Welcome to Tallinn! This cool capital city in Estonia is known as the startup hub of Europe. It’s definitely one of the few cities to be ahead of the digital curve. But with its medieval infrastructure, Tallinn feels like a city from Disney movies – just with a tech-savvy culture. It’s like a perfectly seamless blend of medieval history and digital era.
So what makes Tallinn a must-visit place for old artsy souls and modern wanderers alike? Once you are there, you’ll get to see a lot of reasons to regret not coming to this city earlier. Let’s not increase the regret by delaying going there. So, ready to explore? I, being your personal tour guide today, am here with a list of things to do in Tallinn, Estonia.
Things to Do in Tallinn, Estonia
Stroll Through the Old Town
Let’s start from the classic! The Old Town in Tallinn, Estonia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – very popular for its historical infrastructure. It literally feels like you are in a medieval dream. The colorful buildings, towering spires, and winding alleyways will surely make you awe in wonder.
Start strolling through the Old Town from the Town Hall square to make your way into the town. It dates back to the 13th century and is a symbol of Tallinn’s rich cultural history. The more you walk, the more you get to see old merchants’ houses, cool cafes, old churches, etc.
It’s like watching a 13th-century city. You must have seen this kind of city before – in historical movies and series. Only this time, it’s for real. Don’t miss out on the stunning orthodox church ‘Alexander Nevsky Cathedral’ in the Old Town.
Journey Up Toompea Hill
Wanna see the whole Tallinn landscape at once? Then, the top of Toompea Hill is your spot. It offers some of the best views on the way to the hilltop. On your way climbing, you’ll get to see the stunning Toompea Castle. It’s the home to Estonia’s parliament in case you didn’t know.
There you’ll also see the Tall Hermann Tower. Now, this tower is very legendary because it flies Estonia’s flag proudly. What a view of blue, black, and white waving on the heart of the hill.
Once you are at the top, you’ll be blessed with a crazy panoramic view of the whole Old Town and the Baltic Sea at a distance. At sunset, the top of Toompea Hill gives a vibe of a piece of heaven.
Explore Telliskivi Creative City
What to do in Tallin if you want to move from a medieval to a modern view? Or are you simply more of a fan of modern localities? Well, then you should go and explore Telliskivi Creative City.
It’s one of the trendiest neighborhoods with cool buildings, restaurants, industrial complexes, bars, art studios, etc. Exploring Telliskivi Creative City is going to take a while. It’s not because it’s big, but because the street art is so crazy that’ll make you pause frequently for a better look.
The murals and graffiti in every corner are unreal. This area is where you’ll get the taste of modern Tallinn, Estonia, with its local crafts and delicious local street foods.
Discover the Secrets of the KGB Museum
Ready for a slice of history? Visiting the KGB Museum is one of the must-have things to do in Tallinn, Estonia. To visit this Museum, you must head to the top floor of Hotel Viru. During Soviet Rule, this place was used to spy on the guests – secretly of course!
Later on, it was turned into the KGB Museum for people to have a glance at how they used to do it. If you visit there now, you’ll see the rooms that were bugged for surveillance – it’s going to be a quirky, fun thing to do that you don’t want to miss!
Wander Around Kadriorg Palace and Park
At this point of your stay in Tallinn, how about you head to the home of Estonia’s largest art Museum? It’s called Kadriorg Palace and Park, the perfect place if you are looking for some tranquility with a heavenly view.
You might wonder who made this park – a little history lesson for you – it was made by Peter the Great. It’s surrounded by a lush garden with so many varieties of plants with beautiful flowers. I say it’s the perfect place for an afternoon walk with some peace.
Dive into History at the Seaplane Harbour
Now it’s time to discover a hidden gem! I assume you didn’t know – Estonia has a great maritime history. So if you are into this stuff, the Seaplane Harbour might be something of interest. It’s one of the most impressive places in Tallinn but underrated at the same time.
It’s a maritime museum that’s housed in a huge hangar. When it was made initially, it was for seaplanes. Now, if you visit the Seaplane Harbour, you will see all kinds of nautical wonders, such as submarines, ships, cannons, or anything. The best part is yet to come!
It’s an interactive museum – which means you can climb up some of the vessels and also try your hand at simulators. How cool is that!
Get Lost in Kalamaja
What can you do in Tallinn, Estonia, to get to see the rawest Estonian culture? Then Kalamaja, a district of Tallinn, should be your next stop. Once, it was a quiet fishing village. But the moment Estonia started attracting tourists, Kalamaja became very popular for getting the best local experience.
It has a laid-back vibe away from all the rush of city life. There are a lot of colorful wooden houses, cafes, street food, and local shops. If you are someone like me who likes to take souvenirs from whenever I visit, Kalamaja’s shops are the best places to get them from.
There’s also a market called Balti Jaama Market, which you should visit at least once!
