Tere kallid sõbrad,

#VisitEstonia continues with the capital Tallinn: See here ten must-see places in Tallinn, an insider-hint and some shopping-advises in the following.

1. Lauluväljak: Singer’s Square

In 2022 Tallinn was declared the City of Music of the UNESCO. Something that Estonian musicians we met at the airport in Berlin (BER) on our way to Tallinn told us about when we talked about Estonia, famous Estonian musicians as well as the numerous musical talents in Estonia. Music and singing had latest become meaningful to the Baltic State in 1990 when Estonians along with their geographical neighbors Latvians and Lithuanians have sung themselves to freedom and independence from the USSR. Having this piece of history in mind the stay at the giant Singer’s Square (Est.: Lauluväljak) gets even more impressive.

2. Vabaduse Väljak: Liberty Square

Another place where many important events, such as the Europe Day (Est.: Euroopa Päev) which I wrote about here, and gatherings take place in Tallinn is the Liberty Square also known as Vabaduse Väljak. It is very much eye-catching because of the row of flags Estonian flags next to the Victory Column on an anthracite field as well as the yellow St. John’s church (Jaani kirik). I must say that this place is an easy place to spot as it lifts up from the design.

3. Raekoja Plats: Town Hall Square + Town Hall

The heart of the old town can be considered the town hall square (Est.: Raekoja Plats) in Tallinn up the Pikk Jalg, the so called “long leg”. This pretty and memorable place is surrounded by many cafés and restaurants which makes it a good spot for a meet-up, especially when it is sunny and you could sit outside. Some natives may regard the town hall of Tallinn as a “little church” compared to other town halls (especially in Germany) but it still stands out between all the beautiful buildings of the old town. It bears an interesting history and has constructions of fire spying dragons on it.

4. Kadriorg

When I asked my husband about his favorite place in Tallinn his answer was clear: Kadriorg. The presidental palace connected with the old museum of art (Est.: Kunstimuseeum, short KUMU) in the middle of a beautiful, idyllic park with a little late and a children-friendly playground as well as cafes. To the left the Rusalka (traditional Russian statue of victory, in Tallinn known as “the shame of Estonia”) and the Laulväljak waiting behind the Japanese garden (Est.: Japaani Aed) which you would reach walking a bow behind the presidental palace. Kadriorg is a place you definitely do not want to miss. It is romantic as well as well doing and as it is a large field far off the streets you can let your kids walk there without worries. If you are not a lover of nature anyway you will become one right afterwards.

5. Old Town of Tallinn (Vanalinn)

The Old Town of Tallinn (also known as Vanalinn or rather Tallinna Vanalinn) is the whole pride of Estonian citizens. The part of the city which was constructed in the 13th century was declared a World Heritage by the UNESCO in 1997. Thus being old as it is the Old Town of Tallinn is still in a flawless state. I love this small, bold yet slim historic streets but they are truly awful if you have a pram with you especially if your way leads you upstairs. Well then, just park your pram somewhere, take your valuable personal things with you and make sure you remember where you left your pram when heading back because a thousand ways lead to Rome. We were lucky to have our elephant-brain with us: a sweet little boy who enjoyed the adventures in Vanalinn as much as his parents. Do not miss the Patkuli Viewing Platform at Vanalinn. Once you arrive there you can enjoy a beautiful view on the old town, pass the location of the Estonian government as well as a beautiful Russian church. The Old Town of Tallinn is connected to the Vabaduse Väljak.

6. Rotermann Quarter

If you want to see it this way, Rotermann is the preliminary stage to the harbor of Tallinn. Already 13 years ago when I visited Tallinn for the first time my friend told me about Rotermann becoming a new modern quarter in Tallinn. Back then it was remarkable by a red building. Meanwhile it has very much extended with various clubs, cafes and a play. The district which was located right behind our hotel between the city-center and the harbor near the Coca Cola Plaza has a very own character with yellowish-grey bricks decorated with chains of lights. I liked this style a lot because it gave the quarter its hip youthfully-adult vibe.

