Hey there, Iβm Michelle Halpern, founder and editor behind the travel blog Live Like itβs the Weekend. I write about global womenβs travel and love exploring everything from local adventures in my home state of California to more off the beaten track spots across the world like Estonia!
Recently on a trip to Europe, I had the opportunity to do a day trip to Tallinn, Estonia while I was visiting Helsinki, Finland. I honestly wasnβt sure what to expect, but the second we landed in the charming Old Town, I knew one day was going to be too little time.
The good news, however, is that Tallinn is pretty small and quite walkable, so while youβll likely want to stay for much longer, you can still see most of Tallinnβs top highlights in a day.
Iβm sharing all my favorite spots we visitedβfrom where to eat, where to shop and where to get the best views of this city.
Here’s how to do a day trip to the picturesque city of Tallinn, Estonia!
How to Do A Day Trip toΒ Tallinn
From Helsinki, taking a ferry to Tallinn is only a 2-hour ride and some change, so itβs very easy to do a day trip to Estonia.
We chose to book tickets on the Tallink Silja Line, which is the size of a cruise ship and has various seating options for the journey including comfortable business class seats with an unlimited food buffetβyes, please!
The gates for the ferry close 30 minutes before departure, so just make sure to get there at least 45 minutes prior.
Helpful Tip:
WhatΒ to Do in Tallinn, Estonia
There are tons of awesome things to do in Tallinn! This overview will give you a mix of highlights and top historical spots, plus a must-do in the more modern area of the city. These can definitely all be done in a single day!
St. Catherineβs Passage
One of the most famous streets in Tallinn, this 700-year-old alleyway has retained its medieval vibe through the years.
It’s now home to a restaurant and several artisan shops where you can witness local craftsmen making unique items like glassware and ceramics.
The Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform
This is where youβll find the money shots overlooking Tallinn. It takes some walking and there are a few steep inclines, but the views are worth it! Plus, youβll get to see the juxtaposition between the Old Town and the new city from this vantage point.
Raekoja Plats
This is the main town square in the heart of Tallinnβs Old Town. I wouldnβt recommend eating all your meals here as it can be overpriced, but itβs a must to visit and to use as a reference point as you explore the city on foot.
Balti Jamaa Market
Balti Jamaa Market
For a taste of modern life in Tallinn and to get a bit off the tourist track, Balti Jamaa market is a fun spot to peruse. Itβs basically a massive market located within a warehouse barn, and houses everything under the sun from antique shops and vintage clothing sellers to food markets, beauty stores and everything in between.
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
One of the most iconic structures in Tallinn is this cathedral situated up on Toompea Hill. Built in 1900, the cathedral is one of the most unique buildings in the city and is a must for architecture and history lovers as it was designed by famous Russian architect Mikhail Preobrazhenski when Estonia was still part of the tsarist empire.
St. Vitus Brewing
Where to Eat & Drink in Tallinn
Olde Hansa
Donβt be fooled by Old Hansaβs proximity to the tourist-centric Old Town square and medieval garment wearing servers. This restaurant has over 5,000 Google reviews for a reasonβitβs that good! Make sure to try their honey beer.
St. Vitus Brewing
A visit to St. Vitus is well worth the slight trek outside of Tallinnβs Old Town for a refreshing craft beer. This is one of those locals-only spots that will make you feel like you stumbled on a little secret. Located in the neighborhood of Telliskvi, this spot has over 20 different craft brews to choose from.
DEPOO
Another spot a bit outside of the Old Town is DEPOO, located in one of the more trendy Tallinn neighborhoods. An old locomotive depot thatβs been converted into shipping container food stalls, this is a great place to mix and mingle with the younger residents of Tallinn and enjoy lunch outside in the sun.
Roasted Almonds
You canβt go to Tallinn and not try their delicious sweet and spiced roasted almonds being served everywhere you look in the Old Town square. Sure, itβs touristy and yes, probably overpriced. But delicious and worth it? Absolutely.
View from Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform
Helpful Tips for Visiting Tallinn
The best time of year to visit Tallinn is from May to September when the weather is at its warmest and the city is in peak festival season. With the great weather though comes the crowds, so expect many tourists during this time of year. Tallinn is also known for its charming Christmas markets, so holiday time is also an ideal time to visit.
During crowded times of the year, Tallinn experiences a lot of tour group traffic from incoming day cruises. If you want to get the best shots around town, visit the top sites on off hours to avoid the herds!
Estoniaβs currency is the Euro but you donβt need a lot of cash as credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Donβt forget to pack good walking shoesβmost of Tallinnβs Old Town can be explored on foot, and many of the streets are made from cobblestone.
Fun Facts AboutΒ Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital of Estonia whose Old Town subdistrict is actually a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tallinn is a port city on the Gulf of Finland with regular routes servicing cities like Helsinki, Stockholm, and St. Petersburg. In fact, Tallinn is just 51 miles from Helsinki!
Up until 1918, Tallinn was known by its historical German name, Reval.
I hope you enjoyed this one day guide to Tallinn, Estonia! For more Tallinn recommendations, visit my Estonia posts here.
It’s always cool to read travel posts about places you know really well. I currently live in Tallinn, and just got home from taking a friend for a tour up to the viewing balcony, so the timing for seeing this was just perfect π This post covers Tallinn really well, although if staying for longer than one day, there’s one place that must be experienced: Kadriorg with all the beautiful parks and the Kadriorg Palace.
Teresa Maria | Outlandish Blog
Hey Teresa! How incredible. Tallinn seems so beautiful and I look forward to exploring it one day. And I’m sure! There are only so many things you can do in one day. Thanks for the tip π
Really great post! I definitely want to visit Tallinn someday π
Thanks for sharing!
Hey Jennifer! I look forward to visiting Tallinn someday soon, too π Michelle did a great job with the highlights.