Tallinn

From Halal Explorer

caption=Old Town seen from Pirita tee

Tallinn is Estonia's capital and largest city. On the shore of the Gulf of Finland, it is a city of over 400,000 inhabitants. It is home to a third of the nation's population, and is also the capital of Harju County in North Estonia|Northern Estonia.

Contents

Tallinn Halal Travel Guide

Tallinn has been and continues to be an important port of the Baltic Sea, with the busy passenger section of the port reaching the foothill of the picturesque medieval Old Town, which has been astonishingly well preserved and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. In a striking contrast and the immediate outskirts thereof are filled with a cluster of modern office towers, with intermittent architectural monuments to the Soviet Union|Soviet era. Further out, you will find a bewildering variety of historic and modern neighbourhoods, religious, civic, industrial and maritime legacy. This all provides for the city seeing very sizeable tourist traffic given its size, which in turn means the infrastructure is robust and extensive.

History

Tallinn Vaade linnale 1816 - Tallinn skyline in a painting from 1816

Tallinn is a historic city dating back to medieval times. The first fortress on Toompea was built in 1050 and Tallinn was first recorded on a world map in 1154. In 1219 and the city was conquered by Valdemar II of Denmark, but it was soon sold to the Hanseatic League in 1285. The city, known as Reval at the time, prospered as a trading town in the 14th century, and much of Tallinn's historic centre was built at this time.

Tallinn then became a pawn in the geopolitical games of its big neighbours, passing into Swedish hands in 1561 and then to the Russian Empire under Peter the Great in 1710. By World War I and the ensuing brief Estonian independence (starting 1918) Tallinn's population had reached 150,000.

Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940, conquered by Nazi Germany (1941–44), and then retaken by the Soviets. In WW 2 and the city was quite extensively bombed by the Soviets, although luckily the medieval town remains. The Soviet Union undertook a program of massive Slavic migration, and just over 40% of Tallinn's current inhabitants are Slavic (compared to an average of 28% for the entire country). On 20 August 1991, Estonia declared independence and Tallinn became its capital once again.

Present day

Ayuntamiento, vistas panorámicas desde Toompea, Tallin, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 21 - View from the Old Town towards the modern skyline of Tallinn

Today Tallinn is a bustling, gleaming city of more than 400,000 inhabitants. However, among the tall glassy buildings and corporate headquarters, Tallinn retains an inner charm seldom found elsewhere. Estonia considers itself a Northern European/Nordic country, with very close ethnic, linguistic and cultural ties to Finland, and visiting Tallinn you will find a mix of at least three architectures in this very visual city—old Europe (the city walls with rustic buildings and charming living areas with excellently maintained and colourful wooden houses of bourgeois taste of 1920s), Soviet brutalist (concrete apartment blocks), and modern Europe (including McDonald's (Please do not support McDonald's as McDonald's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant) next to the city walls!)

Tourism is important for Tallinn and this is especially visible in the old town where almost every door leads into a souvenir shop, restaurant or café. Unsurprisingly the majority of visitors are day trippers from Finland. The neighbours from across the bay usually know their way around without a map and have already seen the sights of Tallinn a couple of times. They come to enjoy fair prices on practically all goods and services from restaurant meals to fuel and even plastic surgeries, not to forget as much alcohol as the customs regulations allow you to bring into Finland!

Districts

Tallinna linnaosad - The neighborhoods of Tallinn - tourists will probably spend most of their time in Kesklinn (the downtown), which includes the Old Town

Tallinn is made up of 8 administrative neighborhoods (linnaosa), which are further divided into numerous quarters (asum). Most of the points of interest to Muslims are located in the seaside neighborhoods. The neighborhoods of Tallinn are:

  • Kesklinn - literally meaning "downtown" and being just what the label says, this neighborhood includes the main part of the Port of Tallinn and the Old Town (Vanalinn), Tallinn's central business neighborhood with its skyscrapers and many other tourist attractions in the quarters surrounding them, including the Kadriorg park and palace and most of the coastline of Lake Ülemiste except for the part immediately adjacent to the airport
  • Haabersti - the westernmost neighborhood with the extensive coastline holds the Estonian Open Air Museum and the Tallinn Zoo and the Saku Suurhall Arena, as well as the city's largest shopping centre
  • Põhja-Tallinn - literally meaning "north Tallinn", extends north of the railway line and includes the industrial part of the Port of Tallinn, as well as many monuments to its military legacy and the Maritime Academy and the quarter of Kalamaja known for its wooden houses
  • Pirita - the least populous neighborhood of Tallinn stretches along the eastern part of its coast and includes both a popular beach and a forest. This is one of Estonia's most desirable places to live, in single-family houses, for the affluent, and home to some tourist attractions as well, including Tallinn's TV Tower or the Botanic Gardens
  • Lasnamäe - the most populous neighborhood of Tallinn holds over a quarter of its inhabitants in the large Communist-era blocks of flats, but apart from the airport it has little of interest to the tourists
  • Nõmme - formerly an independent town founded as a leisure/summer residence, Nõmme remains green and sparsely inhabited, with rich architectural legacy and many private villas. It ranks as one of the nation's most affluent areas.
  • Kristiine and Mustamäe are residential neighborhoods southwest of the centre.

How is the Climate in Tallinn

At these latitudes winters are dark and cold and temperatures under -20°C are not unheard of from December to February. Thankfully and the sea moderates the winter temperatures a bit compared to continental cities with similar temperatures like Moscow.

Spring is the driest season and while there are often sub-zero temperatures at night until well into May and the snow usually disappears towards the end of March and the days are getting gradually warmer. Summer months are pleasant with day temperatures between +20°C and +30°C in July and August, however if it's raining, temperatures are lower. The summer is the best time of the year to visit Tallinn. Although Tallinn doesn't experience the Midnight Sun, in the middle of the summer it doesn't get really dark at night.

Usually you will need your jacket again towards the latter half of September. The autumn is the "rain season" and with both temperatures and the leaves falling, Tallinn doesn't look very attractive this time of the year. However the greyness is covered up by the snow that usually arrives in early December. Visiting Tallinn in December when the Old Town is beautifully covered in snow and Christmas decorations is not a bad idea.

Tourist office

  • Tallinn Tourism Board Centre in Old Town - Niguliste 2 / Kullassepa 4. 59.43649, 24.74437 ☎ +372 645 7777 }}


Travel to Tallinn

By ferry

Morning in Tallinn Harbor - Tallinn's port at night

From Helsinki

The most common ferry route is from Helsinki, Finland to Tallinn Port, which has upwards of 20 departures daily. Depending on the ferry, journey time is 1½-3½ hours. Prices average €16-30 one way, depending on operator, season (summer costs more), day of week (Fridays and Saturdays cost more) and time of day (to Tallinn in the morning and back in the evening is popular and hence more expensive). Particularly popular are day cruises, which can go for as little as €10 return. All ferries also carry cars, from €25 one way. Bicycles can be taken for around €5 one way. Bikes on vehicle ferries must go through vehicle check-in, which closes earlier than passenger check-in, so plan for extra time.

Atlantica vs Classica - Cruise ships moored in Tallinn harbour

The following companies operate ferries between Tallinn and Helsinki:

  • Eckerö Line - ☎ +372 664 6000 - Operates only one ship and the 2000-passenger Finlandia (3 times daily, travel duration 2½ hr). Often has the cheapest fares. If you take the morning sailing to Tallinn and the evening sailing back you will have about eight hours in Tallinn.
  • Tallink Silja - ☎ +372 640 9808 - Up to 6 departures daily on large Shuttles Star and Superstar (2 hr). They also operate the MS Baltic Queen (3½ hr), a 2,800-passenger cruise ship for easy overnight stays in Tallinn. Discounts are available to Eurail pass holders. As this company has more departures you will have more flexibility planning your day trip.
  • Viking Line - Large Viking XPRS ferry (2½ hr). Departs Helsinki midday and late in the evening. The day departure from Helsinki is very late (11:30) so you will have less than four hours to spend in Tallinn (you need to be back on board half an hour before departure) before the ship sails back. On Sundays the ship leaves even earlier. If taking this boat you would better stay overnight in Tallinn if you want to do any serious sightseeing.

Eckerö and Viking usually have the cheaper fares, as they are more geared towards day-trippers and the party crowd who come to have a great time on board and tend to spend more in the restaurants and retail outlets on board. On the other hand Tallink is more geared towards frequent travellers such as Estonians working in Finland.

Harbour in Tallinn (7950105978) - Boats and yachts in the Tallinn Port marina

Other regular ferry routes

  • Tallink also offers a year-round daily overnight service from Stockholm taking 16h.
  • St. Peter Line provides infrequent overnight services to Saint Petersburg.

See also Baltic Sea ferries and Cruising the Baltic Sea for details on travelling in by ferry.

Passenger ferry terminals in Tallinn Port

All ferries dock at Reisisadam port, to the north of the center. Tallink uses GPS 59.4434, 24.7673 Terminal D at the south-eastern side of the bay and Eckerö and Viking the GPS 59.4447, 24.7619 Terminal A/B at the northwestern side. At Terminal A/B you can grab a useful free city map just before exiting the terminal. From there, city bus #2 and commercial bus #90K operate to the downtown (A. Laikmaa stop), inter-city bus station (Autobussijaam stop) and the airport (Lennujaam stop). Or, you can take a leisurely 15-min walk toward the Old Town that is easily visible from the terminals. View a map of route 2].

The journey from the port to the downtown is not all that impressive but don't be shocked - this isn't the real Tallinn! As of late 2015, construction of a new, glitzy shopping area is underway, something that will cover much of the sand and mud fields (on the downside these buildings will reportedly partially cover the view to the old town).

If you are travelling with your vehicle on the ferry and the traffic in the harbour can be a bit chaotic as everyone tries to get out from the area as quickly as feasible and lanes are not clearly marked, especially around Terminal D.

By your own boat

You can sail with a yacht to Old Town Marina and the special harbour for recreational vessels.

Aeropuerto Internacional de Tallinn, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 04 - Tallinn Airport is a relatively small one, serving around 2 million passengers annually

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Tallinn

  • Tallinn Airport IATA Code: TLL commonly called Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport or Ülemiste Airport | 59.416389, 24.799167 kilometers 2 south-east of the downtown on the eastern shore of Lake Ülemiste - Tallinn Airport Tallinn airport - Tallinn has an international airport and the Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport, within the city limits in the neighborhood of Ülemiste. A small yet pleasantly quiet airport, it has a good choice of cafes and free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal building. Car rental desks are located on the bottom floor next to the entrance.

    In large parts due to Estonia's small population Lennart Meri has few connections for an airport serving a national capital in Europe and is not among Europe's best-connected; thus planning your travel to Tallinn may be tricky depending on your origin or next destination. The airport has no intercontinental flights and the longest flights being towards Türkiye and the Mediterannean.

