Perfect 2 Days in Tallinn, Estonia + Is Tallinn Worth Visiting?
Wondering how to spend two days in Tallinn, Estonia? Check out this itinerary, filled with my favorite charming spots in Old Town, delicious food recommendations, and everything you need to know about Tallinn.
Tallinn may be one of the most criminally underrated European capitals I’ve visited. While, at first, the Estonian capital might seem like a faraway capital that flies under the radar, Tallinn is quickly becoming a Baltic hotspot for travelers. My 5-day visit to Tallinn had me feeling like I was walking through a fairytale movie set. This marzipan-crazed city boasts a Baltic coastline, medieval architecture, and more supermodels than any other country per capita in the world. In short: Tallinn isn’t your typical European capital, and this 2-day itinerary details how to explore the best of it.
In this two-day itinerary, I’ve laid out exactly how to get around, where to eat, and what to do each day to make the most of a 2-day Tallinn city break. From its UNESCO-listed Old Town and city highlights to its hidden gem eateries and counterculture neighborhoods, I’ve crafted this itinerary to help you fall in love with everything Tallinn has to offer.
is Tallinn worth visiting ↴
With over 800 years of history, Tallinn is a medley of Eastern and Western European influences. Estonia was part of Denmark in the 13th and 14th centuries, is bordered by Russia, and has a language related to Finnish. In short, Tallinn has a truly unique history that has resulted in a patchwork culture that is definitely worth visiting.
Two or three days in Tallinn is enough to see the best bits of this medieval city, and squeeze in a day trip to nearby Finland or Sweden.
best time to visit Tallinn ↴
Estonia has four distinct seasons for visitors throughout the year. The shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are affordable and less crowded. However, the warm weather during peak tourist season (summer) makes it an ideal time to explore the Estonian capital.
Spring (March-May)| Spring in Tallinn is beautiful and un-busy.
Summer (June-August)| Between June and August, the temperatures in Tallinn rise, though this is also when most tourists visit. Estonia has beautiful stretches of Baltic coastline that are prime for a summertime visit.
Autumn (September-October)| Nearly a third of Tallinn is comprised of tree-filled parks, so visiting in autumn is a visual treat. Kadriorg Park and Kalamaja Park are two of the most colorful spots to see the city’s foliage.
Winter (November-February)| During the winter, Tallinn transforms into a winter wonderland under a blanket of white snow.
getting to Tallinn ↴
North of Latvia, west of Russia, and south of Finland, Estonia is relatively well-connected despite being the most northern Baltic state. Travelers can arrive in Tallinn, Estonia’s capital city, via ferry, train, bus, or plane. Most international travelers arrive via plane thanks to the budget airlines that service Tallinn’s airport, Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport. RyanAir and AirBaltic offer deals from London to Tallinn seasonally from £70.
Those with loose wallets might fancy reaching Tallinn via Baltic Cruise. There are a variety of cruise lines that make stops in the Estonian capital, though your time will be limited to the boat’s itinerary. I’m, personally, not one for cruises, but it is an option for those who prefer to travel by sea.
Tallinn is only two hours from Helsinki by ferry, making it an easy day trip. You can visit Sweden by ferry from Tallinn.
getting around Tallinn ↴
Tallinn has a public transport system consists of trains, trams, and buses. Apart from the palace, everything listed in this post is within walking distance of Tallinn’s Old Town.
where to stay in Tallinn ↴
best areas of Tallinn to stay in
Old Town | Tallinn’s Old Town consists of two neighborhoods: Toompea (Upper Town) and All-Linn (Lower Town). Toompea is home to the Estonian Parliament and churches. All-Linn, by contrast, is filled with medieval buildings where merchants once lived and traded. Whether you’re staying in Toompea or All-Linn, being based in Tallinn's charming Old Town puts you in the heart of the city's historic atmosphere. Many of the city’s most iconic landmarks are sprinkled across Old Town’s cobblestone streets. Travelers will find boutique hotels, guesthouses, and apartments tucked away in centuries-old buildings.
Kadriorg | Kadriorg district is a testament to the luxury Russian Czars introduced to Estonia. This upscale neighborhood is known for its beautiful parks, elegant art galleries, and historic architecture. There aren’t many places to stay in Kadriorg, but all are luxury hotels and boutique design accommodations. You’ll also be within walking distance of Kadriorg Palace and the Kumu Art Museum.
Kalamaja | Kalamaja was once a fishing village, but its industrial buildings have become an enclave for creative cafés and street art. Named one of the world’s coolest neighborhoods by TimeOut in 2020, this trendy area of the city has a lively atmosphere, great for solo travelers wanting to socialize. Telliskivi, a collective of artisan shops, specialty cafés, and trendy eateries, is homed in Kalamaja. There are several budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses in Kalamaja, though the accommodation in Kalamaja is typically quite basic. Staying here puts you a 10-minute walk from Tallinn’s Old Town.
Pirita | Pirita is a coastal neighborhood dotted with Baltic beaches, green spaces, and outdoor recreation opportunities. The hotels and guesthouses in this area are farther out of the city center, but nearly all offer sea views.
best hotels in Tallinn
Hektor Stay Tallinn Container Hotel | Complete with co-working and co-cooking spaces, a modern boutique hotel in the creative Telliskivi complex
Park Inn by Radisson Central Tallinn | Affordable, modern, and comfortable rooms in the heart of Tallinn
Bob W | A leader in sustainability as one of the world’s first climate-neutral hospitality providers with sleek apartments
Hotel Schölossle | A boutique hotel housed in a 14th-century building with great views of Tallinn
The Three Sisters Hotel | Set inside three interconnected houses from the 15th century with 23 boutique room
Rija Fonnental Design Hotel | A quiet stay near the affluent Kadriorg district of Tallinn
We also love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.
2-day itinerary for Tallinn ↴
Day 1: breakfast at Nop Cafè, Kadriorg Art Museum, Eesti Kunstimuuseum, Kalev Marzipan Museum room, Town Hall Pharmacy (Raeapteek), “The Times We Had” viewpoint, dinner at Rado
Start your two days in Tallinn with breakfast at Nop Café and Shop in Kadriorg. Pastries, porridge, and perfected barista coffee make Nop a lovely café to kickstart your Tallinn explorations. This is the most affluent neighborhood in Tallinn, and its architecture and high museum density reflect the area’s wealth.
Walk (13 minutes) from Nop Café to Kadriorg Palace, a stunning example of Russian opulence and Baroque architecture. The palace was commissioned by Russian Tsar Peter I in 1718 and named after his wife, Catherine. No expense was spared in the palace’s design! Every doorway, floorboard, and mantlepiece was carefully constructed with attention paid to every ornate detail. The palace’s gardens were modeled after the gardens of Versailles.
Today, the palace houses the Kadriorg Art Museum, which opens at 10 AM. Entry into the art museum costs 10 per adult, but you can purchase a multi-attraction pass from Get Your Guide to save money on multiple museums, galleries, and landmarks across the city.
If you haven’t had your fill of art after Kadriorg Palace, add a stop at Eesti Kunstimuuseum. This is a 7-story museum brimming with two centuries of Estonian art. It’s a relatively new museum in Tallinn, having opened in 2006. It’s also only a 6-minute walk from Kadriorg Palace, so visiting doesn’t take you out of your way.
Take the #3 tram to Tallinn’s charming Old Town. I mean it when I say, visiting Tallinn Old Town felt like walking through a real-life fairytale. Tallinn’s historic center has some of the prettiest doorways, the most stunning architecture, and the cutest alleyways I’ve seen in Europe. The cobblestone streets and medieval buildings make this history-laden part of Tallinn feel a touch romantic.
While you’re in Old Town, don’t miss:
Kalev Marzipan Museum Room | Marzipan is a point of pride in Tallinn, as the town claims to be the birthplace of the sweet. It was first sold in pharmacies in little balls to solve ailments of all varieties, namely heartbreak. The Kalev Marzipan Museum Room in Old Town is free to visit and the front counter offers all guests complimentary tastes of marzipan. If you would like to create a tasty souvenir, you can pay €5 to paint and mold your own marzipan sculpture.
Tallinna Raekoda (Tallinn Town Hall) |
Eesti Tervisemuuseum (Estonian Health Museum) |
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral |
Raeapteek | One of the oldest operating pharmacies in Europe sits in the Old Town of Tallinn. Known as Raeapteek, the pharmacy is still operational. Today, there is a free museum attached. At the counter, ask for the traditional “love potion” to ease your heartbreak or help you attract a lover. The love potion makes a fun memento from your travels in Tallinn.
I was determined to find the Peeping Tom Statue lingering on a rooftop in Old Town. According to urban legend, one man was constantly watching another man’s wife get ready in the morning. The married man, jealous and angry, built a statue of a man peeping and attached it to his roof looking into the other man’s flat window. Make sure you’ve got your eyes gazing upwards or you’ll likely miss the “peeping Tom”.
To finish your first day in Tallinn in style, indulge in a dinner at Rado. Despite it garnering attention from Michelin’s expert food guides, Rado has maintained its warmth and intimate atmosphere while warding off any pretense. There is limited seating here, so a reservation is required.
day 2: breakfast at LouLou, the KGB Museum, Telliskivi Creative City, dinner at F-Hoone
Your second day in Tallinn starts at Loulou, a café that’s not only beautiful but also serves a menu of mouthwatering breakfast options. Shakshuka, pancakes, and eggs benedict are just the tip of the iceberg. I loved the oatmeal porridge with berries and nuts, and the coffee was decent here too.
After breakfast, walk (10 minutes) from Loulou to The KGB Museum at the Viru Hotel. The KGB Museum at the Viru Hotel is a must-visit for travelers in Tallinn. Your admission fee gets you a guided tour through the hotel that was built during the Soviet era to host foreign visitors while spying on them— there were even “microphones” of sorts put into the cement that constructed the walls of the hotel. It’s a good chance to get an inside look at what Communist-controlled Estonia looked like.
Depending on the timing of your day, you can squeeze in a free walking tour of Tallinn. Like every European capital, Tallinn has free walking tours that give travelers historical and cultural context for the city. Though the free walking tour is technically gratis, the tours operate on tips as their primary funding source. Bring some spare cash for the end of the tour.
My favorite part of the city by far was Telliskivi Creative City, a hip and happening area of Tallinn filled with trendy eateries, vegan food, boutique shopping, and art installations. On Saturday mornings, there is a market with secondhand stalls and handicraft vendors. The best street art in the city is found in Telliskivi, and much of it is thought-provoking or politically charged.
To cap off your final day in Tallinn, I recommend dinner at F-Hoone. My dinner at F-Hoone was also one of the most memorable I’ve ever had in Europe. After one of the only rainy days during our entire 3+ month Europe/Northern Africa stint, the streets of Tallinn were completely flooded. I was completely soaked as I headed into the dimly lit F-Hoone, where I was promptly greeted with blankets at every table as if the staff knew even the heater wouldn’t be enough to keep patrons warm. This personal touch, along with the candles on each table, also made it feel like one of the most romantic nights I’d spent in Europe.
day 3 (optional): day trip to Finland or Sweden
With a third day in Tallinn, I recommend taking a ferry boat ride to Finland or Sweden for a day trip.
where to eat in Tallinn ↴
Balti Jaama Turg | Those looking for fresh produce for a picnic need look no further than Balti Jaama Turg, the local market selling everything from artisanal donuts at hipster stalls to punnets of berries from nearby gardens. Berries themselves were a bit pricier than at the local supermarket, but knowing where the vendors source their fruits seemed worth the extra pennies spent.
Fika Café | Fika is a Swedish word that doesn’t translate directly into English. Roughly, it refers to a state of mind or a concept that is integral to Swedish culture. Usually, it involves coffee or tea and respite. Fika Café is a place of calm serving up artisanal coffee and pastries that speaks to the Scandinavian influence of the area. The café also has a full breakfast menu. I liked the hand-cut flowers at the mismatched tables and the Edison lightbulbs dangling from the industrial space’s ceiling.
Rado | Rado is a sophisticated dining experience that serves contemporary takes on traditional European dishes. You will need a reservation, as Rado’s reputation for fine dining has bolstered its popularity. Rado’s interiors are remarkably modern for a restaurant set in the heart of Old Town.
F-Hoone | This dinner spot is an absolute must. Dim lighting and impeccable decor create an intimate atmosphere for diners at F-Hoone.
La Muu | Vegans: save this spot for your visit! La Muu is a new ice cream shop in the hip Telliskivi Creative City that serves up delicious cones of vegan ice cream. Yes, there is the regular stuff too, but it was the vegan ice cream that really impressed me. The mint chocolate chip was so yummy I contemplated going back for seconds but figured two scoops of deliciousness were enough for one day.
Paju Villa | Bright and airy, Paju Villa is housed inside an art nouveau villa from the 1930s. Its garden seating was made for summertime dining. This eatery was mentioned in Michelin’s guide to Tallinn. And, if it’s good enough for food experts, it’s more than good enough for me (foodie in training).
map ↴
Find the best things to do and where to eat in Tallinn, Estonia on the map below.
