One day in Tallinn? Great idea but don’t start your sightseeing at 4 AM.
In the capital of Estonia you can feel like Will Smith in the “I Am Legend” movie. Just arrive there around 4 in the morning and there’s a big chance that for a long time you won’t meet a living soul (nor a dead one ?) and you will have the city for yourself only.
At such a pleasant time of the day I arrived at Tallinna Bussijaam bus station (I love these omnipresent Estonian double or sometimes even triple letters). Even though it was the end of April, it was cold like in winter and dark like in… never mind.
Together with my friends we wanted to wait out these unpleasant conditions in some warm place but the only open places were night clubs with paid entrance (10 EUR at that time) or strip tease clubs. McDonald’s was closed, all shops were closed, buildings of bus and railway station were closed. Even the underpass was closed! It’s the deepest sleeping capital I have ever seen, a city of the dead!
More or less willingly, we walked around almost the whole Tallinn Old Town during this early morning. Totally frozen, we found a viewing platform Kohtuotsa just on time to admire a beautiful sunrise.
And you know what? Some views are worth freezing for.
Our group of four as the only living souls in the city:
An underpass closed from 9 p.m. till 6 a.m.
McDonald’s came for a belated rescue, it opened at 7 a.m. The best coffee and breakfast ever!
Well fed, warmed up and definitely happier we could continue our sightseeing!
What to do for a one day in Tallinn?
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Tallinn attractions
Ferry trips
From Tallin, numerous ferries depart to interesting destinations, ranging from short trips to longer cruises on the Baltic Sea and beyond.
You can combine sightseeing in Tallinn with a ferry excursion to other beautiful European cities like Helsinki, Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Mariehamn in Finland or Malmö.
The most popular city to visit together with Tallin is Helsinki. The ferry route between these two capitals lasts only about 2 hours! You may check Tallinn to Helsinki ferries here.
You may easily find the perfect ferry for your next adventure! Simply enter your desired departure and return dates, the number of passengers, and whether you’ll be bringing a vehicle. The window below will compare prices across available cruises to help you discover the most affordable option for your journey.
Best places to stay
If you’re planning a weekend getaway or an extended stay in Tallinn (which is a fantastic idea!), check out these accommodation options below. To save you some time, I’ve handpicked some interesting and highly-rated places to stay in the city.
Radisson Collection Hotel – if you’re not traveling on a budget, you’ll love staying at this comfortable hotel in the Old Town. You’ll get delicious food, enjoy the spa area, and relax in great conditions.
Citybox Tallinn City Center – a great three-star hotel in the Old Town. Guests appreciate the location, easy and fast check-in, and very good breakfasts.
Tallinn City Harbor Apartments – a well-equipped apartment close to the Old Town. Guests praise the modern interior and excellent value for money.
Imaginary Hostel – budget-friendly but good accommodation. Guests appreciate the great location in the city center and friendly staff.
1. Lennusadam Seaplane Harbor Museum
Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour is Estonian Maritime Museum. Normally I’m not very much into such places, but this one is really interesting.
The museum is located in a historic seaplane hangar, originally built for the Russian Empire’s naval fleet.
You can touch the exhibits, you can pretend to be shooting each other or dress up and take a lovely picture with a corresponding background. There’s also a flight simulator!
History geeks will love:
- EML Lembit, a submarine launched in 1936 and still in working order.
- Suur Tõll, a steam-powered icebreaker built in 1914.
- Short Type 184, a British seaplane used during World War I.
If it hadn’t been for a queue of kids behind me, I would probably spend there much more than just one flight… Great fun 🙂 Except for this you can get to know a bit of Estonian history. I really recommend this place, you won’t be bored.
You can check the opening hours and ticket prices here.
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| One day in Tallinn: Lennusadam Seaplane Harbor Museum |
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| One day in Tallinn: Lennusadam Seaplane Harbor Museum |
2. Main square
The Main Square is situated in the heart of Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s very small, you don’t need a map to move around. For me, a visit to the Main Square is one of the best things to do in Tallinn. We were slowly walking around and enjoying the peaceful vibe.
More “crowded” in full daylight:
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| One day in Tallinn: The Main Square |
The Main Square is officially known as Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats). It has served as a marketplace and gathering place since the Middle Ages. It’s surrounded by well-preserved medieval architecture, including merchant houses and guildhalls.
Interestingly, Tallinn Town Hall was built in 1404 and is the oldest surviving Gothic town hall in Northern Europe. On the top of the spire there’s a weather vane known as Old Thomas, a symbol of Tallinn.
3. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
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| One day in Tallinn: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral |
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox cathedral located on the Toompea Hill. Built in the 19th century during the Russian Empire’s rule over Estonia, it’s the largest and most beautiful Orthodox church in Tallinn.
The cathedral was dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky, a Russian hero which was controversial due to the o