All citiesTallinn Things to do and walking itinerary
Estonia
Tallinn travel guide
30 things to do in Tallinn, where to stay, airport transfers, 2 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Tallinn
- Toompea Castle — castle in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral — Orthodox church in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 35 min)
- St. Nicholas' Church — church in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St. Olaf's Church — church in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St. Mary's Cathedral — church building in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Kadriorg Palace — palace in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Kumu — art museum in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Freedom Square — square in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Kiek in de Kök — tower in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 60 min)
- War of Independence Victory Column — monument in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- St. Peter's and St. Paul's Cathedral — church building in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Tallinn Synagogue — synagogue in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Fat Margaret — wall tower in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Church of the Holy Spirit — church building in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Tallinn Song Festival Grounds — grounds where Estonian Song Festival takes place (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Town Hall Square — square in central Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Estonian Museum of Natural History — museum in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom — museum in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Saint Catherine's Monastery — former monastery in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 40 min)
- St. John's Church in Tallinn — church building in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Charles' Church — church building in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Estonia Theatre — theatre building in Tallinn, Estonia, home to the Estonian National Opera (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Russalka Memorial — monument in Kadriorg, Tallinn (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Estonian Firefighting Museum — museum in Tallinn (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Presidential Palace — building in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Kadriorg Park — park in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Danish King's Garden — park in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Bremen Tower — wall tower in Tallinn, Estonia (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Kuldjala Tower — tower in Tallinn (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Viru Gate — city gate in Tallinn (visit ≈ 60 min)
2-day Tallinn walking itinerary
Starting point: Old Town (Vanalinn). The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 8.9 km · 12,070 steps · 1 h 59 min on the way): St. Nicholas' Church → Freedom Square → Alexander Nevsky Cathedral → Toompea Castle → St. Mary's Cathedral → St. Olaf's Church → Kadriorg Palace
- Day 2 (≈ 7.5 km · 10,140 steps · 1 h 40 min on the way): Kumu
Where to stay in Tallinn
- Old Town (Vanalinn): Inside the UNESCO-listed medieval walls.
- Kalamaja / Telliskivi: Wooden houses, creative cafés and bars.
- Rotermann Quarter: Modern restaurants in old factories; near the port.
- Viru / City Centre: Close to the airport tram and buses; practical.
- Balti jaam: Train station and market; affordable hotels.
- Kadriorg: Quiet, green area with a palace and park.
Getting from the airport to Tallinn
- Tallinn (TLL): Tram 4 ≈ 20 min
Getting around
The Old Town is walkable; trams and buses take contactless cards. The Tallinn Card covers museums and public transport.
Classic places to eat
- Olde Hansa: Medieval-themed restaurant; game and honey beer.
- Rataskaevu 16: Much-loved Estonian cooking; book ahead.
- III Draakon: Elk soup and pies beneath the Town Hall.
- Maiasmokk: The oldest café, open since 1864; marzipan.
- Pierre Chocolaterie: Handmade chocolates and cakes in a hidden courtyard.
- F-hoone: Relaxed restaurant in an old factory at Telliskivi.
- Balti Jaama Turg: Market by the station; local street food.
- Põhjala Tap Room: Famous Estonian craft beer at Noblessner.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- !180° — 2 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- !NOA — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern
Romantic views
- Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform (Sunset): From Toompea you see the red roofs and spires of the old town.
- Patkuli Viewing Platform (Sunset): The town walls and the sea appear in one frame.
- Kadriorg Park (Afternoon): Flower gardens and a swan pond in front of a baroque palace.
- Pirita Promenade (Sunset): A long seaside path with views over the bay.
Football stadiums in Tallinn
- A. Le Coq Arena: Home of FC Flora Tallinn, FCI Levadia Tallinn
- Hiiu Stadium: Home of Nõmme Kalju FC
- Kalev Central Stadium: Home of JK Tallinna Kalev
Good to know before visiting Tallinn
- Fine: Drinking alcohol in streets and public places is banned.
- Fine: Headlights must be on during the day.
- Fine: Pedestrians must wear a reflector in the dark or risk a fine.
- Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
- Shops sell alcohol only between 10:00 and 22:00.
- Tallinn's free transit is for registered residents; visitors must buy tickets.
- Emergency: 112
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
- Tipping: Around 10% is optional.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Estonia, Wikivoyage — Estonia, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Tallinn travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Tallinn?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Tallinn?
- Highlights: Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Nicholas' Church, St. Olaf's Church and St. Mary's Cathedral. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Tallinn?
- Old Town (Vanalinn): Inside the UNESCO-listed medieval walls. Other options: Kalamaja / Telliskivi, Rotermann Quarter, Viru / City Centre, Balti jaam and Kadriorg.
- How do you get from the airport to Tallinn city centre?
- Tallinn (TLL): Tram 4 ≈ 20 min
- How do you get around Tallinn?
- The Old Town is walkable; trams and buses take contactless cards. The Tallinn Card covers museums and public transport.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Tallinn?
- According to the last known data there are 2 starred restaurants: !180° (2 stars), !NOA (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Tallinn?
- Emergency: 112.
- Do you tip in Tallinn?
- Around 10% is optional.
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