Things to Do in Tallinn

Founded in 1233, the Dome Church (Toomkirik) was historically used as burial grounds for Estonia’s elite and noble families. The church, which was continuously rebuilt over the centuries, is a unique blend of architectural styles with its main frame built in the 15th century while the baroque tower was added later in the 18th century.

Built around 15-feet high, five-feet thick, and a mile and a half long, the defensive wall of Estonia’s capital city was first constructed in 1265. Though the original wall was altered and strengthened in the 14th century, only a few sections of the masonry ramparts, and 26 of its defense towers, exist today. Travelers can walk along the base, through passageways, and on top of some of the sections of the wall.

Estonia’s biggest national park,Lahemaa National Park (Lahemaa Rahvuspark), covers 72,500 hectares of wetlands, pine forests and seashore on the Baltic Sea. The crenellated coastline wends its way around horseshoe-shaped bays and finger-like peninsulas, while inland forest, lakes, waterfalls and peat bogs are interspersed with tracts of rocky soil scattered with erratic boulders dumped at the end of the last Ice Age.

Much of Lahemaa has been protected from development as it was classed as military land during Russian occupation of Estonia; there are abandoned Soviet submarine stations still to be seen across the park, slowly falling into dilapidation. Today tourism is king and accommodation in the park varies from campsites to historic manor houses found along the 40 km (25 miles) of cycling and hiking trails. Thanks to the lack of development in the area, Lahemaa is home to many species of birds, including cranes, storks and dippers, and several mammals very rarely seen in Europe, such as beavers, moose and even the occasional – but very elusive – lynx, wolf or brown bear.

The Seaplane Harbor (or Lennusadam in Estonian), Tallinn's maritime and seaplane museum, features exhibitions in seaplane hangars that illustrate Estonia's maritime and military history. The exhibits represent three different areas: below sea, on the sea and in the air.

One of the main highlights is the 600-ton, British-built submarine Lembit. Built in 1936 for the Estonian navy, the submarine served in World War II under the Soviets and remained in service for 75 years until it was brought ashore in 2011. Lembit is still in excellent condition and offers a look at 1930s technology.

Also featured at the museum is a full-scale replica of Short Type 184, a British pre-World War II seaplane that was also used by Estonian armed forces and was the first aircraft ever to attack an enemy’s ship with an air-launched torpedo. The replica in Seaplane Harbor is the only full-size representation of the aircraft in the world. Other attractions include historical ships, including Europe largest steam-powered icebreaker.

Freedom Square (or Vabaduse väljak in Estonian) is at the southern end of Tallinn's Old Town. Throughout history, the square has been called the Straw Market, Peter's Square and Victory Square. Construction and redesigns of the historic area began in 2008, and a year later on Victory Day (June 23) the new Freedom Square was opened. As part of the new features, the Victory Column monument was unveiled as a memorial to the 1918-1920 War of Independence.

Today the square is lined with benches, cafes and two art galleries. It's a popular gathering place and is also a good place to see evidence of the city's 1930s-era building boom. You'll see art-deco and functionalist buildings on two sides of the square.

Tallinn's older history can be seen here as well. There is a glass panel in the street on the northwest corner where you can look down and see the foundation and stairs of the Harju Gate tower that stood here in Medieval times.

Palmse Manor (Palmse Mois) is one of several manors within Estonia's Lahemaa National Park. This baroque structure is now an open-air museum and was the first fully restored manor complex in the country. The first documentation of the Palmse Manor was in 1287 when it was part of Tallinn's St. Michael's nunnery, but after that ownership changed hands several times. Today it is managed by the Foundation Museums of Virumaa, and all of its buildings are under state protection as architectural monuments.

At the museum, visitors can learn about Estonian manor life and architecture while surrounded by the natural beauty of the park. There are various activities at the manor designed for children, history enthusiasts, adventurers and romantics, as the open-air space includes parks, gardens and historical buildings, as well as a Palm House, a wine cellar, a cafe and a tavern serving national dishes. It is also a popular venue for exhibitions, plays, concerts, training events, conferences, weddings and receptions. For visitors who want a longer visit, there is an onsite guesthouse that can hold up to 44 people.

In 1972 the Hotel Viru opened its doors welcoming guests into the modern high-rise, but concealed within the new hotel’s walls was a secret communist radio center used to spy on guests. While the Communist party may have fled the country once Estonia claimed its independence in 1991, the radio center, now known as the KGB Museum, remained on the top floor of the hotel.

Partake in a meticulously researched and crafted medieval meal at this restaurant in Tallinn, Estonia. The chefs at Olde Hansa have scoured old texts in order to recreate dishes, using indegenous ingredients, from Hanseatic traditions. Not only is the food authentic Middle Ages-era cuisine, but the atmosphere, including roving troubadours, wall murals, and server outfits, all reflect this bygone era.

Located within Estonia's Lahemaa National Park is Sagadi Manor (Sagadi Mois), a structure dating back 500 years. Having undergone restoration, the manor is now a center of natural and cultural education and tourism. In the center of the Sagadi complex is the Sagadi Manor House itself, which contains a fascinating museum full of 19th-century furniture. The Sagadi hall is one of the best examples of noble life in those times thanks to its interior, ceiling paintings and unique trophy room.

Also on the manor grounds are the former granary and carriage house, which now function as the Forest Museum. The exhibitions and displays here introduce visitors to one of Estonia’s greatest treasures, its majestic forest.

Visitors can see how commoners lived by going to the Clothes Barn, which was once used for storing clothes and is the oldest wooden building of the complex. The Clothes Barn provides an overview of the tools, household objects and vehicles used in the manor.

The Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom in Tallinn traces the history of Estonia during its occupation by the Nazis and then the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991. By charting the crimes against Estonia’s peoples and their fight for freedom during these periods, visitors can gain a poignant window into the country’s recent past.

Situated in Tallinn Old Town, Tallinn Legends offers an immersive journey through key events and places in the city’s medieval history. Theatrical and interactive experiences featuring actors, mechanical figures, and special effects bring the bygone city to life in dramatic and memorable ways ideal for families and history buffs.

Located along the Baltic Sea coast, the Estonian capital of Tallinn is a popular stop on Baltic cruises, welcoming more than 300 cruise ships each season. The Tallinn Cruise Port (Tallinna Sadam) also receives regular ferries from Helsinki, Stockholm, and St. Petersburg, making it a convenient choice for a day trip or weekend getaway.

Inspired by Scandinavian open-air museums and founded in 1957, the Estonian Open Air Museum (Eesti vabaõhumuuseum) is a collection of rural farmhouses and other historical buildings from the 18th to the 20th centuries. It is a unique glimpse into different architectural styles found across Estonia, and examines various social strata and celebrates daily life in the countryside.

Located on the right bank of the Pirita River, the Tallinn Botanic Garden (Tallinna Botaanikaaed) is the largest and most biodiverse botanic garden in the country. From its modern row of greenhouses—home to foreign, exotic, and local plant varietals—to the more than 6,000 plant species spread out across hundreds of acres, this botanic garden is perfect for plant enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.