    Most flights out of the airport are operated by the Latvian flag carrier Air Baltic, who has a base there, and, somewhat surprisingly, Polish LOT Airlines operating as Nordica, who took over the routes of the late Estonian Air. Further connections are offered by several other major flag carriers, mostly from Star Alliance, Finnair, and low-fare airlines. It is thus much more interesting - and affordableer - to travel to Estonia via one of the major European hubs.

Travel between the airport and the city

You can also hop on one of the hourly Sebe buses to Tartu. They stop in front of the terminal. Tickets can be purchased from the driver or from the ticket machine installed on the ground floor of the terminal building. Buses to other Estonian destinations depart from the city bus station (see below) and do not stop at the airport.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Tallinn

Balti jaam - Balti Jaam at night

  • Tallinn train station - Balti jaam - 59.440275, 24.736919 immediately west of the Old Town - Balti jaam Baltia station - It is the hub of local Estonian trains operated by Elron in the directions of Tartu, Pärnu, Viljandi, Paldiski, and a few other Estonian cities. RZD provides daily international services to Saint Petersburg (7 hr) and Moscow (~15 hr) in Russia.

Travel on a Bus in Tallinn

Tallinn Bus Station - The big neon sign makes the Bussijaam easy to find at night

The GPS 59.4272, 24.7738 intercity bus station(Bussijaam) is on Tartu mnt. halfway between the downtown and the airport. You can easily walk here from the Old Town in 20 min, or use public transport (buses #2, 17, 23; trams #2, 4).

Frequent buses operate between Tallinn and other cities in Estonia. Domestic bus schedules and prices can be found at Tpilet.ee and Peatus.ee (a good trip planner as well).

International buses run frequently between Tallinn and Riga, Latvia (4½ hr) with continuing service to Vilnius, Lithuania and the rest of Europe. Another popular route is between Tallinn and St. Petersburg, Russia (€25-30, 8 hr). Free Wi-Fi is usually available on board.

The following bus companies operate international bus service to/from Tallinn:

  • Ecolines
  • Hansabuss
  • Lux Express

How to get around in Tallinn

GPS 59.43790|24.74512

The Old Town is best navigated on foot, not that you have much choice. A network of buses, trams and trolleybuses covers the rest of the city. There is an abundance of relatively affordable taxis. Before you jump in a random taxi vehicle make sure you check the price on the window of the car. In Tallinn there are more than 20 different taxi companies and some can be a rip-off.

Tallinn tram - A tram passes by the Old Town

By public transport

TLT operates frequent bus, trolley and tram services daily 06:00-23:59. 

[https://=en Timetables and [https://=3 maps are available in English.

Public transport is comparable affordable in and around Tallinn, compared to overland prices of the same distance, due to the zone structure of Tallinn. Thus, many sights even an hour away from Tallinn (e.g. North Estonia#See|Jägala Falls) are highly affordable, as long as they are within the zones.

Public transport is free for residents of Tallinn. Unless you are registered as a resident, remember to buy your ticket from the driver (€2, no change given; the ticket is valid for exactly one trip, no transfer) or get the rechargeable "green card" (Ühiskaart), which is a brand new, cash-free, and smart way of payment. Use your card to touch a bright orange box every time you enter the bus: a single 1-hour ticket (€1.10, transfer allowed) will be charged automatically and on each day individual tickets will total until the price of the day ticket (€3) is reached. Alternatively and the card can be charged for unlimited travel for 3 days, 5 days, or one month. Get this card from one of the abundant R-kiosks for €2, a refundable deposit which, in training, is difficult to get refunded. Refund is e.g. available at the R-Kiosk of the Old City Harbour Terminal A. You can charge the card immediately or do it later on-line (major credit cards accepted).

If you have internet access, you can purchase a single ride for €1 online by debit/credit cards (multiple rides/passengers can be purchased at the same time). After payment, you will receive a QR code which can be scanned at the bright orange box only on the front door of the bus/tram as proof of payment.

The Tallinn Card includes unlimited use of public transport.

Bus, trams, and trolleybuses form an extensive network with the major bus hub at Viru Hotel (underground bus station). Some trolleybuses terminate at the nearby stop Kaubamaja, which is adjacent to the main department store (Kaubamaja). Vehicles may have different colours depending on their age and model: some old trolleybuses from the time of the USSR can be still seen in the streets of Tallinn. The level of comfort varies greatly. If you want to avoid steps, look out for special yellow markings in timetables: these denote newer vehicles that are friendly to baby prams and people with reduced mobility.

Best way to travel in Tallinn by a Taxi

Taxis in Talliin old town - Taxis in Tallinn come in all sorts and sizes, and have no particular colour or unifying features apart from the taxi sign on the roof and the stickers on the doors

Tallinn has many different taxi companies and independent taxis. There is no standardised base price or price per km. Some tourist scam taxis have absurdly high prices, and as long as those prices are displayed on the sticker in the window and on the dashboard and they are completely legal. Needless to say the local residents never take those taxis and their sole modus operandi is to prey on ignorant tourists. Do as the local residents do and order a taxi by phone.

As a modern alternative to classical taxi service providers, you can also book a ride via y.eu Taxify (a young local company which has recently received high valuations in investments) and American provider / Uber – both are available as apps on your smartphone

Do not accept offers from taxi drivers waiting at the harbour or train station. Do not accept offers from taxi drivers who approach you at the airport. Same goes for any taxi that looks shabby or does not carry the logo of one of the reputable companies. Also be wary of taxis that look overly luxurious: large Mercedes, TV-screens inside, usually only a very small and vague logo on the door. If you're obviously drunk and are taking one of those questionable taxis from the harbour, you might be driven to some bar/strip club the taxi driver is collaborating with. Usually you will proceed to have a few drinks there without asking for the price and will then be presented with a Common scams#Clip joint|huge bill. Taxis hanging out in front of late night restaurants often have the highest prices.

Reputable taxi companies are:

  • Tallink, yellow Mercedes B-class, Audi A6, Skoda Superb or Hyundai I30 Wagon (not to confuse with Tallinn Taxi, who also have their cars painted yellow)
  • ' Tulika', usually white Toyota Avensis
  • Sõbra, "economy" taxis with a mixed vehicle fleet, somewhat cheaper than the competition. Unlike many other economy taxis and the cars are clean and the drivers competent.
  • Marabu, mid-price company
  • Krooni.

By car

New and old trolley bus in Tallinn - Traffic in Tallinn

The road rules and driving style in Tallinn can be confusing to tourists. The one and two way roads change frequently and some signposts are not descriptive. Another peculiarity to be found are roads with three lanes where you need to be a local to know if the lane in the middle is meant for traffic going in your direction or in the opposite direction. Traffic jams in Tallinn clear very quickly, however. The speed limit in Tallinn is 50 km/h, except some major streets such as Laagna tee, Pärnu mnt., Paldiski mnt., Peterburi tee etc., which have a speed limit of 70 km/h.

Parking

There is an abundance of parking, but you have to pay for it. In some cases you can park free of charge for 15 minutes, but for an average traveller that is of course not enough. To find a cheaper parking area, Parkopaedia mobile app generally helps, with up-to-date prices mapped for most urban oasising locations; it won't tell the current availability, though. €1.5 per hour, €5 for 24 hours at Europark within walking distance from the downtown is a somewhat typical cost.

The locations of ticket machines, and other methods for paying for parking, aren't always obvious. The ticket machines are the easiest way of paying for your parking. With the ticket machine, just pay the price for the time you wish to park, push the green button, take the ticket and put it inside the windscreen where the parking attendant can see it. Prepare coins in advance, as credit cards and paper money are only accepted by parking machines in large indoor parkings, while breaking money can be difficult to find nearby. Mobile phone payment is popular with local residents, but requires a local mobile contract to use it.

For a rental car, a few helpful tips to avoid being fined are:

  1. Each rental vehicle should come with a plastic mock clock on the dashboard that should be clearly visible from the outside of the car. This clock is used to indicate when you first park at a location. For example if you park at 05:30, your plastic clock should be set to show 05:30. You can then park for free until 05:45.
  2. Find a bright-orange vested parking inspector in order to determine what type of parking ticket you need. To ask for a parking ticket, say "Palun, üks parkimispilet" in Estonian phrasebook|Estonian.
  3. Scratch the correct date and length of time you'll be parking. In kiosks and some grocery stores you can buy parking tickets that look like lottery tickets. The ticket is split into sections and they are written in both Estonian and English. Scratch off the date of usage. Then scratch off the time you wish the ticket to start. Make sure it is clearly visible next to the clock on the dashboard.

Signs prohibiting parking are not always well visible, one example is the area between the Terminal D in the port and the Norde Centrum shopping centre. Look out for signs with the word Eramaa - this is Estonian for "private" and means that parking is either prohibited or available for a fee.

By bike

Rocca al Mare life at night, Estonia - A bicycle trail between Stroomi beach and Rocca al Mare

There are more than 180 km of bicycle roads in Tallinn. The Eurovelo international route goes from west to east, giving you a good chance to ride comfortably through the city. Many bicycle roads are in green parts of the city and are meant more for recreation, although suitable for commuting. You can ride on every road, and use the sidewalk, though you must heed the pedestrians. Many hostels have bike rentals for their guests.

  • City Bike | Uus 33 500 m from Viru Street, McDonald's (Please do not support McDonald's as McDonald's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant) corner ☎ +372 511 1819 - €10-13 for 24 hours Over 140 bicycles and lot of extra gear. Real cyclist centre with experienced staff, opened in 2003. Tours, good recommendations for day-routes in Tallinn and self-guided tours in all over Estonia.

Halal Friendly Walking Tours in Tallinn

The Old Town of Tallinn is very comfortably covered on foot.

Audio guides in several languages are available for small charge at the tourist centres.

What to see in Tallinn

Vistas panorámicas desde la iglesia de San Olaf, Tallinn, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 21-22 PAN - Toompea hill seen from the tower of St. Olof's church

Kesklinn (downtown)

Toompea Hill

According to myth and the hill was built on top of the grave of legendary Estonian king Kalev, but more historically, its solid limestone and the site of the Danish castle that founded the city in 1219. Toompea was the home of the Danish and later Baltic German aristocracy and relations between the toffs and the plebs were often inflamed, which is why it's surrounded by thick walls and there's a gate tower (1380) guarding the entrance. Check out the viewpoints, some of which give great views over the city. There's also a cluster of amber (merevaik) shops around here (no Estonian origin but popular among cruise tourists).

Toompea loss 2014 - Toompea Castle in wintertime

  • Toompea Castle - Parliament of Estonia | Lossi plats 1A 59.43561, 24.73743 ☎ +372 6316357 | Opening Hours: 10:00–16:00 It's the seat of Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu). The castle complex consists of several parts: the western wall and the towers of Tall Hermann, Pilsticker and Landskrone built by the Danes between 13th and 15th centuries; the classic style building of the government of Estonian Governorate built 1767–1773 by the Russians, and the building of the Riigikogu from the 1920s. It's believed that already in the 9th century there was an ancient Estonian wooden fortress on the location.

