From its medieval dreamscape of an Old Town to its endlessly charming stream of cafes and bakeries, I could harp on forever about how much I love Tallinn, Estonia.

… Because this city is truly one of Europe’s most underrated capitals – packed with museums, attractions and views. All in one supremely photogenic (and compact) package.

I loved it so much in fact that I went back twice in a year – a shocking feat for someone who lives miles away in Canada. As I can personally confirm, Tallinn is a delight both in winter AND summer… with enough museums, dreamy views and delicious treats to have you forever-dreaming of a return.

So, allow me to channel my fangirl energy into this guide. In this post, I’ll be sharing a comprehensive list of the many wonderful things you can see and do in Tallinn. I hope you find it helpful!

My Free Map of Things to Do in Tallinn

For a free map that includes all the activities below (plus recommendations for food, drink, etc.), head to my VIP Zone!

Firstly, a Pro Tip: Buy a Tallinn Card

If you plan on doing more than two or three paid attractions while visiting Tallinn, then I’d highly recommend you get yourself a Tallinn Card, which includes public transport, along with most of the main sights discussed in this guide. Used strategically, it offers amazing value for money!

1. Go for a wander around the Lower Old Town

Let’s start with a big one – any visit to Tallinn must begin with a frolic around its absurdly photogenic Old Town.

This dreamy part of the city is the heart and soul of Tallinn’s medieval core, with endless cobblestoned streets lined with centuries-old pastel buildings. In them, you’ll find a huge variety of restaurants, shops and a truly mind boggling number of museums, but we’ll tackle those a little bit later… 

Because hey, we’re just getting acquainted, and the best way to experience this part of the city upon arrival is simply prancing down all the cute little streets for yourself.

Truthfully, Tallinn is compact enough that you can’t really get lost… but if you need a bit of guidance, some highlights to definitely check out here include the…

Town Hall Square, where you’ll find Tallinn’s beautiful Gothic Town Hall, colourful merchant houses and buzzing café terraces… dating back to the 13th century when it was a bustling Hanseatic market square.

Visit during the festive period and this is actually where they host the city’s famous Christmas market, with twinkling wooden stalls, handicrafts, enough mulled wine to fill a swimming pool, and one of Europe’s most photogenic Christmas trees.

In the summer as well, there’s plenty to check out, including a free library with books and spaces to read.

Those with time can even pay a small entry fee to snoop around the inside of the Town Hall itself, which is supposedly the oldest one in Northern Europe. Inside, you’ll get to see grand vaulted halls, historic council chambers and beautifully preserved medieval artifacts.

For a slightly claustrophobic workout, you can also pay 5 euros to climb up the Town Hall Tower… which yes, does reward you with some beautiful views over the main square, but is absolutely tiny up top so probably not the best if you don’t deal well with crowds or tight spaces.

Along the square here is also the Raeapteek (pronounced rye-up-tek), widely considered to be the oldest continually operating pharmacy in the world. Today, it is still a functional pharmacy where you can grab cures for all ailments, but it also houses a cute little museum inside with old apothecary jars, curious historical remedies and quirky displays about medieval medicine.

Another worthwhile spot to check out in the Lower Old Town is Viru Gate, the entryway to Old Town which looks straight out of a fairytale, with a lengthy history dating back to the 14th century as part of the city’s defensive walls.

Just on the other side of this gate you’ll see the open-air flower market as well, which is home to rows of stalls selling beautifully arranged bouquets.

If it’s scenic photo opps you’re after though, St Catherine’s Passage is a quick must-see. This beautiful little walkway was once part of a Dominican monastery complex, and today serves as a peaceful lane filled with artisan workshops and craft studios.

Elsewhere in Old Town, a notable street to walk down is Harju Street, once a thriving medieval street that was largely destroyed during WWII bombings. While here, be sure to look out for darker smaller cobbles that mark where medieval buildings used to be before the beginning of 1944.

You can follow this street all the way to Freedom Square, where you’ll find a monument dedicated to Estonia’s War of Independence, as well as St John’s Church and a large open plaza used for events and ceremonies.

