Tallinn

Located in the Gulf of Finland, Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, the northernmost of the Baltic countries. A city with a distinct personality, Tallinn combines a modern vibe and a rich history ever since the Middle Ages, reflected in its unique architecture.

On Ferryhopper, you can find the information you need for your trip to Tallinn. Read about must-see sights and attractions, local flavors, activities, and neighborhoods, and find out how to get there. Check our available routes and book ferry tickets to Tallinn at the same prices as ferry companies!

Impressive towers and medieval architecture at the preserved Walls of Tallinn

Vacation in Tallinn

Tallinn is a hidden gem in the Baltic Sea that is quickly growing into one of Europe's cool and creative capitals. The green capital of Estonia is vibrant yet peaceful, and is full of cultural events and historical attractions. Tallinn is getting more and more attention as a tourist destination and is ideal for a weekend getaway or a longer trip.

Talin is a mix of the old and the new. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town, with an intact wall and towers, is one of the best preserved town centers worldwide and is perfect for long strolls. It is only a few feet away from the classy business center, with modern buildings, hip neighborhoods and malls, demonstrating the city’s 21-century development.

Of course, there is also the city seafront with promenades and sandy beaches that offer amazing views and a chill vibe all year round and especially in the summer.

How to get to Tallinn

You can easily reach Tallinn by ferry from Helsinki in Finland, in around 2.5 hours. Tallinn is also connected by ferry with Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, as well as Mariehamn, the capital of Åland.

Tallinn also has an airport, located 20 minutes away from the city center by tram. Both tram number 4 and bus number 2 run between the airport and the city center. You can get to Tallinn by plane from Oslo and Stockholm in under 2 hours, while flights from Helsinki last less than 20 minutes.

Find more details about ferry routes and schedules to Tallinn below.

What to do in Tallinn

Tallinn is a fairytale city that you must explore on foot to unearth each secret treasure.

It’s amazing how, despite being the center of European conflicts for a long period, the city has managed to preserve most of its historical architecture. You won’t get tired of walking through the medieval buildings of the Old Town, which now host trendy restaurants, wonderful museums and relaxing hotels. There is also the modern town that houses both concrete Soviet-style architecture and glass high-rise buildings.

Of course, you have to visit Kalamaja, the fast-growing hipster district of Tallinn, full of wooden houses, alternative cafés and galleries. A must-see in the neighborhood is the Telliskivi Creative City, a repurposed ex-Soviet industrial complex where you can find hip restaurants, art exhibitions, craft beers, design and vintage shops, flea markets, alternative theater, and dancing!

Street sign at the Telliskivi “Loomelinnak” (Creative City) in Tallinn

Sightseeing and activities in Tallinn

In the Estonian capital, you can discover a wide range of neighborhoods, museums and monuments. From walking around and admiring the city’s parks, large churches and medieval fortification, to attending its numerous festivals, shopping in designer boutiques, or spoiling yourself at a spa, Tallinn is a classy destination that has something for everyone! 

Wondering what to see in Tallinn? Here are some of its most famous sights:

• Kadriorg Park
• Estonian Open-Air Museum (ethnographic and architectural complex of 80 historic buildings)
• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
• St. Olaf’s Church
• Niguliste Museum
• Kadriorg Art Museum
• Komu futuristic building
• Tallinn Botanic Garden

Moreover, the Tallinn bay coastlinealso offers many options for adventure lovers and for more relaxing leisure. You can try various water sports, like puddling, flyboarding or surfing, or just relax at a sandy beach, such as Harku, Pirita or Pikakari.

The amazing colors of the buildings and the meadows of Kadriorg Park in Tallinn

Nightlife in Tallinn

With a buzzing nightlife, Tallinn is considered as the party capital of Northern Europe. The city has an impressively high number of bars, whatever your taste or age, that stay open until late in the night. Tallinn bars range from cool cocktail lounges and wine bars to hipster hangouts with late-night gigs that also operate as gastropubs, an affordable dining option that is popular among locals.

Tallinn’s nightlife is sophisticated, with lots of events happening every weekend. There is a great variety of nightclubs hosting the best of local and international DJs. Choose your favorite scene, whether it's electronic, rock or dance music, and find the club or the concert suits you best.

Food in Tallinn

Estonia is an ideal destination for foodies. In Tallinn, you can find from authentic Estonian gastronomic experiences, to international and fusion gourmet, all at pretty affordable prices. Moreover, over the last few years, many recognized restaurants in Tallinn have been modernizing local dishes in interesting ways.

Estonian cuisine is based on fresh and pure local ingredients. There is an increasing interest towards organic food in the country. There’s also a growing number of places where, apart from eating high-quality food, you can also find out how it is made and where it grows.

