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Sightseeing Overview
The old core of Tallinn is easy to explore on foot, with buses, trolleybuses and taxis on hand for exploring out-of-town sights. The UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town is a sight in itself, a chocolate-box beauty of winding cobbled streets, vaulting church spires and pastel-hued buildings.

The old town is neatly hemmed in by the remnants of its medieval walls, with some of the orange-roofed towers that once protected the city from attack still intact. At the hub of the old town is the Town Hall Square, an expanse of cobbles colonized by pavement cafes during the warmer months, with its landmark town hall soaring into the sky from the square below.

The Toompea district hovers above the scene with its castle complex, churches and grand buildings; the two viewing platforms up at Toompea offer sweeping views out of the city and are good for getting acquainted with the city’s layout. Toompea is also home to the dreamy Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an architectural gem that’s the city’s most dramatic orthodox church.

Away from the center, the old Soviet naval base at Paldiski was once strictly off-limits, even for the locals, and now makes for an unusual but fascinating excursion.

Tourist Information
Tallinn Tourist Office
Niguliste 2
Tel: 645 7777.
Website: www.tourism.tallinn.ee

The city’s main tourist office (above) is located in the city center. The helpful staff dispense information, as well as hand out maps and brochures. They can also arrange tours and accommodation.

Passes
The Tallinn Card, available from the tourist office, gives free access to museums and sights, and includes free tours and free transport.

Key Attractions:

Old Town
Tallinn’s old quarter is one of the most attractive in Europe and it is easy to see why it has been dubbed a ‘mini Prague’. It is compact and easily navigable. Many of the buildings have been renovated and the Old Town now boasts cafes, restaurants, hotels and touristy shops, but it’s no museum piece and local people still live and work here.

Town Hall (Raekoda)
Unmissable thanks to the unusual, sinewy spire that dominates the square below. The original town hall rose in the 14th century, but much of the building you see today dates from the 15th century. There is a small cafe and concerts and other events are often held in the Town Hall. In the basement there is an exhibition space with various historical exhibits. The pharmacy is one of the oldest in Europe.

Raekoja Plats 1
Tel: 645 7900.
Website: www.tallinn.ee/raekoda

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Dominating the Toompea hillside, this striking orthodox cathedral is crowned by instantly memorable black onion domes. The cathedral was commissioned by Tsar Alexander III, first opening its doors in 1900. Local legend has it that the reason why the cathedral has been plagued by structural problems is that, although it was commissioned to commemorate a Russian hero, it actually stands on the grave of an Estonian one.

Lossi Plats 10
Tel: 644 3484.
Website: www.hot.ee/nsobor

Kumu Art Museum
Designed by Finnish architect Pekka Vapaavuori and opened in 2006, the Kumu is the striking new main building of the Art Museum of Estonia. An impressively high-tech facility, it serves both as a national gallery and a contemporary art museum. Both Estonian classics and more recent artworks are displayed here. The Kumu is located on the limestone bank of Lasnamägi next to Kadriorg Park and near Kadriorg Palace.

Weizenbergi 34/Valge 1
Tel: 602 6000.
Website: www.ekm.ee

Tallinn City Museum
The Tallinn City Museum offers a lucid and comprehensive depiction of the story of this historical city. Housed in a 14th-century building, its exhibits cover the German and Soviet times, and beyond to independence, with some fascinating photos. It also stages temporary art exhibitions.

Vene 17
Tel: 644 6553.
Website: www.linnamuuseum.ee

Further Distractions:

Kiek in de Kok
This museum’s name translates as ‘Peek into the Kitchen’, a nickname given to the defensive tower which housed soldiers who could peer into the kitchens of the old town houses below. Today the tower and its museum offer an insight into the city’s medieval defenses and the building is also home to an art gallery.

Komandandi tee 2
Tel: 644 6686.
Website: www.linnamuuseum.ee/kiekindekok

Occupation Museum
The dark days of both the Nazi and the Soviet occupations come alive at this chilling museum. Old uniforms, photos and audio-visual displays illuminate the tortuous decades Estonia endured before its eventual independence in 1991.

Toompea 8
Tel: 668 0250.
Website: www.okupatsioon.ee

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Estonia Attraction Guides:
Kadriorg Palace & Park	Tallinn Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats)