Located in the north of the Baltic countries, Tallinn is a beautiful, medieval city. Nearly 500,000 inhabitants live there. Located a few hours flight from Paris and even Prague, the Estonian capital is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and European Capital of Culture in 2011, it is only a few kilometers from Finland. An exceptional geographical location that attracts many tourists and visitors.
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How to get to Tallinn?
Tallinn, the Estonian capital, is located in the north of Estonia. To get there, from Paris, it takes about 3 hours of flight. There are several non-stop flights, even if they can be rare.
From Prague, on the other hand, a flight can take a little more than 4 hours. The latter are with connections. The stops are usually in Russia and Poland. The price of the tickets is quite reasonable. It is necessary to count a good hundred euros.
What to do in Tallinn?
In the rest of this article, we present you all you need to know about Tallinn. A trip to Estonia is the assurance to discover a new culture, a Nordic culture, warm, which will not fail to fill you.
1. The square of the old city
Tallinn’s Old Town Square is the nerve center of the Estonian capital. The very symbol of the Estonian capital. Built between the 13th and 14th century, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. It is even one of the best preserved medieval squares in the world.
2. The Viru Gate
The Viru Gate marks the entrance to the city of Tallinn. At that time, the two towers were complemented by a gate that protected the city wall. Today, only the latter remain.
The area around the Viru Gate is now home to market stalls selling woolen mittens, fragrant roasted nuts and numerous restaurants.
3. ToOmpea Castle
Toompea Castle is located at the top of the hill of the same name. It is the seat of the Estonian Parliament. The highest tower of the castle, Pikk Hermann, is a major symbol of the Estonian state.
The blue-black-white Estonian flag stands here. The flag is raised every day at sunrise, accompanied by the sound of the national anthem.
4. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, but also the Kohtuotsa viewpoint, is located on the Toompea hill. This Russian Orthodox church has distinct black onion domes that can be easily spotted.
The interior of the church can be visited but not at any time. So be careful that no mass is held, as the church is always active.
5. Kadriorg Palace
The Kadriorg Palace is a baroque palace, built by order of the Russian tsar Peter the Great. You will enjoy the large park around, with large green walks. In the interior rooms you can see sumptuous collections of foreign art.
In addition to the Tsar’s castle, Kadriorg is home to a number of other museums, including Kumu (the main building of the Estonian Art Museum), the Mikkel Museum, the Miiamilla Children’s Museum, and the house museums of Peter the Great, Eduard Vilde, and Anton Hansen Tammsaare.
6. KGB Museum
During the 70s and 80s, the Baltic countries were under the yoke of the USSR and thus, the KGB. Located in the Viru Hotel, the KGB Museum tells the story of how the country was forced to deal with the situation.
It contains spy equipment and other objects from the Soviet era. Visitors must book in advance and the museum can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday.
7. St. Olaf Church
Between 1549 and 1625, this building was the tallest in the world. It was a landmark for all ships approaching the city. The view from the top of the church is simply exceptional.
A breathtaking 360 degree view, which will not fail to delight you especially if you are an experienced photographer.
8. St. Catherine’s Passage
Katariina käik is an alley that connects Vene and Müürivahe streets. It was restored in 1995. It is an unusual little passage, which offers tourists an excellent view of the medieval atmosphere of the city. You will love the surrounding buildings, which date back to the 15th – 17th century.
9. Tallinn harbor
The Tallinn harbor is one of the most famous places in the city. In fact, the Sadama district (harbor district) is a lively part of Tallinn with travelers coming and going to the ships. There are many hotels, restaurants and small stores.
For those who like the genre, the museum of Estonian architecture with exhibitions that change quite frequently.
10. Creative City
Telliskivi Creative City is a favorite place for locals who like to go out. It is an old disused factory that now serves as a place for restaurants, cultural institutions and other small stores.
Telliskivi is also home to Fotografiska Tallinn, a photographic art center and satellite gallery of the internationally renowned Museum of Photography founded in Stockholm.
Where to eat in Tallinn?
Discovering the culture of a brand new country, its magnificent monuments and so on, also means discovering its culinary heritage.
In Estonia, there are various typical dishes, such as the salted herring from the Baltic Sea or the Tallinn sprat (it is a fish marinated with spices).
In our article dedicated to the best typical restaurants in Tallinn, we present you our selection of the best restaurants in the city.
Where to sleep in Tallinn?
In the rest of this article, we present you everything you need to know about the best hotels in Tallinn. Carefully selected establishments, which will help you to fully enjoy your evenings.
Quality hotels, selected according to certain specific criteria, such as geographical location, prices but also and above all, the additional services.
