My 20 Favorite Things to Do in Tallinn, Estonia (Based On 5 Visits)

Tucked away in a corner of Northern Europe, Tallinn is worth more than a day trip. Estonia’s capital city has become a poster child for recovery and regeneration since the fall of the Soviet Union over 30 years ago, and each time I visit, there’s something new to discover. From its interesting tech startups to the picturesque Old Town and quirky neighborhoods rarely frequented by travelers, Tallinn is emerging as a self-assured city. 

Regardless of how long you’re in Tallinn for, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do. Estonia’s largest city has some of the Baltic region’s best museums, along with cozy bakeries and year-round activities. Whether you’re visiting in the deepest depths of those long winters or during the almost never-ending summer days, I strongly recommend considering Tallinn as your next city break. 

I’ve had the privilege of visiting the city five times over the course of seven years, and as a result, I’ve seen and experienced much more than many visitors. I have been to Tallinn both on day trips from Helsinki and for longer overnight stays. Based on my experiences, I’m listing my top recommendations for things to do in Tallinn to help you plan the best possible trip. 

1. Get a Cinnamon Bun at RØST

As someone who’s lived in Copenhagen for over five years and spent some time in Stockholm, I am naturally always looking out for a good cinnamon bun. To be honest, not too many places outside the Nordics have impressed me. RØST, however, is an exception. 

In my opinion, RØST is the best bakery in Tallinn. It’s Scandinavian-inspired, hence the Ø in its name. The cinnamon buns are fresh and baked right in front of you, and it’s well worth queuing outside. 

Besides the cinnamon buns, RØST has some really good sandwiches. The coffee here is great, too; it’ll get you through a cold winter morning, that’s for sure. While more expensive than other places in Tallinn, the quality is very high. 

RØST is in the Estonian capital’s Rotermann Quarter. You will find some seating space inside, but it’s very small; at peak times, you may need to take your food and coffee elsewhere. If you do manage to get a seat, the atmosphere and interior are both nice. 

Address: Rotermanni tn 14, 10111 Tallinn

Website: https://www.rost.ee/

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2. Visit Fotografiska

We visited Fotografiska as I was trying and reviewing the Tallinn Card on my fifth visit to the city, and it’s a place I had wanted to go for a while. As a photography lover, I was not disappointed. 

Fotografiska has a handful of well-organized exhibitions that not only show you art but also give you an insight into the creator’s life. You understand more about their personality, which allows you to connect the dots. Moreover, I think it’s a great place if you want to get inspiration for your own creative work. 

Once you’ve finished wandering around the museum, be sure to head to the rooftop bar. An ever-changing drinks menu is available, and you can also get nice views over the Telliskivi Creative City and the surrounding areas. You’ll also find a Michelin-starred restaurant here. 

In addition to Tallinn, Fotografiska has museums in Stockholm, Berlin, Oslo, and other cities. You can buy tickets online or at the front desk.

Address: Telliskivi tn 60a-8, 10412 Tallinn, Estonia

Website: https://tallinn.fotografiska.com/en

Social Media: Instagram

3. Explore the Kalamaja District

While Tallinn’s picturesque Old Town steals the attention of most visitors, I think that the city has so much more to offer. Kalamaja is one of my favorite districts in the city, and it’s a quirky mixture of old, new, and creative. 

Kalamaja features several old wooden houses that are popular throughout Tallinn. These are well worth seeing, and you may even want to stop in some of the cafés you’ll find in this part of town. The neighborhood’s name translates to “Fish House”, which makes complete sense when you consider that it used to be an important fishing village. 

As you get closer to the water, Kalamaja’s old-world charm makes way for modern architecture. We spent a few hours in this part of town on a hot summer’s day before continuing our Baltic adventure and catching the train to Tartu; it was very much worthwhile.

Kalamaja is just over a 25-minute walk from the Old Town. Public transport runs here, too, and Bolt is widely available if you’d prefer to take a taxi. 

4. Sample Tallinn’s Craft Beer Scene

My relationship with Tallinn has evolved over the years since I first visited in 2018. As any immature twenty-something Brit abroad would do, I spent my first “adventure” here getting as drunk as possible. 

How did that end? 

Exactly as you’d expect: With me passing out on the same spot that I could see from my hotel seven years later. Success, I guess. 

Thankfully, “not acting like an idiot abroad” entered my psyche soon enough. 

So, what has taken its place when I visit Tallinn these days? Simple. Like any Brit abroad who claims to be more mature than their younger self, I now spend my time being a craft beer snob. And of any city in Europe, I think Tallinn has a lot to offer in this respect. 

