Medieval Old Town

Twisting cobblestone lanes and iron street lamps. Gothic spires and medieval markets. Cappuccino and Wi-Fi. This is the city's famous Old Town. If you're looking for that mix of historic ambience and cutting-edge culture that defines Tallinn, you'll find it here.

Built up from the 13th to 16th centuries, when Tallinn – or Reval as it was known then – was a thriving member of the Hanseatic trade league, this enclosed neighbourhood of colourful, gabled houses, half-hidden courtyards and grandiose churches is, quite rightly, the city's biggest tourist draw. And the fact that it's all neatly packaged within a mostly-intact city wall and dotted with guard towers gives it an extra dose of fairytale charm.

 

	Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin (Dome Church) and its Tower Old Town The Medieval church, known as Dome Church (Toomkirik), that stands at the centre of Toompea hill is one of the country's most fascinating historic attractions. Visiting the church is free for tower check the ticket price (free with Tallinn Card).
	Danish King's Garden Old Town On the slopes of Toompea hill between the city wall and Lower Town is an open, garden-like area that happens to be the legendary birthplace of the Danish flag. This relaxing spot is called the Danish King's Garden because it was supposedly ...
	Dominican Monastery Claustrum Old Town The inner chambers of the Dominican Monastery once included three wings, together called the Claustrum, of which the east wing still remains.
	Dominican Monastery Museum Old Town Established in 1246, Dominician Monastery Museum is Tallinn’s oldest intact building.
	Estonian History Museum - Great Guild Hall Old Town Housed in the 15th century Great Guild Hall, country's grandest history museum tells Estonia's story from prehistoric times to the present day.
	Great Coastal Gate and Fat Margaret tower Old Town Standing guard at the north end of Pikk street are two of Tallinn's most impressive defensive structures, the Great Coastal Gate (Suur Rannavärav) and Fat Margaret tower (Paks Margareeta).
	Hellemann Tower and Town Wall Old Town Visitors not only get to see the tower, but they can also walk along a 200-metre stretch of the town wall, from where they'll get fantastic views of the Medieval city.
	Holy Spirit Church Old Town Just off Town Hall Square stands a 14th-century Holy Spirit Church with an octagonal tower.
	House of the Brotherhood of Black Heads Old Town One look at this beautiful, Renaissance-style guild hall with its bright red, green and gold door is enough to explain why it's a regular feature on every Tallinn postcard stand. This was the historic home of the Brotherhood of Black Heads, ...
	Katariina käik (St. Catherine's Passage) Old Town St. Catherine's Passage is a narrow walkway that runs between Vene and Müürivahe streets, along the back of what used to be St. Catherine's Church.
	Kiek in de Kök Old Town Take a peek into the kitchens from the battlements of this Medieval defensive tower or tour around the Bastion Tunnels (advance booking needed).
	Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform Old Town This platform offers sweeping panoramas of Old Town's rooftops and towers with modern city skyline.
	Maiden's Tower Old Town This square, three-storey Town Wall tower next to the Danish King's Garden dates to the 14th century.
	Meistrite Hoov (Masters' Courtyard) Old Town Old Town courtyard is this site dedicated to the master craftsmen of old.
	Niguliste Museum (St. Nicholas' Church) Old Town Saints, dancing skeletons and silver – not to mention the occasional organ concert – are the main attractions at this imposing, 13th-century church.
	Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas Old Town Find this gorgeous, neoclassical building at the north end of Vene street. This is the first classical church building in Tallinn.
	Patkuli Viewing Platform Old Town The Patkuli platform offers the best vantage point to see Tallinn's fairy tale city wall and towers, St. Olav's Church and the harbour area.
	Raekoja plats (Town Hall Square) Old Town Picturesque Town Hall Square has been the undisputed hub of Old Town for the last eight centuries.
	St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Old Town This spectacular, onion-domed structure perched atop Toompea Hill is Estonia's main Russian Orthodox cathedral.
	St. Olav’s Church and tower Old Town The 14th century Gothic church that dominates Tallinn's skyline was a skyscraper of it's age and is still a major attraction. Visiting the church is free for the tower check the ticket price (free with Tallinn Card).
	Tallinn City Museum Old Town This historical museum, which tell Estonia's story through the ages, is itself a part of history.
	Tallinn Town Hall Old Town The Town Hall was the political centre of Tallinn for centuries and is one of the finest original pieces of Gothic architecture in this part of Europe.
	Toompea Castle Old Town Perched on a limestone cliff and towering over the rest of the city, Toompea Castle has always been the seat of power in Estonia.
	Towers' Square Old Town Towers Square gets its name from the Town Wall towers that border one of its sides, and the fact that a number of the church spires can be seen from here.
	Town Hall Pharmacy Old Town Marzipan was one of the pharmacy's best sellers, one that local legend insists was actually invented as a curative here in the 15th century.
	Viru gate Old Town This pair of picturesque, ivy-covered towers at the beginning of Viru Street – one of the main pedestrian arteries into Old Town – is often the very first glimpse visitors get of historic Tallinn. Anyone passing between them couldn't be blamed ...