Your beginner’s guide to Tallinn
Here is an overview of some of the most attractive districts of Tallinn and some activities you may want to try out. Prepared specially to inspire you to explore your new city. Have a look and make it yours.
City Centre and beyond
Cobbled streets and tiled roofs of Tallinn Old Town
Urban elegance with old history
Park, palace and art
City beach
In this large area you will find all those places you will want to start exploring in the first place in Tallinn. A tourist magnet, UNESCO World Heritage and a definite must see is Tallinn’s Medieval Old Town. Take your time, there are so many beautiful cobbled streets and old noble buildings that you must probably won’t cover it all in one visit. The good thing is that now when you live in Tallinn you can come back here times and times again, each time discovering something new.
Among but a few places of interest to pay attention to are the city wall and its towers, spectacular medieval churches like St. Olav’s, St. Nicholas’ and the Holy Spirit Church, Toompea Castle (housing the Estonian Parliament, the Riigikogu), and Town Hall Square. In winter you will find the latter totally transformed by a beautiful Christmas market.
Coming down from the Old Town you may first want to turn towards Rotermann quarter and take a look at its old industrial buildings and modern architecture. There are some shopping opportunities here as well as some great restaurants and cafes, among which is Røst, one of the most famous coffee places and arguably best coffee qualities in Tallinn.
Now you are all set to hop on the tram #3 or #1 which will bring you to the main park of Tallinn Kadriorg, stretched out for 70 hectares.
Here you can visit Kadriorg palace and some museums, and of course take a long walk through its endless paths. When in the neighborhood check KUMU Art Museum, one of the largest museums in Northern Europe. Besides all that, Kadriorg forms a district of its own you may want to explore. It features traditional Estonian wooden houses and some newer luxurious additions, wide streets and of course a number of coffee places and restaurants.
Tips from Student Ambassadors:
From Marta Solà: “One of my favourite places is the Japanese Garden in Kadriorg park (I don’t know if it has a specific name though). But basically, when there is good weather I like to walk around, it’s really beautiful and in my opinion is really unique compared with any other park.”
From Andrii Boryshkevych: “I would suggest Kadriorg park for the new arrivals. As it is quite far and I don’t have much time I wouldn’t say I am being there too often, but every time I have an occasion to be there the experience is great. It is a beautiful green park with the lake in the middle. There are also some cafes and nice buildings and museums. It is just a nice place to visit to relax and get your mind off things or in opposite, focus on something that bothers your mind and figure it out and calm and nice atmosphere of Estonian nature. There is also KUMU museum, for those who enjoy ancient art such as painting and sculpture.”
Tallinn is a city at the sea but it is fair to say that not all areas are equally suitable for recreation purposes. Therefore if you are looking for a sandy seashore with beautiful views over the city and picturesque sunsets then Pirita beach is maybe something for you.
If you are into biking, skating, jogging, and you are looking for a nice path you will definitely enjoy Pirita promenade stretching along the waterfront. And if you are in the mood to get right into the water (which be warned can stay chilly even on the hottest summer days) you could head straight to the Pirita River delta and rent a rowboat, canoe, SUP or a water bicycle.
Kalamaja and Noblessner
Telliskivi Loomelinnak
Fishermen village
Port Noblessner
Former Medieval fishermen village went through an industrial period in the beginning of the 20th century and has now turned into a trendy artsy area, located in only a short walk from the Old Town.
A visit card of Kalamaja is definitely Telliskivi Creative City, located in a reclaimed factory area. It is Estonia’s biggest creative economic enterprise centre, bringing together a diverse range of activities and businesses. For example, there is a 160-seat eatery, an alternative shopping centre, a gallery, a printing shop, a furniture shop, a theatre and an antique books store. Saturdays bring a flea market. A center of contemporary photography Fotografiska is also located right here.
Kalamaja is known for its well-preserved wooden houses and is located only a short walk from the Old Town. Whichever streets you pick you are guaranteed a pleasant stroll among new and old wooden houses.
Eventually you can head towards the seaside where a new quarter Noblessner will enchant you with its fresh architecture, industrial accents and numerous restaurants. You may want to continue your walk along the sea towards Lennusadam museum and the remains of the Patarei prison.
