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31 Best Things to Do in Tallinn (By a Local)
👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do | Museums & Culture | Outdoor Attractions | Night in Tallinn | Cool & Unusual Things | Seasonal Activities
I arrived in Tallinn as a tourist and loved it so much that I became a local.
All at once, Tallinn is modern and medieval, crowded and calm, urban and untouched. Let me show you how you can experience every side of the Estonian capital. From Europe’s best-preserved Old Town to beachside bonfires, Tallinn has it all.
My job is to offer the most in-depth, up-to-date, comprehensive information – this guide is all you need for a Tallinn trip to remember! Use this in combination with my guide to where to stay in Tallinn to plan the perfect visit.
Below, discover both well-known, must-see sites and the secret spaces most tourists miss.
31 Best Things to Do in Tallinn
Town Hall Square
A patch of wavy cobblestones surrounded by 700-year-old buildings, the Town Hall Square is the city’s centerpiece and launchpad for exploring the Old Town and beyond.
Tallinn’s postcard-perfect Town Hall Square sits at the heart of the Old Town’s labyrinthine streets. The Gothic Town Hall, built between 1322 and 1404, dominates the scene.
The rest of the square comprises rustic restaurants and souvenir stores. This space hosts a range of festivities, including the renowned Christmas Market.
This square is also home to Europe’s oldest continually-running pharmacy. Open since at least 1422, it’s still handing out prescriptions. The basement hosts guided tours and workshops.
On the Town Hall roof, look out for Old Toomas standing atop a weather vane. Legend says this peasant boy won an archery contest and now forever guards the city. Take any street out of the square to start exploring this extraordinary medieval town.
Patkuli and Kohtuotsa Viewing Platforms
Two platforms overlook the Old Town, offering a chance to soak in the full extent of the city’s beauty, with views stretching all the way to the sea.
📍 Google Maps (Patkuli), Google Maps (Kohtuotsa)
The two viewing platforms are called Patkuli and Kohtuotsa. They’re a mere two-minute walk apart, and both are worth visiting. If you take just one photo in Tallinn, it should be from one of these viewpoints.
Located on Toompea Hill, they’re a few steps from other sites, such as the parliament building. You’ll first notice the red roofs in the foreground, with church spires bursting up into the sky. In the distance, spot glossy skyscrapers and watch the ferries bob on the Gulf of Finland.
You’ll find medieval vendors selling treats from their wagons. Seagulls will perch on the wall, enjoying the attention of photographers. If the wind picks up, dip into a cosy café or souvenir store.
Freedom Square
A symbol of independence, Freedom Square is the best place to feel the tangible impact of political rallies throughout Estonia’s turbulent past.
The 23.5-meter Victory Column dominates Freedom Square. It’s a memorial to those who died during the Estonian War of Independence of 1918 to 1920. While the square once hosted Soviet parades, it’s now a staunch symbol of independence.
Along one side of the square, a huge Estonian flag hangs proudly. Beside this, there’s an equally large Ukrainian flag. This is an important reminder of Estonia’s fierce belief in independence. Today, the square is a hotspot for cultural events, from protests to concerts.
Opposite the Victory Column, find the bright yellow, neo-Gothic St. John’s Church. There’s plenty to explore around this area, including underground archaeological sites and small art galleries.
Kadriorg Park & Palace
Opened in the 1700s, this park and palace presents a peaceful getaway from the city with its picturesque gardens and historic buildings.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+372) 606 6400 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Tues & Thurs – Sun, 10 am – 8 pm Wed, Closed Mon | Entrance: €15 adults, €10 students/seniors, €30 families
Two kilometers east of the city center, find the peaceful, upmarket Kadriorg Park. It can be easily reached using the number 1 or 3 tram.
Peter the Great opened the park in 1718 for his summer getaways. Watch the swans float gracefully on the ponds as you breathe the fresh, traffic-free air.
Strolling on the trails, you’ll come across the Baroque Kadriorg Palace. This stunning mansion is now a museum for classical artwork. The park is home to the President’s home, an extensive rose garden, and a Japanese garden where your travel stress will drift away.
This area is gentle, pleasant, and quiet. When you’re finished exploring, it’s a short walk to the seaside.
