Exploring Tallinn: A Complete Guide to Estonia’s Enchanting Capital

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Want to feel like you’ve stepped back into the medieval times, to a town filled with cobbled streets, fortress walls, and spired churches? Look no further than Tallinn, Estonia, which has an enchanting old town with plenty of (sometimes slightly kitschy) medieval charm.

Although Tallinn’s old town is a beautifully preserved medieval city and the most popular area for tourists to visit (especially those coming for a day trip on the two-hour ferry from Helsinki), there’s also a fair amount to see beyond the city’s historic center.

Estonia achieved independence quite recently from the Soviet Union (in 1991) and the country has a mix of Nordic and Russian influence along with a sense of stoicism, pride, and perseverance that feels uniquely and wonderfully Estonian.

I had a fantastic time getting to know the city of Tallinn, from its historic old town to the artsy hipster haven of Telliskivi Creative City. In full transparency, I was there in late May when the days were long and sunny, which certainly added to the vibrant atmosphere of the city.

Whether you’re visiting Tallinn for a day or a week, if you’re looking for a guide on where to stay, what to see, and where to eat, I’ve got you covered.

Where to stay in Tallinn

I’d recommend staying in or near Tallinn’s Old Town (called Vanalinn in Estonian). This will put you in the midst of the action – many of the city’s highlights are within walking distance. There are plenty of hotels, hostels, and reasonably priced Airbnbs throughout and around the perimeter of the historic center. 

Here are a few recommendations across different budget options:

  • There are plenty of nice hotels across different price points, including the Schlössle Hotel, Citybox Tallinn City Center, Hotel Telegraaf, and Iglupark.
  • There are also a number of hostels – one popular one is Fat Margaret’s Hostel, a large and pretty standard hostel with a sauna that is located conveniently right outside the old town and near the ferry harbor.
  • In addition, there are several inexpensive and charming Airbnbs around Tallinn. I stayed in a lovely studio just a few minutes walk from the center of the Old Town.

Top things to do in Tallinn

1. Walk around the Old Town (Vanalinn): The Old Town in Tallinn is quite small and easily walkable. A walking tour is one of the best ways to get to know the city’s history and see the Old Town’s highlights, including Town Hall Square, Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky church, various overlooks across the Old Town, and more. I enjoyed my free walking tour (make sure to tip your guide!) with Estadventures, which hit most of the highlights.

Charming view of Tallinn’s Old Town from one of the city’s overlooks.

2. Take in the panoramic views at St. Olaf’s: For a stunning view of the Old Town and its surrounding areas, head to St Olaf’s Church. For €5, you can get in your daily cardio with 232 spiraling steps up the (incredibly narrow) stairway to an observation platform with incredible 360 views of the city.

3. Partake in a medieval meal: Have you ever wanted to (briefly) experience what life was like in the medieval ages? Tallinn has got you covered. For a Middle Ages experience, you can head to the restaurant Olde Hansa, which is centrally located in the Old Town and offers medieval dishes and drinks in a theatrical ambiance (I tried the bear with saffron sauce, which was surprisingly tasty). Another medieval option is III Draakon, a dark and shadowy bar-restaurant located beside Tallinn’s Town Hall, which offers good beer, some medieval food options, and a tavern lady who is rude to patrons on purpose.

Bear in saffron sauce at the famous medieval restaurant in Tallinn’s Old Town, Olde Hansa.

4. Visit Tallinn’s museums: There are plenty of museums to visit in Tallinn that span the arts, history, and culture:

  • Art museums: The Kumu museum showcases Estonian art from various periods. It’s close to the Kadriorg museum, which is housed in a lovely building and showcases early European and Russian art. Before or after visiting either of these museums, make sure to explore the surrounding Kadriorg park.
  • History museums: Learn about the oppressive history of Soviet occupation at the Estonian National Museum, Museum of Occupation, or KGB Museum. For more on Tallinn’s medieval history and culture, visit Kiek in de Koki, a fortress museum with towers and underground passageways you can explore. You can also visit the museum at St. Nicholas’ Church, which has a bell tower with great views as well as art and artefacts including a famous (and macabre) medieval painting, Danse Macabre.
  • Sea Harbor Museum (Eesti Meremuuseum): I didn’t make it here, but this popular museum in Tallinn is located in a historic seaplane hangar and features a pre-WW2 submarine.
  • Open Air Museum (Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum): I also didn’t make it to the Open Air Museum, but this museum features a life-sized and quite extensive reconstruction of a historical Estonian village with almost 80 houses.
Sculptures and paintings at the Kumu museum, which features Estonian artists from different time periods.

