Looking for things to do in Tallinn? Stroll through the medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from Town Hall Square up to Toompea hill and its viewpoints, step inside Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, walk along the city walls, visit Kadriorg Palace and park with the Kumu museum, then explore the Kalamaja and Telliskivi districts and the Lennusadam maritime museum. To visit Tallinn, allow 2 to 3 days. The best time is May to September; December draws visitors for its Christmas market.
The capital of Estonia, Tallinn is the northernmost of the three Baltic capitals, linked to Helsinki by ferry. This guide brings together the highlights, a 3-day itinerary, the budget, the neighbourhoods, the month-by-month climate and our own comparison of the Baltic capitals, so you can continue to Riga and Vilnius.
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Time zoneUTC+2 (UTC+3 in summer), two hours ahead of London
AirportsTallinn (TLL), close to the centre · detailsFrom outside Europe, most travellers connect via a European hub
EntrySchengen area: US and UK citizens need no visa for short tourist stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period for UK citizens); passport valid at least 3 months beyond your stay · US: travel.state.gov · UK: GOV.UK
Ideal length2 to 3 days, 4 with a trip to Lahemaa or Helsinki
Things to do in Tallinn: the highlights
The lower old town and Town Hall Square
The old town (Vanalinn) has kept its medieval layout and much of its walls. At its heart, Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) is lined with merchants’ houses; the Gothic town hall and the Raeapteek pharmacy, presented as one of the oldest still-operating pharmacies in Europe, are open to visitors. Pikk, the longest street, is lined with guild houses and churches.
Toompea, the upper town
Via the lanes of Pikk jalg (« long leg ») and Lühike jalg (« short leg »), you climb to Toompea, the hill of power: the castle that houses the Estonian Parliament, the Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with its black onion domes, and the Lutheran St Mary’s Cathedral. The Kohtuotsa and Patkuli viewpoints offer Tallinn’s most photographed view, over the red rooftops and the harbour.
Walls, towers and St Catherine’s Passage
Part of the wall walk is open to visitors, as are the Kiek in de Kök tower with its underground passages and the bastions. St Catherine’s Passage (Katariina käik), a vaulted lane lined with craft workshops, and the tower of St Olaf’s Church, long one of the tallest buildings in Europe, complete the visit.
Kadriorg and Kumu
East of the centre, Kadriorg Park surrounds the Baroque palace built for Peter the Great, which houses a collection of foreign art. At the far end of the park, Kumu, the large Estonian art museum, presents the country’s art, including the Soviet period.
Kalamaja, Telliskivi and the harbour
Northwest of the old town, Kalamaja is a district of colourful wooden houses. Telliskivi, a former industrial area, brings together cafés, designer shops and street art; next door is the Balti Jaama Turg market. On the waterfront, Lennusadam, a maritime museum set in former seaplane hangars, displays a submarine, and the former Patarei prison recalls the history of the 20th century.
The open-air museum and Pirita
To the west, the Estonian Open Air Museum (Rocca al Mare) gathers wooden farms, windmills and churches from every region. To the east, the Pirita district has a beach, the ruins of a convent and the TV tower with its observation deck.
Itinerary: Tallinn in 3 days
Day 1: Town Hall Square, Pikk street, St Catherine’s Passage, then Toompea and its viewpoints in the late afternoon
Day 2: the walls and Kiek in de Kök in the morning; Kadriorg and Kumu in the afternoon
Day 3: Kalamaja, Telliskivi and Balti Jaama Turg, then Lennusadam; Pirita beach in summer
Optional day 4: Lahemaa National Park, or Helsinki by ferry
Tallinn, Riga or Vilnius: comparing the Baltic capitals
The three capitals can be combined in one to two weeks, by bus or car. To decide on the order, or which one to favour, here is what the official normals of the three national weather services show.
Capital
January high
July high
Rain per year
Sunshine per year (h)
Main draw
Tallinn
−0.7 °C (31 °F)
22.2 °C (72 °F)
701 mm (27.6 in)
1,923
Complete medieval old town, the sea, ferry to Helsinki
Riga
−0.1 °C (32 °F)
23.8 °C (75 °F)
675 mm (26.6 in)
1,879
Art Nouveau, the largest city, Jūrmala beaches
Vilnius
−1.5 °C (29 °F)
23.8 °C (75 °F)
678 mm (26.7 in)
1,769
Baroque, Užupis, Trakai castle
Destination de Voyage calculation based on 1991-2020 normals from the Estonian Weather Service (Tallinn), LVĢMC (Riga) and the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service (Vilnius): sums of monthly values. Main draws: summary of our guides.
Tallinn is the coolest in summer but, very narrowly ahead of Riga, the sunniest over the year, thanks to very bright months from May to July. To continue your trip: our guide to things to do in Riga (reachable by bus) and our Latvia page; buses also link Riga to Vilnius.
When to go to Tallinn
The best time is May to September, with afternoons of 15.4 to 22.2 °C (60 to 72 °F) and very long days: 18 h 37 of daylight on 15 June. May and June are the sunniest and driest months; July-August are the warmest but also the wettest. Winter is cold (highs below 0 °C (32 °F) in January-February) and very dark: 6 h 06 of daylight on 15 December, with sunset around 3:19 pm. On the other hand, the Christmas market on Town Hall Square draws crowds in December (see our Christmas markets in Europe).
Month
High
Low
Rain
Sunshine (h)
Rainy days per 7 days
Daylight
Verdict
January
−0.7 °C (31 °F)
−5.5 °C (22 °F)
56 mm (2.2 in)
30
2.9
6 h 52
❌ Cold, frost, very short days
February
−1.0 °C (30 °F)
−6.2 °C (21 °F)
40 mm (1.6 in)
59
2.6
9 h 17
❌ The coldest month
March
2.8 °C (37 °F)
−3.7 °C (25 °F)
37 mm (1.5 in)
148
2
11 h 46
⚠️ Still winter
April
9.5 °C (49 °F)
0.7 °C (33 °F)
35 mm (1.4 in)
217
1.8
14 h 31
⚠️ Cool spring
May
15.4 °C (60 °F)
5.2 °C (41 °F)
37 mm (1.5 in)
306
1.6
17 h 01
✅ Bright, among the sunniest
June
19.2 °C (67 °F)
9.8 °C (50 °F)
68 mm (2.7 in)
294
2.2
18 h 37
✅ White nights, Midsummer
July
22.2 °C (72 °F)
13.1 °C (56 °F)
82 mm (3.2 in)
312
2.1
17 h 53
✅ The warmest month
August
21.0 °C (70 °F)
12.3 °C (54 °F)
85 mm (3.3 in)
256
2.3
15 h 34
✅ Warm, but wet
September
16.1 °C (61 °F)
8.4 °C (47 °F)
58 mm (2.3 in)
162
2.4
12 h 53
✅ Mild, fewer people
October
9.5 °C (49 °F)
3.7 °C (39 °F)
78 mm (3.1 in)
88
2.9
10 h 15
⚠️ Cool and wet
November
4.1 °C (39 °F)
−0.2 °C (32 °F)
66 mm (2.6 in)
29
2.9
7 h 39
❌ Grey, early darkness
December
1.2 °C (34 °F)
−3.1 °C (26 °F)
59 mm (2.3 in)
21
3
6 h 06
⚠️ Cold, Christmas market
Temperatures, rainfall and sunshine: 1991-2020 normals from the Estonian Weather Service (Riigi Ilmateenistus), Tallinn station; days with precipitation: NOAA/NCEI, 1991-2020. Rainy days per 7 days and daylight (on the 15th of the month): Destination de Voyage calculation (average number of days with precipitation ÷ days in the month × 7; NOAA solar algorithm).
Least rain over a week: April and May, about 1.6 days with precipitation per 7 days, compared with 3.0 in December.
Most sunshine: July (312 hours) and May (306 hours), ten times more than in November-December.
Packing: even in summer, bring a jacket for the evenings (a low of 13.1 °C (56 °F) in July); see what to pack.
Budget for visiting Tallinn
Your budget depends mostly on accommodation and the season. Tallinn is the most expensive of the Baltic capitals, especially in the old town and in summer. The Tallinn Card bundles public transport and admissions: compare its price with your plans.
Getting around Tallinn
From the airport: public transport or taxi; check the current tram and bus service with Tallinn’s public transport before you travel.
In the city: the old town is best explored on foot; trams and buses go to Kadriorg, Pirita and the open-air museum.
Taxis: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026), unmarked taxis are illegal: use official taxis with « TAKSO » signage, pre-arranged taxis or apps such as Bolt, Forus and Uber.
To Helsinki, Riga and Vilnius: ferries from Tallinn harbour to Helsinki; international buses to Riga and Vilnius.
Where to stay in Tallinn
Area
Best for
Highlights
Old town
First visit, short stay
Everything on foot, medieval setting; pricier and lively at night
Modern centre (around Viru)
A good compromise
Steps from the old town, large hotels
Kalamaja / Telliskivi
Local feel
Wooden houses, cafés, near the station
Kadriorg
Peace and quiet, families
Park, museums, direct tram
In summer and December, book several weeks ahead.
Entry requirements, health and safety
US citizens: Estonia is in the Schengen area. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your stay, and you need sufficient proof of funds and a return ticket (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated September 10, 2026).
UK citizens: no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and be valid at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area; you may be asked for a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds. Under the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), fingerprints and a photo may be taken at your first entry (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026).
Safety: the State Department describes the risk from crime as minimal, although pickpocketing occurs in crowded and tourist areas; GOV.UK mentions pickpockets in bars and nightclubs in Tallinn’s Old Town and advises keeping your card in sight when paying, because of card skimming. GOV.UK also notes that some Ukrainian drones aimed at Russia have crossed into Estonian airspace: follow official guidance.
Local law: everyone must wear small reflectors on clothing when it is dark outside (travel.state.gov).
Health: according to the State Department, tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are widespread throughout the country, even in Tallinn’s parks: use insect repellent and talk to your doctor about vaccination if you plan to hike. UK travellers need a GHIC or EHIC for state healthcare; everyone should have travel insurance covering medical costs.
Payment: cards are accepted almost everywhere, even for small amounts.
Mobile data: check your home carrier’s roaming charges or use an eSIM; see our eSIM guide. Free Wi-Fi is widespread.
Tipping: not compulsory; around 10% in restaurants if you were happy with the service.
Cobblestones: comfortable shoes are essential in the old town, with good grip in winter.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Tallinn?
Two days for the old town, Toompea and Kadriorg; three to add Kalamaja, Telliskivi and the maritime museum.
What is the best time to visit Tallinn?
May to September. May and June are the brightest and driest months; December appeals for the Christmas market.
How do you fly to Tallinn?
Tallinn Airport (TLL) is served mainly by European airlines; from North America, you usually connect via a European hub. Check current routes with the airport and the airlines.
Can you do a day trip from Tallinn to Helsinki?
Yes, ferries cross the Gulf of Finland, so a day trip is possible; check timetables with the ferry companies.
Tallinn or Riga: which should you choose?
Tallinn for its very complete and compact medieval old town; Riga for Art Nouveau and a big-city atmosphere. The two are easy to combine.
Do you need a visa for Tallinn?
Not for a short tourist stay if you are a US or UK citizen: Estonia applies Schengen rules (up to 90 days in any 180-day period for UK citizens, according to GOV.UK). Your passport must be valid at least three months beyond your stay.
Our sources
Estonian Weather Service (Riigi Ilmateenistus) and NOAA/NCEI: 1991-2020 normals for the Tallinn station; days with precipitation from NOAA/NCEI, 1991-2020, via the climate table of the Wikipedia article « Tallinn »
LVĢMC (Latvia) and the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service: 1991-2020 normals for Riga and Vilnius, via the Wikipedia articles « Riga » and « Vilnius »
Destination de Voyage calculation: rainy days per 7 days, daylight and sunset (NOAA solar algorithm), comparison of the Baltic capitals
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