My Thoughts on the Tallinn Card After Trying It for 72 Hours

Tallinn’s appeal is immediate as soon as you see the gates to its Old Town, and Estonia’s capital is the perfect weekend adventure or day trip from Helsinki. However, things get even better as you dig deeper and uncover the city’s complex and interesting history. 

This, as it goes, is what has drawn me back to Tallinn five times. The city is forward-thinking but still keeps its traditions, while also showcasing the good and bad about its past. I can’t think of many places in Northern Europe with as many good museums, and there are plenty of other attractions to keep you entertained. 

* This article is a collaboration with Visit Tallinn. However, all views are my own. 

Needless to say, booking tickets for museums and attractions can quickly get expensive. And while Tallinn is still affordable compared to the Nordics, it has certainly gotten pricier since my first visit in 2018. The Tallinn Card offers an opportunity to save money and visit the city’s must-sees, but is it worth using? 

Having tried numerous city cards, such as the Copenhagen Card, I wanted to see how the Tallinn Card compared to them. So, when Visit Tallinn invited me for another adventure in the Estonian capital, this is precisely what I did. In this guide, I’ll discuss whether I think the Tallinn Card is worth using and, if so, who should use it. You’ll also find my top attraction recommendations. 

What Is the Tallinn Card, and What’s Included?

The Tallinn Card is a discount pass offering access to dozens of attractions in and around the Estonian capital. Examples include the Estonian Open Air Museum, the Tallinn TV Tower, and Fotografiska. You also get free unlimited public transport for the duration of your card. 

One advantage of the Tallinn Card, which hasn’t always been the case when using other city cards elsewhere, is that you can get discounted restaurant meals. One example is Olde Hansa in the Old Town, which I visited on a previous trip and really enjoyed. The card includes discounts at cafés, too. 

When visiting attractions with the Tallinn Card, you can skip the queue for popular attractions. For example, we were able to go to the TV Tower without any problems. 100 people are allowed at any given time, so this was a big advantage—especially when we visited in summer. 

The Tallinn Card offers discounts on various design stores, in addition to tours in and around the city. 

After activating the Tallinn Card, your pass will be active for 24, 48, or 72 hours, depending on the duration you chose. This means that if you bought a 24-hour card and activated it at 14:00 on Monday, it’d be active until 14:00 on Tuesday. 

How I Used the Tallinn Card (+ Potential Savings)

We had the 72-hour Tallinn Card, which costs €78. Children’s passes are also available for €41. Since we were two adults traveling, I will outline the full-price adult tickets for each attraction we visited and whether we saved any money. 

If you’re staying in Tallinn for a shorter period (such as taking a day trip from Helsinki), you can buy a 24-hour pass for €45 (€27 for children) or a 48-hour ticket (€65 for adults and €34 for children). 

Attraction	Usual Price
Tallinn Town Hall	€7
Tallinn Town Hall Tower	€6
Estonian Museum of Architecture	€10
Fotografiska	€17
KGB Prison Cells	€10
St. Olavs Church Tower	€8
Tallinn TV Tower	€24 (skip-the-line ticket)
Unlimited Public Transport (We used this quite a lot)	€9 for a 72-hour ticket
Total Value:	€91

As you can see, we saved quite a decent amount of money using the Tallinn Card. Even with an ordinary Tallinn TV Tower ticket that doesn’t skip the line (€17), we’d still have saved money compared to the full prices. 

What I Like About the Tallinn Card

I liked a fair few things about the Tallinn Card, and in my opinion, it’s one of the better city passes I have tried. Below are its biggest advantages. 

1. The App Is Very Functional 

This might seem like it should be a given, and I agree, it should be. But unfortunately, it’s not always the case. Thankfully, for the three days we used the Tallinn Card, I experienced zero glitches; adding our cards was also very simple. 

The Tallinn Card app (iOS and Android) is beautifully designed and has a feature where you can save every place you want to visit. While in Tallinn, you can see which attractions are nearby based on your location, too. 

You’ll find several other useful features in the app, too, such as recommended places to visit and the option to chat directly with the Tourist Information Center. Breaking down places to visit based on categories is also very straightforward. 

2. Good Value for Money

Sometimes, I’ll use city cards and save little or nothing at all. But with the Tallinn Card, we made pretty decent savings compared to the full price. Since there are so many interesting things to see in Tallinn, the admission fees would’ve racked up quickly if we didn’t have the pass. 

