Tallinn in a nutshell
The medieval capital of Estonia is a perfect daytrip destination from Helsinki. There are lots of ferries every day that will get you there in around two hours, and onboard you can enjoy the sea and great services. Tallinn itself is a compact city with all the main sights within short walking distance of each other. Tallinn is the best preserved medieval city in Northern Europe with lots of mysterious towers, winding cobblestone streets and fascinating architecture. Outside the Old Town there are many other pleasant districts with new restaurants, cafés and design boutiques.
Top 5 attractions
- Town Hall Square has been the heart of the Old Town for the past 800 years. Surrounded by historical buildings and street cafés in summertime, the square is a picturesque place for shopping and socialising. A Christmas market is also held each year in the square.
- Kumu Art Museum presents Estonian art from the 18th to the 21st centuries. If you are in the least bit interested in culture and history, then you have to visit Kumu. The breathtaking building was designed by Finnish architect Pekka Vapaavuori.
- Seaplane Harbour is an ultramodern and visually breathtaking maritime museum. The fascinating exhibits presenting Estonian seafaring and maritime warfare will appeal to visitors of all ages.
- PROTO Invention Factory is an interactive family-friendly entertainment centre that combines VR-technology and the spectacular inventions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. PROTO is located at the Noblessner seafront area – a former submarine factory turned exclusive urban area.
- Maarjamäe Palace, belonging to the Estonian History Museum, is a beautiful historical building housing an exhibit that takes visitors on a 100-year journey starting with the birth the Republic of Estonia and ending in the present day.
Distance from Helsinki
87 kilometres across the sea, 2 hours by ferry.
How to get there
Ferries to Tallinn depart every hour from the West Harbour and South Harbour. Ferries take 2 or 2.5 hours to make the crossing, while catamarans take around 1.5 hours.
More info about Tallinn: Visit Tallinn.