Where to Stay in Tallinn: My Top Hotel & Neighborhood Suggestions

Tallinn is one of my favorite cities, and it’s a place I’ve had the privilege of visiting five times so far (and counting). Since I regularly visit Finland, due to my girlfriend being from there, I’m almost always tempted to take the short ferry journey over to Estonia’s beautiful capital. 

In addition to visiting on a day trip multiple times, I’ve also done a number of overnight and weekend stays in the city. On top of that, I have explored almost every neighborhood—including the ones that most tourists never see. All of these experiences have given me the perfect knowledge needed to help you pick the right place to stay in Tallinn.

This is further enhanced by the fact that I’ve stayed in all kinds of accommodation when visiting the Estonian capital. These include hotels, hostels, and apartment hotels. If you’re trying to figure out where to stay in Tallinn, this guide is for you. I’ll show you my top recommendation for accommodation, along with highlighting which neighborhoods are the best to stay in. 

Whether you’re visiting as a solo traveler, with your partner, or as a family, this guide will give you the information you need. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Where to Stay in Tallinn: A Map

If I Could Only Choose One Hotel in Tallinn, It Would be This One…

The Metropol Spa Hotel is my favorite hotel in Tallinn, and this is precisely where I recommend that most people stay. I stayed here with my girlfriend on a trip through the Baltic region in 2025, and it ticked pretty much every box I needed.

I wanted to be close to the Old Town, but not right in it. During the summer, in particular, the Old Town is far too busy for my liking. I’m happy to go there during the day, but I don’t like being surrounded by people 24/7. This hotel is in the Rotermann Quarter, which is very close by (you can literally book a room with a view of the Old Town, which is what we had). We arrived from Helsinki quite late, but luckily, the hotel is an easy 15-minute walk from the ferry terminal in Tallinn.

Besides being very quiet, the hotel has spacious rooms and a good variety at that. It is more expensive than many other places in Tallinn, but still reasonably priced, in my opinion. The beds were also comfortable, and you can block the light from outside. This will be important if you visit in the summer; Tallinn has over 18 hours of daylight in June. 

The spa area is also really nice. You’ll find a number of saunas with varying temperatures, along with swimming pools and a place to buy drinks. We went there after doing over 20,000 steps in 30ºC heat, and it was nice to fully relax. You can get massages, too, but you need to book these in advance (these also have an additional fee). 

If I were going to choose some drawbacks, I’d say that the elevators were pretty slow at peak hours. The breakfast was fine, too, but not on the same level as what I’ve had in some places. It did the job, though; I just wanted something where I could fill up before a day of exploring Tallinn. 

Good to Know: Metropol Spa Hotel Tallinn is different from the Metropol Hotel, which is right next to it. If you can’t get a room at the Metropol Spa Hotel, this is a viable alternative. Also, if you visit in the summer, the Metropol Spa Hotel can sell out quickly; I suggest booking in advance. 

The Best Neighborhoods to Base Yourself in When You Visit Tallinn 🇪🇪

If you want to know which specific neighborhoods are worth staying in when you visit Tallinn, I’ve outlined my top recommendations below. I have written these in order, and besides talking about what each one is like, you’ll also get the pros and cons. That way, you can choose based on your needs and the trade-offs you’re happy to deal with.

1. The Rotermann Quarter

I love districts that have been repurposed from their industrial past into something different, and the Rotermann Quarter is precisely that. It’s one of my favorite places to hang out in Tallinn, and I also think it’s the best place to base yourself when you stay here.

The Rotermann Quarter is within walking distance of the Old Town, and it’s popular with locals and tourists alike. You’ll find some excellent restaurants here, including Bruxx—which serves New Belgian cuisine. As a side note, you should definitely splurge here when you visit. 

You’ll also find the delicious RØST bakery in this quarter. Besides having lots of things to do and some cool hotels, the Rotermann Quarter is ideal for shopping. Moreover, it’s lively but quiet enough to get a good night of sleep. Its architecture is interesting, too, though it’s not the chocolate box pretty style of the Old Town. 

2. Tallinn’s Old Town

The Old Town is where most tourists spend the majority of their time—if not all of it—in Tallinn. This isn’t too surprising, to be honest; it really is the most beautiful part of town. You’ll find many of the city’s best viewpoints here, along with a large chunk of its best museums.

Tallinn’s Old Town is also home to most of the city’s best attractions. Even after coming here so many times, I still spend a decent amount of time in this part of the Estonian capital. And if you also plan to visit, you will find most of the city’s main accommodation options here. 

“But Danny, if that’s the case, why is it only second on your list?”

Great question 🙂. It’s not to be contrarian, I promise. While Tallinn’s Old Town is wonderful, I prefer not staying here for multiple reasons. Firstly, it’s very crowded and where you’ll find many of the city’s bars. I like to have peace and quiet when I sleep, so I’d rather stay elsewhere than right in the city center. This is particularly true when Tallinn is small. 

The crowds are much smaller in the winter, and even in the summer, it is quieter once the people on day trips from Helsinki have left. However, it’s still too noisy in some spots for my liking. If you’re like me, and you insist on staying in the Old Town, look for accommodation away from bars and clubs. 

The Old Town also isn’t great for accessibility. Those cobblestone streets are beautiful, but they’re not practical. Plus, the Old Town is quite hilly in parts—with narrow sidewalks—which you might not find so ideal after a night or two. 

You’ll still find some great places to stay in the Old Town, but I still recommend staying in the Rotermann Quarter if you have the choice. Also, if you stay in the Old Town, booking in advance is especially important in the summer. 

3. Sadama

Sadama technically also includes the Rotermann Quarter, but I’m specifically talking about the parts of this district away from that. This district is where you’ll find the Port of Tallinn, which will be the first place you arrive when taking the ferry from Helsinki. 

You’ll find a small amount of accommodation in this part of town. I stayed in an apartment-style hotel here once, which was okay. It’s an ideal place to base yourself if you’re going to visit the Finnish capital after Tallinn, but there isn’t a huge amount to do here. On the bright side, you will also be within walking distance of Tallinn’s Old Town. 

By the Way: If you’re also going to spend a few days in Helsinki, check out my guide on where to stay in Finland’s capital. I’ve visited nine times, so you’ll have all my expert insights. 🙂

4. Kalamaja & Telliskivi

Kalamaja is a little further away from the city center, but it’s a really cool neighborhood. I like the vibe here, and you will also find an excellent brewery (Põhjala) in this district. Kalamaja is mainly residential, but it also has some cool museums and a lovely promenade. 

You’ll find a mixture of private rentals and some unique places to stay in Kalamaja. One of the most interesting is Iglupark, where you can stay in some beautiful igloo-shaped cabins by the Baltic Sea. You get access to a sauna, too.

The Telliskivi Creative City, meanwhile, is also in this part of town. It’s a really cool place to hang out and features Fotografiska, which I think is one of the best museums in Tallinn. Moreover, you’ll find a number of great places to eat and drink. It’s very close to the city’s main train station. 

The main downside of staying in these parts of town is that you don’t have as many accommodation choices compared to the Old Town. You’re also further away from the main tourist sights compared to if you stayed in the Old Town or Rotermann Quarter. Still, if you can find something here, I definitely recommend taking the opportunity.

Since you’ll be close to the main train station, it’s also ideal if you also want to take the train to other parts of Estonia. For example, I recommend spending a few days in Tartu.

5. The Business District

Tallinn’s main business district (Maakri) is where you’ll see many of the skyscrapers from basically any viewpoint in the Old Town. It’s considered the city’s answer to Manhattan; while there are skyscrapers, don’t expect anything as grand as the Empire State Building.

While there isn’t a huge amount to do in Tallinn’s business district as a tourist, you will find some really good hotels. For example, Radisson has a hotel in this part of the city. The district also has good transport connections to the airport and harbor, and isn’t too far from the Old Town, either. You can walk to the Old Town from here in around 20 minutes. 

If you’re visiting Tallinn for a weekend trip, you can also get some nice hotel deals here. Another advantage is that Tallinn’s Stockmann shopping center is here.

6. Kadriorg

Kadriorg is one of Tallinn’s more upscale neighborhoods, and it’s also where you’ll find the picturesque Kadriorg Palace. The park surrounding this building is also really nice, and regardless of whether you stay in this part of town, it’s a great place to visit. 

You can get to and from the Old Town from Kadriorg via public transport. The same goes for the main port. On a sunny day, the promenade is also nice to walk along. From the airport, it’s a little more difficult to reach but still possible (otherwise, you can get a cab). 

If You Visit Tallinn in the Summer, Book Far in Advance

When I visited Tallinn for the first time in 2018, I thought of the city as something of a hidden gem. Those days are long gone; everyone knows about the Old Town in particular these days. 

I have to say that I personally prefer visiting in the winter because it’s much quieter. If you’re going to be here in the summer, booking as far in advance as possible is vital. I also recommend booking beforehand in the winter, but it’s especially important in the summer. 

Tallinn’s Christmas Market is also very popular (and, I must say, well worth seeing). So, if you’re visiting around this time, you should also book in advance.

If You’re a Solo Traveler, Tallinn Has Some Nice Hostels

On my first trip to Tallinn, I wanted a place to stay but also to meet other travelers. If you want to do the same, I recommend staying at the Monk’s Bunk (this is where I based myself for that trip).

The Monk’s Bunk is a super social hostel with plenty of fun activities. I went on a pub crawl while I stayed there, and I then saw the same spot where… I realized that I had too much to drink from my balcony at the Metropol Spa Hotel seven years later. I think that’s what they call “full circle” 🤣. 

The hostel has a nice bar, and the common area is set up in a way that makes meeting others easy. You’ll also be very close to the Old Town, which is perfect if you plan to do some actual exploring and not just drink excessively like my 23-year-old self did. 

Check for an Elevator in Your Accomodation

Tallinn’s Old Town is an attraction in and of itself, but old buildings naturally come with some drawbacks. Many in the center have been renovated to include elevators, especially hotels. However, some old buildings in the Estonian capital will not have these. 

If accessibility is a big issue for you, double-check that your accommodation has an elevator before you book. Newer buildings are a much safer option in this respect, as they almost certainly will have one, in comparison.

… A Sauna Is Also Nice

Like neighboring Finland, Estonians love visiting the sauna. It’s one of my favorite things to do in my spare time, too, even though I don’t live in Estonia. I am pretty sure that you’ll feel the same as well, especially if you’re visiting in the winter.

If you want to visit a sauna, checking that your accommodation has one is a good starting point. You can always stay at Metropol Spa if you want to be sure that you have one 🙂. 

Your Complete Guide to Booking Accommodation in Estonia’s Capital

Tallinn is a small city, but it has an excellent range of accommodation. You’ll find hotels, hostels, private rentals, boutique stays, and more. The city itself is also pretty compact, making it easy to get around if you stay in one of the locations I’ve mentioned. 

Booking in advance is vital at peak times of the year, especially if you want something specific. You should also check for quirks that you do and don’t want. Regardless of why you’re visiting, you will find something that meets your needs.

Now that you’ve read this guide, you should have all the information you need. All that’s left to do is check availability for places to stay in Tallinn. If you have further questions, you can always leave a comment, and I’ll do what I can to help. 

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