By rail
Balti jaam, trains to Tartu and across Estonia
Europe · Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia
A medieval Hanseatic old town on the Baltic
Getting there
By air
Tallinn Airport (TLL), ~4 km by road
Best time to visit
May to September — long light days
Don't miss
Town Hall Square
Toompea
Kadriorg Palace
Telliskivi Creative City
Things to do
Old town walks
Viewpoints on Toompea
Museums
Sauna
Seaside walks
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Jorge Franganillo · CC BY 2.0
What to pack
Comfortable shoes, windproof jacket, layers
A quieter corner
The wooden houses of Kalamaja, a seaside district north of the old town
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Tallinn?
May to September — long light days. What to pack: Comfortable shoes, windproof jacket, layers.
How do I get to Tallinn?
Fly into Tallinn Airport (TLL), ~4 km by road.
What is there to do in Tallinn?
Old town walks, viewpoints on Toompea, museums, sauna, seaside walks. A quieter find: The wooden houses of Kalamaja, a seaside district north of the old town.
What should I eat in Tallinn?
Black rye bread, smoked fish, kama, Tallinn marzipan.
About Tallinn
- Coastal
Where it is
Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland facing Helsinki across the water.
History
Tallinn, long known as Reval, grew into a wealthy member of the Hanseatic League in the Middle Ages. It was ruled at different times by Danes, the Teutonic Order, Sweden and the Russian Empire, and it became the capital of independent Estonia in 1918 and again in 1991. Its old town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.
People
Estonian is the main language in Tallinn, alongside a large Russian-speaking community, and the city is known for its digital services and relaxed cafe culture.
Known for
- A medieval walled old town
- Towers and red roofs
- A strong tech scene
- Sauna culture
Did you know?
The weather vane on Tallinn's town hall, known as Old Thomas, has watched over the city since the 16th century.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.