This is your expert guide to Tallinn, the capital of a pioneering country in digitalization; Estonia.
For a lot of people the words ‘Estonia‘ or Tallinn‘ don’t ring any bells. And in a sense it’s understandable; the country has been independent for about 30 years, it’s very small, and it has been shadowed by its big neighbours, Russia and Finland.
Lonely Planet has previously chosen Tallinn “the best value destination in the world“ to visit. And as someone who currently lives and runs a business in the city in question, I can vouch for it. I have definitely noticed an increase in the number of international tourists roaming the UNESCO World Heritage site, Tallinn Old Town.
So, what to see and do in Tallinn? Let me spill all the beans!
City To Visit In 2026: An Expert Guide To Tallinn
The obvious number 1 thing that any guide to Tallinn has to mention is the UNESCO World Heritage site: Tallinn Old Town. Locally known as Vanalinn, the Old Town is a historic living area. A picturesque part of the city that you can spend a lovely couple hours walking around.
For shoppers it offers great restaurants, local souveniers and handicrafts, and loads more. For architecture geeks, it’s a beautiful example of a Hansa city that has been preserved in most parts for hundreds of years. The Old Town is a must visit, but Tallinn has a lot more to offer!
For an epic road trip, hire a car for your Tallinn vacation
Tallinna Linnahall
The 1980 Moscow Olympics were used as an excuse to get sufficient funding for a massive building project on the coast of Tallinn: Linnahall. The humongous complex hid beneath its thick walls a concert hall, ice hockey rink, a bowling alley and later also a helipad.
It is still today considered a unique and spectacular example of Soviet architecture and is protected as a listed heritage structure. Unfortunately for the past 15 – 20 years it has been left without any use and has fallen into major disrepair.
Surprisingly, it was a renown movie director, Christopher Nolan, who offered the complex a new chance in life! He chose Linnahall as a filming location for his science fiction thriller, Tenet. Before filming could start, the building had to be restored indoors; plenty of mold was removed, floors renewed and roof partially beautified.
Thanks to the financial injection and the motivation to make the structure safe to enter again, it is now open for visitors! Well, some parts of it are… Some parts are in such dire condition that even can’t enter there. Especially for architecture nerds, it is an absolutely brilliant tour!
Rotermanni Kvartal
What most tourists don’t know is that Tallinn has dozens of intriguing places to offer other than just the beautiful Old Town. In this guide to Tallinn you’ll discover all the hidden gems!
Right between the harbour and the Old Town there is the serene Rotermanni kvartal. This area has a unique architecture about it, seasoned with wonderful restaurants and bars. At the end of this article I will list my favourites, but some of the best restaurants in Tallinn include:
- R14
- Flamm
- Pull
- Levier (brilliant for remote work!)
- Platz
And RØST! Oh my lord, you must get a cinnamon bun from this little bakery!
Telliskivi and Kalamaja
Walk across the Old Town and you end up at the train station (Baltijaam). Walk across the train station and you come across a Market Hall (Baltijaam Turg) that sits on the border of 2 of the most trendy living areas in Tallinn: Telliskivi and Kalamaja. This guide to Tallinn calls them a ‘must visit’!
These are former suburbs and industrial areas, so there are loads of old factory ruins. These ruins have since been transformed into most amazing loft apartments and restaurants with artsy cafés and little boutiques everywhere.
The “gate” to these areas is the aforementoned brand new market hall where you can find probably the best selection of second hand shops in the world, art, delicious food and local delicacies. Definitely worth a visit!
Read also: Rummu – Drowned Quarry is an Extraordinary Summer Trip
Kadriorg Palace and Park
To the opposite direction, East from the Old Town, you will find the most delightful, and the least known area of Tallinn; Kadriorg. It’s a leafy park area with gorgeous, well looked after wooden houses. And the former imperial palace with the President’s castle behind it (it’s pink!!).
In the park you will find a swan lake with a gazebo in the middle, and a bit further into the woods there is a secret Japanese garden. A guide to Tallinn wouldn’t be complete without mentioning that this part of the park was donated to Tallinn in its entirety by Japan.
It is my ultimate favourite place in Tallinn (in addition to the seaside): ultimate zen and peace. Especially when the cherry blossoms take over the little park.
Right after Kadriorg you will find yourself by the Baltic Sea. There you can follow the cruise ships sailing back and forth between Helsinki and Tallinn, chill on the beach or enjoy some delish food on a terrace.
A guide to Tallinn wouldn’t be complete, though, without tips on accommodation. Check this article for the best staycation hotels in Tallinn.
Noblessner
A former dock and shipyard has recently been transformed into one of the most attractive ports and leisure areas in Northern Europe. Here you can find amazing culinary experiences, like 180º, which as a Michelin star.
Order a drink and relax on the vast terrace wathing sailing boats gliding in and out of the small port. Here you can also find an indoor amusement park, Proto. Suitable for children and adults, this land of fun offers virtual and physical experiences that you can’t find elsewhere.
If you wander through the vast Noblessner terrace towards the sea, you’ll end up in the Iglu village. These little iglus act as hotels and they come with mini saunas, a bar and a barbeque. Continue onwards and you’ll find yourself in Lennusadam:
A maritime museum, which includes plenty of ships to explore and a submarine. In the actual museum building you can get acquainted with a ship that sunk in the Baltic Sea in the 1560’s.
Expert Guide to Tallinn – Conclusion
I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t overly excited when I moved to Tallinn 3 years ago. But during Summer the city is exceptionally beautiful and nothing beats having lunch and a glass of wine on a terrace in the Old Town.
There’s one thing where Tallinn beats many other big cities running along the Baltic Sea: food culture. Tallinn restaurants offer a variety of global cuisines, but the best restaurants are the ones that focus on local production and ingredients. Simple but tasty.
The best restaurants that this guide to Tallinn recommends with a gusto are:
- MOON (Telliskivi)
- Kolm Sibulat (Kesklinn)
- NOP (Kadriorg)
- Salt (Kadriorg)
- Pull (Rotermanni)
- R14 (Rotermanni)
- F hoone (Telliskivi)
- The Kurze (Kalamaja)
- VESTA (Kopli)
- Rataskaevu 16 (Old Town)
Book a table beforehand! Restaurants here are small and very popular, so walk-ins are often left outside.
Also, architecture here is something you can’t find anywhere else. It’s a mixture of Swedish and St. Petersburg’s decorative and imperial style next to ultra modern and simplistic buildings influenced by Scandinavia.
Where Scandinavian architecture is plain boring, Estonians have managed to make it interesting and surprising.
Tallinn is quickly becoming busier and busier, so if you want to see this Baltic pearl, you’d do better to go see it soon. The small country has a lot more to offer than just the capital as well, so a wee road trip would also be very justified here.
Summer is the best time with the city blooming and all kinds of events taking place every week. Or another good period would be Christmas. Like many European cities, also Tallinn has a proper Christmas Market.
For a truly authentic experience and expert tips on all the secret locations, feel free to contact me ;)
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