by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:29th June 2016
An ancient city on the Baltic Sea
So, what was our inspiration for visiting the historic city of Tallinn in Estonia?
Well, to be perfectly honest, I used my birthday as an excuse to visit Tallinn for our summer mini-break in 2008. Although we never really need an excuse to go travelling, we love visiting new places.
Gary and I hadn’t ventured to Northern Europe very much, and we fancied trying somewhere a little different for a city break.
I must admit that prior to doing a little research on the Baltic city of Tallinn, I never really knew too much about this Estonian delight, so digging a little deeper into its history it was fascinating.
I also thought that Tallinn may be slightly quieter than other capital cities in southern Europe. The weather looked pretty reasonable, too, for a city break in August, even with a coastline on the Baltic Sea.
Why not Pin it for later?
Gary has now disclosed that there is a Depeche Mode bar in Tallinn, DM BAAR. How do I avoid the inevitable?
So, I thought, let’s give it a go!
Where is Tallinn?
How to get to Tallinn
- By Air
If you’re flying into Tallinn, search for your flights in one easy place with Booking.com. This reliable travel search engine will scan for your favoured routes and chosen dates. Tallinn is just under three hours from London, so what are you waiting for?
- There to stay in Tallinn
£££ - Hotel Telegraaf, Autograph Collection
Hotel Telegraaf is located in the historic Old Town of Tallinn and is just a short stroll to the charming town square, Raekoja Plats.
We booked Hotel Telegraaf as a treat for my birthday; this peaceful hotel also had lovely spa facilities. They included a sauna, hot tub, steam bath, and beauty treatments.
Understanding Tallinn’s rich history
Location was keyTallinn, as you may know, is the capital city of Estonia, which sits in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea, so as you can imagine, it gets pretty chilly in the winter.
Historic city walls
Estonia certainly has had a mixed heritage over the centuries, with various Kingdoms and Empires taking control, including Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Russia. Tallinn was known by its historical German name of Reval from the 13th century until 1918 when it regained its independence.
One of our main reasons for visiting Tallinn was to see its magnificent ancient city walls. The Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997.
Cobbled streets in Tallinn
Catherine’s Passage, Tallinn
Tallinn's Old Town is one of Europe’s most beautifully preserved medieval cities; 1.9km of its defensive walls still remain, along with many of its eye-catching ancient watchtowers.
Tallinn was a vital trading hub from the 14th century through to the 16th century. It became part of the Hanseatic League, along with other major coastal cities.
If you've yet to discover the incredible history, Medieval wall and fascinating architecture in Tallinn, you're in for a treat.
I found this DK Top 10 Pocket Travel Guide invaluable, they're extremely informative, easy to follow, and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
Discovering Tallinn’s stunning architecture
A skyline of towers and spiresAfter completing further research on Tallinn, we knew we had hit upon a winner, as there was a considerable amount of stunning architecture to be found around almost every corner of the old city. And all above the far-reaching terracotta rooftops is a sea of church spires.
Medieval Tallinn
Tallinn is almost divided into two separate towns. The first part is the Lower Town, where we’ll find the medieval fortified walls and the ramparts. We’ll also discover mysterious archways, grand architecture and quirky shops around these enchanting cobblestone lanes.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn
St Mary’s Cathedral, Tallinn
The second part of Tallinn is located high on the hill. It is known as Toompea and is home to the medieval Toompea Castle, which houses the Estonia Parliament.
Also, up in Toompea are two striking churches; the first is the Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the second is the Lutheran St Mary’s Cathedral.
Exploring Tallinn’s historic streets
Fascinating tales with each footstepThere is only one way to explore an ancient city like Tallinn and that’s to find a comfy pair of shoes that like the cobbles and start wandering.
Tallinn appears to be a reasonably compact city that is easily negotiated on foot. However, to get the heart racing a bit, we will be heading up to Toompea Castle and the two stunning hilltop cathedrals and, of course, to catch the magnificent view across Tallinn’s rooftops.
Tallinn rooftops
One particular area of Tallinn that I couldn’t wait to explore was Raekoja Plats. The grand historic square with Tallinn’s 13th century eye-catching Gothic town hall and Raeapteek, one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe.
Tallinn Town Hall
Raeapteek
Raekoja Plats looks stunning; once a market square, charming pastel-coloured buildings surround the majestic plaza. It’s full of welcoming cafés and bars tumbling onto the streets.
Quaint Tallinn streets
Tallinn’s medieval ramparts
There are so many narrow-cobbled lanes to explore within the medieval city walls of Tallinn. Centuries-old architecture, hidden courtyards, and, of course, we’re going to head up to the ancient ramparts and towers.
Tallinn Tourist Information
If you’re tempted to visit Tallinn, take a peek at the official Visit Tallinn website. The local tourist office provides some extremely useful information and handy pointers for around the city.
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