Tallinn Travel Answers

If you must take a tour (Tallinn's histrocial centre is very walkable, and is not far from the port) then I'd suggest 2 or 3. Kadriorg is lovely, but on such a short visit I'd want to focus on the historcial elements of Tallinn itself rather than travel outside. I'd probably choose 3 because it includes the main architectural/historical points of interest (and you will see others as you walk) as well as the Russian Orthodox church (especially interesting if you have never before visited one).

Tour 1 is a rat race. Not only Kadriorg but also St Brigida and the Song Festival grounds are far from the old town, you'd waste too much of your precious time on the bus for transfers. With such a short visit, focus on the old town. If I were you I'd let the tours be tours, get a guidebook and explore the old town on my own, combining places mentioned in tours 2 and 3. All these places can be visited and enjoyed better without being trapped in a herd of cattle.

Hi Carl Another vote for walking around and doing your own self guided tour. Tallinn is really pocket sized (as well as safe), and is ideal for exploring on foot. Get a taxi or public transport in from the port to one of the gates in the city walls - which should only take you about 10 minutes, depending on traffic - and then just wander. To my mind, although Tallinn has many interesting attractions, its principal charm is the 'sense of place', so rather than haring between one attraction to another, just follow your nose and stop when you stumble across something that grabs your fancy. For example, perhaps my most cherished memories of Tallinn are of watching a flock of marzipan penguins having their plumage painted on in a shop that turned out to be Brezhnev's favourite marzipan shop and stumbling across a folk art display where all the exhibits were made entirely of gingerbread. If needs be, highlight one or two 'musts' and review your progress throughout the day to ensure that you get around to them. I agree with Kathrin_E that the outlying attractions in Tour 1 are 'nice to haves' rather than essentials. The Song Festival Ground is atmospheric, but really doesn't justify the effort to get out there if you're on this sort of very tight schedule. Similarly, Kadriog park is beautiful, but on the first tour, you'll not have time to appreciate what is Kadriog's highlight for most tourists: the stupendous KUMU art museum. Oh, and whartever you decide to do, be sure to enjoy an icy cider in the Hell Hunt pub (probably the best I've ever had in a lifetime of devoted market research)! Regards Cathy

Hi Carl, Tour Number 3 should give you a good overview of Tallinn. It would be wrong to visit Tallinn without seeing inside the Orthodox church on Toompea and you will probably find that you will see many places from the second tour on the third one anyway. The only major site you won't see on the third tour is the Kiek in de Kok, which is a shame because it houses a great museum. As others have said, Tallinn is a very walkable city, especially the Old Town area where most of the sights of interest are found, so touring independently is easy too. Be aware that Tallinn can get very warm in summer and the Old Town will involve walking up and downhill and walking on cobbled streets quite a lot, so dress accordingly with sturdy footwear. Enjoy Tallinn. Steve.

If I had to take a tour I would choose #3 too...but if I had some time available on shore, I would go by myself as the Old Town is very easy to navigate, well signposted and advertized. It's also a short (walking or bussing) distance from boat terminal.

Thanks. We are taking your suggestions and canceling our tour in favor of a do-it-yourself effort. Carl

Thanks to all of you who have made suggestions. We are melding together all the information and changing our plan so that we tour Tallinn on our own. It sounds like a compact city, easy to negotiate. By the way, I have just added a posting in the Riga forum, and for those of you who know Riga, I would love to get your suggestions. Carl

Thanks for letting us know Carl - I don't think that you'll regret your decision!

I'm sure you will enjoy exploring central historical Tallinn at your own speed...and, as you say, it is very compact area. Try to get a map (and preferably a guidebook/leaflet too) beforehand, or as soon as possible after disembarking, so that you can make the most of your time. I suspect you will find you see much more by exploring on your own than in a tour group. Enjoy! :-)

I've been to Tallinn a couple of times and I'm off there again at the end of July. Personally speaking if I were only going for a day I'd go for #1 Reason's being you'll get to experience more of Tallinn's history and influences. The old town is amazing and it would be a shame not to stroll along St.Catherine's passage but with #1 you'll still get to see Tallinn's medieval history, & Kadriorg Palace and it's surrounding area is a must see if you want to take in the centuries of Russian rule....while the song festival grounds is a symbol of Tallinn's freedom from Soviet rule and it's future. Whichever you choose, I'm sure you'll be impressed

Hi Carl, From the port you can take shuttle bus to old town and the same one takes you back too. Tickets are about 7 euro/10 dollars for return. I am a tour guide myself and I don't like that first option at all. Third one is the best one. You can still take the tour but stay in town instead of going back to the boat with your group. Just take a shuttle bus back a few hours later. Welcome to Tallinn

Thanks for your suggestion. Carl