Take a Ferry to Naissaar Island
Need an adrenaline rush? Then, do something adventurous! Hop on a ferry and head out for Naissaar Island, which is not very far from Tallinn. It’s going to be indeed a short ride but the fun is going to be massive.
If you are a nature lover, visiting this island should be one of the must-have things to do in Tallinn Estonia. Naissaar is a small island and that makes it perfect for a day trip.
What’s there to enjoy? Well, apart from the sandy beaches, which is pretty obvious, there’s a pine forest that you can hike in and old Soviet military installations that were left behind. If you feel hot in Tallinn’s cities, Naissaar Island is where you can get soaked and refreshed.
Embrace the Digital Innovations of e-Estonia
Did you know Estonia is the only country where you can open a bank account in 30 minutes? That too from anywhere in the world despite your non-Estonian nationality! Yes, it’s shocking but true.
Estonia is one of the few countries in the world for its digital government initiatives. Leaving without learning something about it is a shame. As you’ll already be in Tallinn, you must visit the e-Estonia Showroom. This country is very tiny (fun fact: the 24th smallest country in Europe).
This Showroom is where you’ll discover everything about how this tiny country is now leading the world in digital advancement. Ever heard of e-residency? How about online voting? When it comes to tech and digitalization, Estonia is at its peak. Visiting the e-Estonia Showroom will help you learn more about it.
Relax at Pirita Beach
Remember the Baltic Sea from the top of the Toompea Hill? If you want to have some beach vibes, Pirita Beach is the biggest beach for you to unwind after all that tiring exploration.
Soak up the sun, play volleyball, enjoy the sea view with ice cream, swim in the Baltic Sea, and relax on a lazy afternoon. It’s a short ride from the Tallinn City Center anyway, so you can easily enjoy this stunning attraction of Estonia.
Tips for Visiting Tallinn, Estonia
You now know the things to do in Tallinn, Estonia. But before heading out for the adventure, there are some things you should keep in mind. So here are some of my practical tips for visiting this city to make your stay fun.
Pack for All Seasons
Tallinn’s weather is very unpredictable. So what if you went there in the summer? – You can still get chilly or drenched in sudden rain showers. So don’t forget to pack for all seasons – you never know what weather you come across.
Take Advantage of Free Walking Tours
When you get there, the first thing you should do is get the free walking tours offered by passionate locals. If you get a little familiar with the place, your overall tour would be more enjoyable.
Use the Tallinn Card
Yes, it’s a thing! The Tallinn card is a kind of card that gives you free access to a lot of places like public transport, some museums, discounts on some restaurants, etc. If you’ll be staying in Tallinn for more than 1-2 days, a Tallinn card is a must-have for free public transportation everywhere.
Learn a Few Estonian Phrases
Now, this one is very obvious. Though Estonians can speak excellent English, knowing a few Estonian phrases will be a friendly gesture to the locals. So memorize – ‘Tere’ is Hello, and ‘Aitäh’ is thank you. Learning a few more simple phrases like that will go a long way in making connections.
Be Mindful of the Estonian Quiet Culture
Estonia has a quiet culture that is very peaceful. Especially in public, they are not very chatty like many other cities in Europe. So they might not engage in small talk with you – it’s not rude! It’s just a part of their culture. But if you need assistance with anything, they are very humble and kind to help you out.
Use Public Transportation
Estonian public transportation is very easy and reliable. It has an easy-to-navigate transportation system with buses, trams, and trolleys. These are more affordable than ride-sharing, cars, and cabs. Well, if you are crazy rich, just ignore this tip.
Bring Reusable Bags
Estonia has a highly environment-conscious society, and this goes for its capital, Tallinn, as well. It is no surprise that they make the list of the 100 cleanest countries in the world. They hardly ever use plastic or poly bags. Shops there charge extra for these bags for something so trivial as this to discourse using these bags. So you must keep reusable bags with you for any souvenirs or groceries you pick up on your way.
Respect Local Traditions
Having historical greatness, people in Tallinn, Estonia, are very proud of their roots. So respecting the local traditions is one of the must things to do in Tallinn. Especially in religious spaces and historical attractions, you must keep respect for local rules. Photography is restricted in a few areas, so abide by those rules.
Conclusion
When I visited Tallinn, it felt like a perfect blend of its glorious past with a bright digital future. This city has a very unique aura that you can feel nowhere else in the world. Besides, and to my surprise, everything was cheaper than in other capitals of European countries. Here, everything is just much cooler!
What to do in Tallinn, Estonia? Now you know! Done making the checklist of all the things to do in Tallinn? Then stop wasting time, pack your bag, and charge your camera. Tallinn is so aesthetic for your Instagram feed that you may not want to come back home. But that’s okay, we’ll worry about it later. For now, pack your bags and head out to the airport. And in all this excitement – don’t forget your passport!