From here, you’re only a short walk away from our next must-do, which is to…

2. Admire all the views & sights on Toompea Hill

This hill can be found at the western side of the Old Town, rising above the lower city, and was once a fortified stronghold and seat of medieval rulers.

Today, it is home to Estonia’s Parliament, and several other important government establishments as evidenced by the abundance of Estonian flags, and embassies as evidenced by the abundance of other country flags!

More interesting for tourists, though, are its views.

Three main viewpoints can be found here within walking distance of each other, and luckily for you and me, they are all beautiful. Just know Google Maps isn’t always correct here and may direct you down to go back up, which I learned the hard way after some real huffing and puffing.

In any case, some viewpoints to definitely put on your radar include…

The Kohtuotsa Viewpoint, which is a small but gorgeous overlook over the city’s historic red rooftops and glassy skyscrapers in the distance. You may even be treated to background music from a guitar wielding busker like I was.

The Piiskopi (Bishop’s Garden) overlook, which has a view over the other side of the city – less historically scenic, I suppose, but the garden itself is very peaceful.

And finally, the Patkuli View, which is another popular favourite with sweeping views of the city and some steep stairs up and down if you want the quickest commute.

It’s not all just about the viewpoints up here though – there are tons of great little streets and landmarks to explore. For instance, on your way back down, I would recommend heading back down via Pikk Jalg, which is a short, atmospheric, stony street… but before you do that, make sure you take a minute to admire Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, built in the late 19th century during the Russian Imperial period.

From here, you can easily walk over to the Danish King’s Garden, dotted with spooky hooded statues of monks, which is well worth a look, flanked by the old city walls and towers, like the Maiden’s Tower on one end and panoramic views of the Old Town behind.

After taking in all the lovely garden views, you can easily access another popular Tallinn must-do, which is to…

3. Visit the Kiek in de Kök Fortification Museum & Tunnels

Translated to “peek into the kitchen,” this museum is so-named for the tower’s height, which supposedly allowed guards to see into townspeople’s kitchens below.

Today it is home to two main attractions: the Fortification Museum and the Tunnels.

The Fortification Museum is a unique and surprisingly large museum spread across several medieval towers and bastions, covering topics including the city’s fortifications, sieges, weapons and everyday life in medieval Tallinn.

There’s also a lovely café where you can enjoy a tasty treat overlooking the city views from one of Tallinn’s most iconic fortifications – a real must if you want a bit of a break from ogling historic displays!

The second half of the attraction, the tunnels themselves, were used centuries ago as secret passageways for soldiers and their weapons. Today, they are open for tourist toddles with the occasional display here and there to admire… at least for those who dare.

To be honest, I found the tunnels kind of creepy because I was exploring them myself, so if you’re not into dark, slightly spooky attractions with the occasional jumpscare of a human figure, I would personally give it a miss.

If you’d prefer to stay above ground and want to climb more city walls, though, there are a few other opportunities for you to do this around the Old Town.

One main one is the Hellemann Tower and Town Wall Walkway, which is proudly cash only. Along this roughly 200m long amble, you’ll get a chance to admire views of the city’s rooftops, plus explore some towers along the way that are home to some historic photographs.

Besides climbing walls all day, though, there is plenty to do in the tiny Old Town, which is why our next must-do is to…

4. Visit one of the many other museums in Old Town

And trust me when I say that there are many, so strap in. 

The Estonian History Museum at the Great Guild Hall was one of my personal favourites. If you know next-to-nothing about the history of Estonia, I would recommend coming here first because there’s a really excellent multimedia presentation that explains things in a clear and concise way… along with tons of cool artifacts like old coins, weapons, trade guild treasures and everyday items from centuries past. 

A quirky smaller museum I quite enjoyed and had all to myself was the Tallinn Museum of Orders of Knighthood, which covers the history of chivalric and royal orders from around the world with a unique collection of medals, badges and beautifully crafted ceremonial insignia. This is definitely one of Tallinn’s more hidden gems, so don’t be surprised if you have the whole place to yourself like I did.

The People’s Museum of Tallinn is another quieter museum, which is home to exhibits about everyday life, local traditions and the stories of Tallinn residents across different eras.

But while these smaller museums might feel a bit outdated, the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design is a huge highlight worth checking out without any crowds on-site. 