While public transport in the Estonian capital is very affordable, it was nice not to need to download a separate app. Moreover, pricing for the Tallinn Card is transparent; what you see is what you get. 

3. User-Friendly

In addition to the user-friendly app, the Tallinn Card in general is very easy to use. It’s stored digitally, and when you visit an attraction, you simply have to present the QR code. The ticket office manager will then scan the code, before you then enter the attraction. 

Even if you’re not tech-savvy, you should have no issues using the Tallinn Card on your visit. 

4. All Major Attractions Are Included 

This, again, should be obvious—but it’s not always the case with other city passes. Elsewhere (for example, in Vienna), I’ve still had to pay for access to certain attractions. While I could’ve bought a separate pass including these, I feel like it’s easier for all tickets to have these. 

With the Tallinn Card, all the major attractions in and outside the Old Town are included. This made it very easy to explore the city without second-guessing where we could and could not go. 

What I Don’t Like About the Tallinn Card

Despite its numerous advantages, I do feel like the Tallinn Card could do with some improvements in a handful of areas. To help you make a better purchasing decision, I’ve added some of the disadvantages to keep in mind. 

1. Some Attractions Are Seasonal 

We used the Tallinn Card in the peak tourist season, and as a result, everything was open. All of my previous visits to Tallinn were during the colder months, and as a result, I wasn’t able to do some of the things we did on this trip. 

For example, while we were able to visit the Town Hall, we wouldn’t have been able to during the summer. The Café Maru rooftop, which is also included in the Tallinn Card, is similarly only open for the summer months. 

That said, you can still visit many of the attractions in Tallinn year-round. You’ll be able to go to most museums, for example. You should just keep in mind that some of the things you want to do could be seasonal, and do your research for these beforehand. 

2. There Could be More Restaurants Included

While the Tallinn Card includes a handful of restaurants, I do think the selection of discounts could be expanded. We didn’t use the majority of these, which wasn’t a problem, but it would be nice to have extra places added to the list. 

I do recommend Olde Hansa, though. For food and drink in Tallinn, I suggest going to the places you want—regardless of whether they’re included in the pass. For example, Bruxx—a restaurant serving New Belgian cuisine—was our favorite on this trip. 

Who Should Use the Tallinn Card?

If you’re staying in Tallinn overnight (which I recommend doing), and you plan to visit multiple museums, the Tallinn Card is worth getting. In the past, I’ve tried visiting 5+ museums in one day just to save money—and more often than not, it becomes overwhelming. 

I especially recommend getting the Tallinn Card when visiting the city in the summer. All the seasonal attractions will be open, meaning you don’t need to second-guess whether you can visit a place or not. 

You might also find the Tallinn Card useful if you’re only in the city for a day, but it’ll depend on what you plan to visit. For example, it’s probably worth thinking about if you plan to visit the TV Tower and a couple of extra museums and attractions.

The Tallinn Card is also worth considering if you’re planning to do day tours from (and around) the city. You can get discounts for visits to Lahemaa National Park, Narva, and various excursions within the Estonian capital. 

If your only plan is to visit Tallinn’s Old Town for a day, along with having some food and drinks before heading back to Helsinki, you probably don’t need the Tallinn Card. 

You should also consider the specific dates you’ll be in the city. Many museums and attractions are closed on public holidays and Mondays, so you should plan your trip accordingly.  

How to Get the Tallinn Card

You can buy the Tallinn Card via GetYourGuide, Visit Tallinn, the Tallinn Card app, and various sales points in the city—including the Tourist Information Center and numerous hotels. 

Once you’ve purchased the Tallinn Card, you’ll need to activate it in the app. We received an email with the codes, which we simply had to copy and paste. You can keep multiple passes on the same device; this is helpful if you’re traveling in a bigger group. 

After activating the Tallinn Card, present the QR codes at each attraction you wish to visit. It’ll be scanned, and you can then enter. 

Must-Do Experiences With the Tallinn Card

We did a lot with the Tallinn Card, and on previous visits, I’ve done a handful of things included in the pass. Based on those experiences, I’ll list what I think are the must-dos below. For the full list of activities, you can check out this page. 

1. St. Olaf’s Church Observation Deck

St. Olaf’s Church is one of the main churches in Tallinn’s Old Town, and it offers a fantastic view of the city. You’ll see the Estonian capital from all angles, including sights like the TV Tower and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. 

