintage furniture and fixtures. Service and price levels match this standard.
Tallest building within the banking district. 238 stylish guest rooms with either city or harbour view. The hotel houses two restaurants and a deli for guests on the run; Püroval Spa & Wellness delivers private fitness and relaxation facilities, including an indoor pool, a gym, a sauna and a steam room. Views over Tallinn and Old Town are spectacular from 30th floor Horisont Bar.
Located in Tallinn's Old Town, the hotel building was constructed as an exchange station for the Estonian Telegraph company in 1878, and with the historical façade left standing completely renovated to be reopened as a five-star hotel in 2007, featuring 86 elegant rooms and suites, a small spa area with an indoor swimming pool, two booths for facials and massages, a Symphony Lounge (function room, private events) as well as the renowned Restaurant Tchaikovsky and during the summer months a charming summer terrace.
A member of Relais & Chateaux, the Three Sisters in the name refer to the three medieval buildings that make up the hotel. As the buildings date back to the 14th century, each of the hotel's 23 rooms is unique in shape and size, as well as appointments: some stay true to the medieval character of the rest of the hotel, while others are surprisingly modern. The steep staircases, sloping roofs and small windows are also part of the package.
In and around the landmark Viru hotel, it is very busy as the bus terminal is below this mall. It is still in walking distance from the port but serves tourists and locals as well.
Opened in 1960, this is the grand old department store of Tallinn. Unsurprisingly a lot has changed since the Soviet times.
Part of the Finnish department store chain, here since 1996. Close to the port and popular with Finnish tourists.
A few kilometres west of the old town along Paldiski maantee. Consists of a Prisma hypermarket and tens of smaller, mostly fashion boutiques. Also restaurants.
One of Estonia's biggest malls with dozens of clothing and shoe outlets, nearly 20 cafés and restaurants, and countless other shops and services.
Rotermann's Quarter is a downtown shopping area with clothing and department stores and restaurants between Viru Keskus, Tallinn port and the Old Town. If you are walking from the harbor towards Viru Väljak the quarter is on your left hand side. One place to find bargain clothes is the Rotermann Kaubamaja situated right at Mere Puiestee. The Kaubamaja also has a combined cafe and restaurant on the third floor which seems to be surprisingly empty even as they have reasonable prices.
Former industrial, now creative/entrepreneurial district Telliskivi is home to many small boutiques selling nice goods ranging from arts, to clothes and interior. A book shop and a record shop are also welcoming you. You will find all shops on the website.
Fashion-interested people can visit the main store of Estonia's first Post-Soviet designer brand Ivo Nikkolo.
Pop culture collectibles and gaming store, which sells toy figures, board games, clothes, accessories and other geek stuff.
Baltijaama turg
A market place next to the train station. Overrated and overpriced, gourmet food at three times the price of regular market places. For tourist and rich locals.
Market place 500 m from the bus station. They sell food and clothes.
The Christmas Market on the Town Hall square is open from late November to early January. They sell knitwear, various wooden objects for use and decoration, Christmas tree decorations, gingerbread and such. It's not all about shopping, the Christmas tree in the middle is worth taking a photo of and there's a stage when they sing carols. Of course you can occasionally run into Santa at the market. Don't forget to try a mug of hot glögg, sold at many stalls.
The name translates to "old market" and is located on a small square just outside the old town. Vana Turg is a place to buy clothes and decoration items often Estonian-made and sometimes sold by the makers themselves: knitted pullovers and caps, gloves, belts and slippers are examples of what you can find here.
Shopping daytrippers who arrive with Viking Line or Eckerö Line and can't be bothered to walk far from the terminal usually end up at this large indoor market. Three floors of clothing, bags, food and souvenirs plus some restaurants on the second floor. And of course also alcoholic beverages at a third of the Finnish prices.
Another market near the ferry terminals, selling quality Estonian handicraft, food, and alcoholic beverages at cheap prices.
A music shop covering all major media types, with somewhat of a focus on vinyl. They especially have great indie and electronics offerings, can at the same time help find great local music and also other common genres. Located in an upper floor, the store has a special atmosphere to it. Offering secondhand and a wide variety of new records.
Mainly metal and rock/pop/blues also. Owner knows about Estonian and Russian rock music. Carries many Melodia label records.
Good selections. Classical, jazz, Estonian, pop-rock and so on. Furthermore, they sell postcards and stamps.
a small but very friendly and diverse record shop
By plane
Despite serving a capital city, Lennart Meri Airport has few connections to major hubs across Europe; planning your travel to Tallinn may be tricky depending on your origin or next destination.
By train
Since Jan 2025, one train a day runs from Vilnius in Lithuania, leaving at 07:00 and reaching Riga in Latvia about 11:45, then Valga, Tartu and Tallinn around 17:30.
By bus
Frequent buses operate between Tallinn and other cities in Estonia. Domestic bus schedules and prices can be found at Tpilet.ee and Peatus.ee (a good trip planner as well).
By public transport
TLT operates frequent bus, trolley and tram services daily 06:00-23:59. Timetables and maps are available in English.
By taxi
Tallinn has many different taxi companies and independent taxis. There is no standardised base price or price per km.
By car
The road rules and driving style in Tallinn can be confusing to tourists. The one and two way roads change frequently and some signposts are not descriptive.
By bicycle
There are more than 180 km of bicycle roads in Tallinn. The Eurovelo international route goes from west to east, giving you a good chance to ride comfortably through the city.
On foot
The Old Town of Tallinn is very comfortably covered on foot, unless you have mobility issues.
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Tallinn · International · TLL
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Articles and travel topics about Tallinn and Estonia.
ItinerariesTallinn is Estonia's capital and largest city, with a legacy from the Viking Age, the Hanseatic League, the Danish Empire, the Swedish Empire, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and independence achieved in 1991.
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ItinerariesVia Baltica is a road leading through the Baltic States and Poland in Northern Europe.
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Travel tipsThis article is about cruise ferries local to the Baltic Sea. See Cruising the Baltic Sea for international cruise ships visiting the Baltic Sea, and Boating on the Baltic Sea for independent boating.
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Travel tipsThis topic is about international cruise ships visiting the Baltic Sea. See Baltic Sea ferries for local cruiseferries on the Baltic Sea.
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