Tallinn is a medieval city today serving as the capital city of Estonia, which is bursting with rich culture, history and many numbers of unique things that each one are worth exploring. Such a great mediaeval historical rich city today stands as a testament to the preserved architectures such as UNESCO World Heritage old towns, thriving art scene and modern touches.
What to do in Tallinn, Estonia is all about understanding the city and exploring its nearby attractions. This article below will help you to understand more about the Tallinn trip where you should go and what things you’re going to make there. So, let’s jump directly into the concept of what are the unique things you can do in Tallinn, Estonia.
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10 Unique Things to Do in Tallinn, Estonia
1. Explore Its Old Town
Starting your Tallinn city tour from a more historic old town is really a great idea. Since the town is filled with cobbled streets, mediaeval old buildings and stunning squares, it is the perfect place to see and spend your travel time with the country’s most breathtaking architecture and history. Viru Gate is an entry to Old Town Tallinn, served as a part of a system of walls and gates built in the 14th century to protect the city.
Town Hall Square is never missing spot here, it is a marketplace and centre of old hanseatic town until the 12th century. But during the early 13th century it was converted as the centre of the town. This town hall square is filled with outdoor cafes and place for occasional festivals and old day’s fairs or open air concerts. If you come during Christmas time, the square is blessed by the number of Christmas trees and activities. Since the town included beautiful cobbled streets, that help us to take a leisurely stroll amidst the buildings, and spot markets, architecture and cultural sites.
2. Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Most favorite spot in the entire Tallinn and loved by most backpackers for its intrinsic art work, color and view. Nestled in the top of the Toompea Hill, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is purely made by the Russian Orthodox architecture, attracting from its five onion shaped domes which looks much spectacular during sunset. This historic mixed style Orthodox Church was completed during 1900, when Estonia was once part of the Russian Empire.
The church bell is an iconic feature and largest one, weighing 16.5 tons. This bell makes 11 sounds every day during religious prayers. Its interior designs are made by the opulent decor and visitors can enter freely inside of this church and enjoy its inside intricate mosaics, bell and religious icons. This cathedral is open year round from Monday to Sunday, visitors can visit between 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Make sure that the cathedral’s viewing platform is exclusively open from April to September, where visitors are very fortunate to enjoy panoramic cityscapes, take a picture of sunrise/sunset views and indulge its brilliant domes and architectures.
3. Visit Toompea Castle
Yet another popular historical evidence showcasing architectural richness of Tallinn. Toompea Castle is a historical mediaeval old fortress once served as a seat of power and later converted into an Estonian Parliament. Built between the 13th and 14th century, today the castle is not just reserved for parliament, moreover it is a home for getting panoramic views of the city and enjoying a perfect blend of Gothic and Baroque style of architecture.
According to some sources, the castle was built during the 9th century, but this one was damaged by the Danish force. But the first stone castle was built by the German Knights of the Sword as a symbol of strongholds of various regimes. Visitors can also enjoy the famous Hermann tower, which stands 46m high and is an Estonia national icon. If you want to be a part of the session of parliament, then you need to book your free tour in advance. Tours take place every week from Monday to Friday, which last for around 45 minutes. Visitors can watch the session from the public gallery directly and enjoy the how local government work.
4. Discover Kumu Art Museum
Kumu Art Museum is a contemporary art museum showcasing Estonian art from the 18th century. Kumu is considered as the country’s largest and most cutting edge art museum which displays more contemporary classical and contemporary art exhibitions. This museum building was designed by the popular Finnish architect Mr. Pekka Vappavuori, and today it ranges from Soviet Pop Art to contemporary arts.
Kumu Art Museum’s complex is an interesting thing, which was opened during 2006 according to modern architectural masterpieces. Museum curves and sharp edges made by the copper and limestone structure which attracts us more deeply. This design is based on the side of a limestone cliff. The Kumu exhibition displays both classical and contemporary arts featuring the Second World War and Soviet Cold War.
5. Climb St. Olaf’s Church
Once considered the tallest building in the world, where visitors will amaze its greatest view once they are ready to climb 232 steps to the observation platform. Symbol of Tallinn, Olaf’s church is the most picturesque spot to take perfect photos of surrounding areas. Make sure that the climbing church tower is not free, visitors need to pay € 5 as an entry fee.
St. Olaf’s Church was built during the 12th century by King Olaf II when Denmark was conquered by Tallinn. This church is a perfect example to the Baptist originally believed that this belongs to the Roman Catholic Christians. The church is open to the general public only between 8th April to 31st October, from Monday to Sunday. The viewing platform is only open during summer months since it is the perfect time to get more scenic views, especially between 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. We suggest you take the Old Town walking tour which helps to know more about its history, and sightseeing options including the city’s hidden gems.