Many of Tallinn’s best craft beer spots are, conveniently, in Kalamaja. We spent some time at the Põhjala Brewery, which was a great choice. The beer here is really good, and their merchandise in the gift shop is also worth checking out. We had lunch here, too, which I strongly recommend. 

Nearby, you’ll find another spot for craft beer: Brewklyn. The Old Town has a couple of craft beer breweries, too, but I really enjoyed the ones outside the tourist zones. 

I’m a huge fan of stouts, and Tallinn has this in abundance. However, you’ll find sours, IPAs, and various other kinds of craft beer, too. 

5. Visit the Estonian Museum of Architecture

Estonian architecture is some of the most underrated in Northern Europe, and you can see this first-hand in Tallinn. While the Old Town feels like walking into a Medieval fairytale (excuse the clichés), you’ll find more modern designs elsewhere. Learning about it all is fascinating, and the Estonian Museum of Architecture is the best place to do this. 

The museum has a number of exhibitions outlining Tallinn’s architectural legacy, along with showcasing interesting designs from across the country. Crowds were noticeably thinner compared to some of the other attractions we visited in the city, too. 

The Estonian Museum of Architecture is right next to the Rotermann Quarter and close to the ferry port connecting Tallinn with Helsinki, while being within walking distance of the Old Town, too. Entry is included in the Tallinn Card, but you can also buy single tickets. 

Address: Ahtri tn 2, 10151 Tallinn, Estonia

Website: https://www.arhitektuurimuuseum.ee/eng/

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6. Check Out the Tallinn Christmas Market

I’ve been to Tallinn multiple times in the winter, and I love how the city looks when caked under a layer of snow. While this is not guaranteed in December, one thing is: Christmas markets! I would go as far as to say it’s worth taking a day trip from Helsinki just to see these.

The main Christmas market is in Raekoja Plats, Tallinn’s town hall square. You’ll find all the niceties of a European Christmas market here, such as glögi—the Northern European take on mulled wine. 

If you’re hungry, you will also find plenty of places to eat in the square. Portion sizes are, from personal experience, quite generous. 

The Christmas market gets pretty busy, so you should prepare for crowds in advance. Once you’ve been here, you can then branch off and explore other parts of the Old Town. If you’re visiting Tallinn in the summer, Raekoja Plats is still worth seeing and taking photos of. 

7. Go to the Tallinn Old Town’s Various Viewpoints

One of my favorite things about Tallinn is that the city has so many cool lookout spots. The Old Town has a large chunk of these, in particular. 

The Patkuli and Kohtuotsa platforms are two of the most famous ones, and both are free to visit. The latter is home to Tallinn’s most famous seagull; he’s more than happy to pose for photos. I’m sure he also has *intentions* when he sees someone eating a sandwich, too. While very busy, it does provide a great view of the Old Town and newer parts of the city. 

Patkuli is quite busy, but not as much as Kohtuotsa. You’ll get great views of the city from here, too. You can otherwise go to the viewing platform at St. Olaf’s Church, which is open from April to October. The climb is steep, with narrow staircases, but the views are fantastic.

You’ll also find a nice viewpoint in the Harjumägi park, where you can see Freedom Square. It’s notably less crowded than the other viewing platforms. Meanwhile, the Town Hall’s tower is cool if you can handle small spaces and narrow stairs; it’s closed during the winter months, though. 

If you want to visit the lookout spots without big crowds, visit early in the morning or later in the day. It’s significantly less crowded when the day trippers aren’t there. The best way to avoid them is by spending the weekend in Tallinn.

8. Visit the Tallinn TV Tower

In addition to the views you can get of Tallinn from the Old Town, I strongly recommend visiting the TV Tower. From the observation deck, you can get a great view of the city’s suburbs and outer districts. 

Compared to the lookout spots in the Old Town, the TV Tower is much more accessible. Moreover, you’ll find a small museum inside. Here, you can learn about the building’s history. 

The tower’s viewing platform is capped to 100 people, but you can book skip-the-line tickets—which guarantee entry—in advance. 

To reach the TV Tower, you’ll need to take the bus. Getting here takes around 20 minutes. 

Address: Kloostrimetsa tee 58a, 15026 Tallinn

Website: https://teletorn.ee/en/

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9. Sample New Belgian Cuisine at Bruxx

Trying New Belgian cuisine at Bruxx is one of my all-time favorite food experiences in Tallinn. As you would expect, the waffles here are delicious. The starters are great in general, and the main courses are also solid. 