5. Explore Telliskivi Creative City (Telliskivi Loomelinnak): Located near the Old Town, this former industrial area turned artsy hipster paradise has a multitude of restaurants and bars, art studios and galleries, shops, and funky street art. It’s well worth a visit. It’s also right by the Balti Jaam Market, which has a lively ambiance with nearly 300 vendors that sell everything from produce to vintage clothing to quick bites to eat.

6. Experience sweeping views from Tallinn’s TV Tower (Tallinn Teletorn): Tallinn’s TV Tower opened in 1980 in anticipation of Moscow hosting the Olympic games. As the tallest open viewing platform in Northern Europe, it offers sweeping views of the city and sea and has an interesting history. It is a bit of a hike to get to outside the Old Town area. Along with the historical significance and views, it also has a beautiful stained glass window display. 

Tallinn’s famous TV tower is Estonia’s tallest building at 314 meters tall (over 1000 feet).

7. Visit Tallinn’s oldest pharmacy, Raeapteek (Town Hall Pharmacy): This pharmacy has been around since 1422 and is one of the oldest still-functioning pharmacies in Europe. Located in the Old Town Square, you can drop in (for free) to see its quaint exhibits on medical history. Along with offering medicines, they also sell marzipan (which is delicious), loose leaf tea, and other goodies for purchase.

8. Sweat it out at the sauna: Adhering to northern European tradition, Estonia has plenty of sauna options. Your hotel, Airbnb, or even hostel may have a sauna, but here are a few recommendations for public saunas to try around the city:

  • Kalma: A traditional, no-frills sauna near the Old Town that’s popular with locals. They divide sauna goers by gender and you can experience the tradition of sauna whisking here (you or someone else gently whisks your body with a bundle of branches dipped in warm water, which is supposed to improve circulation).
  • Elamus: A massive spa and sauna complex located a little ways from the Old Town, Elamus offers a variety of pools and saunas for all ages, including an area that is 21+ that includes brief sauna rituals guided by sauna masters from salt scrubs to intense steam sauna sessions. If you book a massage or other spa treatment, you get half off admission.
  • The Igloo Saunas at Iglupark: This hotel and sauna by the Baltic has pretty waterfront views and offers a lovely sauna experience (you don’t need to stay at the hotel to use the sauna). Between sauna sessions, you can jump into the Baltic Sea to cool down.

Where to eat in Tallinn

Grabbing a beer at III Draakon, the medieval pub with excellent beer and a surly tavern lady.
  • For medieval fare, head to Olde Hansa or III Draakon. Along with good beer and liquor options, Olde Hansa has a variety of unique medieval dishes, including bear with saffron sauce, dried game meats, and bear, wild boar, and elk sausage (don’t worry, there are some decent vegetarian options here as well). III Draakon also has good beer, medieval dishes like elk soup and meat pies, and (be forewarned) a tavern lady who is rude to customers on purpose. 
  • Head to Creative City Telliskivii for a variety of excellent food options, including local favorite restaurant F-hoone and the delicious ice cream shop La Muu. Walk a little further and you’ll hit the Balti Jaam Market, which has several places to grab a quick bite to eat (I had an amazing veggie burger at Veg Machine).
  • Tex-Mex in Tallinn? Grab a margarita and some Mexican food at the Texas Cantina in Old Town. I’m from Texas so I had to try this place and it was decently good with a fun ambiance.
  • Other popular options include Ratsakaevu 16, Cafe Maiasmokk, Vegan Restoran V, and NOA Restaurant (which is about a ~20 minute drive from the Old Town)

With its medieval ambiance, fascinating history, and plethora of arts, culture, and eats, Tallinn is a enchanting city that’s well worth a few days visit.

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