Catedral de Alejandro Nevsky, Tallin, Estonia, 2012-08-11, DD 46 - Alexander Nevsky Gothic Church

  • Alexander Nevsky Gothic Church - Lossi plats 10 59.43572, 24.73931 ☎ +372 644 3484 A classic onion-domed Russian Orthodox church, built 1894–1900, during the Russification period when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire. In 1928, when Estonia was independent, it was argued that the church is a symbol of oppression and architecturally non-suitable and therefore should be demolished. But it survived also the Soviet times, and now is used by the Estonian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate.
  • St. Mary's Gothic Church - Tallinna toomkirik | Toom-Kooli 6 59.43697, 24.73911 ☎ +372 644 4140 The oldest church in Tallinn, built as a Catholic church in 1229 but renovated and expanded many times since then, becoming a Lutheran church in 1561.
  • Stenbock House - Stenbocki Maja | Rahukohtu 3 59.43836, 24.74026 - Today and the Stenbock House is the seat of Estonia's government, but it was built as a courthouse in late 18th century, at the behest of the erstwhile Russian authorities. The Russian treasury eventually found itself unable to pay for the building, so the Count Stenbock, who erected the edifice, was left with it as his personal residence. The treasury was only able to buy it more than a century later, when it finally became the courthouse it was intended to be.
  • Estonian Knighthood House - Eestimaa rüütelkonna hoone | Kiriku plats 1 59.43711, 24.74014 - The green Renaissance revival building was erected in mid-19th century as the fourth consecutive home of the Estonian Kinghthood, a congregation of crucially German nobles who pratically controlled Estonia up to its independence in 1920s. Since 1920s, it played host to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, National Library, and the art collections on display at Kumu. As of 2023, it is home of the Estonian Academy of Arts. The building is not open to the public as it is used for instruction and faculty work.

Viru väravad 2 - The Viru Gate

Vanalinn (Old Town)

The medieval Old Town (Vanalinn) of Tallinn was built in the 15-17th centuries, and is excellently preserved. It contains a large part of Tallinn's sights and is the only UNESCO world legacy site entirely in Estonia. As clichéd it may sound — you can't say you've been to Tallinn if you haven't visited the old town. This compact area is best explored on foot.

  • Viru Gate - 59.43656, 24.75028 Entrance to the Old Town via Viru Street - This section of town is known as All-Linn or "Lower Town", as it's where the merchants and artisans of old Tallinn lived. Today, Viru is still Tallinn's trendiest shopping street and the entire All-Linn is the busiest (and most touristy) bit of Tallinn.

Tallinna Raekoda 11-06-2013 - The Town Hall

  • Town Hall Plaza - Raekoja plats - 59.43738, 24.74553 - The square in the heart of the Old Town, just next to medieval Town Hall (Raekoda), ringed with cafes and restaurants. The square was used as a marketplace.
  • Town Hall - Raekoda | Raekoja plats 1 59.43699, 24.74532 ☎ +372 645 7900 Tallinn Town Hall, built at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries, is the oldest town hall in the Nordic countries and Baltic states. Its heavy stone structure dominates the square. Nowadays it's used as a museum where smaller concerts are held. The weather vane on top of the spire is called Vana Toomas ("Old Thomas") and it has become a symbol of the city.
  • St. Olaf's church - Oleviste kirik | Lai 51 59.44136, 24.74786 - Tower €3 - Built in the 12th century - today it is a Baptist church and probably the most visible landmark on the northern end of the Old Town. When Estonia was part of the Soviet Union the tower was used as a radio tower and a surveillance point.

Tallinna Niguliste kirik 22-03-2013 - St. Nicholas Church

  • St. Nicholas church - Niguliste kirik | Niguliste 3 59.43591, 24.74269 Opening Hours: W-S 10:00-17:00 adults €3.50, concessions €2 St.Olaf's lookalike is at the other end of the Old Town. Heavily damaged in World War II and a fire in the 1980s, it is now an art museum and houses Bernt Notke's famous Danse Macabre from 1633.
  • Museum of Occupations - Okupatsioonide muuseum | Toompea. 8 59.43254, 24.73943 ☎ +372 668 0250 | Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-18:00 Adult €6; concession €4; family €13 - Describes the life conditions under Soviet and Nazi regimes.

Tallinn city wall - The city wall

  • City Wall | - GPS 59.43924, 24.74227 € 1.25A section of the City Wall can be climbed from the junction of Suur-Kloostri and Väike-Kloostri, with entry into three towers feasible. Quite frankly and the views from up on Toompea are better, and the spiral staircases are steep and somewhat claustrophobic.
  • Estonian History Museum - Great Guild | Pikk 17 59.43829, 24.74564 ☎ +372 6968 690 | Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-18:00 (1 May - 30 Sep); Thursday - Tuesday 10:00-18:00 (1 Oct - 30 April) €4; Free entry on the last Thursday of every month and on the International Museum Day, 18 May The History Museum's main location is the medieval Great Guild Hall. Here and the permanent exhibition takes you through 11,000 years of Estonian history by means ranging from striking exhibits of artifacts to interactive "time capsules". Topics covered include a surprisingly wide range, from coinage and to the history of the Great Guild building itself. On top of that and there are always some temporary exhibitions which usually serve as a link with present-day Estonia and Tallinn.
  • Estonian Maritime Museum - Fat Margaret | Pikk 70 59.4425, 24.7496 Trams 1/2 and bus 3 to Linnhall ☎ +372 6 200 550 | Opening Hours: May–Sept: daily 09:00 – 18:00; Oct–Apr: Tu–Su 10:00 – 18:00 €5, combined ticket with Seaplane Harbour - €14 The Maritime Museum dates back to 1935 and is housed inside the largest of the Tallinn city wall towers, aptly named "Fat Margaret" (Paks Margareta). Visiting the museum allows one not only to see the potpourri of maritime-themed artifacts, but also the 16th-century cannon tower and experience the view from the cafe on its roof. While the museum is the original location of the Meermuseum, you absolutely cannot miss their second location in the Seaplane Harbour, where the ships and airplanes are stored (see below).
  • Ex-KGB Headquarters | Pikk 61 59.44056, 24.74761 - Now the Interior Ministry and not generally open to the public, this is where the KGB detained and tortured suspected dissidents. A Soviet-era joke says that this was the tallest building in Estonia: even from the basement, you could see Siberia. Interrogations were indeed conducted in the basement and you can see even today how the windows were crudely bricked up with concrete to mute the sound.
  • City Train for kids - Thomas the Train| | Kullassepa 5 54.897, 24.743 ☎ +372 5887 7742 - adult €6, child €4 Departs every 20 minutes; so takes the round trip.

Outside the Old Town

Rotermann Quarter in Tallinn (7954402850) - Rottermann Quarter

  • Freedom Plaza - Vabaduse väljak 59.43371, 24.74407 - The Freedom Plaza is one of the main squares in Tallinn, featuring the simple and elegant St. John's Church from the 1860s and the contemporary Victory Column, erected in 2009 to commemorate the Estonian War of Independence of 1918-1920. The square looks especially spectacular at nighttime, when the column is lit up.
  • Rottermann Quarter - 59.43877, 24.75595 An industrial neighborhood between the city and the Tallinn Port. The buildings are from the 19th and 20th century, with motifs of Art Nouveau and Historicism. New and stylish apartment buildings with shopping centre have now been built there widely regarded as architectural masterpiece in Tallinn.

Linnahall (by Pudelek) - Linnahall

  • Tallinn Linnahall | Mere pst. 20 59.44662, 24.75354stop: Linnahall Bus 3 or #90K (Airport bus) to stop 7 and then a 5-min walk to the Linda line terminal past the Domina Inn Ilmarine hotel A fine example of Soviet Brutalist architecture designed by Raine Karp and Riina Altmäe and built for the 22nd Moscow Summer Olympic Games in 1980 for sailing events held in Tallinn. Scale the exterior of this crumbling monumental eulogy to mass culture and marvel at the fact that beneath its crumbling exterior lies a 5,000-seat amphitheatre (that last held a concert in 2008) and a 3,000-seat ice rink. It is closed to the public as negotiations regarding its redevelopment continue - maybe a last chance to see part of Tallinn's overlooked architectural legacy in its current form. Linda line run their catamaran service to Helsinki from offices adjacent to/underneath the helipad.
  • Estonian Firefighting Museum - Raua 2 59.43511, 24.76388 ☎ +372 53 028 404 | Opening Hours: M–Thursday 09:00 – 17:00, Friday 09:00 – 15:30
  • Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia (EKKM) Eesti Kaasaegse Kunsti Muuseum Põhja pst. 35 GPS 59.4450426,24.7512926 coming from the old town, just walk towards Linnahall; the museum is located just after the small road that is behind Kulturikatel ☎ +372 53305449 April to December: Tu–Su 12–19 (you may want to double-check online) - free admission, donations very welcome

|lastedit=2022-00-00. Already when entering, this place plays with what a museum should look like: you enter into a café. The exhibition rooms are diverse, as they make use of old industrial space. The shows are prepared by artists, hence the place builds a bridge between the upcoming and the established scene.

Kadriorg quarter

Kadrioru loss ja aed - Kadriorg palace and park A beautiful and rich seaside resort neighborhood with mostly wooden buildings from the 18th to 20th centuries, and 20th-century Art Deco and Functionalist structures. It also includes the baroque pearl of Estonia and the Kadriorg Palace and Garden.

  • Kadriorg Palace - Weizenbergi 37 59.43840, 24.79100 €6 (for the palace) An imperial Russian summer residence built by Italian architect Niccolo Michetti for Tsar Peter the Great in 1718. It is in a 90-ha (222-acre) park in the eastern part of the city. The Tsar, a classic and mysterious Russian soul, preferred to stay in a modest house nearby. This event signified the beginning of Tallinn's fame as a summer resort for noble and rich Russians for most of the 18th and 19th centuries. The palace houses some painting collections and other art. A portion of the complex is now occupied by the Office of the President and not available to the public.

Le KUMU, musée dart estonien (Tallinn) (7637588430) - The KUMU

  • National Art Museum KUMU | Weizenbergi 37/Valge 1 59.43620, 24.79614 stop: Kumu - Opened in February 2006, this is the largest government-built building since the liberation and it is an almost 50,000 m² (538,196 ft²). The museum, whose architecture is by itself enough to justify the visit, houses a cyclopic house, partly cut out of limestone rock. Permanent exhibition is obviously focused on Estonian art in a wide interval of time. Quality of many pieces is very good and well worth a visit. Also very interesting is the (not too spontaneous) turn of interests of artists toward socialist themes during the USSR period. Exhibitions of modern art, mixed with net/social applications, are often surprising and amusing. Not to be missed or overlooked.
  • Song Festival Grounds - 59.44438, 24.80794 stops: Oru, Lasnamägi, or Lauluväljak A huge Modernist structure where the All Estonian Song Festival, which is held every five years, features 34,000 singers and dancers in addition to a massive audience.

Pirita

Tallinn TV Tower - The Botanical Gardens seen from the TV Tower

Includes forest parks, Botanic Gardens and Metsakalmistu (the last resting place of well-known Estonians). A few kilometers east of the downtown along the seaside road.

  • Tallinn TV Tower - Kloostrimetsa 58a 59.47127, 24.88738 stop: Motoklubi € 10A 314 m high, free-standing structure with an observation deck on the 21st floor which, with its 170 m, is the highest in Northern Europe. It offers spectacular views across Tallinn and, on a clear day, you can see Finland.
  • Tallinn Botanical Gardens | GPS 59.46880, 24.88073 - Bus no: 34A or 38 stop: Kloostrimetsa - The Tallinn Botanic Garden is in the eastern outskirts of Tallinn, 10 km from the downtown and 3 km from the Pirita Sailing and Recreation Centre. It is a must see destination for nature and plant lovers. The "greenhouse" located near the ticket office houses variety of plants, flowers, trees, cactus family and lot more. Spring temperature is maintained always inside the greenhouse, even during winter season. The outdoor garden is vast and has varied flower collections.
  • Metsakalmistu Cemetery | Pirita 59.47159, 24.87120 stop: Metsakalmistu, Bus no 34A or 38 - Tallinn's most famous cemetery, housing Estonia’s presidents Konstantin Päts and Lennart Meri, as well chess player Paul Keres. If you're not there to see the graves of Estonian celebrities, it's a peaceful experience to just stroll among the trees.
  • Holy Birgitta Monastery | 59.46658, 24.83597 - Pirita beach area, 5km from the downtown A monastery of Scandinavian female saints, as well as a landmark of 16th century catacombs and ruins. It includes a guest house operated by the nuns.

Põhja-Tallinn

[[8179 elamu Niine 10 - One of the wooden houses of Kalamaja

  • Kalamaja Quarter - 59.44563, 24.73456north west from Old Town - The oldest suburb of Tallinn, dating back to the 14th century. It was probably inhabited by fishermen (Kalamaja means "Fish house") and mostly houses workers. The current wooden buildings are from the 19th century.
  • Patarei (Battery) Prison | Kalaranna 2 59.45012, 24.74182 ☎ +372 504 6536 | Opening Hours: unfortunately closed until further notice Built by Tsar Nicholas I in 1820 as a fortress to protect the city from the sea-born attacks, it was turned into a notorious KGB prison in 1920. The prison ceased operations in 2004.

Renoveeritud angaari sisevaade - Inside the Seaplane Harbour hangars

  • Seaplane Harbour - Lennusadam | 6 Vesilennuki 59.4517, 24.7386 No immediately adjacent public transportation stop - you need to walk at least 1 kilometers from either the Linnahall (bus 3, tram 1/2) or Kalamaja (bus 3) stops. ☎ +372 6 200 550 | Opening Hours: May-September: daily 10:00 to 19:00; Oct – Apr: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 to 19:00 €14 (combined ticket with Fat Margaret - €16)
Lennusadam, literally "air port", was constructed in 1916 for the purpose of serving the seaplane fleet with a spectacular, three-domed concrete hangar. Today, it serves as an outpost of the Maritime museum, serving its large collection of complete ships, airplanes and maritime and military equipment too large to fit the Fat Margaret. Inside the hangar and the highlight is the complete submarine Lembit, whose interior can be visited as well, a shipwreck from the 16th century and a collection of smaller boats and seaplanes. The crown of the collection moored outside in the harbour is the steam-powered icebreaker Suur Tõll. Throughout the museum, a number of state-of-the-art technologies and solutions are employed for a more engaging and enjoyable visit, and the museum has a wide range of activities and tours on offer. As the Seaplane Harbour is a bit out of the way, those getting peckish can enjoy a meal at the museum's restaurant Maru inside the hangars.

Haabersti

Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum 2315 - At the Estonian Open Air Museum

  • Estonian Open Air Museum | Vabaõhumuuseumi tee 12 59.43181, 24.63653 stop: Rocca al Mare or trolleybus 6 or 7 to stop: Zoo and then a 15 min walk. Start walking with a map on hand for directions; otherwise, you might find it difficult. - This museum includes 72 buildings of Estonian vernacular architecture and village milieu of the Tsarist time of rule in a dark, dense forest. This museum provides a picture of the life and its hardship in the old times. The Folklore Society Leigarid gives free dancing performances here at 11:00 each Saturday and Sunday. The museum organizes special events during Easter, which provide more insight on Estonian traditions and culture.
  • Tallinn Zoo | Paldiski mnt. 145 59.42153, 24.66070 - Bus stop: Zoo, trolleybus 6 or 7 - This is an enormous area. Among its live exhibits, you'll find the world's best collections of mountain goats and sheep, which means there are a lot of them! Tallinn Zoo defies the realities of a relatively modest town -- it features all the elephants and crocodiles a visitor would expect to see in a larger zoo, as well as a breathtaking maze of lake-size ponds that host birds in summertime.

Also, check out other sights within North Estonia, which could allow for a day trip from Tallinn.

What to Do

Kultuurikatel (creative hub) Põhja pst 27a GPS 59.4442144,24.7513618 ☎ +372 56 2011 15 . Formerly an industrial site, this is now Tallinn's main creative hub, site of many events (see website).

Beaches

EU-EE-Tallinn-Pirita-Merivälja - A beach on the Baltic Sea shore.

A flag system that regulates swimming. A green flag means it is safe swim, a yellow flag means you can swim, but it isn't recommended and a red flag means swimming is not advised, go in at your own risk.

  • Pirita Beach - Pirita rand - 59.47194, 24.83050 Take bus 1A, 8, 34A or 38. to stop "Pirita", or walk by the sea 5km northeast of centre. A large sandy beach which in summer is full of local residents and tourists.
  • Stroomi Beach - Stroomi rand, Pelgurand - 59.44236, 24.68381 Take bus 40 to stop "Supelranna". - The water is clean and warm, and it is the friendliest beach of Tallinn.
  • Lake Harku - Harku järv - 59.41421, 24.63208 take trolley 6, 7 or bus 16, 36 to stop "Väike-Õismäe" - Small lake that draws a lot of people. The lake gets dirtier by the year and swimming is not always recommended. Watch out for the vipers on the shore!
  • Kakumäe beach | - GPS 59.45050, 24.57589 Bus 21 from Balti jaam (where the trains arrive), bus 21A from Väike-Õismäe. Stop Landi (21) or Sooranna tee (21A & 21B). From Landi stop keep walking (1km) until Sooranna tee stop and there you'll find helpful signs. - The water is one of the purest in all of Tallinn beaches.
  • Pikakari Beach - 59.47334, 24.72515 - The water quality is fairly good and it gets deep quite soon when you go in. The huge waves coming from the ships break on shore for the joy of all swimmers. The historical Katariina Pier is nice to walk on.

Sporting & relaxation

Tallinn offers a lot of sporting opportunities - from ATV rentals to ice skating.

Tourists from European countries often opt for spa holidays in the city.

Film festivals

  • Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) - Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival The festival combines a feature film festival with the sub-festivals of animated films, student films and children/youth films.

Music festivals

XXV laulupidu (3) - Estonian Song and Dance Celebration in 2009 Photo: Egon Tintse

  • The Estonian Song Celebration - Laulupidu | 59.44455, 24.80651 Opening Hours: 4-7 July 2019 - First held in 1869, takes place every five years. In 2014, 35,000 choral singers gathered to perform for an audience of 90,000 people. It is UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage|recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
  • Tallinn Music Week | Opening Hours: Spring Showcase festival, aiming to stage the best and most outstanding Estonian talent on two nights in Tallinn's most vibrant live venues, as well as a networking event for the music industry professionals.
  • Tallinn International Festival Jazzkaar | Opening Hours: April In addition to Tallinn jazz concerts also take place in Tartu and Pärnu.
  • Tallinn Old Town Days | 59.43734, 24.74505 Opening Hours: May/June
  • Õllesummer Festival | 59.44500, 24.80462 Opening Hours: July Approx 70,000 people attend the festival each year over the course of 4 days.
  • Birgitta Festival | 59.4664, 24.8363 Opening Hours: August Music and theatre festival, held at the ruins of the historical Pirita (St. Bridget's) convent.

Suurhall - Saku suurhall

  • Saku Suurhall - 59.4261, 24.6474 - Rocca al Mare. Estonia's largest concert and exhibition space and the venue for the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest. The hall and its facilities include an excellent shopping centre that can easily be reached by trolleybus 6.

Sport events

  • Simpel Session | 59.42596, 24.64731 Opening Hours: Summer/Winter International skateboarding and BMX event.
  • Tallinn International Horseshow | Opening Hours: Spring/Autumn Biggest international horseriding competition in Baltic states, includes showjumping and dressage. Takes place in Saku Suurhall.

Plaza de la Libertad, Tallin, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 01 - Freedom Plaza

Study in Tallinn

  • Tallinn University of Technology Summer School | Ehitajate tee 5 59.3948, 24.6707 ☎ +372 620 2002 TUT offers every summer courses in English (TOEFL) and Nordic Culture
  • Tallinn University Summer School - Narva mnt 25 59.4388, 24.7719 ☎ +372 6409218 Tallinn University offers a Summer School to learn Eesti.
  • Estonian Academy of Arts | Estonia pst 7 59.43456, 24.75251 ☎ +372 626 7301 | Opening Hours: 17:00-20:40 from €75 Open Academy for everybody interested in arts. Wide range of courses and interactive creativity
  • Baltic Film and Media School | Narva mnt 25 GPS 59.4394, 24.7719 ☎ +372 619 9909 Runs a training program and several other activities in the film & media sphere and has a cooperation with Apple

How to work legally in Tallinn

English language teachers with TEFL certificates or equivalent are in demand. Especially during periods of Summer School and/or TOEFL test times, teachers have good opportunities.

Jobs for non-Estonian speakers are less common in other fields, although several IT companies (e.g. Skype) have English based job openings. Compared to Finland or other Scandic countries salaries are lower, so it could make sense to utilize job opportunities in nearby areas. Estonia is part of the EU and Eurozone, so work permits are easy for EU member states and associated countries. All other will need to apply for work permits.

