Nestled on the Baltic Sea, Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia has a charming old town. We spent a day in Tallinn, obtained a city map and wandered around the old town admiring the ancient architecture.

Getting There

We visited Tallinn on a Baltic Road Trip, travelling north on Route 4 (E67) which runs the length of Estonia, Latvia and into Lithuania and beyond. Tallinn also has an airport and train station which connect the city with other European countries.

Getting Around

As capital cities go, Tallinn is tiny with a population of just 450,000. The compact old town with its narrow cobbled streets is best visited on foot.

Where We Stayed

We stayed at the Metropol Hotel on the northern edge of the city, a short walk from both the old town and the port.

Itinerary

Day 1

Drive to Tallinn Accommodation – Metropol Hotel Town Hall Square Tallinn Town Hall Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Great Guild Hall Tallinn Town Wall Freedom Square Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral Estonian Parliament Toompea Hill Patkul Lookout

Attractions

1	Town Hall Square
2	Tallinn Town Hall
3	Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
4	Great Guild Hall
5	Tallinn Town Wall
6	Freedom Square
7	Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral
8	Estonian Parliament
9	Toompea Hill
10	Patkul Lookout

Drive to Tallinn

We drive on to Tallinn for a quick spin round the city’s main attractions. To be honest, we’ve already been to Riga and Vilnius and the Baltic capitals are all starting to merge into one in my brain. We grab a map from the hotel foyer, plan a route which covers the key sights and set off on our sightseeing extravaganza.

Accommodation – Metropol Hotel

We chose the Metropol Hotel because it is conveniently located, reasonably priced and has on-site parking (€20 a day).

Town Hall Square

We start in the Town Hall Square. Surrounded by colourful merchant houses, this picturesque square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to Tallinn’s medieval past.

Tallinn Town Hall

This 15th Century gothic Tallinn Town Hall with its impressive tower looms over the bustling square. It is possible to visit the interior of the Town Hall. In July and August it is open between Monday and Saturday from 11 am until 4 pm. The rest of the year, it can be visited on week days by prior reservation (email: raekoda@tallinnlv.ee). Entry costs €5. The Town Hall Tower is open between June and August 31 from 11 am to 6 pm. Entry for the tower costs €4.  We visited in September, so move swiftly on…

Holy Spirit Lutheran Church

The striking medieval Holy Spirit Luther Church boasts an exquisite Gothic façade and houses Tallinn’s oldest clock. Visitors are welcome to explore the captivating interior with its beautiful stained glass windows. It’s a tall building in a small square which I was determined (unsuccessfully) to photograph in its entirety.

Great Guild Hall

The Great Guild Hall is another building dating from the 15th Century. The hall once served as the meeting place for the city’s influential merchants and artisans. Today, it houses the Estonian History Museum, where visitors can delve into Estonia’s past through engaging exhibitions.

The Hall is open between Tuesday and Sunday from 10 am until 6 pm. Entry costs €12, which we thought was a little steep, so we move swiftly on once more.

Tallinn Town Wall

The old town was once surrounded by a wall, with construction dating back as far as 1265. The wall incorporates 45 towers and a number of gates. |Much of the wall still stands today and is part of the reason why Tallinn’s old town was awarded World Heritage status.

We have purchased the makings of a picnic, which we intended to eat in a park next to the wall. This doesn’t get off to a good start when the old man settles down to eat at what looks like a picnic bench, but is apparently an art installation! After a bit of searching, we find a legitimate picnic bench for our al fresco lunch.

Freedom Square

Food devoured, we sett off once more, passing through Freedom Square. This bustling square is adorned with monuments and serves as a venue for concerts, festivals, and political gatherings. The focal point is an enormous memorial which pays homage to Estonia’s struggle for independence.

Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral

We arrive at Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral, an iconic symbol of Tallinn. This magnificent Russian Orthodox cathedral, built in 1900, is a masterpiece of architecture, featuring intricate onion domes, rich mosaics, and an ornate interior. You may visit the cathedral, but not take photographs.

Estonian Parliament

The country’s parliament is in a formidable pink palace once belonging to Catherine the Great.

St Mary’s Lutheran Cathedral

Our exploration of Tallinn continues with a visit to St Mary’s Lutheran Cathedral. This beautiful church, dating back to the 13th century, is the oldest church in Tallinn and features a distinctive Baroque spire and stunning interior. Step inside to admire the elaborate interior and experience a sense of tranquillity.

Toompea Hill

We round our trip off with a climb up Toompea Hill. This elevated area is home to several notable landmarks and offers breath taking panoramic views of the city. Toompea Castle, a magnificent fortress, dominates the skyline. While entry to the castle is restricted, visitors can admire its exterior.

Patkul Lookout

The viewing platforms at Patkul Lookout provide a perfect vantage point to enjoy sweeping vistas of the city below with Tallinn Bay sparkling in the background.

• Trip taken: September 2016
• Updated: May 2023