Tallinn, Estonia Port

Overview

Tallinn port is one of the biggest in the Baltics and is located in the very heart of the city. When you disembark, you’ll be only a short walk away from the quaint Old Town where you’ll find plenty of things to see and do, including shops, cafes, restaurants, museums and beautiful architecture.

The capital of Estonia, Tallinn provides visitors with the opportunity to explore a fascinating historic area which dates back as far as Medieval times. This bustling port city is a high-octane metropolis and even despite its state-of-the-art buildings and structures, still retains its unique and traditional charm.

Sightseeing in Tallinn

Tallinn is a cultural melting pot of ancient buildings and cobblestone roads mixed with modern green spaces and shopping opportunities, something which had earned it a position on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Visitors can spend days exploring museums and art galleries or alternatively indulge in some retail therapy before checking out the buzzing nightlife scene. To get the most out of your visit to Tallinn, we recommend taking in one of the following sights:

Kadriorg Park: a beautiful place to visit during spring or summer, this leafy park is just a short distance away from the centre of Tallinn and is brimming with lilac and oak trees. There are numerous wooden houses surrounding the park, several of which house small museums. Kadriorg Park is also home to the Kadriorg Palace, one of Tallinn’s finest buildings which is home to the Estonian Art Museum.

Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour: for a fun-filled family day out, head to this nautical museum which is housed within several structurally unique seaplane hangars. Guaranteed to fill in the blanks when it comes to the fascinating maritime history of Estonia, Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour features numerous interactive exhibits, including the Short Type 184 seaplane, the Suur Tõll steam ice breaker and the Submarine Lembit.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral: built between 1904 and 1912, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is staggeringly large: it covers 2,600m2 and can hold up to 7,000 people. A number of Russia’s biggest and best artists worked on the cathedral’s elaborate interior which contains five aisles, three altars, stained glass windows, Venetian mosaics and dramatic murals.

Shopping in Tallinn

The Balti Jaama Turg is a must-visit during your time in Tallinn. Open every day, this Russian-style market is made up of around 50 stalls which are found in the streets opposite Balti Jaam – the main railways station in Tallinn. Here you’ll find a vast array of items, with everything from authentic antiques and second-hand crockery to locally-produced homemade jam and hand-woven garments.

When it comes to fashion, perfume and accessories, the best place to shop is in the lavish boutiques found along the Viru and Müürivahe streets in Old Town. You’ll also come across several large department stores and malls in this area where you can buy almost anything you can imagine.

Eating Out in Tallinn

The restaurants and cafes throughout Tallinn cover almost every type of cuisine. So whether you want to try traditional Estonian food or go for a more contemporary gastronomic fusion, there’s bound to be something in Tallinn for you.

The central Raekoja Plats is a popular dining hotspot and is where you’ll find a host of international eateries serving everything from local and European cuisine to African and Brazilian dishes.

If you’re eager for a true taste of Tallinn, try marineeritud angerjas (marinated eel served cold), verivorst (blood and barley sausage similar to black pudding), mulgikapsad (sauerkraut stew with pork and potatoes) or karask (cake-like barley bread).