You’ll find various drinks on the menu, including some of Bruxx’s own beers. You can book a table in advance, which I strongly recommend doing; it’s possible to book from the website. 

Bruxx is in the Rotermann Quarter, making it easy to walk to from the Old Town. We visited here while staying in the district itself, so you may want to consider doing the same. 

10. Stroll Along the Pirita Promenade

While we were on the bus to the Tallinn TV Tower, we couldn’t help but notice how scenic the promenade looked. So, on the way back, we decided to get off at Pirita and walk to Kardiorg along the water. Doing so is a great idea on a summer’s day, in particular. 

You’ll find some beaches nearby, which are frequented by locals when the sun makes an appearance. Moreover, there’s plenty of space for cycling, skating, and walking. If you want to stay active on your trip, you may also want to consider using this area as a running route. 

Along the promenade, you’ll find play areas for children. If you don’t want to take a detour into Kadriorg, you can walk along the waterfront back into town. 

11. Check Out the Kadriorg Neighborhood

Kadriorg is one of Tallinn’s most upscale neighborhoods, and walking around here is a pleasure. It’s home to Kadriorg Palace, which is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, along with a nice garden. 

The park surrounding Kadriorg Palace is worth checking out, too. Otherwise, the main joy here is walking around. The tree-lined streets and wooden houses are scenic, and you can easily get back into the city center from here. 

To get to Kadriorg, you can either take public transport or walk from Tallinn’s Old Town. It’s somewhat far out, so I recommend taking public transport out and then walking back in. 

12. Spend Time in the Rotermann Quarter

The Rotermann Quarter calls itself the Bold Town of Tallinn, and it’s a super interesting area. I really like the architecture here, which is a mixture of modern and industrial, with plenty of repurposed spaces. A number of restaurants are located here, along with ample shopping opportunities. 

You’ll mainly see locals around the Rotermann Quarter, though there are certainly crowds of tourists during the summer as well. Spend a few hours wandering around before dipping into any restaurants or bars that take your fancy. 

Getting to the Rotermann Quarter is very easy. You can walk from the Old Town and the ferry port to this district in little time. 

13. Take a Day Trip to Helsinki

In addition to Tallinn, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Helsinki multiple times. There are plenty of fun things to do in the Finnish capital, and if you’re only visiting for a day, you’ll have no problems keeping yourself entertained. 

Helsinki is just two hours away from the Estonian capital, with several ferry departures daily. I recommend spending a decent chunk of time in the Punavuori neighborhood, which is known as the Design District. If you’re visiting during the warmer months, taking an archipelago boat tour is also a good idea.

The Suomenlinna fortress is another Helsinki highlight. Make sure you check the boat schedule as times vary throughout the year (alternatively, get someone else to show you and organize the transport). The Finnish capital has plenty of nice cafés and restaurants, too, including Levain, RAMS Roasters, and Café Regatta. 

While Finland and Estonia are both in the EU and Schengen Area, bring your passport as checks occasionally take place. You can book your ferry tickets in advance. 

If you want to spend more time in Helsinki on a future trip, I recommend checking out my weekend trip itinerary. 

14. Visit Nõmme and Hiiu

Nõmme is well off the beaten path on the outer edges of Tallinn, and we literally saw like two tourists when we visited. The district has a distinct village feel that feels very different from other parts of Tallinn. It’s also one of the city’s most leafy areas, with plenty of green space. 

Be sure to visit the Nõmme Market. Here, you’ll find various stalls serving all kinds of foods and ingredients. Glehn Castle is another highlight, and the park it’s in is worth seeing, too. Just know that horseflies are very common in the summer, and while not dangerous, they deliver a painful bite (and are frankly just a general nuisance). 

You can take the train or bus to this part of town, but public transport is more scarce than in other parts of Tallinn. We took the bus here and then ordered a Bolt taxi back to the city center afterward. 

15. Stroll Around the Old Town (With a Caveat)

I don’t think it would be fair to visit Tallinn without strolling around the Old Town, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its attention is well-deserved; even after visiting so many times, it’s still one of my favorite parts of the city. Wandering the cobblestone streets will remind you of every overused term you’ve heard about old European cities, and you’ll likely come back with plenty of photos. 

Whether you visit in the summer or the winter, the Old Town of Tallinn is well worth seeing. With that in mind, what exactly is the caveat I’m talking about? 

Simple: Visit outside the peak hours. 

Crowds are manageable early in the morning or later in the afternoon if you visit in the summer. During the winter and shoulder season, it’s less busy. If you prepare yourself to share space with lots of people, you’ll have a great experience. 

