We know Estonia
26.10.2015 | Culture

Must-see sights of the Old Town

Must-see sights of the Old Town

Viewing Platforms

Kohtu Platform – offers one of the best views of the Old Town. The impressive tower of the Niguliste Church seems at arms length. The red tiled roofs with white edges are characteristic of Tallinn. Tallinn

Patkul Platform – shows both a view of St Olaf’s Church, and part of the city wall. The church was even taller in medieval times and the tallest building in the world in its time. Nowhere else can you see the city wall from a better angle. Tallinn

Kiriku Platform – the platform at the end of Kiriku Street faces west and offers a view of splendid and romantic sunsets.

Raekoja plats

Tallinn’s Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) is Northern Europe’s best-preserved medieval town hall square and was built at the beginning of the 1400s.Katariina käik Blink and you might miss this narrow passageway off of Vene. Built in 1246, St. Catherine’s Monastery (Püha Katariina klooster) is the oldest building in Tallinn. This passageway is also known as the Latin Quarter of Tallinn, and where you can find one of Tallinn’s first Italian restaurants. Tallinn Old Town

Raeapteek

The Town Hall Pharmacy (Raeapteek) is one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies, which still operates in its original location, in the Town Hall Square. Tallinn Old Town

Toompea Castle

The Tall Hermann Tower (15th century) on the southwest corner of the hill, and the blue, black, and white Estonian flag signify independence and freedom for Estonians. Today, Toompea is the centre of Estonian government and the Riigikogu (parliament). Look for the pink building behind the Russian Orthodox Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral. Tallinn

Kiek in de Kök and the Bastion Tunnels

The Kiek in de Kök tower is the entrance to historical underground bastion tunnels. In Soviet times they were supposed to serve as bomb shelters and protect the communist elite in case of a war. Kiek in de Kök means, “look into the kitchen” in Low German, as this was one of the main things soldiers spent their time doing while on the lookout for intruders. Kiek in de Kök dates back to the 15th century. The tower is 38 metres tall, and the walls are four metres thick.

Komandandi tee 2, Tallinn

Check on the map

St Olaf’s Church

(Oleviste kirik) Climb the stairs of the St Olaf Church and you will discover not only the lower town beneath but also the magnificent palaces facing the slopes of Toompea Hill, and the upper town. The old town of Tallinn is divided into a lower and upper part. The lower town was inhabited by hanseatic traders and the upper town, or Toompea was inhabited by nobility.

Lai 50, Tallinn Old Town

Check on the map

 KGB Museum

 A fascinating museum about Soviet history in Estonia is located on the top floor of the Viru Hotel. The hotel rooms were under KGB surveillance. The rooms were equipped with microphones, and small holes were made in the walls, where cameras could be placed to take pictures of hotel guests. The museum is only accessible by guided tour. Tours run daily and are held in English, Finnish, Russian, and Estonian. English tours book up quickly so bookings are recommended.

Viru väljak 4, Tallinn

Check on the map

Paks Margareeta

Fat Margaret (Paks Margareeta) is the most important fortification tower in Tallinn. She was built in the early 1500s. The diameter of the tower is 25 metres and the walls are up to 6.5 metres thick! She was constructed to protect Tallinn from intruders from the sea. Fat Margaret is often the main entrance gate and first encounter for visitors to the Old Town in Tallinn, if arriving by sea.

Pikk 70,Tallinn

Check on the map

Katariina käik

Blink and you might miss this narrow passageway off of Vene. Built in 1246, St. Catherine’s Monastery (Püha Katariina klooster) is the oldest building in Tallinn. This passageway is also known as the Latin Quarter of Tallinn, and where you can find one of Tallinn’s first Italian restaurants.

Tallinn Old Town 

 

TEXT : KRISTINA LUPP, PHOTOS: ANDREI CHERTKOV

To learn more about this and similar topics

15.6.2025 | Leisure

Estonia’s Summer Capital Welcomes the Season

Estonia’s Summer Capital Welcomes the Season

Pärnu rings in the start of summer this year more loudly than ever before. Not only is it the … Read more

14.6.2025 | Culture

Author Paavo Matsin’s Journey to Tartu, a City of Culture and Flavours

Author Paavo Matsin’s Journey to Tartu, a City of Culture and Flavours

First of all, I would like to highlight the beer restaurant, München, located right opposite the main building of … Read more

13.6.2025 | Estonia

Satu Kalliokuusi’s “Stumps” Exhibition Opens in Muhu 

Satu Kalliokuusi’s “Stumps” Exhibition Opens in Muhu 

What if trees could talk—or more precisely, stumps? Finnish artist Satu Kalliokuusi‘s new art exhibition “Stumps” opens a view … Read more

13.6.2025 | Culture

Midsummer Bonfires in Southern Estonia

Midsummer Bonfires in Southern Estonia

As in all Nordic countries, Midsummer’s Eve, or St John’s Day Eve—jaanipäev, in Estonian—is more popular than Christmas. Bonfires, … Read more

12.6.2025 | Culture

Italian Tenor Charms Tallinn

Italian Tenor Charms Tallinn

Italian singer and songwriter Matteo Bocelli will be coming to Tallinn for the second time in October as part … Read more

11.6.2025 | Culture

The Cult—8525 Tour

The Cult—8525 Tour

The Cult is one of rock’s legendary bands. Formed in 1983 in Bradford, England, The Cult reached commercial success … Read more

10.6.2025 | Culture

Jeff Arcuri’s Comedy Concert

Jeff Arcuri’s Comedy Concert

You might not know the name Jeff Arcuri, but you should, if you appreciate good stand-up comedy. The Michigan-born … Read more

10.6.2025 | Culture

Tuglas Society Recommends Estonian Culture in Finland

Tuglas Society Recommends Estonian Culture in Finland

Three events will be held this summer in Finland celebrating Estonian culture. The first is: Finnish–Estonian Midsummer Celebration This … Read more