6. Visit the Danish King’s Garden
Visiting the Danish King Garden is one of the weirdest things to do in Tallinn, Estonia. Located in the slope of Toompea Hill, Danish King Garden is well known for its haunting statues of faceless monks, Ambrosius, Clasudius and Bartholomeus, who once served as a legendary divine intervention during battle. The area is the birthplace of Danish Flag, today gardens also stand as the symbol of the mediaeval old Estonia’s history.
Despite its history, Danish King Gardens are blessed with trees, benches, nooks and a perfect view of the Niguliste Church spire. Where visitors could take leisurely stroll and indulge its breathtaking beauties. Out of 3 major Tallinn’s fortification towers, 2 included here in this garden such as Neitsitorn and Tallitorn. Some people believe that the Garden is a haunted place once it is the centre of many ghost stories about Maiden’s tower, Marstal Tower and Short Leg Gate Tower. If you add Danish King Garden in your Tallinn trip bucket list, then we recommend you to visit during night time when you’ll enjoy more lit lower town roof ambiances.
7. Wander in the Streets of the Old Town
Taking a leisurely stroll amidst the Old Town’s most epic mediaeval old building, architecture and cobblestone streets are the sought after activity here in Tallinn. Start your old town trip while entering popular Viru Gate, then slowly move to the Cobblestone Alleys where narrow and winding streets are waiting to offer more fairytale feeling. During each of the town corner you’ll find cafes, souvenir shops, restaurants and eateries to try local delicious cuisine options, so don’t miss it.
Your old town day tour surely needs to lead to the popular Town Hall Square (considered as the heart of the old town), where most historic buildings exist. Finish your climbing Toompea Hill before finishing your old town walking tour. Despite that, there are multiple mediaeval old churches, cathedrals like Alexander Nevsky and St. Catherine’s Passage are worth visiting spots during your town tour. However, the town is filled by the number of underground shops where we can buy gifts to our family or children and locally popular stuff.
8. Relax at Kadriorg Park
Kadriorg Park is a great place to stroll through town’s most beautiful sculptures, manicured gardens and Kadriorg Palace. The park was designed by Peter the Great for the sweet memory of his wife in 1718. Located just 5 kilometres from the east side of the Tallinn Old Town, today the park spans over 70 hectares of nature where we can spend more time with flowers, gardens and calm atmospheres.
The Kadriorg Palace is a more renowned travel spot within Kadriorg Park. The palace was primarily constructed as a summer residence of the Tsar of Russia, Peter 1. But today it plays a crucial role when it comes to park beauty. This pink palace was built according to the Baroque school of style and local Estonian culture, representing vast collections of Estonia’s Art Museum’s collection of foreign art pieces. Today Kadriorg palace is a place witnessing various events such as receptions, concerts, theater activities and lectures. It’s walking paths, elegant gardens, Swan lake and meadows are must explore things inside of this palace.
9. Check out St. Catherine’s Passage
If you are looking for the most picturesque spot to get a perfect photo from your camera in Tallinn, Estonia, then probably you need to check out St. Catherine’s Passage. Located just a short distance from Town Hall, the passage connects Vene and Muurivahe streets in town. Once you start your walking tours you will encounter half hidden walkways that ultimately reach Catherine Church.
On the northern end of the passage visitors will find remnants of Saint Catherine’s Dominican Monastery Church, oldest in the city. Where we can find old tombstones and Saint Catherine’s cemetery. Whereas southern end passage leads to towns best artisan shops where we can watch artist work and best places to get a memento. So do not forget to take a stop while you find cafes, restaurants to enjoy delicious coffee and cuisines collections.
10. Enjoy your Time with Dining in Old Town
Same like many other destinations in Europe, tasting local cuisine here in the Old Town of Tallinn is another spectacular things to do. The Old Town of Tallinn is bursting with multiple restaurants, cafes and eateries which often serve mouthwatering dishes to backpackers to try. There are a lot of authentic Estonian foods available, if you go to Munga Kelder and Olde Hansa restaurants, surely you will find its menu card.
If we talk about what are the different cuisines we can try, I would say you need to start from traditional Estonian dishes such as blood sausage, potatoes, pork, fish, sauerkraut and hearty rye bread. Visitors even also try Asian-European, Vegan and Medieval themed taverns dishes. Do not miss spending your time at classical cafeterias to taste unique styles of tea, coffee and cake options.
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