Old Town City Walls
A fortified city wall that’s kept Tallinn’s Old Town safe for over 700 years is now open for you to enjoy a bird’s-eye view and lap of the town.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+372) 644 9867 | Hours: Varies seasonally, in summer, 11 am to 6 pm daily, closed Tue | Entrance: €5 adults, €2 students
With construction beginning in 1265 on the orders of Margaret, Queen of Denmark, these walls have scarcely changed in over 700 years. Forming the perimeter of the Old Town, they offer an overview of the area while being sheltered from the elements.
Visitors can explore turrets and towers along the way, which have exhibitions for history fans. The wall isn’t a continuous loop. Some parts are free to walk across, while others charge a small fee.
The Nun’s Tower is the most impressive bit, but all sections of the wall are like a portal into the Middle Ages.
St Catherine’s Passage
Tallinn’s oldest street, St Catherine’s Passage, is an exquisitely preserved alley where you’ll feel transported back to the thriving 1300s.
The city’s most Instagrammable street, St Catherine’s Passage, is the embodiment of Tallinn’s medieval charm. Quaint restaurants and handicraft workshops line this narrow passageway. Pop in on artists making ceramics, clothing, and other handmade souvenirs.
Previously called Monk’s Street, this path is permeated by ancient spirituality. Don’t miss the tombstones that line one of the walls. These belong to influential members of the guilds and brotherhoods who held great power in the Middle Ages.
This street is a pathway between central Old Town and its quieter outskirts. Use it as a starting point for getting lost in this twisted cobblestone maze.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The most iconic feature of Tallinn’s skyline. Gaze in awe at its pious beauty, which stands in defiance of Estonia’s irreligious, independent character.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+372) 644 3484 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 6 pm Mon – Fri & Sun, 8 am – 7pm Sat | Entrance: Free
Completed in 1900, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an imposing reminder of the Russian Empire’s Russification policy. It’s Estonia’s most decorated and impressive religious building, but it’s not without controversy.
Many of Estonia’s atheists and pagans argue for its demolition. Others suggest converting its function (including into a planetarium!). For now, though, it remains a powerfully impressive place of worship. Entrance is free – poke your head in to feel a sense of wealth and grandeur unusual among Tallinn’s churches.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is located on Toompea Hill in Tallinn’s upper Old Town. It’s opposite the parliament building and just a few steps from the viewing platforms.
St Olaf’s Church
Capture panoramic views of Tallinn from the observation deck and enjoy the church’s Gothic, Scandinavian-style architecture.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+372) 641 2241 | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: Church free, observation tower €8 adults, €5 students
In contrast to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St Olaf’s Church is more in keeping with Estonia’s traditional approach to architecture. It was built by Scandinavian merchants in honor of King Olaf of Norway.
This Baptist church is tucked away in the north of the Old Town. Claimed to be the world’s tallest building when first constructed, it has since burned down three times. Having also been struck by lightning at least 13 times, this church has some stories to tell!
You can have a look inside for free, but a small fee takes you to the observation deck. If you’ve got the stamina to climb 232 steps, you’ll be rewarded with some of the city’s best panoramic views.
Tallinn Museums & Culture
KUMU Estonian Art Museum
Journey through Estonian art history in the impressively large KUMU Art Museum.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+372) 6026000 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Tue – Thu & Fri – Sun, Wed 10 am – 8 pm, Closed Mondays | Entrance: €16 adults, €32 families, €11 students and seniors
Opened in 2006, KUMU is a celebration of Estonian artwork. Located next to Kadriorg Park, it’s set in a peaceful area easily accessible using the number 1 or 3 tram.
Each floor of this impressive glass building represents a different era of Estonian art. Start by marveling at the dramatic detail of 18th-century paintings, before travelling through the Soviet occupation and into the postmodern work that followed re-independence.
Unlike other museums, there’s a style for everyone at KUMU. It also hosts individual exhibitions that explore innovative techniques.
Each year on February 17, KUMU celebrates its birthday with heavily discounted (or even free!) tickets. It’s a great way to escape the cold for a couple of hours.
KGB Museum
Don’t miss your chance to step into a preserved spy surveillance room that was hidden inside an unassuming hotel during the Soviet Union’s occupation of Estonia.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+372) 680 9300 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 3:30 pm daily | Entrance: €20 adults, €10 ages 5 – 11, Under 5 go free
If you’re into spies and secrets, the KGB Museum is really something special. The Soviet Union opened Hotel Viru in 1972, adding a secret 23rd floor. Here, KGB agents could listen in on conversations guests had in their hotel rooms. These secret rooms went undiscovered until 1994!
