"Tallinn - Eesti/Estonia" Tallinn by pure1942

Tallinn Travel Guide: 1,740 reviews and 4,701 photos

Medieval Tallinn

I was hugely imressed with the city of Tallinn. Tallinn's Old town is oozing with medieval charm. The twisting cobblestone streets form a maze around open squares and secluded leafy courtyards all overlooked by towering church spires and domes.
The old town contains many 14th, 15th and 16th century buildings and churches as well as beautifully preserved (and almost fully complete) town wall and fortifications. The famous Tallinn red-roofed towers are just part of the town's ancient medieval fortifications along with the castle and castle towers, town gates, moate and walls themselves. inside the walls visitors pick their way through snaking cobblestone streets and alleys, passing impecably preserved medieval houses, churches and squares.
The Old Town is fully enclosed by the town walls which sets it apart from the newer more modern new parts of the city of Tallinn.

The only downside to the Old Town was the stag and hen parties which invade the city, especially at the weekends, but these only centre around the Old town Square and don't stray far leaving most of the Old Town untouched and peaceful. During the week there are far fewer stag and hen parties but far more bus and cruise tours, which to me were more obtrusive than the stag and hen parties as they were more spread out over the Old Town, just as loud and noisy and have the annoying habit of blocking up the narrow alleys and streets. (Can these groups not stand to one side while the guide is takling rather than spread out across the entire street leaving no room for anyone else!!!)

Overall if you miss the busiest times at the weekends, you will find Tallinn's Old Town very peaceful and charming, especially in the Upper Old town alleys and around the parks at which follow the town walls. The Lower Old Town is very busy around Raekoja Plats and Viru Gate but further on is less overcrowded and busy.

Main Sights

Tallinn Old Town from Upper Town

Tallinn has plenty to keep any visitor very busy for a few days. We spent three nights in Tallinn and were constantly on the go the see everything on offer. We could have done with another couple of days to explore the city but still covered all the main sights in the Old Town as well as a bit further afield to Pirita, Stroomi and around the New Town.

Reflection of Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral

In the Old Town we were kept very busy eploring the cobblestone streets around the Lower and Upper Old Town's and Raekoja Plats, the Old Town's main square. The main sights which every visitor will undoubtably check out are:
Toompea Castle and Towers, , Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral and Parliament Building in the Upper Town as well as the Kiek in de Kook Canon Tower.
Town Wall and Red-Roofed Towers, Oleviste Church, The Town Hall in the main square, Raekoja Plats, Sts Peter and Paul Church and Dominican Monastery, Town Gates (Viru and Great coast Gate)

I have only metioned a few of the town's many attractions here and more details will follow in my tips pages.

Last visit to Tallinn: Jun 2008
Intro Updated Dec 18, 2008
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Reviews (39)

Town Walls Things to Do (30)

Tallinn's famous town walls are really what gives the Old Town its unique identity. The red roofed towers and walls... more travel advice

TV Tower Things to Do (30)

OK, it's not the most interesting sight in Tallinn, but the 134 metre high soviet era TV Tower on the outskirts of... more travel advice

KGB Headquarters Things to Do (30)

"This building housed the organ of repression of the Soviet occupational power. Here began the road to suffering for... more travel advice

St. Nicholas' Orthodox Church Things to Do (30)

In line with Tallinn's strong Russian links and history, it is not surprising to find a number of other Orthodox... more travel advice

Warnings and Dangers (1)
Bag Snatchers
Transportation (4)
See All Flying to Tallinn
Nightlife (2)
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Hotels (1)
Old Town Accomodation
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African Food
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Comments (3)

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HORSCHECK Jul 30, 2012 at 1:02 PM

Brian, fantastic page with great tips. Your page brings back memories of my time in the Estonian capital more than 10 years ago. I especially like your accomodation tip about the St. Olav Hotel.
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a5floor Jan 11, 2009 at 3:44 AM

You have a great page about Tallinn. Good information, the pictures are really great... Good job! In May I am going to Tallinn myself and hopefully I can see some of your tips as well. Thanks for sharing!
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LoriPori Oct 9, 2008 at 3:09 PM

Such an amazing sunset pic. Very good page on Tallinn and looks like you had a bright blue sky day for your visit. I also like the carved wooden doorways. Well done. Greetings from Canada. Lori