Must See

Vabaduse väljak Map

In summer of 2009 the residents of Tallinn were given back a vital piece of their city's heritage: Freedom Square (Vabaduse väljak). From the last days of the Tsars and through Estonia's first period of independence, this open area at the edge of Old Town had been a place of national symbolism and civic pride, as well as a favourite public gathering spot.

A. Weizenbergi 37 Map
Ph: +372 606 6400 · Fax: +372 606 6401
kadriorg@ekm.ee · Homepage

A trip to Tallinn isn’t a trip to Tallinn without a visit to this magnificent northern baroque palace, built by Peter the Great for his wife, Catherine I, in 1718. Designed by Italian architect Niccolo Michetti, the grandiose palace and surrounding manicured gardens are a humbling example of Tsarist extravagance, but just as important a reason to visit is that this is also home to the foreign art ...

Roseni 3

To see where Tallinn is heading in the 21st century, take a stroll through the Rotermann Quarter, a former factory complex that sits between Old Town and the Passenger Port. What was a collection of dilapidated buildings just a decade ago is now a bustling commercial and cultural centre, whose avant-garde architecture stands as a powerful symbol of just how far Tallinn has come in re-inventing itself in recent years.

Vene 12 Map

Easily the most picturesque of Old Town's lanes, St. Catherine's is a narrow walkway that runs between Vene and Müürivahe streets, along the back of what used to be St. Catherine's Church. What makes the passage particularly interesting is that it's home to the St. Catherine's Guild, a collection of craft workshops where artists use traditional methods to create and sell glassware, hats, quilts, ...

Lai 50 Map
Ph: +372 641 2241 · Fax: +372 641 2116
oleviste@oleviste.ee · Homepage

Once upon a time, from 1549 to 1625 to be exact, this 13th-century church was the tallest building in the world. But its gigantic, 159-metre spire, which was probably meant to act as a signpost for approaching ships, also turned out to be a very effective lightning rod. Throughout the church's history its steeple has been hit repeatedly by lightning, completely burning down the structure three times.

Narva mnt 95 Map
Ph: +372 611 2102 · Fax: +372 611 2109
info@lauluvaljak.ee · Homepage

This sprawling event venue in Kadriorg has a special place in the hearts of Estonians. It was here in 1988 that the Singing Revolution, a massive, musical demonstration against Soviet rule, set Estonia on its road towards independence. The grounds feature an outdoor concert arena, built in 1959, and host a multitude of large concerts and festivals through the year. Most famously the site is home ...

Toom-Kooli 6 Map
Ph: +372 644 4140 · Fax: +372 644 4140
tallinna.toom@eelk.ee · Homepage

The gleaming, Medieval church that stands at the centre of Toompea hill is best known by locals as the 'Toomkirik' (Dome Church), and it's the main Lutheran church in Estonia. Established sometime before 1233 and repeatedly rebuilt since, the church displays a mix of architectural styles. Its vaulted main body dates to the 14th century, while its baroque tower was an addition from the late 1770s. ...

Lossi plats 1 Map
Ph: +372 6316 537 · Fax: +372 6316 547

Perched on a limestone cliff and towering over the rest of the city, Toompea Castle has always been the seat of power in Estonia. Ever since the German Knights of the Sword first built a stone fortress here in 1227-29, every foreign empire that ruled Estonia used the castle as its base. Today, appropriately, it's home to Estonia's Parliament. The castle has been revamped countless times through the ...

Raekoja plats Map

Picturesque Town Hall Square has been the undisputed hub of Old Town for the last eight centuries. Surrounded by elaborate merchant houses and, in summer, packed with café tables, it's a natural magnet for tourists. Historically it served as a market and meeting place, and was the site of at least one execution (resulting from a dispute over a bad omelette). Find the round stone marked with a compass ...

Gümnaasiumi 3 Map
Ph: +372 644 9867
+372 507 9565
kodu.linn@mail.ee

With nearly 2km of its original city wall still standing, Tallinn boasts one of Europe’s best preserved Medieval fortifications. In fact, a large part of what gives Old Town its fairytale charm is the system of walls and and towers that surrounds it. Work on the town's defenses first began in 1265, but the current outline of the wall dates to the 14th century. By its heyday in the 16th century, ...