Tallinn is by far one of the most underrated cities I have been to in Europe. With its beautiful old town full of museums and handmade craft shops, to its history as a Hanseatic trading hub in the Medieval times, the city has something for everyone. Spending one day in Tallinn will likely leave you wanting for more, but it is the perfect amount of time for an introduction to this beautiful city.
If you are interested in history then head to the Kiek in de Kök Museum and Bastion Tunnels, if you love culture then make sure to check out Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, or eat lunch at Olde Hansa Restaurant for a real medieval experience. No matter what type of traveller you are though, here are the top things you can’t miss during one day in Tallinn.
We took the ferry from Stockholm, Sweden and had the perfect day trip in Tallinn, exploring the Old Town, wandering down the picturesque streets and enjoying a few museums and handcraft boutiques.
Disclaimer: I received this trip as a gift from GetYourGuide but all thoughts and opinions in this post are genuine. Please note that this post also contains affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase through the link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I make sure to only ever promote products and brands I have used and like, and that all links are to trusted websites.
Things to know about Tallinn
Where is Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia, located in the north of the country on the edge of the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea. It is closely connected to Helsinki in Finland, a perfect day trip only a 2.5 hours ferry away.
When to visit Tallinn
Tallinn is a beautiful city to visit all year round. In the winter, they have an incredibly cosy Christmas market, and if you’re lucky, the whole city will be covered in a soft layer of snow. While in the spring, the city is vibrant with flowers and festivals. The summer is the busiest period in Tallinn but is the best time to visit if you want to explore the coastline or head out to the three summer islands close by. The autumn is quieter but magic in its own way as all the city parks turn orange with fall foliage.
Our last trip to Tallinn was at the start of October and that is where the majority of these photos were taken!
How to get around Tallinn
Depending how long you are staying in the city and what you plan on doing, I really recommend getting the Tallinn Card! This card gives you free public transport and access to so many of the museums and attractions, including Hellemann Tower and Walkway.
You can buy the card in advance here and be prepared for your trip!
How to get to Tallinn
There are so many different ways to get to Tallinn depending where you are travelling from. Over the last few years I have taken two day trips to Tallinn, both by ferry. The first of these was from Helsinki in Finland and the other from Stockholm in Sweden. Tallinn is also well connected to most major cities in Europe by both train and bus, and of course flying if you are travelling from further away.
How to get to Tallinn by bus
The best way to get to Tallinn if you are travelling from within Europe is by bus. The central bus station (Tallinn Bus Station) has both domestic and international connections! You will find direct buses to Riga, St. Petersburg, and Vilnius. I find the best way to book travel throughout Europe is with Flixbus! They have good connections between most major cities and the buses run quite regularly!
How to get to Tallinn by train
Tallinn’s central station is called Balti jamm (The Baltic Station). Trains connect here from all over Estonia and Russia, with direct lines to St Petersburg and Moscow daily. I find the best way to find train connections is using Omio.
How to get to Tallinn by air
It is also possible to fly to Tallinn, flying into Tallinn Airport. From here you can take bus number 2 to the city centre and walk over to the old town. The bus costs €2 and tickets can be bought on board!
How to get to Tallinn from Stockholm by ferry
The last day trip we took to Tallinn was by ferry from Stockholm. We booked this round trip tour which included breakfast on the ferry. The trip departs from Stockholm at 5 pm and arrives in Tallinn the next day at 10.30 am. On board, you get your own room with a small bathroom and tv, while onboard they have some really fun activities to keep you busy! We spent the evening watching shows, dancing in the disco club and browsing the shop.
As this tour is sold as a “3 day cruise”, it means you can leave your baggage on board the ferry while you spend the day in Tallinn! This was really useful as we didn’t want to be carrying heavy bags around the city. The ferry terminal is around 20 minute walk from the old town which gives you around 7 hours to explore Tallinn.
The ferry back to Stockholm leaves at 6 pm and arrives in Stockholm at 11 am. On board there is a selection of different shows and entertainment on the way back.
You can find out more or book this trip here!
How to get to Tallinn from Helsinki by ferry
Tallinn makes for a perfect day trip from Helsinki, only a few hours ferry trip connecting these two cities. One of the best ways to book this trip is as a round-trip-cruise. This makes it easy to plan your day and easy to keep track of your booking. These ferries take the trip several times a day – leaving Helsinki at 7:30 am or 10:30 am, and returning from Tallinn at 4:30 pm, 7:30 pm or 11:30 pm.
You can see more details about this ferry trip or book it here!
One day in Tallinn Itinerary – The Ultimate Guide to Tallinn’s Old Town
If you only have one day in Tallinn, it’s likely you won’t get much further than exploring the old town! Here is my guide to things you can’t miss in Tallinn’s old town!
The old town is a beautiful area that will most likely take up the entirety of your one day in Tallinn. Now a UNESCO world heritage site, it is filled with colourful houses, winding cobblestone alleyways and hidden courtyards to explore. Here are a few places you can’t miss.
You can find a map of the best things to see in Tallinn at the end of this post which is available for download!
Pikk Street
This is the longest road in Tallinn, with colourful stone houses and cosy shops lining either side. Make sure to stop at Eesti käsitöö and take a look at the handcrafted Estonian pieces they sell! Downstairs in the basement you all find a lovely handwoven wool studio with the prettiest scarves and throws.