7. Tallinn Harbour

The harbor of Tallinn may probably not belong to the typical sights listed when searching for what to see in Tallinn. I however find it worth visiting – I cannot tell exactly why if it is because my first stay in Tallinn was at the harbor or because I came from a Hanseatic League myself. Anyway, the harbor very much changed from a clear place to a huge complex with among others the Nautika shopping-centre, various departure areas, new hotels and many more. This change and massive construction work reminds me of our Hafen City quarter in Hamburg. I can understand every native who says that the construction works destroy the beautiful image of the town but let us keep in mind that the long-term result will pay off. If you walk towards the old town you will find two historical buildings: The Kultuurikatel, where many musical events take place, as well as the Linnahall – a Russian building used as protection during the World War II. Even if the latter has seen better days within these passed 13 years because no one takes care of it any longer it is still interesting to go up the stairs and enjoy the view. The other direction of the harbor leads to the beach of Pirita.

8. Pirita Beach

Beaches are always popular no matter if you are wearing a warm winter coat or look for one in summer anyway. It is always worth visiting thanks to its romantic and well-doing atmosphere. Luckily when you are in Estonia you do not have to make a daytrip all the way to the beach-town Pärnu to enjoy some beach. You would have the beach in Pirita right on place which is about 15 to 30 minutes away from the city center (depending on how you would get there).

9. Tellsikivi: Creative Quarter

A music city needs a creative quarter. In the case of Tallinn its name is Tellsikivi: Creative Quarter. What is usually a parking area can turn to a huge outdoor concert field like it was two years ago for the comeback-concert of Vanilla Ninja. Apart from that you find many small, authentic cafes and restaurants in the area, where smaller gigs can take place, along with playgrounds and the accommodation of the SONY Music Made in Baltics record label. The creative quarter welcomes you with a lot of street art all along the area. One big recommendation is the Fotografiska cafe which however closes early.

10. T1: Skywheel of Tallinn

Near the airport the T1 center constructed. As it has been opened during the Corona-pandemics natives claim that the center was not very much successful. On the other hand the superstar Birgit Sarrap showed on her Instagram here how attractive this center can be with its entertainments. On the Skywheel of Tallinn you have a great view over the whole city in a warm box. Thanks to this you can enjoy your trip independent from the weather. Afterwards you can go through the ice-cream, candy and souvenirs of the kiosk. More things the T1 offers is a huge indoor playground afterwards you can have a strengthening for instance at Tokumaru where you can enjoy authentic Japanese meals. Our personal highlight was the very low prizes for this huge amount of entertainment including the parking.

Tallinn Shopping-Advises

One shopping and entertainment-center after the other – it was no different in Tartu and in Tallinn you have even more of them:

• the Ülemiste and the T1 center close to the airport
• the Foorum, opposite the center at Narva mnt 1/ 1 Hoobujama tn and on the other side the huge Viru center in the heart of the city
• the Nautika as well as Solaris centers new and modernized not far off at the harbor and the opera (from the Solaris you can view the Alexela concert hall).
• and a little bit further the Rocca Al Mare center as well as the Kristiine center located at the west of the city.

You can easily lose the overview with all these shopping opportunities so I summed up my top three with the help of natives in all directions:

• Ülemiste
• Viru
• Kristiine

There you have a really great variety of shopping-opportunities as well as well-being with restaurants and entertainment for children (if needed). Side fact: The piano that Alika used during her performance for Eurovision 2023 which you can read about here, was placed into the Viru center this year. One more reasons for fans to travel and see it.

But if you want to shop a real Estonian trade mark you will not want to miss the Tallinn Dolls studio between the city center and Kadriorg. Personally I had the shopping-experience of my life there. Online you can check them out here.

Insider Hint: Tallinn with a View

Tallinn definitely is one of the outstandingly unbeaten most beautiful places in the world and definitely totally worth visiting. Regardless from if you have a connection to Estonia anyhow or not. There is a reason why citizens of the former USSR talk about Tallinn in high grades. The city gathers together history, culture as well meeting universal modernity. What my husband noticed in a positive manner is that the Estonian government is not following a policy of cutbacks but invests money on its city which makes it very attractive. Something else Tallinn stands literally on top is that you can enjoy great views on the city from above.

By the way: real soccer fans should go and check out the A le Coq soccer field of Estonia. The fan-shop powered by Sportland Estonia is a complete experience itself and if you are lucky the gate to the stadium will be open so you will have to have a peek.

Make sure to follow me on Instagram for more impressions @JohannaKarajan

Love, Johanna