Digital nomads may take advantage of the several coworking spaces, with new ones still popping up from time to time. Among the bigger ones are, for example, Spring Hub and 99.co Lift99 (the latter being application-only and strongly connected to the local startup scene). The national library, which is located few houndred meters south of the very downtown, offers plenty of space and good free internet connectivity during opening hours.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Tallinn

Laikmaa tänav - Viru Keskus

Tallinn may be affordable compared to other major European cities, but it is no longer the bargain deal it once was. Though not overtly touristy, it is much more expensive than the rest of the nation. If you come here for an authentic Estonian and affordable experience, this is the wrong place. Prices can compete with Munich or Milan.

Department stores & shopping malls

  • Viru Keskus | Viru väljak 6 59.43695, 24.75664 Opening Hours: 09:00-21:00 In and around the landmark Viru hotel, it is very busy as the bus terminal is below this mall. It is still in walking distance from the port but serves tourists and local residents as well.
  • Foorum Keskus | Narva maantee 5 59.43775, 24.75846


  • Kaubamaja | Gonsiori 2 GPS 59.43486, 24.75670 - Opened in 1960, this is the grand old department store of Tallinn, unsurprisingly a lot has changed since the Soviet times.
  • Melon Kaubanduskeskus | Estonia puiestee 1/3 59.43518, 24.75459 ☎ +372 630 6500

Stockman in downtown Tallinn - Stockmann

  • Stockmann | Liivalaia 53 59.43167, 24.76090 ☎ +372 633 9539 Part of the Finnish department store chain, here since 1996. Close to the port and popular with Finnish tourists.
  • Rocca al Mare kaubanduskeskus | 59.42639, 24.65165 - Take trolley 6 or 7, bus 21 or 22 or the free bus from Passenger Port A few kilometers west of the old town along Paldiski maantee. Consists of a Prisma hypermarket and tens of smaller, mostly fashion boutiques.
  • Ülemiste Keskus | 59.42212, 24.79438 - Near the airport; take bus 2 or 15


  • Rotermanni Kvartal - 59.43851, 24.75440 price= Rotermann's Quarter is a downtown shopping area with clothing and department stores and restaurants between Viru Keskus, Tallinn port and the Old Town. If you are walking from the harbor towards Viru Väljak the quarter is on your left hand side. One place to find bargain clothes is the Rotermann Kaubamaja situated right at Mere Puiestee. The Kaubamaja also has a combined cafe and restaurant on the third floor which seems to be surprisingly empty even as they have reasonable prices.

Boutiques and souvenirs

For boutiques and souvenirs, your best choice is Viru street in the Old Town and its side streets. There are many stalls selling traditional items like woolen pullovers, crystal and amber. Be prepared to bargain in order to get a reasonable price. Please note, however, that bargaining is only accepted at some places. Even though Baltic amber and Russian matryoshka dolls are widely available in souvenir boutiques, neither are in any way related to Estonia or its culture and are sold in Estonian souvenir boutiques mainly because they sell good among tourists.

Telliskivi — indie shops Telliskivi 60a use tram 1 or 2 towards Kopli and get off Teliskivi, pass by Depoo into Teliskivi street GPS 59.4397380,24.7285623. Former industrial, now creative/entrepreneurial neighborhood Telliskivi is home to many small boutiques selling nice goods ranging from arts, to clothes and interior. A book store and a record store are also welcoming you. You will find all shops on the website.

  • Ivo Nikkolo - Suur-Karja 14 59.43531, 24.74631 - Fashion-interested people can visit the main store of Estonia's first Post-Soviet designer brand Ivo Nikkolo.

Tallinn Jouluturg - Christmas market in December 2010

Markets

  • Jaama Turg - Baltijaama turg | Kopli 1 59.44094, 24.73588 A market place next to the train station. Overrated and overpriced, gourmet food at three times the price of regular market places. For tourist and rich local residents.
  • Keskturg | Keldrimäe 9 GPS 59.43024, 24.76653 - Market place 500 m from the bus station. They sell food and clothes.
  • Jõuluturg - Raekoja Plats 59.43744, 24.74499 - The Christmas Market on the Town Hall square is open from late November to early January. They sell knitwear, various wooden objects for use and decoration, Christmas tree decorations, gingerbread and such. It's not all about shopping and the Christmas tree in the middle is worth taking a photo of and there's a stage when they sing carols. Of course you can occasionally run into Santa at the market! Don't forget to try a mug of hot glögg, sold at many stalls.
  • Vana Turg - Mere Pst. 59.43754, 24.75303 - The name translates to "old market" and is located on a small square just outside the old town. Vana Turg is a place to buy clothes and decoration items often Estonian-made and sometimes sold by the makers themselves — knitted pullovers and caps, gloves, belts and slippers are examples of what you can find here.
  • Sadamarket - Kai 5 59.4438, 24.7579 Opening Hours: Daily 08:00-19:00 - Shopping daytrippers who arrive with Viking Line or Eckerö Line and can't be bothered to walk far from the terminal usually end up at this large indoor market. Three floors of clothing, bags, food and souvenirs plus some Halal restaurants on the second floor. And of course also alcoholic beverages at a third of the Finnish prices.

Records

  • Biit Record - Viru 3 59.4369679, 24.7474855 Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 13:00-19:00A music store covering all major media types, with somewhat of a focus on vinyl. They especially have great indie and electronics offerings, can at the same time help find great local music and also other common genres. Located in an upper floor and the store has a special atmosphere to it. Offering second hand and a wide variety of new records.
  • Rockroad Record - Endla 38 59.428571, 24.724214 - Mainly metal and rock/pop/blues also. Owner knows about Estonian and Russian rock music also. Carries many Melodia label records.
  • Raamatukoi Grammofon Records - Voorimehe 9 59.428571, 24.724214 - Good selections. Classical, jazz, Estonian, pop-rock and so on. Furthermore and they sell postcards and stamps.
  • Lasering Records - Viru väljak 4 59.43639, 24.755308 Located within Viru keskus shopping mall (coming from the downtown, go towards the end of the mall and turn into a side corridor to the left) - Mostly new items and some kinds of UK/US indie records & CD.

- World Clinic record shop Telliskivi 60a/3 1st floor located at the northern end of in the Telliskivi creative area (<10 minutes walk from the central train station) GPS 59.43993,24.72970 |lastedit=2022-00-00. a small but very friendly and diverse record store

Halal Restaurants in Tallinn

RaekojaPlats Evening - Restaurants and cafes on Raekoja plats

The Old Town is packed with restaurants claiming to offer authentic Estonian food, particularly on and around Raekoja plats. Prices at restaurants near the Raekoja Plats are generally more expensive, yet offer the same quality of food, as restaurants off this main square. Prices are steep by Estonian standards, but still much cheaper than neighbouring Helsinki, which explains why on weekends they're always packed with day tripping Finns.

Tallinn mcdonalds - Old Europe meets New Globalisation

  • Karja Kelder | Väike-Karja 1 GPS 59.43601, 24.74681☎ +372 644 1008 | Opening Hours: 11:00-00:00 or later Main courses €4.50-8 Pleasant and affordable tourist trap in basement. Located in the middle of Old Town.
  • Kohvik Narva - Narva mnt 10 59.43708, 24.76361 ☎ +372 6601786 | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:30-20:00, Saturday 10:00-20:00, Sunday 10:00-18:00 Cake per kg €8.50-12, pastry pieces €0.70, solyanka €3, pancake €2.50-3.50, Pasta carbonara €6, schnitzel €7, potato fritter €3-5, Pelmeni €5 - Cafe Narva long boasted an old-style interior preserved from the Soviet area; today's chic interior seems questionably authentic. Ladies at the counter are somewhat brusque (still) and mostly Russian-speaking, although this should not prevent you from enjoying traditional food of Soviet workers as well as delicious pastries baked on the premises.
  • Loca - Tatari 1, Tallinn 59.43257, 24.74649 Located near Vabaduse väljak, right next to Söögiplats ☎ +372 555 15 235 | Opening Hours: 11:00-07:00 €3-8 Pizza, falafel, hummus, soup, soft drinks. Fast food joint with wild staff and increasing client service.
  • Maiasmokk - Pikk 16 59.43836, 24.74570 ☎ +372 64 64 079 | Opening Hours: 09:00 to 21:00 mostly - The oldest still operating café in Tallinn, dating back to 1864. Coffee, tea, Chocolates and various sweet and savoury pastries available, at a quite affordable price. Spacious with stylish decor. Right next door is the Maiasmokk confectionery shop, which sells quality Estonian Chocolates to take home with you.
  • Mauruse Pubi - Estonia pst 8 | 59.43310, 24.74782 Near the city library. A great local pub, featuring good quality food with hearty portions.
  • F-hoone Telliskivi 60a/F GPS 59.4396348,24.7292186 ☎ +372 5322 6855 Monday to Saturday 9-24, Sunday 9-22; kitchen closes 1 hours earlier - . Used to be an industrial hall, now made a great bistro/bar which tends to become very busy in the evenings (book if you can, but as it's big you might well be lucky and find the one spare table. Good value for price.

Mid-range

  • Kompressor | Rataskaevu 3 59.43740, 24.74317

Just few minutes walk from Raekoja plats. - Pancakes from €4.50, Beer €3 This place offers an assortment of huge and delicious pancakes. Don't give in to the temptation to order two portions, one pancake is usually enough. This place used to be less touristic, but is now.

  • Aed - Embassy of Pure Food | Rataskaevu 8. 59.43720, 24.74285 ☎ +372 626 9088 - Opening from Monday to Saturday 12:00-00:00, Sunday 12:00-18:00 Lower-than-tourist prices Excellent organic, biodynamic and Demeter food, also full vegan options. Beautiful interior, very charming and romantic, wonderful service.
  • Aserbaijan Restaurant Shesh-Besh | Gonsiori 9 59.43547, 24.76140☎ +372 661 1422 - Mains: €6-8 This dim and blandly decorated Azerbaijani bar-restaurant "Shesh Besh" offers genuine Azerbaijan cuisine. Although a namesake, it has nothing to do with a branch of Azerbaijan restaurants in Russia.
  • Controvento | Vene 12/Katriina Käik 59.43765, 24.74829 A very nice little Italian restaurant stashed away in a small side passage in the Old Town. Offering genuinely excellent food at reasonable prices with good service. Its only 'flaw' is that it's hard to get into and is most often completely full, even on off-season week nights. You may want to call ahead and make a reservation. Pizzas and Pasta dishes are around €10.

