Tallinn feels more layered than it first appears. Inside the Old Town walls, there are 15th-century squares, Gothic architecture and winding cobblestone lanes that still carry a medieval character.
Walk 15 minutes the other way, and you’re in former railway warehouses filled with indie design shops, bakeries and contemporary galleries.
What we liked most was moving between the two.
This guide brings together the medieval classics with the creative, food-forward and design-driven places that stood out to us.
Here are 12 cool things to do in Tallinn.
12 Unique Things to Do in Tallinn
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only recommend products or services we have used or that we believe will add value to our readers. Thank you for supporting us!1. Shop the indie boutiques in Telliskivi Creative City
Studios and boutiques on the Poetanav shopping street in Telliskivi Creative City
About a 15–20 minute walk from the Old Town, Telliskivi Creative City sits inside a cluster of former railway warehouses.
The raw brick buildings now house independent fashion brands, ceramic studios and relaxed cafes, and feel more local than the historic centre.
Along Poetanav, 26 indie shops are gathered inside one converted complex, so you can browse easily.
Our favourite boutiques were TEKE Keraamika for its contemporary ceramics by Estonian makers, and Stella Soomlais for its sustainably handcrafted leather bags.
2. Play board games at a hidden hangout in Old Town
Behind an unmarked door in Tallinn Old Town, NoKu feels more like a local hangout than a typical bar.
The atmosphere is relaxed and slightly bohemian, with board games and a younger crowd settling in for the evening. We ordered drinks and ended up playing a few rounds of Jenga.
Finding something this edgy within the medieval walls is part of what makes Tallinn interesting.
Use the door code 2580 to get inside and head upstairs to the second floor.
3. Have an apero in Raekoja Plats
On our first afternoon in Tallinn, we headed straight to Raekoja Plats in Tallinn’s Old Town and grabbed an outdoor table for a spritz.
Dating back to the 15th century, the square is framed by Gothic façades, church spires and winding lanes that still carry a medieval character.
It’s one of the best spots in the city for people-watching, with a steady flow of visitors passing through, snapping photos.
It’s touristy, yes, but that’s part of the fun. Order a drink, settle in, and let Tallinn unfold around you.
4. Shop contemporary Estonian jewellery at A-Galerii
Tallinn’s Old Town isn’t just souvenirs and gift shops.
At A-Galerii, you’ll find an artist-run jewellery gallery showcasing contemporary Estonian designers.
It was our favourite shop in Old Town.
The pieces are sculptural and minimal, often with a Nordic edge. I bought brass and silver earrings inspired by the multiverse. They were minimal and very cool.
5. Stay in a 13th century merchant's house in the medieval centre
Staying within the Old Town walls really added to our experience.
We stayed at Schlössle Hotel, set in a restored 13th-century merchant’s house, and loved that every time we stepped outside, we were already in the medieval streets.The hotel still has its thick limestone walls and historic character, while the rooms feel quietly luxurious.
There’s also a complimentary private sauna you can book. It was a nice way to wind down at the end of the day.
🛏️ Browse more stays in Tallinn Old Town.6. Eat freshly-baked pastries in Tallinn's creative district
In Telliskivi, we stopped at Karjase Sai for coffee and pastries and ended up staying longer than planned.
Everything is baked that morning, so you can count on it being fresh.
We sat outside overlooking a graffiti-covered courtyard in Telliskivi.
It’s a nice place to sit with a coffee and watch creative Tallinn move around you.
7. Have a medieval feast in Town Hall Square
We didn’t even realize Tallinn had a medieval dining scene until we arrived, and it ended up being one of our favourite experiences.
At Olde Hansa in Town Hall Square, the room is lit entirely by candles and the menu is based on 15th-century ingredients.
Wine arrives in heavy goblets, and there’s live medieval music most evenings, which adds to the atmosphere.
We started with oven-baked herb and juniper cheese. Ari ordered the bear, which is carefully regulated in Estonia, and I chose the oxen sirloin with green peppercorn sauce.
We also committed to speaking to each other in medieval-style English the whole night.
It might seem a bit touristy, but it's such a fun experience, and the food is very good.
8. Find the basement speakeasy at Whisper Sister
Tucked into a basement just outside the Old Town, Whisper Sister feels discreet from the start.
You book ahead, call when you arrive, and someone comes upstairs to collect you.
Downstairs, the space is dark and layered, with multiple rooms that each feel slightly different.
It’s part of the global World’s 50 Best Discovery list, but it doesn’t feel flashy.
Service was excellent, and we liked how each cocktail had a unique concept behind it.
9. See the latest exhibition at Fotografiska
Fotografiska Tallinn sits inside a converted industrial building in Telliskivi and is part of the wider Fotografiska network, with locations in cities like Stockholm and Berlin.
It doesn’t feel like a traditional museum. The exhibitions rotate regularly and often include large-scale, immersive installations alongside photography.
The exhibition we saw explored humanity’s place in outer space.
See what's on before you go and allow at least an hour.
10. Eat burgers inside a restored Soviet-era railway car
At Peatus, burgers are the main event, served inside a restored Soviet-era railway carriage that once ran the Tallinn–Moscow route.
A second railway wagon has been converted into a bar carriage with a DJ booth. It’s casual, creative and very Telliskivi.
11. Drink coffee at Estonia's oldest cafe
Operating since 1864, Cafe Maiasmokk is Estonia’s oldest cafe, and it still feels rooted in its era.
Inside, dark wood panelling, red velvet seating and decorative ceiling details reflect 19th-century European cafe culture.
It’s easy to imagine the space looking much the same decades ago.
We stopped in for coffee and something sweet before heading back out into the Old Town to explore the medieval streets.
12. Discover the layers of Tallinn with a local guide
If you want to understand Tallinn beyond the surface, a walking tour with a local helps connect the layers.
There are several highly-rated small-group tours available through platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator.It’s a good way to deepen everything you’ve already seen.
We hope you enjoyed these 12 cool things to do in Tallinn!
Combine Tallinn with a trip to the peaceful countryside in our 5 Day Estonia Itinerary.
Or, combine it with a 2 day trip to Helsinki.
Get started on booking your trip to Estonia
- 🛏️ Book your accommodation: in Tallinn Old Town
- 🛫 Book your flight: use Skyscanner to compare flights across different airlines (we recommend booking direct with the airline however).
Don't forget about travel insurance
👩⚕️ For affordable travel insurance: go with SafetyWing - it's budget-friendly and you can even buy it while abroad, but note the max medical coverage is $250,000 USD. 🏥 For comprehensive travel insurance: go with World Nomads - it's more expensive, but the max emergency medical coverage is $5-10 million, depending on the plan.Save and pin these 12 cool things to do in Tallinn for later:
