Tallinn never fails to amaze visitors with its historical charm. At its heart is the Medieval Old Town, an area of cobblestone streets, gabled houses, churches and squares that developed here from the 13th to the 16th centuries when Tallinn boomed as a key Hanseatic commercial hub. The Old Town has long been the main draw for newcomers – in fact it is so unique that UNESCO added it to its World Heritage List in 1997. Other regions of the city reflect different ages, from the romantic, Tsarist-era Kadriorg Park to the unforgettable, early 20th-century wooden house district of Kalamaja. A modern shopping and business district in the city centre completes the tableau, making Tallinn an amazing blend of old and new.
Text source: Tallinn City Tourist Office & Convention Bureau
FURTHER SUGGESTIONS
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Seaplane Harbour: The Seaplane Harbour is located in Tallinn's famous, wooden-house district of Kalamaja and it is home to a super-modern maritime and military museum, complete with tours to historic ships. Excitement for adults and kids alike is provided by the museum's simulators, which mimic a flight above Tallinn, an around-the-world journey in a yellow submarine and navigating the Tallinn Bay. In the museum's outdoor area, guests can visit a collection of historic ships, including the Suur Tõll, Europe's largest steam-powered icebreaker.
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Tallinn TV Tower and Botanic Garden: The Tallinn Television Tower is the tallest building in Tallinn and Estonia, being 314 metres tall. The TV Tower is located near the Pirita suburb, six km north-east of the Tallinn city center and it is a great touristic, culture and leisure centre. The observation deck offers spectacular views of Tallinn, extending to the Gulf of Finland. A restaurant is located on the observation floor. Tallinn Botanic garden is a botanical garden located on the right bank of the Pirita River, next to the Tallinn TV Tower. In summer, the garden makes a perfect, family-friendly spot for picnics and the occasional outdoor concert, and a stroll through the rose garden is always a must.
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Midsummers Eve: Due to its location, Estonia experiences the summertime 'White Nights' phenomena, when the sun sets late and the night is dusk at most. Midsummer is celebrated on the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere – the summer solstice. Visitors interested in spending the weekend in Tallinn can enjoy the celebrations of Midsummers Eve on June 23rd, which take place all over Estonia and in particular in Tallinn. One of the most popular event are the bonfire celebrations at the Estonian Open Air Museum.
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Balti Jaam Market: This newly-restored market complex is the most modern of its kind in Estonia, bringing an extraordinary range of items together under one roof, with everything from children’s clothes to tasty street food, fresh fruit and vegetable stalls and a variety of cafés. Its unique atmosphere, its fascinating selection of antiques and its brewery make it a great place for tourists to explore.
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e-Estonia Showroom: You've probably heard of e-Estonia, the surprising phenomenon whereby this country pulled ahead of the pack in using clever ICT solutions in both the public and private sector. The e-Estonia Showroom is where you can see these solutions all in one facility – hands-on examples of what they are and how they work.
PHOTO GALLERY
Aerial view of Tallinn Old Town
Source: Tallinn City Tourist Office & Convention Bureau
Author: Allan Alajaan
Kadriorg Park
Source: Tallinn City Tourist Office & Convention Bureau
Author: Kadi-Liis Koppel
Kalamaja
Source: Tallinn City Tourist Office & Convention Bureau
Author: Maret Põldveer-Turay
Business district in the city centre
Source: Tallinn City Tourist Office & Convention Bureau
Author: Kirsti Eerik
View from the sea promenade
Source: Tallinn City Tourist Office & Convention Bureau
Author: Toomas Tuul
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