A tip from Student Ambassador:
From Roman Cole: “I recommend Lennusaadam museum (pretty expensive museum but you can spend hours in there, there is a submarine you can enter and lots of other activities)”
Nõmme, for nature lovers
Green areas and snowpark
Some of the most beautiful residences in the city
Coffee in a „Groundhog day“ style
Located just a short walk away from TalTech Nõmme is a beautiful green district ideal for hiking, jogging and biking. And in winter its snowy slopes and Lumepark (Snow Park) is the right place for skiers and snowboarders. You will easily find the exact spot once you see the ski jumping tower overlooking the city.
You also won’t be disappointed in Nõmme’s architecture. Expect to find some of the most beautiful residences from traditional wooden to art nouveau styles standing among the tall pine trees. And of course walk around Glehn castle and Glehn park with its bizarre lines and sculptures that date back to 19th century and are linked to the name of Baltic-German manor owner Nikolai von Glehn.
There are quite some nice spots to have a lunch or coffee around Nõmme Market. But if you are in a mood for something typical Estonian try Sõõrikukohvik. Modest vintage interior, very fair prices, traditional Estonian Sõõrikud (a kind of donut) and nostalgic views from the windows make for its own special charm. On a snowy winter day, it reminds of the coffee place from the “Groundhog day” film. Check it out!
How to get there?
Bus 10, 33, 36, 45
Train: R14
Ülemiste, smart and modern
Events and spaces of Ülemiste City
Shopping
Coffee at the airport
Ülemiste City is the largest Smart City in the Baltics and biggest privately owned business campus in Northern Europe. Here old historically valuable architecture gives place to a modern, future-minded urban space.
In Ülemiste City there are several great meeting places and health-supporting green spots. Also there are two of the largest murals in Estonia and the Baltic States — “Ülemiste girl” by Von Bomb and “You are not alone” by Maarit Murka located here. In addition to street art, there are several exciting seminars, various sports events, TV shows, parties, and pop-up art exhibitions taking place in our former production buildings. You can always check what’s on on Ülemiste’s social networks and the web https://www.ulemistecity.ee/en/
If you are in the area it also means you are just a step away from two large shopping malls — Ülemiste keskus and T1 with a wide variety of shops, coffee places and restaurants, and Tallinn Airport. If you are into having your cup of coffee watching the planes landing and taking off then a coffee place Kohver at the airport hall may be something for you. Besides, in order to come back to the city centre you will only need to get on the tram #4 stopping at the very doorstep of the airport.
How to get there?
Tram 2,4
Bus
Haabersti
Promenade at the sea
Countryside in the city
2,5-kilometre Rocca al Mare promenade starts from Stroomi beach and ends at Rocca al Mare School, from where a light traffic road continues to Kakumäe. What will you find there? A beautiful beach outside the city — pine trees, sand, the sea, and beautiful sunsets almost every day.
As you walk you will come across old wooden stand-alone houses of the Open Air Museum. It is a great opportunity to learn how Estonian traditional architecture looks like across the country without even leaving the city.
There is also a large shopping mall -Rocca al Mare in the area with the multiple shopping opportunities and a beautiful view over the city from the roof parking.
A tip from Student Ambassador
From Roman Cole : “One of my favourite places in Tallinn is Tallinn Zoo (there are Canada geese there, so it’s nice to visit and see something familiar from my country and it’s a nice place in general to walk around — entrance is also cheap for students)”
How to get there?
Bus
21, 21B, 22, 37, 42, 43
41, 41B, 21, 21B
4, 21A, 41, 41B
Kopli, off the beaten track
Industrial chick
Surrounded by sea
It is difficult to call Kopli a tourist destination, furthermore until recently it was considered a problematic and partly even dangerous district. Luckily, things have been changing and now Kopli starts getting the recognition it deserves.
Kopli is a place for you if you like to explore raw places off the beaten track with their industrial and natural objects.
Essentially Kopli is a peninsula and as such has a number of exits to the sea — Kopli Lines Beach Promenade, Pikakari and Stroomi beaches. You can choose to explore those or to take a proper hike along the coastline of the Paljassare peninsula — indeed a peninsula within Kopli peninsula. You will be surprised how the landscape is changing in front of your eyes, you may spot some interesting birds as Pljassare is a part of the important birds migration route, you will also see some Scottish highland cows in the area and will end up at the beautiful Pikakari beach. Don’t forget to pack some snacks.
Another place you don’t want to miss in Kopli is Põhjala tehas. Old rubber factory in the past currently is a multifaceted space with coffee places, diners, community garden and happenings of all kinds. When in Põhjala tehas check out Karjase Sai bakery, it is so tasty!
How to get there?
Tram 1, 2
Bus 32, 72, 73