On the top floor, you’ll find cool furniture pieces and mid-century design classics… While the second floor has everything from Estonian designed rugs and ceramics to beautiful books. Finally, there are temporary exhibitions on the bottom floor that rotate. If you’re lucky like me, you might get something sparkly, like the amazing display I saw of jewelry.

I would definitely recommend checking this one out if you’re interested in design at all.

Another worthwhile spot to check out on the fringes of Old Town is over at Pagari 1, a building that houses the grim but fascinating KGB Prison Cells, once a pre-trial detention center for enemies of the KGB. Today, these tiny holding spaces have been converted into a museum of sorts, where you’ll find informative displays about the building’s history, as well as the organization and prisoners that occupied it. 

While it doesn’t take too long to go through, it’s worth noting that this museum is only steps away from the largest medieval building in the city, St Olaf’s Church, originally built in the 13th century.

Though the church interior itself is quite plain, the star of the show here is the tower climb which offers great views at the top, 60m above ground.

But if you only have time for one museum, my personal pick would probably be the Niguliste Museum and Steeple at St Nicholas’ Church. This museum and viewpoint is home to extraordinary medieval ecclesiastical art, including altarpieces and the famous Danse Macabre painting, which is known as one of the most important pieces of medieval art in Estonia.

But best of all, the amazing views can be enjoyed via elevator… with plenty of space up top for you to properly enjoy the views without rubbing elbows with your fellow tourist brethren.

From the top, you’ll be able to see the Old Town rooftops, Toompea Hill, the harbour and the modern city skyline.

I know I’ve just listed an impossible number of museums, but that’s somehow… not even the end of it.

Tallinn’s Old Town is home to a few other smaller museums as well, on the most unexpected topics, from the Estonian Health Museum – all about every aspect of health, admittedly geared towards kids – to the Puppet Theater Museum, which was at times as creepy as it sounds. 

But of course, there’s a lot more to see in Tallinn outside of the Old Town, so those with time should definitely expand their horizons.

Just outside of the Old Town, you can explore the lovely Kalamaja Neighbourhood, home to another great set of activities, like going to…

5. Visit Balti Jaama Turg

This market has been around since the early 1990s and is home to dozens of stalls selling fresh produce, street food, baked goods, clothing and antiques.

One of the best burger spots in the country, VLND, can be found here, with juicy smash burgers and creative toppings loved by locals. But the best treasures can be found on the upper floor, where vintage shops, antique stalls and quirky second-hand boutiques await.

Just outside of here there’s also DEPOO Food Street where you’ll find various businesses housed in shipping containers and even some historic train carriages, all fittingly in a railway maintenace depot, decked in fun colourful murals.

While it was pretty quiet during my visit, I can imagine it to be a pretty bumpin’ place when the sun’s out.

From here, you’re only a short walk away from the next must which is to…

6. Explore Telliskivi Creative City

This unique, modern part of the city was established in a former industrial complex in the late 2000s to revitalize abandoned factory buildings and turn them into a creative hub.

And seriously, mission accomplished. Today, this area acts as a vibrant community space filled with cafés, boutiques, studios, street art and cultural venues.

A key highlight here for photography lovers is Fotografiska Tallinn, a cool photography museum with unique exhibitions from renowned contemporary photographers from around the world.

There are also plenty of murals, concept stores and cozy eateries that make wandering this area a real treat.

Along the edge of Kalamaja, you can also…

7. See the Fat Margaret Maritime Museum

This museum features a unique mix of old maritime artifacts displayed in tandem with modern and thought provoking works of art speaking to themes of seafaring, exploration and Estonia’s relationship with the sea.

Spread across four floors, the star of the show here is definitely the impressive full-size medieval shipwreck displayed at the centre of the tower.

But the rooftop café, offering some of the best views over Tallinn’s skyline and the water, is a real hidden gem that’s perfect for some post-museum caffeination.

From here you can walk along the Kalaranna Promenade to our next stop… passing by historic derelict prisons and angry seas along the way (an actually scenic combo when the sun hits right). 

Don’t get too distracted by the views, though, because our next must-do is to…

8. See the epic Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour

Housed in a former Estonian Air Force hangar, this impressive maritime museum is home to historic ships, seaplanes, naval artifacts and interactive maritime exhibits.