Along the street you will see a lot of houses with glass plaques outside explaining the historical importance of the house itself.
Tallinn Old Town Square (Raekoja Plats)
Make sure to stop by Tallinn’s historic town square Tallinna Plats. Here you will find a range of beautiful historical houses that once lined this market square. In one corner is the Apotek (pharmacy) which houses a really nice museum about its’ history. I recommend stopping by Van Kook, the small coffee shop on the side of the town hall (Tallinna Raekoda). Not only is it super cosy but the drinks were really good too!
St Olav’s Church
St Olav’s Church is a beautiful old church believed to have been built in the 12th century. While the church is impressive, it’s best feature is definitely the tower which gives one of the best views over Tallinn’s old town! The walk up is quite tough, with a steep, winding staircase that goes in both directions, but it is worth it. The climb costs €5 for adults and €3 for children and students, while entry to the church itself is free.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
This unique, domed church sits on the top of Toompea Hill and is a must visit if you have only one day in Tallinn. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is Estonia’s main Russian Orthadox church, built around 1900. The church is open every day from 8 am – 6 pm, with regular services! If you are lucky, you will hear the church bells ring which really is special.
Patkuli Viewing Platform
Patkuli Viewing Platform is another amazing view over Tallinn’s old town. The best way to reach it is by heading up the Patkuli Stairs.
Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform (Kohtuotsa vaateplats)
Kohtuotsa viewing platform is one of the best views over Tallinn’s old town. It is here you will find the famous “The Times We Had Wall”, overlooking the city and out to the Baltic sea. Getting to Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform you walk down the pretty Pikk jalg, and past the Pika jala Gate Tower.
Olde Hansa Restaurant
Olde Hansa Restaurant is a Medieval style restaurant located in the centre of Tallinn’s old town. The restaurant decor follows that of a Medieval tavern, while the staff are all dressed in traditional costume and the menu has some really unique dishes on it that were likely served in this era. We were a little skeptical when entering that it would be more of a gimmick than anything else but were actually very impressed by the food.
It was a fun experience and I recommend it! It can get really busy there though so if you are visiting in peak season or a busy time of the day then make sure to be prepared to wait a while for your food.
Saiakang
Don’t miss walking down Saiakang, a cosy little alleyway with a beautiful red house and design shop situated in the middle.
Masters’ Courtyard (Meistrite Hoov)
Masters’ Courtyard is a recreation of a Medieval alleyway, with shops, cafes and handcraft workshops lining the sides. Pierre Chocolaterie, on the right, is a quirky chocolate shop and cafe that spills out into the alleyway with its colourful decorations. I recommend stopping here for a hot chocolate if you are visiting Tallinn during the colder months!
St Catherine’s Passage (Katariina Käik)
St Catherine’s Passage is one of the most picturesque places in Tallinn’s old town, with roofed stone beams supporting the two sides of the alleyway. On one side, you will find a collection of 15th – 17th century buildings, today housing small shops and handcraft studios.
On the other, you will see the wall of the once St Catherine’s Friary, lined with the tombstones that once sat in the Friary’s graveyard.
Hellemann Tower and Town Wall Walkway
Hellemann Tower and the Town Hall Walkway is one of the best places to visit Tallinn’s old city wall. Here, above the town, is a 200m stretch of preserved wall that dates back to the 14th century! The walkway is quite high up and rickety so I wouldn’t recommend this if you are afraid of heights!
Inside the tower itself is a small art gallery. Entrance to the museum is free with the Tallinn Card, otherwise it costs €4 per person.
Museums in Tallinn’s Old Town
If you want to fill your day with more than just a self-guided walking tour, make sure to visit one, or a few, of the great museums in Tallinn’s old town! This is another great reason to get to Tallinn card as it actually includes over 50 museums and attractions around the city so you don’t need to pay extra!
A few of the museums I recommend visiting in Tallinn’s old town are:
Kiek in de Kök Museum and Bastion Tunnels
Kiek in de Kök is a museum in the fortifications of Tallinn, taking you through the history of the city both metaphorically and literally. The museum has three parts; the artillery tower, the underground bastion passages and the Carved Stone Museum, and the three towers. The majority of these fortifications dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries, when the area was under the control of Sweden,
Entry to this museum is also included in the Tallinn City Card, otherwise it costs €12 for adults and €6 for children.
KGB Prison Cells
This museum is one of the most interesting, located in the basement of one of the buildings on Pikk street, the former headquarters of the KGB. While it is a small museum, the displays and atmosphere of the rooms are very emotional. You can find out more here. Entry to this museum is also included in the Tallinn City Card
If you have time, you can also stop at
- The Estonian Maritime Museum
- Kadriorg Palace
- Estonian History Museum
One Perfect Day in Tallinn Overview
Like I said, Tallinn is a beautiful city with so much to see and you won’t be able to fit it all into one day in the city! So if you are staying for longer, or want to venture out of the old town, be sure to check out some of the other areas of the city! Don’t miss Kadriorg, an old upper class area with big, decadent villas, the well preserved wooden houses from the old fishing area Kalamaja, or wandering around the more modern quarters of Tallinn City Centre.
