Nestled on the Baltic Sea, Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, has a charming old town. We spent one day in Tallinn during our road trip round the Baltics. This was sufficient for a whistle stop of Tallinn’s old town, admiring the historic architecture and seeing some of the city’s top attractions.. Here is my pick of the top 10 things to do in Tallinn.
How to get to Tallinn
We visited Tallinn on a Baltic Road Trip, starting in Latvia and travelling north on Route 4 (E67), which runs the length of Estonia. Tallinn also has an airport and a train station, which connect the city with many other European countries and beyond. Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport, which markets itself as the world’s cosiest airport, is just south of the city centre. There are frequent buses between the two. Tickets cost €2.
Getting Around Tallinn
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. You can get round most of the city’s main attraction in one day.
Where to stay in Tallinn
We stayed at the Metropol Hotel on the northern edge of the city, a short walk from both the old town and the port. The Metropol is conveniently located, reasonably priced and has on-site parking (€20 a day).
Tallinn: Top 10 Things to do
| 1 | Admire the architecture in Town Hall Square |
| 2 | Visit Tallinn Town Hall and climb the tower for a city view |
| 3 | See the Holy Spirit Lutheran Church |
| 4 | Learn about Estonia’s history in the Great Guild Hall |
| 5 | Marvel at the imposing Tallinn Town Wall |
| 6 | Check out Fat Margaret |
| 7 | Stroll through Freedom Square |
| 8 | Peek inside the ornate Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral |
| 9 | Visit the Parliament of Estonia |
| 10 | Admire the view from Patkuli Viewing Platform on Toompea Hill |
No 1 – Admire the architecture in Town Hall Square
Town Hall Square is surrounded by colourful merchant houses. This picturesque square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
No 2 – Visit Tallinn Town Hall and climb the tower for a city view
The 15th Century Gothic Tallinn Town Hall, with its impressive tower, looms over the bustling square. During the summer (and on other key dates), it is possible to visit the interior of the Town Hall. In summer, you can also climb the Town Hall Tower for a bird’s eye view of the capital.
Check the website for exact opening times. Adult entry to the Town Hall costs €7, the Tower is €6 or purchase a combined ticket for €12.
No 3 – See the Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
The striking medieval Holy Spirit Lutheran Church houses Tallinn’s oldest clock. Visitors are welcome to explore the captivating interior with its beautiful stained glass windows. It is a tall building in a small square which I was determined (unsuccessfully) to photograph in its entirety.
No 4 – Learn about Estonia’s history in the 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.
The Great Guild Hall is open daily except Monday (it is also closed on Tuesdays during the winter months) from 10 am until 6 pm. Adult entry costs €7.
No 5 – Marvel at the imposing Tallinn Town Wall
The old town was once surrounded by a wall, with construction dating back as far as 1265. Much of Tallinn Town Wall still stands today, including 26 towers, two gates and fragments of two more gates. This imposing structure is part of the reason why Tallinn’s old town was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.
An ideal vantage point to see the wall is from Towers’ Square, where a pretty park lines the base of the wall.
No 6 – Check out Fat Margaret
Fat Margaret is a 16th Century tower which forms part of the town walls. The name derives from the fact that the tower is the widest part of the town’s fortifications.
Fat Margaret now houses the Estonian Maritime Museum. The museum charts the city’s maritime past and has its own shipwreck. It is open daily except Mondays from 10 am until 6 pm. Adult entry costs €15.
No 7 – Stroll through Freedom Square
The bustling Freedom 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.
No 8 – Peek inside the Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral
Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral is an iconic symbol of Tallinn. This magnificent Russian Orthodox cathedral, built in 1900, is a masterpiece of architecture, featuring intricate onion domes and an ornate interior. Somewhat ironically, the cathedral fell into disrepair during Russian occupation and was subsequently meticulously restored following independence.
If there is no service in progress, you may visit the ornate interior of the cathedral, but not take photographs.
No 9 – Visit the Parliament of Estonia
The Parliament of Estonia is housed in a formidable pink palace once belonging to Catherine the Great, known as Toompea Castle. While entry to the castle is restricted, visitors can admire its exterior.
It may possible to visit inside the castle on a guided tour. Note: Tours are very popular, so it is advisable to book well in advance. Tours for individual visitors sometimes take place on Fridays at 11 am. Further details can be found here.
No 10 – Admire the view from Patkuli Viewing Platform on Toompea Hill
A short climb up to Toompea Hill is rewarded with panoramic views of the city. Patkuli Viewing Platform provides a perfect vantage point to enjoy vistas of the city below with Tallinn Bay sparkling in the background.
- Trip taken: September 2016
- Updated: April 2025
I hope you found the above information useful. For more top picks from other destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full Top 10 Things To Do list here.
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