This beautiful little fairytale of a town had me spiraling into an enchanting dimension I did not want to leave! Tucked away in northern Europe you will find Tallinn, Europe’s best-kept secret. Tallinn can be found in the coastal region of Estonia and is easily accessible by boat or plane. Fun fact, Tallinn is just a 2.5 hour ferry ride from Helsinki!
The best thing about Tallinn is that almost everything is within walking distance and can easily be done in a day and most of these locations can be accessed for FREE!
Whether you are making a day trip to Tallinn or spending a few days here, I have narrowed it down to 10 things you absolutely cannot miss in Tallinn, Estonia, and organized it so you can hop from place to place easily.
While you are here, make sure to download the free Tallinn travel guide below!
Viru Gate
No better place to begin your journey through this charming town than the entrance to old town Tallinn. These watch towers were built in the 1300s and although many of its adjoining counterparts were unable to be as well preserved the Viru Gate has stayed in place.
You will quickly discover this is one of the best things to do in Tallinn. The shops lined along these winding cobblestone streets will take you back to a time of medieval wonder and magic.
The bright hues and architecture lined along these streets are patterned after Danish influence. Throughout Tallinn’s history of colonization, Denmark had a hold of Estonia on at least three different occasions. Estonia was able to regain its official independence in 1991.
If you’re lucky you will find the most beautiful flower markets just outside of Viru gate. Although the flower markets are said to be open all year round, we were unable to catch a glimpse of these markets. It’s possible they sold out of flowers, so I would recommend getting there earlier in the day.
St. Catherine's Passage (Katariina käik)
Although this walkway at first glance may go unnoticed, the history behind it makes it one of the more popular places to visit in Tallinn. This passageway is thought to be around 700 years old, and today is home to local artists using 15th – 17th century techniques to make beautiful glassware, hand-painted silk, and pottery to name a few.
Local artists can be found on the south side of this passageway while ancient tombstones can be found on the north side.
The Tombstones belong to members of the brotherhood of Blackheads, the Great Guild and others. These tombstones have moved to various locations over the years, but have been preserved and placed here as a final resting place. Rumor has it this place is haunted, but don’t take my word for it. Book a private ghost tour if you dare.
This place is located between Vene and Müürivahe streets, about a 3 minute walk north of Viru Gate.
To continue this tour make your way to Raekoja Plats located another 3 minute walk from St. Catherine’s Passage.
Raekoja Plats (Townhall Square)
What makes Tallinn’s town square incredible is that much of its medieval history has been almost perfectly preserved, and much of it can be found here. The history of townhall square dates back to 1404, and rumor has it an execution took place here over a bad omelet!
The town has been so well preserved it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
So many treasures can be found in the town center, but you CANNOT MISS making a stop in the oldest running Pharmacy in Europe- RAEAPTEEK located right in the town square (you can spot it to the very left of this photo)!
Raeapteek
This pharmacy has been active since 1422, making it the oldest running pharmacy in all of Europe! You can still find old remedies like mummy juice, unicorn dust, and dried frogs.
If you are looking for some unique souvenirs this is the place to go! To learn more about the fascinating history behind this place visit this website.
GOOD TO KNOW: The pharmacy is open from 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sundays.
Saiakang
I am just over here doing God’s work and scoping out the cutest spot for you to get that perfect Instagram shot! This darling cafe is just a short stroll (and by short I mean less than a minute) from Raeapteek and the townhall square.
This is the best place for a coffee break and a sweet bite after doing some exploring. Next up you can head on over to Olde Hansa located 2 minutes north of here.
Olde Hansa
This is the part where I show you the most archaic restaurant in Tallinn, but in a very cute way. Olde Hansa really delivers when providing an authentic medieval experience for its guests.
The moment you walk through the door it feels as though you have traveled back in time!
The menu is comprised of delicious recipes that are over 700 years old and include wild boar, bear, and reindeer. Prices vary depending on the time of day and season you go.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you make a reservation in advance, because this place is very popular. To make a reservation go here.
Pikk Street
If you haven’t got your fill of shopping just yet make your way over to Pikk Street. Not only is this street incredibly photogenic, you will also find some delicious treats and souvenirs.
Another popular attraction that can be found here is St. Olaf’s Church. The history of this church goes back to the 1200’s and has survived ten lighting strikes- talk about lucky!
Keep your eyes peeled for some of Tallinn’s original doorways and don’t miss out on a great photo opportunity!
Just 10 minutes northwest of Pikk Street you will find the best view of Tallinn- Kohtuotsa.
Kohtuotsa
One of the most popular things to do in Tallinn is to hike up to Kohtuotsa to catch some spectacular views of this enchanting place.
The platform is located on the Northern side of Toompea Hill. It is a fairly short walk, but it does get slightly steep. Don’t let that deter you, because this view is unforgettable!
Another iconic hot spot located here is this pretty pastel wall that has become popular on Instagram. As of recently though I have heard some graffiti has caused damage to this wall.
Four minutes southwest of this viewing platform you absolutely cannot miss St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The most iconic church in Tallinn is even more beautiful in person with its bright red and pink hues. stained glass windows and detailed paintings found throughout the exterior. There is no fee to enter, but no photography is allowed. The interior is just as beautiful and I highly recommend popping in.
This orthodox cathedral was inspired by Russian architecture and was built between 1894 and 1900. The people of Tallinn wanted to destroy this cathedral in the early 1900s due to the oppressive symbolism behind this church but could not afford to do so and it has remained in tact ever since.
To get to the next location you will want to take public transportation (you can also opt to take an uber). Kadriorg Palace is about 2 miles west of here. You can find details on transportation options here.
Kadriorg Palace
Somebody call Netflix, because this magnificent palace deserves to be the star of the next Bridgerton soiree!
This palace was built in 1725 by the direction of Peter the Great. He wanted his wife to have a summer home. although if you can believe it she didn’t visit here often.
The story behind this palace is one of romance. Peter the Great adored Catherine and he made sure to put a lot of care and detail into this place. The details are evident in the perfectly manicured gardens, the colorful exterior, and the great hall that can be found inside covered in paintings and intricate stucco.
Details on how to purchase tickets visit here.
Additional Places to Visit
If you aren’t feeling totally exhausted, I would recommend a couple other hidden gems:
Office of the President of the Republic of Estonia
Stumbled across this place after visiting Kadriorg Museum, and I was blown away by the fact that not only is this the beautiful office of the actual President of Estonia but security seemed minimal in comparison to other capitol buildings around the world. Proof of how safe it is here.
THE BEST part is that the current president is the first woman in Estonia to hold this office (elected in 2016). We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her as she was leaving her office and I totally fan girled from a distance!
Thomas the Train
Are you dead over this cute little blue train?? It takes guests through a 25-minute tour of old town Tallinn. Departures are near Viru gates. The cost to ride is €7 for adults and €5 for children.
To catch more of a glimpse of what Tallinn is like head over to my Instagram and check out the Estonia story highlight!