Tallinn Travel Guide & Tallinn Reviews by tanya001

If you want an insider's guide to everything you need to know about Tallinn, Estonia, including the best things to do and see, travel tips, Tallinn accommodation and much more, this is it...

I have lived in Tallinn for 20 years and then moved to London, but still try to spend my summers back home in Estonia. Here are my top 3 lists for the best places to go and the best things to do and see. Enjoy your Tallinn visit, it is a beautiful place.

3 top attractions:

1. Town Hall Square

This in the social heart of the town. Surrounded by impressive medieval buildings the town square is usually busy with activity. In the summer you can sit at an outside table of one of the many cafes and bars and perhaps watch a concert or people shopping at one of the outdoor markets that are often held here.

2. Toompea Castle

The 13th / 14th century medieval castle is definitely worth visiting. This is where the estonia parliament is currently based. Here, there is also a pink Baroque palace dating to the time of Catherine the great. Plus there are amazing views out over the city.

3. Estonian Open Air Museum

If you want to get a real feel for Estonian history and see what life was like for people over the centuries, then check you come here. The museum consists of a huge area of forested land on the outskirts of Tallinn. You will see a large collection 18th to early 20th century buildings including farm houses, a school, traditional Tallinn accommodation, water mills, a fire house, windmills and a working village tavern.

3 top for Tallinn accommodation:

1. Serviced apartments - if you want affordable luxury accommodation in the best location in Tallinn (the old town) it is best to stay in serviced apartments. The best of these are in beautiful historic buildings and give you spacious, luxury Tallinn accommodation at a fraction of the price of a hotel.

2. Hotel in the old town - most of the big hotel chains have hotels in or near the historic town, but these tend to be very expensive with fairly small rooms. If budget is no issue to you, I think one of the best hotels is the Schloessle Hotel, but expect to pay 230+ euro per night!

3. Hotel out of town - if you don't mind being out of town, for example if you have your own car, then hotels get cheaper. The Susi hotel is a 10 minute drive to Tallinn old town and a room will cost you about 70 euros.

3 top restaurants:

1. Cafe VS – Indian food (address: Parnu mnt. 28)

One of my favourite Tallinn restaurants. Great Indian food as well as a varied European menu. Very affordable and the restaurant has a trendy, stylish interior.

2. Silk – Japanese food (address: Kullassepa 4)

I think this is the best sushi restaurant in Tallinn. It is quite pricey, but the quality of the food is excellent. They have 3 branches, with my favourite being the one in the centre of the old town, just off of the main square.

3. Olde Hansa – Medieval (address: Vana turg 1)

If visiting Tallinn make sure this is on your list of restaurants. Here you will experience a traditional medieval feast. With wooden benches, flickering candles, buxom serving wenches and jugs of honey beer.

3 top bars:

1. Beer House – (address: Dunkri 5)

If you like your beer, this beer hall probably has the largest and most interesting choice in Tallinn. They also serve decent food and there is a large outdoor terrace for when the weather is good.

2. Hell Hunt – (address: Pikk 39)

One of the liveliest bars in Tallinn, with a great outside area. Often someone will bring along a guitar and a general sing along with start up. Given the happy atmosphere here, this is also a good place for a few drinks and something to eat before moving on to a nightclub.

3. Nimeta Bar / The Pub with no name – (address: Suur-Karja 4)

If you are feeling a bit homesick and want a traditional british pub, with decent food, cheap beer and sports playing on several big screen TV's, this is the place to come to. This will be an easy walk from any old town Tallinn accommodation.

Check out the rest of the articles in our blog: Tallinn Reviews & Tallinn Travel Guide, things to do in Tallinn, top Tallinn travel information, Tallinn accommodation and our guides to Tallinn.