The hotel, located in the city center just outside the Old Town, still operates. The 23rd floor is now a museum. You must book a guided tour in advance to gain access to the real spy equipment stored here. Hotel guests get a discount.
For an extra fee, consider combining this with a visit to the underground KGB prison cells, located in the Old Town. It’s a claustrophobic experience, but it offers a stark insight into the terrors of the past.
Kiek in de Kök Fortification Museum
A fortification tower marks a secret entrance to tunnels, waiting for visitors like you to discover the countless stories that unfolded beneath the surface.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+372) 5386 8873 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 6 pm daily, Closed Mondays | Entrance: €16 adults, €10 students and seniors, €32 families
Kiek in de Kök (yes, yes, I know what it sounds like…) was built in 1475 to absorb cannonballs fired by neighboring armies. Later, tunnels were built as shelters for soldiers and as storage for munitions.
For years, these abandoned passages existed only as rumors and whispers, closed off to the public. Eventually, an underground (quite literally) culture grew within the tunnels. Drunks, punks, and fugitives used them as a sanctuary from society.
Now, the bastion tunnels are a museum where you can discover these stories. You can buy a ticket to the tower, the tunnels, or both. Prepare to be mind-blown by the things that lurk beneath.
Seaplane Harbour, Estonian Maritime Museum
Climb aboard scores of ships and submarines while learning about Estonia’s proud maritime history.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+372) 620 0545 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily, Closed Mondays | Entrance: €22 adults, €11 children, €40 families
A coastal city, Estonia has a strong seafaring history. Learn about its past while getting up close to over 200 authentic artefacts kept inside an enormous hangar. The star attraction is Lembit, a World War II mine-laying submarine. Climb inside and experience the life of Navy seamen.
There’s an aquarium, machine gun simulators, and plenty of child-friendly activities. Outside on the harbour, warships dot the shoreline. You can climb aboard each one, including Suur Tõll, a truly impressive steam-powered ice breaker.
The Seaplane Harbour is a 25-minute walk from the Old Town. You’ll pass the weathered wooden fishing houses of Kalamaja and emerge on the rocky coast. From here, you can explore coastal sites like Noblessner, Paterei Prison, and Linnahall.
Outdoor Attractions in Tallinn
Rummu Prison & Quarry
Swim among the ruins of a limestone quarry, explore abandoned prison buildings, then climb the hill created by the waste deposits.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+372) 5901 8107 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm daily, Closed Mondays | Entrance: €10 adults, €6 children/seniors, €25 family | 👉 Book Rummu tour on Viator
Until the 1990s, Rummu Quarry was a site of forced prison labour. When it closed, groundwater flooded the area, creating a lake that half-submerged buildings and machinery.
The crumbling prison is now an eerie museum experience. Rent an audio guide, climb rusty watchtowers, and peer into forgotten cells. I even saw a fox in there! In summer, the quarry lake becomes an otherworldly beach resort. Stand-up paddle or snorkel among the ruins.
Next to the beach is a spoil tip – a hill made of mining waste deposits. Hike to the top to enjoy views of the dilapidated prison surrounded by vast stretches of forests.
From Tallinn, Rummu is about 45 minutes by car. There’s also a bus, which takes just over an hour.
Jägala Waterfall
Experience tranquility at Estonia’s widest and most powerful waterfall – a peaceful retreat just a short drive from Tallinn.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book Jägala Waterfall tour on Viator
At 50 meters, Jägala is Estonia’s widest waterfall. It’s also the most powerful. If you fancy some time among the majesty of nature, this is a peaceful place to come. It sits near a small village within a picturesque park – perfect for a picnic.
This also happens to be the former location of a Nazi concentration camp. While some come to pay their respect to the victims, this is now mostly a place of relaxation and recreation.
If you’re brave, climb on the rocks behind the falls and experience their power from the inside. In winter, the falls often freeze completely, which is a magical sight!
This is an easy 30-minute drive from Tallinn. Local buses are also available to carry nature-loving tourists.
