2 or 3 days in Tallinn – The Best Out of a Weekend in the Estonian capital

Last Updated on 16 January 2026 by Cycloscope

A weekend in Tallinn
things to do and fascinating attractions to visit in 2 or 3 days in the Estonian capital

From the Hanseatic League to Soviet times

Tallinn is not just a historical city; it is a fascinating mix of medieval charm, modern culture, and reminders of its Soviet past. A unique city worth spending at least 2–3 days in, Tallinn is one of Northern Europe’s gems and arguably the most beautiful and interesting city in the Baltic region.

The Old Town of Tallinn, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is remarkably well-preserved, making you feel like you’ve stepped back to the era of the Hanseatic League.

Among the city’s highlights are the Seaplane Harbour, Telliskivi Creative City, Linnahall, and several other cultural and historical attractions. Here’s a guide to the best things to see in Tallinn in 2–3 days.

Before we start, here is some advice:

During the summer, local students organize free city tours lasting a couple of hours (tips are appreciated). You can get information from the tourist office. There are many organized tours of the city and its surroundings.

Tallinn is a relatively small city; to explore it at its best, a great option is to rent a bike.

Want to travel the whole of Estonia deeply? Read our guide and suggested itineraries
And why not take a ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki, Finland
Here is our guide about cycling in Finland, with itineraries and tips

Contents

• Seeing Tallinn on a weekend
• Tallinn in 2 days itinerary
• Tallinn in 3 days itinerary
• 1. Seaplane Harbour Tallinn
• 2. Telliskivi Creative City
• 3. Linnahall
• 4. Kiek in de Kök
• 5. Hunted house of Tallinn
• 6. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral 
• 7. Toompea Castle
• 8. St. Olav’s church and tower
• 9. Katariina käik, the passage of Santa Caterina
• 10. Kumu Art Museum
• The Tallinn Card
• Day trips from Tallinn, what is left of the Soviet Union

Seeing Tallinn on a weekend

Visiting the Estonian capital on a weekend is definitely doable. The city has many attractions, but it’s small enough to be explored in such a short time, perhaps even including a short day trip to a nearby point of interest.

There are low-cost flights to Tallinn from many European cities. Check out the best deals here.

Tallinn in 2 days itinerary

Two days pass by fast; it’s best to focus on the main attractions if it’s your first time in Tallinn.

• Day 1: Tallinn Historical City Center and its attractions (see below) – Telliskivi Creative City in the evening
• Day 2: Seaplane Harbour Museum, pass by Linnahall – Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Tallinn in 3 days itinerary

Three days are optimal for visiting Tallinn and its surroundings. Focus on the main attractions for the first two days:

• Day 1: Tallinn Historical City Center and its attractions (see below) – Telliskivi Creative City in the evening
• Day 2: Seaplane Harbour Museum or Kumu Art Museum – pass by Linnahall – Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
• Day 3: A guided tour to a more off-the-beaten-path attraction, such as Kiek in de Kök, or a day trip to a nearby sight (see the bottom of the article)

Things to see in Tallinn in 2 or 3 days

1. Seaplane Harbour Tallinn

This fantastic maritime museum is located not far from Tallinn’s center and is housed in a renovated old hangar.

The building is truly amazing. Inside, there is a permanent exhibition on Estonia’s naval history and a real submarine, the Lembit, in which you can enter to get a very realistic idea of what life was like inside.

The museum also contains a full-size replica of a British seaplane, along with a host of other related historical artifacts unique to the region.

Outside the museum, a series of ships is anchored, including the Suur Töll, the world’s largest steam-powered icebreaker. You can also see the ship’s bottom to understand how it worked.

For us, it was one of the nicest things we saw on our bike trip in Europe, so we highly recommend going there, keeping in mind that you will need 2 or 3 hours for the visit, even if tickets are sold up to 30 minutes before closing.

• Address: Vesilennuki tee 6, Tallinn
• Hours: October to April from 10:00 to 18:00; May to September from 10:00 to 19:00
• Ticket: €15 for adults, €8 for 9–18 years, and €2 for students for the audio guide

2. Telliskivi Creative City

It is the largest creative center in Estonia, about a 15-minute walk from the historic center. It consists of 10 buildings housing more than 200 companies and organizations, with a relaxed, bohemian atmosphere. Each company is free to design its own space as it sees fit.

It is an excellent opportunity to get a taste of the local cultural life and hang out in places far from the masses of tourist buses that roam the narrow streets of the center. Telliskivi is located near the railway station and has given a new face to the ugly abandoned Soviet factories that surround the area.

Some of the street art here is really interesting; we especially liked the older paintings, which were much more engaging than the newer, more “hipster” style.

If you do not want to walk or cycle, you can reach this district by taking trams 1 or 2 from the center; the bus stop is called Telliskivi. Telliskivi is an ideal place to spend the evening hours after a long day at the museum.

• Hours: Open 24 hours a day
• Address: Telliskivi 60A, Tallinn
• Free entry

3. Linnahall

Linnahall is an imposing Soviet relic, built to host the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics. The Linnahall of Estonia now stands as an imposing concrete ghastly monster. Inside, an impressive 5,000-seat amphitheater was commissioned by the Soviet Union to showcase its grandeur to the world.