Here are some must-try dishes and delicacies that you can enjoy in Tallinn:

• Dark rye bread
• Buckwheat
• Eesti kartulisalat (Estonian potato salad)
• Rosolje (salad made with boiled potatoes, beetroot, herring, and pickle)
• Kiluvõileib (sprat sandwich)
• Verivorst (black pork sausage)
• Pirukas (savory or sweet pastry)
• Kringel (pastry with raisins, almonds and chocolate)
• Küpsetatud Õunad (baked apples)
• Marzipan
• Craft beer

Tip: if you are a true foodie, you can try one of the many culinary excursions and culinary culture workshops available in Tallinn.

Bowl with traditional Estonian “Kartulisalat” potato salad

Tips for your holidays in Tallinn

• If you want to visit some of the best beaches in Estonia, you can take a boat trip to Aegna island, opposite Tallinn. There, you will also find a camping site with campfire spots.
• In terms of temperature and natural beauty, the best period to visit Estonia is from May to August, and especially in June and July when the days are long and mostly sunny.
• Estonian summer evenings, known as white nights, because the sun sets late and rises early, making nighttime dusky rather than dark. 
• If you wish to witness the Estonian celebrations of Midsummer for the longest day of the year (summer solstice), you must visit Tallinn from the 21st to the 24th of June. Estonians barely sleep during these days, sit outside in the twilight and light bonfires.

Midsummer night: 03:00 at an Estonian village

Useful information about Tallinn

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, a vibrant modern city with impressive architecture and many things to see and do. Thanks to its growing development and contemporary vibe, it has been gaining more and more tourist attention over the latest years.

In Tallinn, you will find a variety of accommodation options depending on your style and budget. If you are traveling in Tallinn for the first time and on a budget, the best area to stay is in the Old Town. On the other hand, if you are looking for the cool, artsy vibe of Tallinn, it's the Kalamaja neighborhood you should opt for. Finally, for a luxurious stay or a family holiday, better look for accommodation in Kadriorg.

As for hospitals, there are several options across the city, so you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Tallinn

Here are some useful contacts for your trip to Tallinn: 

• 24/7 Tallinn helpline: 14410
• Tallinn Port Authority: +3726318555
• Tallinn City Center Police Station: +3726125400
• Tallinn public transport: +3726118000
• Tallinn hospital: +37253096435
• Tallinn airport: +3726058888
• Tallinnk taxi services: +3726408921
• European emergency number: 112

Transportation in Tallinn

Tallinn is pretty compact, so it’s easy to get around on foot. The public transport network operates from 06:00 to 23:00 or midnight daily and consists of bus, tram, trolley and train services. The tram is the simplest way to move around in downtown areas.

You can also move around the city by taxi. There are 3-4 private taxi companies that you can choose from, such as Tallinnk, Tulika and Takso 24. Be careful of unofficial taxis that might charge you 10 times more than the normal fee! To avoid any scams, you can use the Taxify app and order a licensed taxi online.

Finally, you can bring your own car or rent one in Tallinn to drive around the city and organize trips to other towns in Estonia. There are many companies offering car rental services in Tallinn.

Ports in Tallinn

The tourist port of Tallinn is the Old City Harbor. It is the biggest passenger harbor in Estonia and one of the busiest passenger harbors in the Baltic Sea region. The harbor has two passenger terminals:

• Terminal A, where Eckerö Line and Viking Line vessels arrive/depart.
• Terminal D, where Tallink Silja Line vessels arrive/depart.

Tallinn is also one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Baltic Sea and there is a separate Cruise Area in the Old City Harbor.

The port is located 15-20 minutes from the city center (Old Town) on foot. You can also take bus no. 2, which connects the port’s A and D terminals to the city center and the Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport. Alternatively, you can take a taxi to the port from the city center, which costs €5-10, depending on the terminal you’re heading to.

Tallinn ferry: schedules and tickets

From the port of Tallinn (Old City Harbor), there are regular ferry crossings to Helsinki (Finland), Stockholm (Sweden) and Mariehamn (Åland) all year round.

The companies that operate the connections are Viking Line, Tallink Silja Line and Eckerö Line. Keep in mind that on all vessels it is possible to embark your vehicle and stay in a cabin during the trip.

On Ferryhopper's Map of ferries, you can see all available ferry routes to Tallinn, so that you can easily plan and visualize your ferry trip.

Here are some details on the ferry connections to Tallinn:

• Ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn: the Helsinki - Tallinn ferry route is served 2-3 times a day. The crossing lasts approximately 2.5 hours and tickets start at around €15.
• Ferry from Stockholm to Tallinn: the ferry connection from Stockholm to Tallinn includes around 4 weekly sailings and the ferry takes about 17.5 hours to get to Tallinn. Tickets start at around €106.
• Ferry from Mariehamn to Tallinn: Mariehamn - Tallinn ferries run up to 7 times a week. The crossing takes approximately 10 hours and tickets start at around €98.

The port and the Old Town of Tallinn

Where to book ferry tickets to Tallinn online

On Ferryhopper, you can find all ferry routes to and from Tallinn. Compare prices, timetables and companies, and book cheap ferry tickets to Tallinn online with no hidden fees.