Things to do in Tallinn
-
A
Kompressor
Eat one of the enormous, stuffed pancakes and you'll be full for the rest of the day. The large hall and casual atmosphere make it a great hang-out too; the big tables make it easy to chat up locals.
reviewed
-
B
Olde Hansa
If you'll splurge just once in Tallinn, here's where to do it. This medieval-themed restaurant (more authentic than kitsch!) boasts first and foremost the most ebullient and friendly service in the city, plus exotic meats (elk, wild boar) and homemade delights like juniper cheese and honey beer. It's a fun atmosphere inside or out on the terrace, and the food and its creative presentation is always first-rate.
reviewed
-
C
Town Hall
Raekoja plats (Town Hall Square) is dominated by the only surviving Gothic town hall in northern Europe (constructed in the early 14th century, reconstruction 1402-04). Old Thomas, Tallinn's symbol and guardsman, has been keeping watch from his perch on the weathervane atop Town Hall since 1530. You can also climb the building's tower (11:00-18:00 Jun-Sep; adult/student around KR25/EEK15).
reviewed
-
D
Vanaema Juures
Vanaema Juures (Grandma's Place) was one of Tallinn's most stylish restaurants in the 1930s and still ranks as a top choice for Estonian fare. The antique-set dining room is slightly formal and the menu, whilst specialising in authentic dishes such as pigs' trotters, has plenty of options (even for vegetarians).
reviewed
-
E
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The still-active 19th-century Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral dominates Lossi plats at the top of Pikk jalg, sited strategically across from Toompea Castle, Estonia's traditional seat of power.
reviewed
-
F
Toomkirik
Estonia's oldest church, Dome Church (Toomkirik) was founded in the early 13th century by the earliest Danish conquerors of the region. It stands on Toompea hill which, with its fine views over the town and harbour, became the birthplace of Tallinn when the German Knights of the Sword built a fortress here around 1230.
Incidentally, the hill is also sacred to native Estonians, who consider it the legendary burial mound of Kalev, the heroic first leader of the Estonians. Although the site of the church was first consecrated in 1240, the edifice of this magnificent Lutheran cathedral church dates from the 15th and 17th centuries, with the tower added in 1779.
Among other th…
reviewed
-
G
Oleviste Church
Near the end of Pikk tänav stands a chief Tallinn landmark, the Oleviste Church . This is a great place to start any Tallinn expedition as there's a superb observation deck, halfway up its 124m structure offering the city's best views of the Old Town (it's a long and narrow climb up, though).
The Church is dedicated to the 11th century King Olav II of Norway but linked in local lore with another Olav (Olaf), the church's architect who fell to his death from its tower. First built in the early 13th century, it was once the world's tallest building (it used to be 159m high).
reviewed
-
H
Kiek-in-de-Kök
One of Tallinn's most formidable cannon towers is the tall, stout Kiek-in-de-Kök. Its name is Low German for 'Peep into the Kitchen'; from the upper floors lonely soldiers could peer into the houses of the Lower Town.
Built in about 1475, Kiek-in-de-Kök was badly damaged during the Livonian war, but it never collapsed (nine of Ivan the Terrible's cannon balls remain imbedded in the walls). Today it houses a museum tracing the birth and development of Tallinn with several floors of maps, weapons and models of the old city.
reviewed
-
I
Raekoja plats
Raekoja plats , the Town Hall Square, has been the centre of Tallinn life since markets began here probably in the 11th century. It's dominated by the only surviving Gothic town hall in northern Europe, and faced by pretty, pastel buildings from the 15th to the 17th centuries. Usually lasting four days, the Old Town Days festival in early June sees Raekoja plats come alive with market stalls, concerts, dancing and medieval-themed merry-making.
reviewed
-
J
Dominican Monastery
From Vene tänav, an arched doorway leads into a cosy courtyard and the world of the Dominican Monastery , founded in 1246 as a base for Scandinavian monks. Today the monastery complex houses Estonia's largest collection of very impressive stone carvings, which leave an impression on visitors eager to catch a glimpse of Medieval-looking life; there are often concerts and mysterious activities taking place there.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Architecture & Arts Centre of Estonia
East of the Old Town, lies this beautifully restored limestone warehouse that once served as the city's saltcellar. Today, the Rotterman Salt Storage as it is known, houses in its massive space the Estonian Museum of Architecture, with its permanent architecture exhibitions.
