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Town Hall Square
Tallinn
Tallinn is a rewarding detour for those who want to spice up their Scandinavian travels with a Baltic twist. Since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, its Old Town has been scrubbed into a pristine Old World theme park — a fascinating package of pleasing towers, ramparts, facades, churches, shops, and people-watching. Among Nordic medieval cities, there's none nearly as well-preserved as Tallinn, nor more dense with restaurants, cafés, and surprises — and the fun is comparatively cheap. Overlying all of that is the vibrancy of a nation that won its freedom just a generation ago. Estonian pride is in the air.
At a Glance
Central Tallinn
▲▲▲ Tallinn's Old Town Well-preserved medieval center with cobblestoned lanes, gabled houses, historic churches, and turreted city walls.
▲▲ Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Accessible look at the Russian Orthodox faith, with a lavish interior.
▲▲ Balti Jaam Market and Telliskivi Creative City One of Nordic Europe's best market scenes next to a high-energy hipster quarter of galleries, shops, and more.
▲▲ Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fascinating exhibition telling the story of the Nazi and Soviet occupations of Estonia.
▲ Museum of Estonian History High-tech exhibits within the Great Guild Hall explaining Estonia's engaging national narrative.
▲ Tallinn City Life Museum Interesting overview of Tallinn's past, from medieval times into the 20th century.
▲ Hotel Viru Legendary Soviet-era tourist hotel, with hints of the KGB and a panoramic rooftop bar.
▲ Rotermann Quarter Rejuvenated industrial zone east of the Old Town, with shopping, restaurants, and old-meets-new architecture.
Outside the Core
▲▲ Kumu Art Museum The best of contemporary Estonian art displayed in a strikingly modern building.
▲▲ Seaplane Harbor Impressive museum of boats and planes displayed in a vast old hangar along the waterfront.
▲ Kadriorg Park Vast, strollable oasis with the palace gardens, Kumu Art Museum, and a palace built by Czar Peter the Great.
▲ Pirita Neighborhood on the city's outskirts, with a popular beach, famous forest cemetery, and TV tower observation deck.
▲ Estonian Open-Air Museum Authentic farm and village buildings preserved in a forested parkland.