And it is absolutely massive.

No doubt, if you’re interested in boats & buoys, oh buoy you are going to be here a while!

Inside, you’ll find section after section of displays about Estonia’s naval history, Arctic expeditions and maritime technology, and even the history of the museum itself… Plus the opportunity to step inside a real submarine – the LEMBIT, which dates back to the 1930s.

Did I mention the whole ground floor is lined with aquariums to make you feel like you’re actually underwater?

For an extra fee, you can even cross the rooftop walkway and the outdoor viewing mast. Like I said, you could easily spend a full day here.

But if you can finally pry yourself away, you can venture onwards to…

9. Release your inner child at PROTO

This unique interactive space is home to hands-on virtual-reality style inventions and imaginative science-inspired experiences with tons of cool games, simulators and creative experiments. Definitely a good one for those travelling with kids!

… or for those among us who are proudly kids at heart.

Now, closer to Old Town, another fun thing to do is to…

10. Explore the cool Rotermann Quarter

This unique modern district was established in the former Rotermann industrial area in the early 2000s and today is home to contemporary architecture, trendy restaurants, design shops and apartments.

They were especially festive here during my winter visit, with some fun holiday installations and baubles all around.

A great highlight here is the PoCo Pop and Contemporary Art Museum, which houses a super cool collection of pop art, with highlights including works inspired by icons like Andy Warhol, Banksy and other modern pop and street artists.

But if you’re more interested in historic art and glamour, then I can highly recommend you…

11. Head out to Kadriorg Park

A key highlight here is, of course, Kadriorg Palace, built in the early 18th century for Peter the Great. For centuries, it served as an imperial summer residence. Today, it is home to a number of beautifully displayed foreign art collections and elegant historic interiors.

Another main attraction housed in the park is the Estonian Art Museum, also known as KUMU. This sleek and spacious museum is home to Estonian art from the 18th century to contemporary works, with highlights including Soviet-era modernism, national classics and rotating temporary exhibitions.

Outside of these main sights, though, this neighbourhood is really beautiful to explore, with lovely little villas and a calm seaside path that makes for a dreamy walk back into the city centre if you have some time to spare.

And if you do, then another worthwhile activity a bit farther out is to..

12. Visit the Estonian Open Air Museum

This massive outdoor museum is spread across an impressive area of forest and seaside meadowland on the outskirts of the city.

Inside, you’ll find historic farmsteads, wooden windmills, village chapels and traditional rural buildings brought here from across Estonia.

Other highlights include costumed guides, folk craft demonstrations and seasonal events that bring the country life to life.

I was lucky enough to visit for their annual Midsommar celebration which was SO fun and included plenty of folk dancing and traditions, including the lighting of a huge festive bonfire.

Now, finally we have what might be my personal favourite thing to do in Tallinn, which is to…

13. Explore all the best Tallinn cafés

A classic choice is Café Maiasmokk, the oldest continuously operating café in the city, home to countless delicious cakes, pastries and whimsically festive décor, from an iconic golden Ferris wheel in the front window to hot air balloons and even a cute little train set inside.

After inhaling all your goodies, you can even head to the Marzipan room to see how the treats are hand painted in house.

Another must right in the Old Town is PullaBakery, known for their incredible sourdough buns and focaccia, gorgeously presented in their trays so you know just how fresh they are. And let me tell you, if you’re into ooey gooey buns, this is THE place.

Another amazing Old Town gem is Karu Talu, which specializes in vegan treats and these absolutely insane giant cookies with giant chocolate chips that cost only 3 euros. Their festive window displays as well are an absolute treat.

And finally my personal favorite…

Tucked away in the idyllic Master’s Courtyard, you’ll find Pierre Chocolaterie, filled with vintage lamps and furniture, serving up absolutely unreal cakes and hot chocolate. Their specialty Marc de Champagne Tort cake is a must, with caramel, cherry jam and decadent Marc de Champagne cream.

Did I miss any of your favourite things to do in Tallinn?

Let me know in the comments so I can add more of the best Tallinn activities to the list. Happy and safe travels!