Toompea Castle – Tallinn’s Political and Historic Hilltop Fortress

Perched on a limestone cliff above the city, Toompea Castle has served as a stronghold since the 9th century. Today, it houses Estonia’s parliament. The building’s pink Baroque façade dates to the 18th century, but medieval towers and walls still echo its fortress past.

Visit Info
• Duration: 30–45 minutes
• Best Time: Early morning for clear photos without crowds

Booking Tips
• Free to walk the grounds
• Public gallery access to parliament requires advance booking

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Pikk Hermann Tower with the Estonian flag waving
• Panoramic views from Patkuli or Kohtuotsa viewing platforms nearby

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral: Just a minute’s walk away
• Danish King’s Garden: A peaceful medieval courtyard

Address: Lossi plats 1a, 10137 Tallinn, Estonia
Metro: Not applicable — reachable on foot from Old Town

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – Estonia’s Grand Orthodox Landmark

Built in 1900 during Russian Imperial rule, this onion-domed cathedral dominates Toompea Hill. Its richly decorated interior features mosaics, gilded iconostases, and softly glowing chandeliers — a striking contrast to the surrounding Gothic and Baroque skyline.

Visit Info
• Duration: 20–30 minutes
• Best Time: Mid-morning when the sun hits the domes

Booking Tips
• Entry is free, but silence is requested
• Modest dress and respectful behaviour are required

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Full façade from the left-hand side courtyard
• Dome silhouette at golden hour

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Quiet side gardens behind the cathedral
• Estonian Knighthood House across the street

Address: Lossi plats 10, 10130 Tallinn, Estonia
Metro: 10–15 minute walk from Town Hall Square

Tallinn Town Hall & Square – Gothic Grandeur at the City’s Heart

The only surviving Gothic town hall in Northern Europe, Tallinn’s Town Hall dates to the 13th century. Its spire rises over a bustling square that hosts medieval markets in summer and magical Christmas fairs in winter. The surrounding pastel-colored buildings house cafés, galleries, and artisan shops.

Visit Info
• Duration: 30–60 minutes
• Best Time: Sunset or early evening for golden light and lively atmosphere

Booking Tips
• Entry to the tower and museum: Tickets are available seasonally
• The outdoor square is always open

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Wide-angle shot from café terraces
• Tower viewed through Old Town alleys

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Raeapteek: Europe’s oldest functioning pharmacy
• Olde Hansa: Medieval-style restaurant with period interiors

Address: Raekoja plats 1, 10146 Tallinn, Estonia
Metro: N/A – central to Old Town and easily walkable

St. Olaf’s Church – Once the Tallest Building in the World

With its sharp green spire and storm-weathered stone, St. Olaf’s Church has towered over Tallinn since the 12th century. During the 16th century, it was reputedly the tallest building in the world. The climb up its narrow staircase is rewarded with unmatched views over the red rooftops and the Baltic Sea.

Visit Info
• Duration: 30–45 minutes
• Best Time: Clear afternoons for long-distance views

Booking Tips
• Tower climb opens seasonally (April–October)
• Modest fee at the entrance

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Rooftop panorama from tower balcony
• Spire as seen from Pikk Street

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Historic Lutheran interior
• Quiet rear gardens with stone carvings

Address: Lai 50, 10133 Tallinn, Estonia
Metro: 10-minute walk from Town Hall Square

Kadriorg Palace – Baroque Elegance by the Sea

Commissioned by Peter the Great in 1718 for his wife Catherine I, Kadriorg Palace blends Russian imperial grandeur with manicured gardens and peaceful fountains. Today, it houses the Art Museum of Estonia’s foreign art collection, while its leafy park is a favourite among locals.

Visit Info
• Duration: 60–90 minutes
• Best Time: Spring and summer for blooming gardens

Booking Tips
• Tickets available on-site or online
• Closed Mondays

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Front courtyard and reflecting pool
• Upper garden paths during golden hour

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Kumu Art Museum: Estonia’s premier contemporary art space
• Japanese Garden tucked behind the main palace

Address: A. Weizenbergi 37, 10127 Tallinn, Estonia
Metro: Take tram 1 or 3 to Kadriorg stop (short walk from there)

Seaplane Harbour – Tallinn’s High-Tech Maritime Museum

Housed in a massive seaplane hangar from 1916, this award-winning museum brings Estonia’s naval history to life with submarines, simulators, and shipwrecks. The centrepiece is the Lembit submarine, built in 1936 and displayed intact inside the hangar.

Visit Info
• Duration: 90–120 minutes
• Best Time: Morning or rainy day activity

Booking Tips
• Buy tickets online for discounts and fast entry
• Family-friendly with multilingual guides

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Submarine Lembit in moody lighting
• Outdoor harbour deck with ships and sea views

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Seaside boardwalk and cafés
• Historic icebreaker ship “Suur Tõll”

Address: Vesilennuki 6, 10415 Tallinn, Estonia
Metro: Bus 73 or 3 from the city centre

KGB Prison Cells – Echoes of a Hidden History

Hidden behind a quiet Old Town façade, the KGB Prison Cells reveal one of Tallinn’s darkest chapters. Once operated by the Soviet secret police, this small museum offers a chilling but vital look at Estonia’s 20th-century repression under totalitarian rule. Stark cells, cold corridors, and personal testimonies offer a raw and powerful experience.

