Tallinn Old Town

Tallinna vanalinn

A remarkably preserved medieval city center of cobbled lanes, Gothic spires, merchant houses and city walls, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors come for the fairytale atmosphere, Town Hall Square, hilltop viewpoints and centuries of Hanseatic history.

Things to do

• Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) — Wander the medieval market square anchored by the Gothic Tallinn Town Hall, the oldest in Northern Europe.
• Climb St. Olaf's Church tower — Ascend the narrow spiral staircase for one of the best panoramic views over the Old Town rooftops and the sea.
• Kohtuotsa viewing platform — Take in the classic postcard view of red-tiled roofs and spires from this hilltop terrace on Toompea.
• Toompea Castle and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral — Visit the seat of Estonian parliament facing the ornate onion-domed Russian Orthodox cathedral.
• Walk the medieval town walls — Stroll a preserved stretch of city wall and its towers, including the Hellemann Tower walkway.
• St. Catherine's Passage — Explore this atmospheric cobbled lane lined with craft workshops of the Katariina Guild.
• Tallinn Town Wall gates and Fat Margaret — See the Great Coastal Gate and the rotund Fat Margaret tower housing the Estonian Maritime Museum.

Food to try

• Spiced elk soup at Olde Hansa — A candlelit medieval-themed tavern serving game dishes, honey beer and historic recipes.
• Marzipan from Kalev — Tallinn claims a centuries-old marzipan tradition; sample hand-painted sweets near Town Hall Square.
• Verivorst (blood sausage) — A hearty traditional Estonian sausage served with sauerkraut, especially around wintertime.
• Black bread (leib) — Dense dark rye bread is a national staple, often served warm with butter.
• Vana Tallinn liqueur — A sweet dark rum-based Estonian liqueur enjoyed straight, in coffee or over ice cream.
• Hot spiced wine (hõõgvein) — Warm spiced wine sold in Old Town cafes and Christmas market stalls to fight the chill.

Local customs & good to know

• Wear proper footwear — The cobblestone lanes are uneven and slippery when wet, so comfortable non-slip shoes are essential.
• Tipping is modest — Rounding up or leaving around 10 percent is appreciated but not obligatory in restaurants.
• Estonians value quiet and personal space — Locals tend to be reserved and soft-spoken, so loud behavior stands out in cafes and streets.
• Cashless is the norm — Estonia is highly digital, and cards or contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere.

Nearby

• Toompea Hill — 0 km
• Tallinn — 0 km
• Telliskivi Creative City — 1 km
• Seaplane Harbour Museum — 1 km