Note that Tallinn’s Old Town is quite hilly; be sure to wear a good pair of shoes that you feel comfortable walking in. This part of town also gets very busy on Friday and Saturday evenings, so keep this in mind if you’re planning to go on a night out. 

16. Go to Pulla Bakery

While wandering around Tallinn’s Old Town, we found another nice bakery called Pulla Bakery. It’s on one of the back streets near Raekoja Plats, and the focaccia bread is worth trying. 

We stopped here for some drinks and pastries, too, all of which were good. There’s a decent amount of seating here, including some spots to sit outdoors. 

Although this place is popular, we didn’t have to wait long to get served. 

Address: Voorimehe 7, 10146 Tallinn, Estonia

Social Media: Instagram

17. Visit the KGB Prison Cells

When visiting Tallinn, getting to know the city’s past is a good idea. The Estonian capital has moved on from its era of Soviet occupation admirably, but this important period is still worth learning about. A somber visit to the KGB Prison Cells is one of my top recommendations for your trip. 

You’ll get an idea of the awful conditions people lived in here, and the rooms are open for you to see. While walking around, you will see plenty of details about some of the people who fought for Estonian independence, along with just how tyrannical the KGB was. 

As a part of the experience, you can go into a solitary confinement room that was used by the KGB. It’s hard to imagine that one of the city’s most beautiful streets could have been the scene of such terror in the past, but this was why we wanted to visit and see for ourselves. 

You can book tickets online, and it’s also included in the Tallinn Card. We visited while using the latter. 

Address: Pagari 1, Pikk tn 59, 10133 Tallinn

Website: https://vabamu.ee/en/exhibitions/kgb-en/

18. Check Out the Hellemann Tower

The Hellemann Tower is one of Tallinn’s more intriguing museums. The watch tower is my favorite part of it; while now a tourist attraction, it was used in centuries gone by to keep an eye out for potential threats arriving from elsewhere. 

heIn addition to the wall, you’ll find an art gallery inside the tower. Moreover, there’s a nice café here with some interesting views. I stopped here for some coffee and a pastry, which was a nice way to end the visit. 

The tower is in the heart of the Old Town. Entry is included in the Tallinn Card, but you can also buy individual tickets when you arrive. 

Address: Müürivahe 48, 10140 Tallinn, Estonia

19. Explore the Edgy Tellisiskivi Creative City

I love old industrial areas that have been repurposed into unique districts, and Tallinn excels in this respect. Telliskivi is the city’s main creative hub, and it certainly shows. Besides the Fotografiska museum, you’ll find plenty of other galleries here. 

Telliskivi is also home to various shops and restaurants. The place comes to life during the summer, in particular, but it’s worth visiting regardless of when you’re in Tallinn. 

The district is close to the city’s main train station, which itself is a bit of a walk outside the Old Town. You can take public transport or Bolt here, but it’s not too far to be off-limits by foot. 

20. Visit Tallinn’s City Hall

Tallinn’s Town Hall is one of the prettiest buildings in Estonia, but it’s more than just good looks from the outside. During the summer, it’s possible to visit its inside. If you do so, you will learn a lot about the building’s history—including the major interior renovation that took place to give you what you see today.

From many rooms, you’ll get a view of Raekoja Plats. We spontaneously decided to come here, so it was a pleasant surprise that I fully recommend. Outside the summer, you can visit by appointment.

In addition to the building’s interior, you can visit the Town Hall tower. You’ll get great views of Raekoja Plats and other parts of Tallinn’s Old Town, but you might want to skip this part if you’re claustraphobic.

If you want to visit the Town Hall and tower, you can buy combo tickets at the desk. Otherwise, you can only visit one or the other. I’d recommend visiting with the Tallinn Card to avoid any headaches; if you have this, you’ll get free entry to both.

Address: Raekoja plats 1, 10146 Tallinn

Website: https://raekoda.tallinn.ee/en/visit/

Final Thoughts

Tallinn is one of Europe’s coolest cities, and it has something for everyone. Creativity is abundant here, and you’ll find urban regeneration that few places can compete with. Moreover, the Estonian capital is blessed with plenty of excellent breweries and restaurants. Five visits have only been enough to scratch the surface of Tallinn, and I’m certain that you will have a great experience when you visit. 

Regardless of when in the year you visit, Tallinn is filled with amazing experiences. It’s easy to visit for both a day trip from Helsinki and as a weekend city break. Giving the city a good chunk of your time is an absolute must.

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