It’s been awhile since I traveled to a brand new place. So when a friend of mine reached out and asked me if I wanted to join her on a trip to Tallinn, Estonia, I couldn’t say no. We knew that we each only had a few days to explore Tallinn, which is the capital of Estonia. Because of this, we decided that three nights would make the most sense in the city. The trip came together in the span of three weeks, and just like that, it was time to go! We arrived late on our first night, which left us with 48 hours in Tallinn to explore.
This ended up being the perfect amount of time since the weather in Estonia was pretty cold during February! I think if you’re headed there during the summertime, you could easily spend more time exploring and enjoying the city. But, if you’re headed to Tallinn in the wintertime, 48 hours is perfect.
48 Hours in Tallinn
How to Get to Tallinn
I travelled to Tallinn from London and it was an extremely easy process. My airBaltic flight departed from London Gatwick airport around 5:45 PM. We arrived in Tallinn at 10:35 PM (there is a two hour time difference). I was very lucky to have flown business class. It was great to have lounge access before the flight and I enjoyed my inflight meal. On the way to Tallinn I was served grilled chicken with mixed veggies, cheesecake, and shrimp and melon. On the way back to London I enjoyed fish with potatoes, eggplant roulade, and a pudding. Drinks were offered throughout the flight, but I just stuck with water!
Once you’re at the airport, hop on the number 4 tram to get you into town! Use your contactless card and the ride will only cost you 1 Euro.
Where to Stay
There are several options on where to stay in Tallinn. Many people opt for accommodations in the Old Town, but I stayed about a fifteen minute walk from there. The Swissotel Tallinn is a gorgeous five-star hotel. The rooms are comfortable, the lobby is spacious, there is a gorgeous spa, and you can access an awesome breakfast buffet.
The Swissotel Tallinn is also located around the corner from a tram stop, so getting there from the airport or heading into the Old Town is very simple!
Tallinn Card
If you’re looking for things to do in Tallinn, I suggest that your first stop be the tourism center. When you’re there you can purchase a Tallinn Card. With your Tallinn Card you can gain access to several attractions for free. Other ones are discounted with it. If you pick up a 24 hour Tallinn Card, you can use that for your entire Day 1 and the morning of Day 2, depending on what time you first scan it. The Tallinn Card also gives you free public transportation for the duration of the card.
Day 1
48 hours in Tallinn
Begin your day by hopping on the tram and heading into the Old Town! Pick up your Tallinn Card from the tourism center before walking towards Lennusadam, or Seaplane Harbor. This is the most popular attraction in Tallinn. It’s located in an old airplane hangar and features an exhibit about boats and airplanes. It’s pretty interesting to walk through, but I’m not sure it’s worth visiting without a Tallinn Card, unless you have kids. *Free with Tallinn Card, 15 Euro without*
Afterwards, hop on bus number 73 to Linnahall, where you can grab the number 1 tram to Kadriorg. From the tram stop it’s about a five minute walk too the Kadriorg Palace. The Palace was built for Peter the Great but is now home to a beautiful art collection and stunning frescos on the ceiling. It’s definitely worth a visit! *Free with Tallinn Card, 6.50 Euro without*
Afternoon
After all that walking, you’re probably hungry! Head to Gourmet Coffee, which is about a seven minute walk from the palace. Do yourself a favor and order the pumpkin risotto, as it’s delicious. Wash it all down with a coffee, or a local cider.
When you’re finished with lunch, venture back into the Old Town. If you’re visiting between April and October, you’re in luck because you can climb to the top of St. Olav’s Church and Tower for stunning views. If it’s wintertime, skip it and check out the KGB Prison Cells instead. *Both attractions free with Tallinn Card, Church is 3 Euro without, KGB Cells is 5 Euro without*
Wander around the Old Town some more and then pop into Raven Cafe for a hot cocoa or coffee before heading up to the Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform for sunset. You’ll get sweeping views of the Old Town, all the way to the sea! This is also the location of the “Times We Had” wall in Talinn.
It’s dinnertime! There are several amazing places to eat in Tallinn, so it’s hard to choose. If you’re looking for something fun and a little bit touristy, then head to Olde Hansa. It’s got a real medieval vibe and the food is delicious!
Day 2
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to head back into the Old Town to make use of your remaining time on your Talinn Card! Head over to the Hellemann Tower and Town Wall for a beautiful view of the city. Walk up the steps of the 14th century tower and walk along the 200 meters of wall that are still standing. For the amazing view, head up to the war room and open up the wooden door! You won’t be disappointed. *Free with Tallinn Card, 4 Euro without*
When you’re finished there, it’s time for a walk up to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. This is a gorgeous orthodox cathedral that was built between 1894 and 1900. This was during the time when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire and you can see that in the architectural design. It’s definitely worth a visit and it’s free to go inside.
Head back down the hill and back to the town square where you can visit the Town Hall Pharmacy, or Raeapteek. It’s the oldest operating pharmacy in Europe and was first mentioned in documents in 1422! It’s free to enter and there is a small museum room that talks about all of the old ingredients apothecaries used tot heal people during medieval times.
Afternoon
It’s lunchtime which means it’s time to check out the Balti Jaama Turg, or the market! This is a really cool market which I imagine is bustling on the weekends. But, it’s still worth a visit during the week as there are several eateries located inside. I enjoyed fresh sushi for only 4 euro! Walk around and check out the different stalls before deciding what you’re going tot indulge in for lunch! Other options include bao buns, wraps, vegan food, and more!
When you’re finished eating, continue down the railroad tracks until you find yourself in Telliskivi. This is the artsy, hipster area, and has a very cool vibe going on. It’s an area that’s full of interesting shops, delicious coffee shops, awesome breweries, and tasty restaurants. There is street art lining the roads and it’s a super eclectic spot that could definitely fill your afternoon up.
As it was freezing outside, cafe hopping was the best thing to do during the chilly afternoon. So, pop over to Fika for a cup of herbal tea and a duck sausage croissant. It’s the perfect afternoon snack! After you warm up, pop into the shops that surround the area. There are some really unique shops selling beauty products, sustainable clothing, and more. If you’re looking for more cafe recommendations, check out this guide to the best coffee in Tallinn.
When you’ve gotten your fill of browsing, it’s time to enjoy some Estonian Beer. Head around the corner to St. Vitus, a brewery and bar that serves up a few of it’s own beers and several more on tap. See how many you can try in 48 hours in Tallinn.
After you’ve tried a few, it’s time for dinner! Enjoy a tasty meal at F-Hoone. This was by far my favorite meal I had while in Tallinn. The menu here is filled with great options, but the Snack Platter (cheese and meat board) and the Mutton Dumplings in a Creamy Mushroom Sauce were insanely good!
#TravelColorfully received flights from airBaltic, accommodations from Swissotel Tallinn,
and a 24 hour Tallinn Card from Visit Tallinn. As always, all opinions are my own!
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