Tallinn is a city with two faces. Its walled old town is among the best-preserved medieval centres in Europe, and its towers and stone streets have remained as they were. On the other side of the wall, though, is a digital country where almost all state services work online. Two days are enough, and a third can be given to the coast or to Lahemaa park.
The old town and Toompea hill
The town hall square is the centre and the building on it is the oldest town hall in Northern Europe. The towers around it and the remaining part of the wall have lived more than six hundred years. The pharmacy on the square has worked in the same place since 1422 and is counted among the oldest in Europe.
Toompea hill is the upper town and you climb up to it by a stone stairway. The Alexander Nevsky cathedral and the parliament building stand facing each other. From the Kohtuotsa and Patkuli viewing decks the red roofs and the harbour are visible together; there are a hundred metres between the two, so look from both.
Kalamaja, Telliskivi and the maritime museum
Kalamaja is the old fishermen’s quarter and stands out for its wooden houses; it is ten minutes on foot from the old town. Telliskivi is a former factory area and the galleries, cafés and design shops are there now. On Saturdays a market is set up.
The Lennusadam maritime museum is in an old seaplane hangar and there is a real submarine inside it that you can go into. It is the best place in the city to go with children. Taking the museum tickets and city tours in advance saves time on a short trip.
The ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki
Helsinki is two hours away by ferry and this is Tallinn’s greatest advantage. Going in the morning and coming back in the evening is entirely possible, and dozens of crossings work every day. Finns come to Tallinn for cheap shopping, while tourists go in the opposite direction.
Riga takes four and a half hours by bus and Saint Petersburg six. Compare the ferry and bus options on one screen; a ticket bought early comes out considerably cheaper.
Prices and food in Tallinn
Estonian cooking is simple and built on black bread, potatoes and fish. The medieval-style restaurants in the old town are interesting but expensive. The Balti Jaam market is both cheaper and gives a more interesting choice.
A three-star hotel is 70–120 euros and 55–90 outside the old town. Looking at the options on the Kalamaja side brings the budget down and the centre is still walkable. Lunch in a restaurant is 12–20 euros. Official information is on the Visit Tallinn site.
Season in Tallinn
June–August is the best period, the weather is 18–24 degrees and the days pass very long. September turns out quiet and colourful. Winter is cold, it drops below zero, and the days are short. In December the Christmas market on the town hall square is counted among the oldest in Europe.
In short
Tallinn is a compact medieval city with a strong atmosphere that fits completely into two days. Climb up to both viewing decks, give half a day to Telliskivi, and spend one day in Helsinki by ferry. For a visa and a route, fill in the application form.
Note: the prices in this article are those at the time of publication and may change with the season.