Viru Bog
A bog hike is the best way to connect with and learn to love Estonia’s nature, and Viru Bog is close to Tallinn despite feeling worlds apart.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book Viru Bog tour on GetYourGuide
Estonia doesn’t have mountains, but its bogs are just as mystical. The Viru Bog Nature Trail is very accessible from Tallinn – a 45-minute drive or an hour bus ride.
Stick to the wooden footpaths to avoid disturbing the fragile plantlife. This 5.5 km circular trail has information boards dotted along, so flora and fauna enthusiasts can learn about this unique environment.
Climb the 11-meter observation tower to see for miles across Estonia’s vast, flat countryside. There is also Kalmeoja campsite near Viru Bog if you fancy a quiet night beneath the stars.
Glehn’s Castle & Park
Escape to Tallinn’s quiet suburbs to find a castle and palm house ruins hidden in a hillside forest.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+372) 652 5076
A €2, 15-minute train ride will take you out of Tallinn city center and into the forest on Nõmme hillside. Here stands a castle (or a manor house made to look like one) built by a wealthy German landowner in the late 1800s.
The castle itself is closed to the public, but you can explore the ruins of the semi-underground palm house. There are also giant sculptures and an observatory tower. The park is a joy for walkers. In winter, watch out for cross-country skiers flying down the tracks.
This can easily fit into a day trip if you’re looking to explore one of Tallinn’s well-off, quiet suburbs.
Things to Do at Night in Tallinn
Headless Chicken
Step into Middle-earth and enjoy a pint of mead in this Lord of the Rings-themed pub on Tallinn’s oldest street.
📍 Google Maps | Hours: 5 pm – 10 pm Tue – Thu, 12 pm – 11 pm Fri – Sat, 3 pm to 10 pm Sun, Closed Mondays
On St Catherine’s Passage, considered Tallinn’s oldest street, a heavy wooden door guards a medieval tavern. Heave the door open, and you’ll be greeted by eerie ancient songs soundtracking a candle-lit hall.
The Headless Chicken bar staff roleplay as characters straight out of a Tolkien novel. They serve a variety of drinks, including options from the Middle Ages, like mead and honey beer.
There’s nothing quite like the ambience of this tavern. The fragrant combination of sweet honey and dark oak transports drinkers to a different century. Intimate and dimly lit, it’s easy for strangers to start becoming friends.
Heldeke
A vaudeville theater-bar in the trendy Kalamaja district, and one of the best places to grab a drink while enjoying a show.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Vary based on scheduled events
Most tourists would walk right past the entrance of this underground bar without even noticing it. However, follow the steps down and enter the world of vaudeville.
Heldeke has become the place for performers in Tallinn. From burlesque to stand-up comedy, this cozy theater-bar is where show people come to prove themselves.
There’s also a sauna within the bar – the Estonian way to befriend strangers while escaping the cold! Check the website for events and tickets. You never know what might happen in Heldeke, but you’re always in for a fun time.
Brewklyn
Home of Tallinn’s most complete selection of craft beers, Brewklyn is a seaside café for connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+372) 5787 9870 | Hours: 5:30 pm – 9 pm Thu, 6 pm – 10 pm Fri, 1:30 pm to 9:30 pm Sat, 3 pm – 6:30 pm Sun, closed Mon – Wed
With an American owner, Brewklyn brings the New York craft beer scene to Tallinn. Located in Port Noblessner right next to the sea, this joint offers a welcome break while exploring Tallinn’s coastal wonders. A wall of fridges holds every flavor and style of beer imaginable.
Even non-beer drinkers will find something they like here. Just speak to the bar staff for help finding a can that hits the spot. The beers are imported – you won’t find them anywhere else in Estonia.
Whisper Sister
A classy and mysterious cocktail bar, Whisper Sister is a fancy option for date nights and celebrations.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+372) 5874 7837 | Website | Hours: 6 pm – 12:30 am Sun – Thu, 6 pm – 2:30 Fri & Sat
Looking for the best cocktails in town? Whisper Sister has you covered. Just outside the Old Town, right in the city center, this upmarket cocktail bar awaits.
Whisper Sister has a friendly atmosphere that puts hospitality above all else. You’ll enter with a guided tour of the building, letting you know you’re in good hands.
The cocktails are inspired by the best drinks globally, transporting your taste buds to new places from New York to Singapore. The bar’s aesthetic is inspired by Prohibition-era America, giving it a classy mystique that makes you feel cool as you sip your concoction.
In true speakeasy style, the entrance is somewhat hidden. Call the phone number on the door to gain access. Open well into the night, this spot becomes pretty lively on the weekends.
Cool & Unusual Things to Do in Tallinn
Telliskivi Creative City
A reclaimed industrial complex is now the home of artists and creative entrepreneurs.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book Telliskivi tour on Viator
A former industrial complex wedged between railway lines, Telliskivi is officially Tallinn’s Creative City. It’s the Bohemian home of street art, vintage stores, and trendy bars.
Walking around offers a completely different vibe from the Old Town. Buildings on the edge of decay have been repurposed to serve a wide range of cultural needs. This small area hosts over 800 events each year.
Top attractions include the Fotografiska photo gallery, Nudist winery, Literaat coffee shop, Pudel bar, Terminal bar and record shop, and Kopli Couture vintage store. This is also the hub of Tallinn’s thriving start-up culture, with many small businesses renting offices here.
Linnahall
An abandoned Soviet monstrosity now serves as a communal meeting space with rooftop views over the sea, as locals fight to restore its utility.
A concert and sports venue opened in 1980, Linnahall was built to raise the Soviet Union’s status on the world stage. The building was left abandoned and remains closed to the public.
Visitors are free to scale the staircase onto the roof of the building. Here, watch the sunset over the sea. One clear night, I saw the Northern Lights from this roof!
It’s also possible to book a guided tour for a rare glimpse into the mostly disused amphitheater within. Run by the Estonian Centre for Architecture, you’ll learn why this building should be preserved.
Linnahall is next to a small, secluded beach. There’s also a bar beneath it called KAI, which is open throughout the summer.
Patarei Prison
An abandoned fortification turned Soviet era prison struggles to find its identity, but remains a place of intrigue for curious tourists.
First built as a fortification against sea invaders, the Soviets used Paterei as a prison. Many horrors took place within these walls before it was left abandoned in 2002.
Like Linnahall, the prison’s interior is mostly closed to visitors. You can book a guided tour with the Estonian Centre for Architecture to see the cells and hear stories of its dark past.
Today, the prison is undergoing renovation. You may see building work as the city attempts to transform it into a commercial hub. They are also building a museum dedicated to the victims of Communism there.
Until this work is complete, you can walk around the prison exterior as you watch the rough sea batter the rocky coastline.
Balti Jaama Turg
This revamped market hall by the train station is the best place to buy fresh food, vintage clothes, and antiques, all under one roof.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+372) 5157 211 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 7 pm Mon & Wed – Sat, 9 am – 5 pm Tue & Sun
It’s been around for decades, but in 2017, a newly refurbished Balti Jaama Turg opened next to the train station. This is now one of the coolest places to get your groceries, with a fresh food market open every day.
There’s also a street food hall, which caters especially well to vegans. Below ground is a large grocery store, while the second floor has yet more markets. Up there, find everything you could possibly need, from leather jackets to World War II ornaments.
It’s a convenient place to browse while waiting for a train. A Balti Jaama Turg visit also combines well with a few hours in Telliskivi.
Banned Books Museum
One obsessive man collects every book that’s ever been banned in an effort to preserve free speech.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 2 am – 6 pm Thu – Fri, 11 am – 6 pm Sat, Closed Sun – Wed | Entrance: Free
Tallinn has countless museums, but one of the most interesting is Banned Books. It hides on a quiet street deep in the Old Town.
Run by a British man, it houses collections of books that have been censored in some places or times. The owner is a passionate advocate for free speech and travels the world to expand his collection.
Some books are for sale, while others remain as museum artefacts. There is information explaining the history of certain books and why they were banned.
Estonia is a country occupied for much of its history, so it holds freedom as a central value. The Banned Books Museum is a great place to learn more about the dangers of censorship.
Russian Embassy Demonstration
A spontaneous, communal act of protest has now cemented itself as part of the Old Town’s architecture.
First-time visitors will notice the abundance of Ukrainian flags across Tallinn. There’s a giant one beside the Estonian flag in Freedom Square. Blue and yellow lights shine on public buildings after dark. Solidarity with oppressed nations runs deep in the culture.
Nowhere is this more evident than at the Russian Embassy, mere steps from the Town Hall Square. The outside fence is decorated with flags, placards, and anti-war slogans. This is the result of Estonia’s longest-running political demonstration. Gatherings have occurred weekly here since 2014.
Visit to learn how history isn’t just in the past – we’re living through it.
Seasonal Activities in Tallinn
Winter Swimming
Plunge into icy waters to experience an ancient Estonian practice thought to have numerous health benefits.
👉 Book Winter Swimming tour on GetYourGuide
Tallinn’s ample coastline isn’t just for the summer months. For over 800 years, Estonians have combined hot sauna sessions with winter swimming.
It’s not for everyone, but winter swimmers swear by the benefits. It can help reduce stress while building confidence and resilience. Wild swimming can be dangerous, though, so be sure to bring an expert to keep you safe.
This is a special occasion tradition, popular on New Year’s Eve and Independence Day. It can be a form of communal bonding or a character-building solo venture.
Pirita Beach
On hot days, when the sun shines well into the night, nothing beats cooling off in the calm Gulf of Finland before lounging on Pirita Beach’s soft sand.
Tallinn’s beaches come alive in the summer when the sun barely sets.
A 15-minute drive from the city center, you’ll find Pirita Beach. Another great way to reach this spot is by renting one of the e-scooters dotted around town.
With food trucks and ice cream vans, this wide stretch of soft sand is one of the best places for families to relax. The sea is calm and shallow, offering safe paddling. From here, admire the picturesque Old Town skyline and watch the ferries float along the horizon.
Cross-Country Skiing
Soar through Tallinn’s forests and parks, taking advantage of the ski trails that appear after heavy snowfall.
📍 Google Maps (Kadriorg), Google Maps (Nõmme) | 👉 Book Winter Skiing tour on GetYourGuide
Despite having next to no hills, skiing is a popular winter sport in Estonia. For centuries, it’s been used as an efficient way to travel through deep snow in hard-to-plow areas.
Without gravity on your side, this is an endurance sport. It’s the perfect way to simultaneously warm up and burn some calories.
You’ll find skiing possibilities in parks all across the city, such as in Kadriorg. For the best experience, take a train to the Nõmme suburb. Here, vast forests are waiting to be explored on skis.
Midsummer Celebrations
An ancient tradition, Midsummer still plays an important role in Estonian culture as locals and tourists bond around a bonfire and pay their respects to Mother Nature.
📅 When: Usually the week of June 23 and 24
Midsummer (known locally as Jaanipäev or St John’s Day) is an ancient pagan tradition popular across the Nordic nations. It’s a celebration rooted in folklore and mythology.
Each summer, Estonians head out of the city to make the most of the white nights (aka, nights when the sky never goes completely dark). It’s common to camp on the coast and build a beachside bonfire. Join locals as they jump over the fire or play on a wooden village swing known as a külakiik.
Midsummer celebrations peak on June 23 and 24, although they last all week. These events are vibrant and wholesome – perfect for families or solo travelers seeking meaningful connections.
Christmas Markets
The Town Hall Square comes alive at Christmas, when wooden huts selling traditional handicrafts pop up around Estonia’s most beautiful tree.
Tallinn may not have the biggest Christmas market, but it’s one rooted in history. In 1441, the city raised a Christmas tree in the Town Hall Square. This is believed to be the world’s first publicly displayed Christmas tree.
Merchants began setting up stalls around the tree, taking advantage of the visitors it would attract. In 2001, the city officially re-established this ancient tradition.
Today, the most beautiful tree in the country is selected as the centerpiece. Around it, 60 wooden huts sell handcrafted items, such as woollen socks and juniper wood butter knives.
At Christmas time, nothing beats soaking in the festive joy with a blood sausage and gingerbread cookie washed down with a mug of steaming hot Glögi.
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More to Tallinn than you thought? Everyone who comes leaves pleasantly surprised by this clean, safe, and welcoming Baltic city. Whether you want history, nightlife, or long walks on the beach, Tallinn eagerly awaits your visit.
Such good ones!! I’m a local and even I havent done all of them. Have you been to the 40th floor of Swisshotel, the bar there? Kind of a hidden gem, mad cool view.
Yes! I wrote about Swissotel in my guide on where to stay in Tallinn. You don’t have to be a guest to visit the bar, and it offers the most expansive view across all of Tallinn!