Things to do in Tallinn. Our guide.
Tallinn has something for everyone. We’ll help you make the most of your stay, whether you are here for one night, one week or longer. These are my top hints of things to do in Tallinn, with every activity below is easily reached from Mere boulevard 8 no matter how short your stay. Don’t forget to check where to stay during your visit!
24 hours in Tallinn
Arrival and check in
Mere boulevard 8 is very easy to reach, whether you arrive in Tallinn by air, land or sea. You can grab a taxi from the street or easily book one using either the Uber or Taxify apps. Expect to pay around 7€ for the short trip from the airport. The coach station and train station are both even closer and the harbour is right next door. You’ll receive a warm welcome from our concierge, then you can head upstairs and relax in your new home.
Get a higher perspective
You’ll notice Estonia is a very flat country. Yet we have one very notable hill in the centre of Tallinn. Toompea hill is at the centre of Estonian history and is now home to our parliament, as well as a magnificent Russian Orthodox Church. I recommend you visit Toompea soon after arrival as there are great viewing spots to help you get acquainted with the city (and get your selfies).
Visit St. Olaf’s church
Mere boulevard 8 has amazing views with many flats facing the 16th century St. Olaf’s Church in the Old Town. The view from St. Olaf’s Church is amazing too. You’ll need to climb up 232 winding steps, but it’s worth it to reach the Gothic steeple. This was once the tallest building in the world!
Take a walking tour
You’ll find tourist information at Niguliste 2 and they organise excellent walking tours of Tallinn. The enthusiastic local guides have incredible knowledge of the city, its people and their history.
Taste estonian cuisine
The best restaurants are literally on your doorstep at Mere boulevard 8, including Ö, Kaks Kokka and Sfäär. My own favourite places to eat are on Rataskaevu Street in the Old Town. Rataskaevu 16, Aed and Vegan Restaurant V all offer incredible Estonian food here. Also, don’t miss Ill Draakon in the Town Hall Square for its medieval charm and delicious elk soup.
Stroll down St. Catherine’s passage
Tallinn is undoubtedly beautiful, but my favourite street is easy to miss. St. Catherine’s Passage is a picturesque, cobbled lane hidden away between Vene and Müürihave streets in the Old Town. Don’t forget your camera!
Party in the Old Town
You’ll be staying in the heart of Tallinn so there are plenty of bars and clubs nearby to choose from when the sun goes down. My favourite spot is Sauna street as there’s great venues for every mood and taste. Try a cocktail at Frank, a glass of wine at Paar Veini and then party the night away in Club Studio.
48 hours in Tallinn
The longer you stay in Tallinn, the more you like the city. Two days is better than one if you want to spend your time with more fun and be entertained. Here is what you can do if you stay for longer.
Relax in a sauna
If you were on Sauna street last night, then you’ll probably want to recover in an actual sauna today! Saunas are at the heart of Estonian culture and there is a great selection of them just minutes from Mere boulevard 8 at Tallink Spa.
Explore the Rotermann quarter
You’re staying above the fashionable Rotermann Quarter, which is packed with boutique shops and stylish restaurants. Like Mere boulevard 8, many of the historic buildings here have been transformed with modern, new interiors.
Pick up estonian gifts
Your family, colleagues and friends no doubt expect you to bring gifts back from Estonia. Wander through the Old Town and you will find plenty of gift shops. I’ll let you into a local secret though. All that Baltic amber you see for sale doesn’t actually come from Estonia. If you want a truly Estonian gift then look for wooden handcrafts, linen and woollen clothing, Kalev chocolate or a bottle of Vana Tallinn. Viru Street and Pikk Street are both great for this and just a few minutes walk from Mere boulevard 8.
Hang with the hipsters
Tallinn’s trendiest neighbourhood is a short walk from Mere boulevard 8. Head between the old town and the sea and you will find Kalamaja with its wooden houses and bohemian residents. Don’t miss Telliskivi Creative City where disused factories have been transformed into quirky bars, restaurants and shops.
Enjoy a show
You are spoilt for choice if you want to catch a show while you stay with us. There are regular theatre, opera and ballet performances just a short walk from your flat. The Estonia Theatre is five minutes away and is home to both the Estonian National Opera and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. There are other great cultural venues very close by, including Vene (the Russian) Theater and Theater NO99. If you prefer the cinema, then just head down the road to the Forum Cinema where most movies are shown in English with Russian and Estonian subtitles.
Enjoy sunset on the linnahall
One of Tallinn’s most intriguing buildings is just minutes from Mere Boulevard 8. The Linnahall is a great place to watch the sunset as you can climb the steps up and over the top of its brutal concrete architecture. There is also a ferry service from the Linnahall to Helsinki.
3 or more days in Tallinn
Visitors often book additional nights after arrival when they realise how much there is to do in Tallinn! These are my recommendations if you are staying with us longer, but everything below can also be done if you are here for just one night.
Escape city life
You don’t need to travel far to experience rural Estonian life. The Estonian Open Air Museum is just 15 minutes away and fun for all ages. There are 14 farms here, which reconstruct traditional life from the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries. Ride the horses, shop for handicrafts and taste traditional Estonian food.
Walk on the edge
Tallinn’s TV Tower is an impressive structure and steeped in history. It’s still broadcasting, but now has a visitor centre and restaurant at the top too. You can even put on a harness and take a walk outside if you’re feeling brave. Walk a few minutes from Mere boulevard 8 to Viru Keskus bus terminal and then take bus 34A or 38 to the Teletorn stop.
Stroll the baltic shoreline
Mere boulevard 8 is located just minutes from the sea. The best coastal walk is towards Pirita, which gives you wonderful views back across the bay to Tallinn. Alternatively, walk a few minutes to Viru Keskus bus terminal and take a bus all the way to Pirita then you can enjoy Tallinn’s most pristine beach. There’s also an adventure park in the forest next to the beach, which is great for families.
Step inside the seaplane hangars
Stroll along the coast in the opposite direction towards Kalamaja and you’ll find Europe’s most impressive maritime museum. The Seaplane Harbor Museum is home to a vast collection of ships and exhibitions. Kids will love going onboard a real submarine and dressing up as a captain.
Visit the president’s neighbourhood
Kadriorg is a stunning park in Tallinn set across 70 acres. It’s home to the Presidential Palace, as well as other great buildings that you don’t need an official invite to enter. This includes KUMU, one of the largest and most impressive art museums in Northern Europe. You might need to extend your stay with us if you want to explore all the exhibitions!
Cook your own estonian meal
If you are staying longer then you probably want to choose a flat at Mere boulevard 8 with a kitchen. Your modern kitchen will include all the pots, pans, plates and utensils that you’ll need to cook a delicious home-cooked meal. There’s a few supermarkets nearby, including the Postimaja Rimi near the Forum Cinemas. However, the freshest ingredients are just a few minutes away each Saturday morning at Kalaturg, the fish market in the harbour.
Visit a secret KGB office
The top floor of the nearby Viru Hotel was once used by the KGB to spy on international visitors below. It’s not so secret anymore as it’s now been turned into a museum. Tours take place in a variety of languages throughout the day.