Inside view of Kohvik Moon, Tallinn, Estonia - Kohvik Moon

  • Kohvik Moon - Võrgu 3 59.4451, 24.7478 ☎ +372 6 314 575 | Opening Hours: 12:00 - 23:00 mostly Main courses €10–20A rather small restaurant with a nice, minimalistic decor. Serves traditional Estonian food with a Russian influence. Voted best restaurant in Tallinn in 2010. Very popular among tourists, and as such it is usually quite full. Prior reservations are recommended but not mandatory.
  • Madissoni Grill & Baar | Rävala Puiestee 3 GPS 59.43368, 24.75787next to the Radisson Blu Hotel - This open kitchen type restaurant serves good flame-grilled food at decent prices, especially popular for its daily lunch specials, King Club sandwiches and burgers.
  • Oliver - Viru 3 59.43694, 24.74759 ☎ +372 630 7898 | Opening Hours: 10:00-00:00 A traditional restaurant in the heart of the Tallinn Old town. The menu is centered on various kinds of Steaks, but there are also Pastas and Vegetarian dishes available. Main courses €15–23.
  • Restoran Peppersack - 59.43669, 24.74685 A middle ages-themed restaurant one block away from the city hall square - even the names of the dishes are medieval themed. Outdoor seating available in the summer, when they also played medieval (what else?) music on a small outdoor stage, and they seem also to have sword fight and oriental dance performances. Probably the main competitor of Olde Hansa and a bit touristy indeed but fun.
  • Pirosmani - Üliõpilaste tee 1 59.39254, 24.67387 ☎ +372 639 3246 | Opening Hours: 10:00-24:00 Georgian food as it is done in Georgia. It's well out of the way, but that's a good thing. Almost everyone at this restaurant is local (although the menu has English), and Muslims are not in sight, so the food here is good and great value. Try the Khinkali or the Harcho.

Interior of restaurant Sfäär in Tallinn, Estonia - Sfäär

  • Sfäär - Mere puiestee 6E 59.439722, 24.751389 ☎ +372 56 992 200 | Opening Hours: 10:00 - 22:00 mostly Main courses €15ndash;20 Near the downtown. A rather small restaurant with a simple, yet stylish interior, a bit resembling an old Soviet-era cafeteria. Serves Nordic cuisine and new Estonian cuisine with an Italian influence. The menu is rather short, including only five main courses, four Pastas and some starters and desserts. The dishes themselves are attractively presented and tasty. Sfäär also has a clothes shop adjacent to the restaurant.
  • Troika | Raekoja plats 15 59.43733, 24.74596 - Offers generous portions of Russian food. In the warm summer months, people dine on the terrace. In winter and they head down to the warm cellar. To fill up, get a small zakuski (which is anything but small) appetizer plate. It's big enough for three and costs €9 and then dip your pelmeni dumplings (costing €6) in smetana or the other Sauces provided and wash it down with a shot of vodka (€5).

VanaemaJuures Cellar2 - Vanaema Juures, a typical Old Town cellar restaurant

  • Vanaema Juures | Rataskaevu 10/12 59.43716, 24.74262☎ +372 626 9080 Translates as "Grandma's Place", which gives you an idea of the warm welcome you can expect here. Friendly and attentive staff are happy to explain the traditional dishes. Excellent value for money. It's a tiny place, so reservations are crucial in the high season. Try the meatballs or the Beef with sauerkraut and don't miss the kama porridge for dessert.

- Kaja Pizzas Köök 

Õle 33 GPS 59.4395822,24.7172679  ☎  +372 6601611 Tu - Sunday 11:30 till Out of Dough (they will make a given amount of dough every day, so if it's very busy they will close "early) - pizza 5-8 Euro + 1 Euro per additional topping

|lastedit=2022-00-00. pizza baked in a wood oven, with the choice of toping being aligned to traditional south Italian Pizzas. Small place, just one big table everybody shares. Combining traditional elements and a rather mothern/hip atmosphere.

  • Frenchy bistro Telliskivi 60a/5, hall B GPS 59.4383084,24.7293584 ☎ +372 5604 8262 M 17-23, Tuesday - Thursday 12-23, F-Sa 12-24 - . French food bistro in a hip vintage-industrial-modern setting. Has affordable daily offers.
  • Bar Fish and Wine | Harju 1 59.43624, 24.74479 ☎ +372 662 3013 | Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 11:30-23:00, Friday Saturday 11:30-24:00 The name pretty much says it. This is a modern cocktail restaurant serving vodka and caviar, fish dishes and a wide range of fruit cocktails.
  • Bocca | Olevimägi 9 59.43992, 24.74777 ☎ +372 611 7290 | Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 11:30-23:00, Friday Saturday 11.30-24:00, Sunday 13:00-22:00 €30 One of the trendiest restaurants in Tallinn. Features Italian cuisine by Nicola Tanda. It also has a nice bar to enjoy cocktails and Snacks. This is one of the busiest restaurants in Tallinn. Reservations are highly recommended.
  • Chedi - chedi | Olevimägi 11 59.44011, 24.74798next to restaurant Bocca, in old town ☎ +372 646 1676 | Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 11:30-23:00, Friday Saturday 11:30-24:00, Sunday 13:00-22:00 €20 Modern Asian kitchen supervised by Alan Yau from Hakasan, London. Modern and warm interior to give a retro asian impression. Reservations recommended for the weekend and during summer holidays.
  • Kuldse Notsu Kõrts | Dunkri 8 59.43707, 24.74344 ☎ +372 628 6567 | Opening Hours: Daily 12:00-23:00 €20-30 including drinks and desert Good traditional Estonian restaurant close to the main square. Try the house organic juice or vodka and fresh buckthorn and honey apertif with your blood sausage or the famous Beef knuckle with extra spicy mustard. The traditional desserts are also worth a try. Live traditional music September - May Friday Saturday nights.

Calle Vanaturu Kael, Tallin, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 01 - Vanaturu Kael street in the Old Town

  • Musi | Niguliste 6 59.43644, 24.74284 ☎ +372 5663 6211 | Opening Hours: 17:00-24:00 Glass of fruit cocktail: €4; Small dishes: from €5 This is primarily a bar, but it has light meals as well. From the outside it looks like a cosy oasis, and you might think the place is one little rustic room on display but there is more tables behind the café. Welcoming staff and a good selection of by the glass. A good place for a relaxed meal, or with your friends before or after dinner.
  • Olde Hansa | Vana turg 1 59.43668, 24.74599 - The ruling king among Tallinn's purely touristy restaurants with some of them trying to copy its style. The place is simply medieval, not just in terms of food but also in the sense of performance - no electricity, no music except live and authentic, no modern inventions. The house special is bear Meat "marinated in rare spices and cooked over a fire in honour of Waldemar II and the brave King of Denmark" costing €40+. Try one of the extraordinary soft drinks, such as the honey soft drinks. It is not likely that you will meet any local residents here.
  • Restaurant Ö | Mere pst. 6E 59.43895, 24.75443 close to old town, near harbour ☎ +372 661 6150 | Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 12:00-23:00, Friday Saturday 12:00-24:00, Sunday 13:00-22:00 €20 Reopened and two new chefs Martin Meikas and Ranno Paukson with focus on Modern Estonian kitchen. Good view of old town.
  • Tchaikovsky | Vene 9 59.43779, 24.74735 ☎ +372 6000 610 | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 12:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00; Saturday Sunday 13:00-23:00 Mains start from €20As the name suggests, it is a Russian restaurant, but don't expect wooden benches, traditional food, and folk music. On the contrary, you will find a selection of Russian delicacies ranging from pancakes with caviar to pelmeni with Beef and wild mushrooms, along with fusion-style cuisine (rabbit with Jerusalem artichoke being a good example). Expect delicious food and very high prices, but if you are looking for typical Russian fare, try to find another place for dinner.

Cafés

There are plenty of nice cafés, especially in the centre. Among the interesting ones:

  • Wabadus Kohvik Café Wabadus Vabaduse väljak 10 GPS 59.4342519,24.7443036 ☎ +372 6604019 - Hours: Monday - Thursday 9-23; Friday 9-1; Saturday 11-1, Sunday 11-22. located just next to the freedom square, this café has good drinks as well as dishes. The interior is a great blend of classical styles of prior decades with the modern times.

Nightlife

Fire dancer in Tallinn (8053688178) - Fire dancer in Tallinn

Tallinn's crazy nightlife is out of proportion to the city's small size. The days of armed mafiosos are over and these days any drunken fights tend to involve stag parties. Exercise some caution in choosing your venue, as some strip clubs and regular clubs make their money by fleecing tourists who come in for a Coffee. In local places, soft drinks cost €2.50-4.

Bars and pubs

In old town (vanalinn)

  • Beer House | Dunkri 5 59.43684, 24.74369 - Plenty of organic juice types to choose from in this large authentically styled and decorated Bavarian Beer hall, including 5 of their own soft drinks made on site. Try the Medovar Honey soft drinks.
  • The Dubliner - Suur Karja 18 59.434981, 24.746536 Opening Hours: 11:00-midnight (03:00 at the weekend) Popular Irish pub on one of the nightlife axes. Attracts younger people and is relative new, so no pub crawlers puke in front of the door.
  • Drink Baar | Väike Karja 8 59.43544, 24.74814 ☎ +372 644 9433 | Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday 12:00-23:00, Friday Saturday 12:00-03:00 The widest selection of soft drinks of any pub in town including many quality imports from Brewdog and Mikkeller. Good English-style pub-grub, featuring award winning fish and chips. Monthly comedy nights from the "Comedy Estonia" and quiz nights.
  • Hell Hunt | Pikk 39 59.43936, 24.74676 - The name means 'the gentle wolf' in Estonian. A comfortable and homey pub in the Old Town and offers a wide selection of soft drinks (including two of their own brews) and some pretty decent food. Don't miss the spare ribs.
  • Kuku klubi | Vabaduse väljak 8 59.43427, 24.74482 - Founded 1935 by local art community and claiming to have had the best accessible cuisine in whole former USSR since 1958 during the Russian occupation.
  • Lab Bar | Suur-Karja 10 59.43561, 24.74626 - Laboratory themed bar known for its shots in testtubes. You should definitely try the "Brain Scan".
  • Levist Väljas | Olevimägi 12 59.44009, 24.74837 A cozy alternative bar in Old Town with a small dance floor.

Columna de la Victoria de la Guerra de la Independencia, Tallinn, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 14 - Freedom square at night

  • Nimeta Baar (The Bar With No Name) - Suur-Karja 4 59.43604, 24.74621 - Really fun place, popular with tourists.
  • Texas Honky Tonk & Cantina | Pikk 43 59.43966, 24.74690 ☎ +372 631 1755 | Opening Hours: 12:00-23:59 Texas-style cantina is a casual place to knock back a Corona or a Bud, or even to try out the frozen margaritas churning in the electric mixer behind the café. More serious drinkers can try the ‘tequila flights’ - 3 or 5 shots of different tequilas to give you a sampling, not that you’re likely to remember which was which next time around.
  • Von Krahli | Rataskaevu 10 59.43727, 24.74284 An avant-garde theatre/bar.

Out of old town

These are still quite central; they are just not in the old town.

East:

  • Lounge 24 - Rävala Puiestee 3 59.43346, 24.75779 - On the top floor of the Radisson Blu Hotel, it offers spectacular views of Old Town and the Baltic sea from a trendy indoor setting and a breathtaking outdoor terrace. Lounge 24 serves a variety of light fares to full dinner menu, and a wide selection of beverages. Open to the general public.