More interesting for sure is the incredible array of temporary exhibitions - often the city's best - held here throughout the year.
reviewed
-
L
Toompea Castle
Toompea Castle is Estonia's traditional seat of power. The parliament (riigikogu) meets in the pink, baroque-style building out front, an 18th-century addition. The state flag flies from the Pikk Herman bastion. A path leads down from Lossi plats through an opening in the wall to the Danish King's Courtyard where, in summer, artists set up their easels.
reviewed
-
M
Niguliste Church
The majestic Niguliste Church , a minute's walk south of Raekoja plats(Town Hall Square), is now used to stage concerts and serves as a museum of religious art. At the foot of the slope below the Niguliste Church is the carefully exposed wreckage of the buildings that stood here before the Soviet bombing of Tallinn on the night of 9 March 1944.
reviewed
-
N
Angel
One of Tallinn's most diverse crowds gathers at this stylish second-floor restaurant just off the beaten path. A lounge-like feel provides a warm setting to the small but eclectic menu (salads, pastas - and an unbeatable cheeseburger). Best of all, the kitchen stays open late. Adjoining the space downstairs is Tallinn's best gay nightclub.
reviewed
-
O
Beer House
A little piece of Austria in the heart of the Old Town, this multilevelled place is a great for a night of revelling in the company of many foreigners and a few locals. Tallinn's only microbrewery is located within and whips up a prize-winning array of delicious and fresh beers - if they don't do you in, the oompah-pah music surely will!
reviewed
-
P
Eesti Maja
This fun folksy restaurant is a good place to sample authentic Estonian fare. Traditional favourites like blood sausage, jellied pork and marinated eel aren't for the timid, but there are plenty of tasty dishes for the unadventurous (salmon, steak, etc). There's a small, weekday lunch buffet, which is a good place to sample the goods.
reviewed
-
Q
Levist Väljas
Inside this cellar bar, you'll find broken furniture, cheap booze and a refreshingly motley crew of punks, has-beens and anyone else who strays from the well-trodden tourist path. For some this is the quintessential Tallinn bar, for others it's an unpronounceable dive bar. Regardless, it's one possible choice when other bars close.
reviewed
-
R
Estonia Theatre & Concert Hall
Built in 1913, and rebuilt after being bombed in 1944, this magnificent building is Tallinn's premier venue for classical concerts, theatre, ballet and opera. Including three separate venues; the Theatre Hall, Opera Hall and the more intimate Winter Garden, tickets are reasonably priced, especially if you don't mind the balcony.
reviewed
-
S
Pikk tänav
Pikk tänav , running north from Raekoja plats (Town Hall Square) to the Great Coast Gate and the Paks Margareeta (Fat Margaret Bastion) - the medieval exit to Tallinn port - is lined with many 15th-century houses of medieval merchants and gentry. Also here are the buildings of several old Tallinn guilds and some museums.
reviewed
-
T
Troika
Tallinn's best Russian restaurant is a fully-fledged experience in itself, with wild hunting-themed murals, live accordion music and an old-style country tavern upstairs. Even if you don't opt for delicious pelmeni (dumplings) or heavenly sweet borscht, do stop in for an ice-cold glass of vodka.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Peter the Great Home Museum
In Kadriorg Park, behind the Kadriorg Palace is the cottage Peter the Great occupied on visits to Tallinn while the palace was being built. Today it houses the Peter the Great Home Museum where you may examine his clothes and the boots he made. There's also a small collection of 18th-century furnishings.
reviewed
-
V
Pühavaimu Kirik
An arch beside the Raeapteek on Raekoja plats (Town Hall Square) leads into narrow Saia käik (White Bread Passage), at the far end of which is the lovely, 14th-century Gothic Pühavaimu Kirik , with carvings from 1684 and a tower bell cast in 1433. There are free concerts here at 18:00 Monday.
reviewed
-
W
KUMU
Close to the Kadriorg Palace is the new KUMU , the country's largest museum by far. A spectacular, massive structure of limestone and green glass, it contains a large amount of Estonian art as well as constantly changing contemporary exhibits.
reviewed
-
X
Gloria Veinikelder
This maze-like wine cellar and tapas restaurant has a number of nooks and crannies where you can secrete yourself with a date and/or a good bottle of Shiraz. The dark wood, antique furnishings and flickering candles add to the allure.
reviewed
-
Y
Raeapteek
The Raeapteek , or Town Council Pharmacy, on the north side of Raekoja plats (Town Hall Square), is another ancient Tallinn institution; there's been a pharmacy or apothecary's shop here since at least 1422.
reviewed
