TALLINN
A spontaneous day trip across the Baltic Sea from Helsinki. Just a two-hour ferry and you’re stepping back in time, wandering cobblestone streets, colourful medieval buildings, and charming squares straight out of a fairytale.
We spent the day exploring the Old Town, climbing up to Patkuli Viewpoint for stunning panoramic views across the old town, and enjoying cosy cafés and local bakeries tucked away down narrow lanes. Coffee and Kirsstrudel from Caffeine made the perfect afternoon pick me up.
We also ventured beyond the Old Town to Viru Keskus mall, where we stopped for lunch at Kimijimi and enjoyed delicious Tom Kha noodle soup bowls.
The blend of old and new gives Tallinn such a unique feel. Even with just one day, we were able to see so much of what makes the city special, making it the perfect day trip from Helsinki.
ONE DAY ITINERARY
07:45 – Take the ferry from Helsinki’s Katajanokka Port to Tallinn. Enjoy a scenic two-hour ride across the Baltic Sea as you make your way to Estonia’s capital.
10:00 – Arrive in Tallinn and walk to the Old Town. It’s a short stroll from the port to cobblestone streets and colourful medieval buildings.
11:15 – Pause in Town Hall Square and soak up the atmosphere. Relax on one of the many benches and take it all in surrounded by cafés and pastel buildings.
12:00 - Visit Viru Keskus shopping centre.
12:30 – Lunch at Kimijimi, inside the Viru Keskus shopping centre.
13:15 - Explore Rotermann Quarter, a stylish urban area where restored industrial buildings meet modern architecture, filled with trendy cafés, restaurants, and boutique shops just steps from the Old Town.
13:45 – Walk through Kanuti Park to see the Boys with Umbrella statue.
14:15 – Head up to Patkuli Lookout for panoramic views over the Old Town. Admire sweeping views of Tallinn’s red rooftops and church spires.
14:30 – Visit Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and admire this Orthodox church, famous for its striking domes and ornate details.
15:00 – Grab a coffee and Kirsstruudel pastry at Caffeine.
16:00 – Visit the TALLINN sign in Sadama, next to the port.
17:30 – Board the ferry back to Helsinki. We were lucky enough to catch a beautiful sunset over the coast as the ferry sailed back across the Baltic Sea.
20:00 – Arrive in Helsinki, just in time for a late dinner.
transport links
Getting to and around Tallinn is incredibly straightforward and tourist friendly.
Plane – The city’s international gateway is Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport, located just a short 30-minute bus or tram ride or 15-minute drive from the city centre.
Ferry – You can reach Tallinn via ferry from several nearby destinations across the Baltic Sea. Regular services run from Helsinki, Finland, which is just a two-hour ride away. The Port of Tallinn is conveniently within walking distance of the Old Town, so you can step off the ferry straight into the heart of the city.
There are several providers offering different times and services at varying prices. We chose Viking Line from Helsinki and found their service smooth and comfortable. We booked the tickets the night before, paid just €46.00 return for two adults, and simply showed the tickets on our phone at check-in. We took the early outbound ferry at 07:45, arriving in Tallinn at 10:00, and returned on the 17:30 ferry, arriving back at Katajanokka Port at 20:00.
It’s worth noting that Helsinki has two ferry terminals on opposite sides of the waterfront. Most ferry companies operate from the main Jätkäsaari Port, while Viking Line departs from Katajanokka Port. This worked perfectly for us, as we were staying in Katajanokka and the port was just a five-minute walk from our accommodation.
Viking Line - A budget-friendly option if the departure times and Katajanokka Port location suit your schedule. The crossing typically takes 2 – 2½ hours and is ideal for travellers looking for a straightforward, comfortable service.
Eckerö Line - A Finnish operator with multiple daily departures from the West Harbour (Jätkäsaari) in Helsinki to Terminal A in Tallinn. Known for good value, with plenty of crossings and options for day-return travellers.
Tallink - A budget-friendly option if the departure times and Katajanokka Port location suit your schedule. The crossing typically takes 2 – 2½ hours and is ideal for travellers looking for a straightforward, comfortable service.