North: - Kohvik North Mere pst 20 GPS 59.4483391,24.7536313 located at the northestern corner of Linnahall ☎ +372 444 0036 - Hours: evening café: opens at 5 only – see website for details - . located at the pier behind Linnahall, you are really at the sea.

Nightclubs in Tallinn

Double vision in Tallinn|St Olaf's church, Tallinn, July 2008 - 120px EE HJ Tallinn Street Nicholas church tower - 120px
Save for the spire and the towers of St. Olaf's church in the northern corner of the Old Town and Niguliste (St. Nicholas') church almost exactly at the opposite side of the Old Town look very similar.

  • Arena3 | Tartu mnt. 17 59.43392, 24.76214 In the Kompassi neighborhood - Plays middle of the road pop and disco. Popular with the young crowd. Reasonably priced.
  • Bonbon | Mere Pst 6e 59.43917, 24.75437 - Open to all who can get past the strict "face control". Over-the-top décor (chandeliers, leather seats) and prices to match.
  • Hollywood | Vana-Posti 8 59.43517, 24.74526 Opening Hours: W-Sa 23:00-? Big club, popular with young Estonians during the week (Ladies Night on Wednesday) and general party crowd at the weekend. Standard is euro trash and top40 songs. Gets started at 23:00 but before 01:00 the party doesn't rock.
  • Parlament | Ahtri 10 59.43920, 24.75630 - Bubblegum pop and live events.
  • Prive - Harju 6 59.43449, 24.74346 - Tallinn's flashiest nightspot, run by legendary warehouse party organizers Vibe, often has foreign DJs playing. Expensive and has strict face control, so dress up.
  • Riff - Viru väljak 4/6 59.435870, 24.754627 backside of Viru keskus shopping center ☎ +372 5084602, +372 5038720 | Opening Hours: Friday Saturday 23:00-05:00 entry €6 If Russian club music, vodka shots and a vibrant crowd is your desire, this is the base. Pretty empty until 01:00 after then it fills up. They have a nice terrace during summer which is a popular meeting point as the main bus terminal is 100 m away and many stop their for the wait on the first bus in the morning. The club does have many bouncers but as long as you don't carry weapons or start a fight and they are rather passive.
  • Teater - Vabaduse square 5 59.432703, 24.744569 across the street from Vabaduse square ☎ +372 56 88 4444 | Opening Hours: Friday Saturday 23:00-05:00 €8 entrance (€15 for VIP) drinks from €4 Basement club on Vabaduse square. Popular with late twens and smaller groups. Music focus is on 1990s and 2000s. Door policy is relaxed but most people are dressed up. Usually starts going at midnight.
  • Virgins | Tartu mnt. 29 59.4329, 24.7643☎ +372 56992255 | Opening Hours: 22:00 - 06:00 €10 for the entrance Gentlemen's club with erotic shows and luxurious drinks. Popular with business travellers and male tourists.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Tallinn

Tallinn - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Tallinn, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Tallinn. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Tallinn and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Tallinn. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Tallinn. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inTallinn: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Tallinn.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Tallinn: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Tallinn, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Tallinn.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Tallinn, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Tallinn, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Tallinn and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Tallinn, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Tallinn, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Tallinn without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Tallinn is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Tallinn.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Tallinn is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Tallinn, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Tallinn Media: info@ehalal.io


Muslim Friendly Hotels

pricerange|up to €50 a night|€50-€100|over €100 a night}} Viru Hotel from Tammsaare park - Sokos Hotel Viru is a surviving landmark and memorial of the Soviet times, complete with a KGB museum on the top floor

Hostels

  • 16EUR Hostel | @r.ee Roseni 9 59.43932, 24.75513 - Old Town ☎ +372 501 3046 - Dorm bed: from €10; Single: €16-25
  • Alur Hostel | Lai 20 59.43894, 24.74491 - Old Town ☎ +372 646 6210 - Dorm bed: from €9 Check-in: 12:00 / Check-out: 12:00 - Friendly staff, small kitchen and large common room. Wi-Fi available in all of the rooms.
  • Euphoria | Roosikrantsi 4 59.43180, 24.74329 Old Town ☎ +372 5837 3602 - Dorm bed: from €9 The place with a character. Painted walls, daily events, workshops and unplugged concerts make this place different from other hostels. A must stay for artistic spirits. Friendly staff and free Wi-Fi. As of 2022, this hostel closes during the winter season.
  • Fat Margeret's | Põhja puiestee 27 59.44423, 24.74903 north-east border of Old Town ☎ +372 510 0916 - Bed from €10 Hostel with a big living room, kitchen and a lot of clean toilets and showers. Free Wi-Fi.
  • Flying Kiwi Backpackers | Nunne 1 59.43856, 24.74311 - Old Town ☎ +372 5821 3292 - 20 beds
  • GIDIC Backpackers | 31 Tartu Mnt GPS 59.43283, 24.76470

Just outside Old Town ☎ +372 646 6016 - Australian-owned.

  • Zinc Old Town Hostel | Väike-Karja 1 59.43589, 24.74722 - Old Town ☎ +372 5781 0173 - Changed owner a couple of times and also the name but still on the same place. Clean, friendly and flexible staff.
  • Knight House | @ouse.eu Rüütli 18 59.43513, 24.74188 - Old Town ☎ +372 5550 1001 - Dorm bed: from €7; Single: €16-25 Hotel quality accommodation at hostel prices. Hostel occupies a house that is over 600 years old, with the centre of the Old Town just out the door. Fully equipped kitchen, common area, free Wi-Fi, free tea and Coffee.
  • Monk's Bunk - Tatari 1 59.43251, 24.74648 Old Town ☎ +372 636 3924 - Dorm from €11 Even booking a place here online (either through the well known suspects or their own website), does not mean they have accommodation available. They are unreliable with regards to updating the status of their beds. So, better not have this stress and book somewhere else.
  • Old House Hostel - Uus 26 59.44075, 24.74987 ☎ +372 6411 281 - Double rooms from €30A very nice, friendly and stylishly decorated hostel in the northern part of the Old Town, very near to the centre of Tallinn. The staff speak excellent English. The rooms are good enough to pass for hotel rooms, but have no private bathrooms. No restaurant, and no breakfast provided - you cook your own food or dine elsewhere in Tallinn. Free Internet connection available for hostel guests.
  • Tallinn Backpackers | Olevimägi 11 GPS 59.44042, 24.74892 - Old Town ☎ +372 644 0298 - Dorm bed from €9 Includes a sauna.

Hotels

  • Hotel Dzingel | Männiku tee 89, Nõmme GPS 59.37847, 24.71842 - 5 km from Old Town and easy to reach by bus No 5 ☎ +372 610 5201, +372 610 5300 - Double: €45
  • Park Inn by Radisson Central Tallinn - Narva mnt 7C 59.43767, 24.76141 ☎ +372 633 9800 - €48 This is not the best Park Inn in the world, but with some luck you can get a super low room rate compared to its sister hotels under the main Radisson brand.
  • GoHotel Shnelli - Toompuiestee 37 59.43942, 24.73615 near the medieval Old Town, close to Snelli Park and the Baltic Railway Station. ☎ +372 631 0100 - Double: €38. There are discounted rates for guests arriving after midnight - €32
  • Hotel St. Barbara - Roosikrantsi 2A 59.432098, 24.743179 Get off at Vabaduse väljak stop ☎ +372 6400040 €40-60 A former hospital converted into a hotel. Located just south of the Old Town, it is easily accessible by public transit with bus and tram stops nearby.

Mid-range

Blue Sirius SS Admiral Beluga Hotell Euroopa Tallinn 6 May 2013 - Hotel Euroopa seen from the Marina of the Port of Tallinn

  • Barons Boutique Hotel - Suur-Karja 7 59.43589, 24.74654 ☎ +372 699 9700 - €94 The hotel is in an old bank building and features and overdose of pretentiousness for what are crucially quite simple rooms.
  • Hotel Euroopa - formerly Clarion | Paadi 5 59.44145, 24.76059 ☎ +372 6699 777 - €95 The Euroopa has a first-rate location overlooking the marina basin of the Old Town Port of Tallinn, and is generally a very modern hotel. The rooms are spacious and comfortable and perhaps the only downside to it all are wildly clashing textures and patterns throughout the hotel.
  • My City Hotel - Vana Posti 11/13 59.43529, 24.74601 ☎ +372 6220 900 - €80 The hotel in the conspicious white early 20th century building may look like many others in Tallinn with the slightly outdated and pretentious decor, but behind this veneer lies a true dedication to detail, extending as far as featuring a bathtub duck in the courtesy toiletries set.
  • Hotel Palace - Vabaduse Väljak 3 59.43259, 24.74534 ☎ +372 680 6655 - €92 Operated by the local company Tallinn Hotels and the Hotel Palace is stuated in a 1937 buildinging with a stark gray period facade, somewhat contrasting with its name. The interiors have been refurbished in mid-2014 and now feature furniture and fixtures reminiscent of the interwar period. The art-deco theme is continued in the use of motifs from paintings of Konrad Mägi, a famous Estonian painter whose lifetime covered the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
  • Radisson Blu Hotel Olümpia - formerly Reval Hotel Olümpia | Liivalaia 33 59.43024, 24.75769 ☎ +372 631 5333 - €76 390 air-conditioned rooms and restaurants. It also has a conference centre, health club with swimming swimmingpool and saunas. Free WiFi throughout the hotel.
  • Tallink City Hotel - A. Laikmaa 5 59.43641, 24.75780 ☎ +372 630 0800 - €92 Tallink's City Hotel has a very central location, right opposite the Viru shopping centre, but unfortunately it is let down by poor service standards dictated by the group business that is the hotel's mainstay.
  • Tallink Express Hotel - Sadama 9 59.44443, 24.75559 ☎ +372 667 8700 - €68 The Tallink Express is the cheapest of the hotels provided by the ferry operator Tallink, sandwiched between their spectacular headquarters and the Tallink Spa & Conference Center. The rooms, furniture and fixtures are rather basic, and the location a tad remote and not in a pleasant or picturesque part of Tallinn.
  • Tallink Spa & Conference Center - Sadama 11a 59.44446, 24.75640 ☎ +372 630 1000 - €92 Tallink's most upscale property is just what the label says, with a swimming swimmingpool spa with a number of water-based amenities and a conference centre. The rooms are modern and decorated with sometimes bewilderingly clashing patterns, and some overlook the main swimmingpool atrium rather than the outside. There is a considerable distance from the hotel to everything else but the ferry terminal.
  • Hotel Ülemiste - Lennujaama tee 2 59.41977, 24.79391 ☎ +372 603 2600 - €80 With a location close to the shore of Lake Ulemiste within walking distance to the airport, this hotel counts as Tallinn's airport hotel. Apart from the airport and the Ulemiste shopping centre, it is not quite close to anything. Everything about the hotel is reasonably modern, though let down by small niggles.
  • Baltic Hotel Vana Wiru - Viru 11 59.43697, 24.74940 ☎ +372 66 91 500 - €95 The hotel has outdated rooms, some of which do not have much in terms of a view, while others feature sloping roofs, and it is bested by other hotels in many other respects. But this is all made up by its brilliant location on the Viru Street in the heart of the Old Town.
  • The von Stackelberg Hotel Tallinn - Toompuiestee 23 59.43475, 24.73268 ☎ +372 66 00 700 - €79 The hotel is based in a historic building once belonging to the von Stackelberg family, sitting just outside of the Old Town of Tallinn. The rooms are quite spacious for a historic property though, and there is an on-site spa providing wellness treatments.

Tln1 - View of downtown Tallinn at night, including the Swissotel and Radisson towers

  • Merchants House Hotel - Dunkri 4/6 59.43706, 24.74384 Town Hall Plaza ☎ +372 6977 500 - €115 31 rooms and six suites. The hotel is a small complex of 14th and 16th century buildings with rooms all looking in on the central courtyard. The historic buildings contrasts nicely with the luxurious designer interiors of the rooms.
  • Nordic Hotel Forum | Viru Väljak 3 59.43746, 24.75522 ☎ +372 622 2900 +372 622 2901double room €105 A modern hotel at Viru Väljak square in the downtown. Good and generous breakfast buffet.
  • Olevi Residents | Olevimägi 4 59.44067, 24.74895 - Old Town ☎ +372 6 277 650 - Double: €103, breakfast included Really nice and comfortable hotel in the middle of the Old Town. Free internet access. It has a very good hotel restaurant. The building is from the 14th century and has lots of character.
  • Radisson Blu Sky Hotel - Rävala pst. 3 59.43348, 24.75775 ☎ +372 682 3000 - €111 280 rooms, all equipped with television, telephone, Minibar with alcohol removed, air conditioning, trouser press, minisafe, refrigerator, internet connection, bathrobes (in superior rooms and suites), hair dryer and coffee and tea making facilities. The rooms are decorated in Scandinavian, Italian, Maritime and Oriental styles. Free broadband.
  • Savoy Boutique Hotel - Suur-Karja 17/19 59.43512, 24.74690 ☎ +372 680 6688 - €133 The Savoy is the most upmarket property among those operated by the local company Tallinn Hotels. The large building stands out among its Old Town surroundings, while the interior is appointed in a simple and conservative style. Due to the limitations of the historic buildings, some rooms, especially singles, are rather smallish.
  • Schlössle Hotel - @otels.com Pühavaimu 13/15 59.438632, 24.747723 Old Town ☎ +372 699 77 00 - from €122 Old storehouse that is converted in a barock-gothic boutique hotel. By some measures the oldest hotel (first erected in 14th century) and renovated in detail to fulfill today's requirements of a 5-star hotel. Only 23 rooms, spa and part of Leading Hotels of the world.
  • Sokos Hotel Viru - Viru väljak 4 59.43657, 24.75480 ☎ +372 680 9300 - €128 This is a large matchbox of a building and, for a long time, it was the tallest modern building in Tallinn. It's very centrally located at the edge of the Old Town. In the Soviet days, when Tallinn was a hotbed of espionage, Viru was the city's premier hotel and every single room was famously bugged by the KGB. Today it's just a very good Finnish-run business hotel, and even the gray facade has been whitewashed.
  • Solo Sokos Hotel Estoria - Viru valjak 4 59.43675, 24.75560 ☎ +372 6 809 300 - €158 The Estoria is a part of the same building complex as the Viru hotel, but it follows the upmarket "Solo" concept and features colourful and unique design elements throughout its interior. The level of comfort and facilities is higher than at the Viru, but the 93 rooms are placed in a smaller building with less spectacular vistas.
  • St. Petersburg Hotel - Rataskaevu 7 59.43676, 24.74298 ☎ +372 628 6500 - €140 The St. Petersburg is a sister hotel of the Schloessle, operated by M.C Hotels, and as such a member of Summit Hotels and the Preferred Hotels Group. The boutique property is housed in a historic building at a corner of pedestrianized streets in the Old Town. The interior is filled with exquisite appointments and designer or vintage furniture and fixtures. Service and price levels match this standard.
  • Swissôtel Tallinn - Tornimäe 3 59.43293, 24.76103 ☎ +372 624 0000 - €113 Tallest building within the banking neighborhood. 238 stylish guest rooms with either city or harbour view. The hotel houses two restaurants and a deli for guests on the run; Püroval Spa & Wellness delivers private fitness and relaxation facilities, including an indoor pool, a gym, a sauna and a steam room. Views over Tallinn and Old Town are spectacular from 30th floor Horisont Bar.
  • Hotel Telegraaf - Vene 9 59.43795, 24.74748 Old Town ☎ +372 6000 600 +372 6000 601 €160 Located in Tallinn's Old Town and the hotel building was constructed as an exchange station for the Estonian Telegraph company in 1878, and with the historical façade left standing completely renovated to be reopened as a five-star hotel in 2007, featuring 86 elegant rooms and suites, a small (Elemis!) Spa area with an indoor swimming pool, two booths for facials and massages, a Symphony Lounge (function room, private events) as well as the renowned Restaurant Tchaikovsky and during the summer months a charming summer terrace.
  • The Three Sisters Boutique Hotel - Pikk 71 59.44204, 24.74858 ☎ +372 630 6300 - €139A member of Relais & Chateaux and the Three Sisters in the name refer to the three medieval buildings that make up the hotel. As the buildings date back to the 14th century, each of the hotel's 23 rooms is unique in shape and size, as well as appointments - some stay true to the medieval character of the rest of the hotel, while others are surprisingly modern. The steep staircases, sloping roofs and small windows are also part of the package.

Stay Safe

Plaza de la Torre, Tallinn, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 36 - Old Town Walls

Tallinn is easily among the safest European capitals, with violent crime being rare. However, various governments warn against the risk of being pickpocketed, particularly in the Old Town. Watch your valuables closely, especially on public transport and at Viru Street. The stigmatized outskirts of Kopli and Lasnamäe - being predominantly Russian-speaking areas known as hotbeds for the notorious "Gopnik" culture - are probably best to be avoided after dark, although both are a lot safer than the "bad neighbourhoods" in Western-European or North-American cities.

The biggest trap to tourists in Tallinn is getting ripped off by taxi drivers or in "gentlemen's clubs". Many of the latter are known for their Common scams#Clip joint|exorbitant prices and hidden "fees". Credit card skimming and other similar scams are common training in those establishments. Stay away, unless you particularly enjoy losing your month's pay in a few hours.

People who arrive to Tallinn by camper van or just by vehicle should be careful and not leave valuables in their vehicles. Unfortunately it's not rare that cars with foreign plates are looted. Those crimes are committed mainly in the area of Tallinn's passenger port and nearby streets where many camper vans stop. There are safer official parking lots, but they are often harder to find and their location might not be very good, and you have to pay quite a lot of money to park in there.

Winters in Tallinn - and Estonia for that matter - are milder than in Scandinavia and Russia, but slippery roads are common nonetheless.

Local Customs in Tallinn

During the Soviet period the city's name was rendered in English as Tallin, a transliteration from the city's name in Russian: Таллин. That spelling should be avoided today.

Telecommunications in Tallinn

Wi-Fi are available in many public areas as well as restaurants, hotels and bars, many of them can be used free of charge. The site wifi.ee maintains a list of wireless networks.

If you want to send a post card, almost every place selling something also has post cards. However they seldom have stamps. Check the web page of the Estonian Post for post office locations, this is where you can purchase stamps.

Cope

Pikk Hermann, Tallin, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 02 - Pikk Hermann (Tall Hermann) tower and the Estonian Parliament building (Riigikogu)

  • East-Tallinn Central Hospital - Ravi 18 59.4278, 24.7567 ☎ +372 622 7070 1900 Full-fledged clinic with all areas covered (ICU, midwife, surgery etc.) and recommended by most embassies.

Embassies & Consulates in Tallinn

Many details can also be found here: Web:

{{flag|Canada

  • Canada | Toom-Kooli 13, 2nd floor 59.43652, 24.73721 ☎ +372 627 3311 +372 627 3312

{{flag|Finland

  • Finland | Kohtu 4 59.43652, 24.74050 ☎ +372-6103 200 +372 610 3281

{{flag|Georgia

  • Georgia | Viru valjak 2, 10111 Tallinn GPS 59.437279, 24.754243 ☎ +372 698 8590
  • Germany | Toom-Kuninga 11 GPS 59.42892, 24.73751 ☎ +372 627 5300, +372 627 5304 (emergencies)
  • Greece | Pärnu Mnt 12, 1st Floor 101 48 Tallinn GPS 59.43464, 24.74724 ☎ +372 640 3560, +372 5349 6007 (emergencies) +372 640 3561

{{flag|Macedonia

  • F.Y.R.O.Macedonia - Web: &Itemid=645&lang=en Suurtüki 4A-12, 10133 Tallinn 59.44162, 24.74478 ☎ +372 644 0479

{{flag|Netherlands

  • Netherlands - tal-@ Rahukohtu 4-I 59.43804, 24.74077 ☎ +372 680 5500

{{flag|Sweden

  • Sweden | Pikk 28 59.43906, 24.74700☎ +372 640 5600

[[File:Flag of United Kingdom

United States United States - U@ Kentmanni 20 59.43047, 24.75165 ☎ +372 668 8100 +372 668 8265

News & References Tallinn


Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Tallinn

  • Lahemaa National Park – About 50 km east of Tallinn, a place to find some nice forests, coast, swamps, beautiful bogs, and 4 interesting manors. Good for a day trip or even hikes with overnighting at the park.
  • Soomaa National Park – About 60 kilometers south of Tallinn and second largest national park in Estonia, known for its swamps and bogs (Soomaa means "land of bogs" in Estonian), and its "fifth season". Surprisingly, swimming is popular there and is said to rejuvenate the skin.
  • Kaberneeme – A village about 40 km east of Tallinn on the coast. The village has a 2 km long beach area with pine tree forests edging right up to the shore.
  • Viljandi – A beautiful, ancient and hilly city, known for its annual Viljandi Folk Music Festival, beautiful old town and overwhelming and picturesque park around the old castle.
  • Tartu – 2 hours by car, 2 hours 30 min by bus, south east. Museum-rich and hanseatic city on the banks of the Emajõgi River. Also, Estonia's second-largest and oldest city, intellectual hub famous for its universities, and a lively student city.
  • Paldiski – 40 kilometers west, this former Soviet closed city is a great place to see remains of Soviet military and industrial infrastructure.
  • Hop on the ferry and you are in Helsinki, Finland in 2 hours. Remember to bring your passport (for citizens of the European Union a national ID card will suffice).


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