Visit Info
• Duration: 30–45 minutes
• Best Time: Weekdays for fewer visitors

Booking Tips
• Entry: Paid ticket at the door
• English-language materials available

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Heavy cell doors with numbered plaques
• Dimly lit hallway with historic photos

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Freedom Square’s war memorial and eternal flame
• Saint John’s Church with neo-Gothic architecture

Address: Pagari 1, 10133 Tallinn, Estonia
Metro: 7-minute walk from Town Hall Square

Telliskivi Creative City – Tallinn’s Arts and Culture Hub

A former industrial zone transformed into an open-air arts district, Telliskivi Creative City pulses with Tallinn’s modern energy. It’s home to galleries, street art, indie boutiques, and a rotating calendar of pop-up events. Locals gather here for concerts, handmade markets, and some of the city’s best coffee.

Visit Info
• Duration: 1–2 hours
• Best Time: Late afternoon to early evening

Booking Tips
• No ticket required — public access
• Most shops and cafés accept card payments

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Bold murals on warehouse walls
• String-lit courtyards at dusk

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Fotografiska: A world-class photography museum with rooftop views
• Vintage shops and design studios along the main street

Address: Telliskivi 60A, 10412 Tallinn, Estonia
Metro: 15-minute walk from Balti Jaam (central train station)

Tallinn City Wall – Walk the Line of Medieval Defences

Once stretching over 2 kilometres, Tallinn’s medieval city wall is one of Europe’s best preserved. Visitors can climb sections of the wall, explore lookout towers, and enjoy sweeping views over tiled rooftops. It’s a perfect way to step back into the 15th century and see Tallinn from above.

Visit Info
• Duration: 30–60 minutes
• Best Time: Morning for quiet exploration

Booking Tips
• Tickets at entry points near Hellemann Tower
• Access may be limited in winter months

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Tower staircases with arched windows
• Views of Toompea Hill and the cathedral domes

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Tower Café inside the Hellemann Tower
• Old defence trench paths around the city perimeter

Address: Müürivahe Street entrance, 10140 Tallinn, Estonia
Metro: 5-minute walk from Viru Gate

The Ghost of Tallinn – Legends and Shadows in Estonia’s Medieval Capital

Beneath Tallinn’s cobblestone streets and storybook skyline lies a darker, quieter folklore—whispered legends of spirits, secret chambers, and hauntings passed down through centuries. One of the most enduring tales is that of The Ghost of Tallinn, a mysterious presence said to linger in the city’s Old Town, particularly near Rataskaevu Street and the hidden alleys behind St. Nicholas’ Church.

Though the story takes many forms, the most widely told version centers around a cursed wedding feast that took place in a sealed-off house near Rataskaevu 16. Locals have long claimed that no tenant has stayed long in the building, blaming cold drafts, unsettling noises, and the echo of unseen footsteps. Whether you believe in ghosts or just enjoy a good midnight mystery, this part of Tallinn invites you to explore the blurred line between history and folklore.

Visit Info
• Duration: 30–45 minutes (self-guided or with a ghost tour)
• Best Time: After sunset for the full atmospheric effect

Booking Tips
• Where to Book: Local walking tours (Ghost Tours or Legends of Tallinn)
• Tip: Combine this stop with an evening Old Town tour — stories are most vivid at night
• Accessibility: Narrow, uneven streets — wear comfortable shoes

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Rataskaevu Street at dusk, lit by lanterns
• The sealed window at Rataskaevu 16
• Alleyways around St. Nicholas’ Church

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Master’s Courtyard: A quiet spot with artisan workshops
• Cat’s Well: Said to be a spiritual hotspot in medieval times
• Reval Café: Ideal for a post-tour drink or spooky recap

Address: Rataskaevu 16, 10123 Tallinn, Estonia
Metro: N/A — 5-minute walk from Town Hall Square

Olde Hansa Building – Tallinn’s Medieval Dining Landmark

Located just off the city’s iconic Town Hall Square, the Olde Hansa building is one of Tallinn’s most distinctive medieval landmarks. Designed to reflect the wealth and architectural style of a 15th-century Hanseatic merchant house, the structure is both authentic and theatrical, from its rough-hewn beams and iron chandeliers to its historically inspired menus and candlelit halls.

While the building itself is a reconstruction based on historical models, it pays homage to Tallinn’s prosperous past as a key trading city in the Hanseatic League. Whether you're stepping inside to dine or simply admiring the richly detailed façade, the Olde Hansa building offers a tangible glimpse into life during Estonia’s golden age of trade.

Visit Info
• Duration: 45–60 minutes (longer if dining)
• Best Time: Evening for a full medieval atmosphere with candlelight

Booking Tips
• Where to Book: Official website or on-site reservation
• Tip: Reserve a table for dinner — it fills quickly during peak tourist season
• Cuisine: Medieval-inspired dishes (no potatoes, no tomatoes — all historically accurate)

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Exterior timbered façade from the corner of Town Hall Square
• Interior dining room with period costumes, antler chandeliers, and wooden tables

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Raeapteek: Europe’s oldest working pharmacy is just across the square
• St. Nicholas’ Church: Now a museum of ecclesiastical art, a short walk away
• Olde Hansa Shop: Medieval-themed boutique selling spices, mead, and handmade goods

Address: Vana Turg 1, 10140 Tallinn, Estonia
Metro: Not applicable — 2-minute walk from Town Hall Square