The climb, however, is quite difficult. The staircases are narrow, and you will be sweating by the time you get to the top. Naturally, we went on a day when it was 30ºC and humid beyond belief 🙂. 

The observation deck is open from April to October. While you’re here, spend a bit of time in the main part of the church; it’s also quite pleasant. 

Address: Lai tn 50, 10133 Tallinn

2. Tallinn City Hall and Tower

From the outside, Tallinn’s City Hall is one of the prettiest in Northern Europe. I think it’s up there with the one in Tartu (which, by the way, is also worth visiting while you’re in Estonia). That exterior is backed up when you enter the building. 

Inside the City Hall, you’ll find comprehensive information about the building itself, along with Tallinn as a whole. It’s a fantastic place to learn more about Estonia’s capital city and its complicated history.  

In addition to the City Hall, I recommend visiting the Tower. The climb here is, like St. Olaf’s Cathedral, quite difficult. Nonetheless, the views of Raekoja Plats are worth it. Since there isn’t much space in the tower, you may want to choose an alternative viewing point if you’re claustrophobic. 

Address: Raekoja plats 1, 10146 Tallinn

3. KGB Prison Cells

Estonia has moved on from its Soviet occupation to become one of Europe’s most progressive and digitized countries. When you see just how brutal the Soviet regime was, which you will see at the KGB Prison Cells, you’ll gain a newfound appreciation for how the country as a whole has recovered in the 30+ years since regaining independence. 

The KGB Prison Cells were where many prisoners were kept during their pre-trial phase, and the conditions were poor. You can enter a solitary confinement cell, which you will probably want to leave after a minute at most. 

At the cells, you’ll get a comprehensive history of how the KGB operated. You will also see documentation outlining some of the crimes you could be tried for. We went here straight after St. Olaf’s Church, as it’s just down the road. 

Address: Pikk tn 59, 10133 Tallinn 

4. Fotografiska

I had wanted to visit Fotografiska in Tallinn for multiple years before I finally had the chance, and it was well worth the wait. The museum had a handful of interesting exhibitions covering various types of photography, and everything is beautifully laid out across multiple floors. 

Going to Fotografiska felt like being in a flow state, and I also like how we learned about the photographers themselves during the exhibitions. Once you’re finished, make sure you visit the rooftop bar. Besides nice views of the Telliskivi district, it has great mocktails and other drinks. 

Address: Telliskivi tn 60a-8, 10412 Tallinn

5. Hellemann Tower and Town Wall

I actually went to the Helleman Tower and Town Wall on a previous trip to Tallinn, and since it’s included in the Tallinn Card, I recommend making a visit while you’re in town. This was used historically as part of the city’s fortifications. 

You can walk along the wall’s pathway with a ticket while also getting nice views. At the restaurant, you’ll find a café with Old Town views, coffee, pastries, and more. 

Address: Müürivahe 48, 10140 Tallinn

6. Tallinn TV Tower

The Tallinn Tower was one of the first places we visited with the Tallinn Card, and it’s worth making the journey outside the city center. The tower was built in the Soviet era and offers views of Tallinn from all angles. While the Old Town is further away, this is a great place to see some of the city’s suburban architecture. 

Besides views of Tallinn, you can also learn more about the tower’s history through exhibitions. Buses run from the bus station at the Viru Keskus shopping center. 

The Botanical Gardens, also included in the Tallinn Card, aren’t too far from the TV Tower. So, you could do both at the same time if you wanted. If you don’t buy the Tallinn Card, you can purchase tickets for the tower individually.

Address: Kloostrimetsa tee 58a, 15026 Tallinn 

Final Thoughts: Do I Recommend Buying the Tallinn Card?

The Tallinn Card offers very good value for money for most people visiting Tallinn, especially if you’re staying overnight. You can access all the main attractions with the card, along with getting discounts on restaurants, design shops, cafés, tours, and more. 

Even if you visit outside the summer, the Tallinn Card still has a lot to offer. You can easily recuperate the price on year-round attractions, and having unlimited public transportation—without needing to buy separate tickets—is nice. 

The only exceptions, in my opinion, are if you only plan to visit a few attractions. You may also not want to get the pass if you’re on a day trip and only going to stroll around the Old Town. Otherwise, I think that the Tallinn Card is worth getting.