GETTING AROUND
Tallinn is a compact and walkable city, perfect for exploring on foot. Most of the main streets and the Old Town are pretty flat, with just a few steeper climbs if you want to reach the best viewpoints over the city.
If you’d rather save your legs, the tram and bus network is a popular choice and connects all corners of Tallinn. Getting around on public transport is really affordable too, a one-hour ticket costs just €2, while a 24-hour pass is €5.50. Staying a bit longer? You can grab a three-day (72-hour) ticket for €9, a five-day (120-hour) ticket for €11, or even a 30-day pass for €30.
More information on how to purchase and validate tickets can be found on the Visit Tallinn website.
THINGS TO DO
Patkuli Viewpoint - A popular lookout offering panoramic views over Tallinn’s red-tiled rooftops and the harbour. The walk to the top is short but steep in places, yet this was my favourite of the two viewpoints and well worth the effort.
Kohtuotsa Lookout - A quieter viewpoint that still offers stunning views of the Old Town and the surrounding city. Slightly more secluded than Patkuli Viewpoint, it’s ideal for photos at sunset.
Toompea Hill – Climb up for beautiful city views and visit landmarks like the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Toompea Castle.
Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - A picturesque Russian Orthodox church known for its ornate domes and beautiful mosaics, standing proudly atop Toompea Hill.
Tallinn Old Town – Wander through the UNESCO-listed medieval streets lined with colourful buildings, cosy cafés, and hidden courtyards.
Town Hall Square - The lively heart of Tallinn’s Old Town, bustling with cafés, markets, and the Gothic Town Hall at its centre. It’s a perfect spot to take a break, people-watch, or enjoy a drink in one of the many surrounding bars.
Rotermann Quarter - A blend of historic industrial buildings and modern architecture, this area is filled with restaurants, cafés, and shops, making it one of Tallinn’s most popular spots.
Kanuti Park - Stroll through the park and see the famous Boys with Umbrella statue.
Tallinn Sign – Before boarding your ferry back, take a short walk to the colourful TALLINN sign in Sadama (just to the left of the port). It’s a popular spot for photos and a fun way to mark your visit to the city.
FOOD + DRINK
Caffeine - A popular coffee chain in Tallinn, known for its smooth espresso, tasty pastries, and cosy atmosphere. We stumbled upon one while exploring the city, and I’m so glad we did, not only did they have plenty of vegan options, but they also offered dairy-free milk and a range of speciality coffees.
I opted for a Latte Jääga (iced latte), while Matt tried the Karamelli Popcorn Latte (caramel popcorn latte) and a Kirsstrudel (cherry strudel). Everything was delicious, the perfect afternoon pick-me-up after a morning of sightseeing.
Kimijimi - One of our favourite food finds in Tallinn! This laid-back Asian fusion spot, tucked inside the Viru Keskus mall, serves delicious, flavour-packed dishes . I went for the Prawn Tom Kha Noodle Soup, which was dairy-free yet still rich, creamy and aromatic, packed with fresh noodles, prawns and vegetables. I’m still thinking about it. Definitely worth a visit if you’re craving a warming meal or something a little different from traditional Estonian food.
keep reading to explore my photos, along with my highlights, and top tips for visiting tallinn.
keep reading to explore my photos, along with my highlights, and top tips for visiting tallinn.
MY HIGHLIGHTS + TOP TIPS:
Currency: Euro (€)
Plug Sockets: Type F
If you’re able, explore Tallinn on foot. The city is compact and easy to navigate, with cobbled streets around every corner. For longer journeys, the tram and bus network is reliable and makes getting further afield simple.
The ferry journey between Helsinki and Tallinn is easy and super affordable. I would recommend booking with Viking Line - we had a smooth and comfortable crossing, and the tickets were super affordable.
Patkuli Viewpoint overlooking Tallinn Old Town - stunning views across the city. A must do while in Tallinn.
The prawn Tom Kha noodle soup from @kimijimitallinn is incredible, and I would go back just to eat this again.
If you need an afternoon pick me up then grab an Iced Coffee and Kirsstrudel from @caffeine.ee - it’s the perfect combo for recharging after exploring Tallinn’s cobbled streets.