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A weekend in Tallinn: travel guide, things to do, food and drink 

Explore the excellent eateries, unique accommodation and picturesque sights of Estonia’s capital

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Why you should visit Tallinn

At the juncture between Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, Estonia is a geographic and cultural meeting place – and nowhere is this more evident than in its capital.

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Tallinn is a city of dualities, embracing both the old and the new. Its mediaeval character is “impossibly lovely”, said Forbes , but it’s “home to more start-ups per person than America’s Silicon Valley”, said EuroNews , earning Estonia the title of the world’s most digitally advanced society at one time.

The vibe is “lively yet peaceful”, said Lonely Planet . It is “absurdly photogenic” and “bursting with wonderful sights” – step into “ancient churches, mediaeval streetscapes and noble merchants’ houses” to get a feel of the city’s rich history.

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Tallinn is also an affordable European destination that has dodged the stag and hen-do “bullet”, unlike less fortunate Prague or Budapest , said Suitcase magazine. And if you’re looking to travel further into Estonia, there’s no better place to start your trip.

While many visitors stop only briefly in Tallinn while on a cruise through Scandinavia, there’s plenty on offer for a longer sojourn.

Tallin’s top attractions and things to do

Get lost in Tallinn’s Old Town, exploring the winding streets and monuments; history buffs will enjoy visiting the Town Hall or Guild Hall museums. In the centre, Toompea Hill gives visitors “a potted architectural history of Estonia in a single winding walk”, said The Times . Climb up above the government buildings, castle and churches for views across the city. “Come early or late to avoid crowds from the cruise ships.”

Tallinn is home to “a vibrant and evolving art scene”, said ARTnews . Stop by the Contemporary Art Museum or Kumu, the city’s largest gallery housed in a “futuristic” seven-storey building, said Lonely Planet. Or there’s Fotografiska – if the excellent photography exhibitions don’t tempt you, then its Michelin green starred restaurant just might…

There are plenty of green spaces to wander through, too. Toompark is tucked just below the castle, or cast your net a little further with a visit to Vabaõhumuuseum, an “immersive, open-air museum”, said The Guardian . At Kadriorg Park, you’ll find the Kadriorg Palace in its grounds, a baroque building which hosts a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia.

A short walk from the Old Town, Telliskivi is “one of the liveliest areas” of the city. Popular among locals, there’s “a sense of creative rebelliousness” in this former factory hub, which has a bustling array of cafes, restaurants, shops and galleries to enjoy, said The Times. The Balti Jaama Turg market offers opportunities for vintage and antique shopping, and tempting “street eats”.

Saunas are “deeply embedded in Estonian culture”, and you won’t struggle to find somewhere to experience one for yourself. From hotels to breweries, they crop up all over the city.

Where to stay in Tallinn

Schlössle Hotel Tallinn is a “magnificent 13th-century merchant’s house” that has seen its “fair share of royal visitors over the years”, said The Luxury Editor . With “tasteful and sumptuous interiors”, guests can unwind from a day’s sightseeing in the “spacious” spa and sauna facilities, or “in the basement cigar lounge next to the huge open-fire hearth”.

For “five-star romance, elegance and charm” and an “impressive swimming pool and spa”, stay at Hotel Telegraaf . It has 84 rooms set across two wings, the travel site continued, with one side “representing the new and the other the historical”. Guest rooms are filled with “luxurious touches”, and its Old Town location makes exploring a doddle. Book into the hotel’s Restaurant Tchaikovsky to sample “French tastes, Russian traditions and Estonian ingredients”.

The Igluhuts at Iglupark are “self-contained cabins” looking across the bay at Port Noblessner, said The Times. With “uninterrupted views, a private sauna and outdoor hot tub”, this is a perfect pick for “summer nights when it never gets fully dark”. Hektor Container Hotel is another unique option – each room is a shipping container that has been “around the world at least once”. They have been kitted out with comfortable amenities and “soundproofing will guarantee an excellent night’s sleep”.

Tallinn’s top restaurants and bars

If you only have time for one meal out in Tallinn, book Restaurant Rataskaevu 16 . This top-rated eatery “truly deserves the recognition it’s getting”, said Culture Trip . Enjoy Estonian staples served in a fresh, modern setting – and there’s “plenty of options for vegetarians”. Round off the feast with a glass of the restaurant’s own schnapps.

The Danish have “hygge” and the Estonians have “lee”, said Condé Nast Traveller , “an archaic word which means to gather around a fireplace, exchange stories and share food”. Experience it in the “fine-dining setting” of Lee Restoran , where the regularly changing menu showcases “local, seasonal ingredients”. Go for the “surprise” set menu “to discover the full extent of the talent in the kitchen”. For a “more easy-going” option, try the sister bistro Lore , restaurateur Kristjan Peäske recommends on The Local Tongue .

Among Peäske’s other recommendations are Salt , “a busy, underground, 30-seat bistro” with “no-borders thinking”, fusing “influences from South America all the way to Africa”. 180° and Noa Chef’s Hall “should always be mentioned” when talking about fine-dining in Tallinn. The former is “the place to go” for a “perfectly executed” fish dish – and the latter offers food that’s “more than just the best ingredients and the most complex techniques” in its “unexpected” creations.

For beer fans, the “state-of-the-art” Pohjala Beer brewery carries 24 different beers, said The Times. Sample some in the taproom, take a tour of the brewery or you can even book into its sauna. Telliskivi’s Sveta Baar is where the “trendiest crowd channel their rebellious spirit”.

Whisper Sister is “one of the coolest bars in Tallinn”, said The Guardian. An “underground speakeasy”, it’s “not easy to find” – but your efforts will be rewarded with “excellent” cocktails.

Transport: how to get to Tallinn

There are direct flights to Tallinn from London airports Stansted, Gatwick and Luton several times a week. Alternatively, catch a short ferry from Finland’s capital Helsinki, or travel by car or take a train from Latvia’s capital Riga to reach Tallinn in less than five hours.

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Julia O'Driscoll is the engagement editor. She covers UK and world news, as well as writing lifestyle and travel features. She regularly appears on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast, and hosted The Week's short-form documentary podcast, “The Overview”. Julia was previously the content and social media editor at sustainability consultancy Eco-Age, where she interviewed prominent voices in sustainable fashion and climate movements. She has a master's in liberal arts from Bristol University, and spent a year studying at Charles University in Prague.

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Is Tallinn Worth Visiting? 14 Reasons That’s a Yes

Not everyone has necessarily heard of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia , a little(ish) country on the Baltic Sea. But everyone who has been lucky enough to visit Tallinn will likely rave about it! This charming, historical city, which happens to be a tech haven surrounded by pristine nature, very rarely disappoints any traveler.

So, if you’re asking yourself: “Is Tallinn worth visiting?” The answer is probably yes.

Of course, I believe in making informed decisions—and although it pains me to, because I love Tallinn so, I’ll go over a few reasons why some travelers may prefer not to visit Tallinn, along with 14 reasons to visit Tallinn.

Table of Contents

Why some travelers avoid Tallinn

It has long and dark winters.

Tallinn is quite far north—not far from Finland , in fact—and therefore has the stereotypically long, dark winters of northern Europe. This means very few hours in the day with little sunlight, not to mention some gray skies and cold, wet weather (often with snow).

While this gives me all the cozy feelings, especially in December, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

You might get lost in translation

The Estonian language is a unique one! Part of a small language family, the Finno-Ugric family, Estonian stands out compared to much of Europe. Estonian’s closest relatives are Finland (not too surprising, as it’s just a hop across the Baltic to Helsinki) and Hungarian (random).

So, if you’re hoping your Slavic or Scandic language roots will help you in Estonia, don’t count on it! This means things may get lost in translation, so that is something to consider before you visit.

Of course, thanks to Estonia’s long history of Russian occupation, many do still speak Russian there. Is this a pro or a con? You decide.

It’s not the easiest to reach

Estonia, as previously discussed, is far north, and not the easiest to reach! With Russia on one border, Latvia on the other, and then the Baltic Sea, Tallinn is a bit out of the way for your typical European journey.

That doesn’t mean it’s not worth it, and you can easily get there from Helsinki, Finland with a short ferry ride—but definitely something else to keep in mind while you consider Estonia.

Why Tallinn is worth visiting

1. tallinn is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in europe.

Tallinn’s Old Town is known as one of the most well-preserved medieval cities in Europe.

Surrounded by the town walls (more on those later!), the center has essentially remained intact since the 13th century, despite various wars and sieges and the Iron Curtain. It probably goes without saying, but that means that Tallinn is ridiculously charming.

2. Tallinn’s Old Town is contained and walkable

Speaking of Old Town—not only is it charming and beautiful, but it’s also fairly small, and infinitely walkable.

You can enter Old Town through the historic Viru Gate, an opening in the old city walls. From there, many of the picturesque alleys and small streets lead to the gorgeous Old Town Square (Raekoja Plats), filled with cafes and shops, museums, and markets.

From the square, it’s an easy walk up Toompea Hill, the site of Estonia’s parliament (plus churches, a castle, ruins, and some killer views from the iconic Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform).

3. To walk along the ancient city walls

Yes, Tallinn’s medieval town walls are still intact, as well—and you can still walk on certain sections. The Walls of Tallinn not only give you a bird’s eye view of the beautiful Old Town, but also the rest of Tallinn, and even out to the Baltic Sea.

The only section open for tourists is located at Hellemann Tower, one of the historic observation towers that leads to the Town Wall Walkway.

4. For the sauna culture

Estonia, like much of northern Europe, has a long history of sauna culture (the first record of saunas in Estonia is in the 13th century). As you can imagine, Estonians take their sauna time seriously—and chances are, when you’re there, you’ll be able to partake in that sauna culture for yourself.

5. For the coastline and nearby islands

Estonia has over 2,000 islands dotting its coastline… I mean, who knew? Tallinn’s location right on the coast of the Baltic Sea gives easy access to these many wonderful islands, plus beaches and rocky coastlines.

Tallinn is also well-positioned and well-connected for points even further onward, like Helsinki, Stockholm, Riga, and St. Petersburg.

6. For the local, historical cafes

Tallinn has some seriously amazing cafes in the Old Town and scattered throughout the city. The oldest cafe in town, Maiasmokk, has been running for over 150 years, and serving delectable pastries and coffee for most of this time.

Besides the classic Maiasmokk, you’ll find cozy cafes in cellars, airy cafes with a fancier vibe, hipster cafes serving things like waffles, and basic eateries serving Estonian standards such as blood sausage or herring… In short, you’re guaranteed to find a cafe in Tallinn that you’ll love.

7. Estonian brown bread is delicious

Speaking of Estonian standard dishes, one of the most famous (and the best, in my opinion) is their rye bread, or brown bread. The Estonians have perfected the art of rye bread, if you ask me, which is often served with warm butter.

You can eat it at every meal if you wish, and you probably should, because you only live once and all that.

8. It’s surrounded by forests

Not only does Estonia have miles of coastline and islands, but it also has miles of forest. Around 50% of Estonia is forest, and visiting Tallinn means easy access to some of these pristine acres of woods. Pro tip: many of these forests also contain the best spas and saunas!

9. It’s easy to stay connected

Although it seems like it would be removed from the rest of the world, thanks to its location, Estonia is very connected.

Not only is the internet in Tallinn generally strong and reliable (and often easily found and/or free), but Tallinn is also home to internet giants like Skype.

Tallinn also pioneered one of the first digital nomad visas in Europe, so you know the internet has gotta be fast to support these new transplants/remote workers!

10. It has some of the cleanest air in the world

If you’ve ever lived in a place with air pollution, you know the impact it has on your lungs and breathing. While breathing the air in Tallinn, you can basically taste the freshness—and this is because the air is quite literally fresher.

The World Health Organization has consistently ranked Estonia as having some of the cleanest air in the world, and Estonia is also known for its approach to the environment and sustainability.

11. Tallinn has a magical Christmas season

Tallinn’s Christmas Market has been voted, several times, as one of the best in Europe! It’s not hard to see why—set in the already-magical Old Town Square, the addition of the lights and market booths, not to mention the giant tree, will make you burst at the seams with Christmas spirit.

And maybe burst a little from all of the delicious mulled wine (glogg in Estonian) and various eats and treats you’ll be imbibing.

12. Tallinn is where marzipan was invented (maybe)

The precise origin of marzipan, that unique European almond paste candy, is unknown—but Tallinn is one of the contenders as the site of the great marzipan origin story!

Whether Tallinn is where it was invented or not (although when in Estonia, you should probably go with yes), it does have a very long history of marzipan.

Marzipan was often prescribed to cure various ailments back in medieval times, which obviously isn’t the case anymore, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try as much as you can when in Tallinn.

13. To embrace medieval and Viking history

Experience Tallinn’s long and rich history, from the Vikings to the medieval times and to the Soviet occupation, for yourself!

Visit the Estonian History Museum or the Town Hall Pharmacy (the oldest continually running pharmacy in Europe, from the 1400s), Toompea Castle, or take a tour of a nearby Viking village.

14. To wander the charming cobbled streets

Once you step onto the cobbled streets of Old Town Tallinn, you’ll feel as if they’re taking you back in time.

Meander past 12th-century churches, along medieval city walls, up hills towards castles, and through tiny alleys that take you to markets that have been there for hundreds of years. Every new corner will bring a new surprise, a new cafe, a new piece of history or beauty to explore.

Now that you have all the facts about Tallinn (or at least some of the most important reasons for visiting), has your answer to “Is Tallinn worth visiting?” been answered? I hope so!

Traveling is individual to every person, of course, but most people who make it to Tallinn rarely have any regrets. And who could blame them?

Would you go to Tallinn? Have you been? If so, what else would you add to this list?

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