The building was built in a very short time, and, no longer serving any purpose after the Olympics, it was left to deteriorate. Going up the outside steps, you will have a nice view of the sea and the old city. Only the exterior part can be accessed.

Locals hang out here for skating, playing music, and other activities. A nice place to stop by for a quick visit.

• Hours: 24 hours a day
• Address: Kalasadama 4, Tallinn

4. Kiek in de Kök

It is a medieval tower that leads to a series of underground tunnels. Built in the second half of the fifteenth century, it was expanded in the eighteenth century with these tunnels, which served to provide shelter for men and ammunition.

It came in handy during the First World War and saved many people during World War II bombings. Later, during the Cold War, the tunnels were equipped with what was needed to resist a possible nuclear attack.

Since 2005, it has been a museum open by appointment only.

To book the visit, find the contacts here.

• Address: Komandandi Tee 2, Tallinn
• Opening Times: January to April 10:00–17:00, Thursday until 20:00; May to September 9:00–18:00
• Ticket: €16 adults – €8 students – €32 family ticket

5. Hunted House of Tallinn

This old Tallinn house is famous for a legend: apparently, the Devil’s wedding was celebrated here. The owner, in fact, died after renting a room to a mysterious couple, and the last thing he said was that he had seen the Devil marrying a young woman.

An off-the-beaten-path place to visit if you like ghost stories and mysteries. A good place to spend an unsettling night.

• Fees and how to visit: You can see it from the outside or spend the night there. Here are prices and availability.
• Address: Rataskaevu 16, Tallinn

6. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral 

The Orthodox Cathedral of Tallinn dates back to the late nineteenth century. During the Soviet occupation, it was declared a non-religious building and left to its fate.

Since 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, this beautiful church has been carefully restored. Inside, there are three altars, and the whole structure is beautifully decorated.

• Hours: Saturday 8:00–19:00; Sunday to Friday 8:00–18:00
• Address: Lossi plats 10, 10130 Tallinn
• Free entry

7. Toompea Castle

Tallinn’s Toompea Castle is also home to the Estonian Parliament, located in the historic city. First built in wood between the tenth and eleventh centuries, it underwent several modifications and restorations, giving it its present appearance.

For 800 years, it has been the center of power, even when Estonia was under foreign rule. You can visit it with free guided tours.

• Ticket: Free admission
• Address: Lossi Plats 1a, Tallinn
• Timetable: Inquire at the entrance for tours organized in different languages

8. St. Olav’s church and tower

At the time of its construction, at the beginning of the seventeenth century, this was one of the tallest buildings in the world. Its Gothic bell tower, visible from many points in the city, measured between 115 and 159 meters (historians disagree).

However, if you want to climb to the top of the bell tower to look over Tallinn, you have to climb 232 steps.

• Ticket: Entrance to the church is free; to get to the tower, the cost is €3 for adults and €1 for children. If you have the Tallinn Card, it’s free.
• Address: Lai 50, Tallinn
• Hours: April to June & September to October 10:00–18:00; July and August 10:00–20:00

9. Katariina käik, the passage of Santa Caterina

It is one of the most characteristic views of the Old Town of Tallinn. This alley houses a collection of artisanal workshops where artists use traditional methods to create and sell glassware, hats, quilts, ceramics, jewelry, hand-painted silk, and other items.

The workshops are housed in small rooms from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries on the south side of the road and are set up as open studios so visitors can watch the artists at work, whether it is glassblowing, weaving, or making pottery.

10. Kumu Art Museum

There are various Tallinn Card types available for purchase online or at retailers in the city. Costs range from €24 to €48, depending on validity (24, 48, or 72 hours) and the attractions included.

With the Tallinn Card, you can also travel for free on public transport, get free admission to more than 40 museums and attractions, and take the Tallinn City Tour by bus.

The Tallinn Card is very convenient for those visiting on a weekend, whether it’s a long 3 days or a short 2.

The Tallinn Card

There are various Tallinn Card types available for purchase online or at retailers in the city. The costs range from €24 to € 48, depending on the validity of the card (24, 48, or 72 hours) and the attractions included.

With the Tallinn Card, you can also travel for free on public transport, get free admission to more than 40 museums and attractions (see the complete list), and take the Tallinn City Tour by bus.

The Tallinn card is very convenient for those visiting on a weekend, whether it’s a long 3-day trip or a short 2-day trip.  

Day trips from Tallinn, what is left of the Soviet Union

Many of Tallinn’s sights relate to the recent history of Soviet occupation, which remains one of the country’s main attractions. We list the most famous below:

Paldiski

A town about 45 kilometers from Tallinn, accessible by bus, train, or bicycle. The train journey takes about 1 hour and costs €2.80. After the Soviet occupation, it became the main training base for the USSR’s nuclear submarines. The city was first evacuated and then isolated from the outside world.

Today, about 4,000 people live there, and a redevelopment project is underway. From here, ferries depart for Sweden, Finland, and Germany. It is an enjoyable visit from a historical perspective. The film Lilya 4-Ever was filmed here.

Viivikonna

The most famous Soviet ghost town in Estonia is located just before Narva, near the border with Russia.

It was a mining town built in the Stalinist style in the 1950s, and when Estonia regained independence, it cut off its water and electricity supply. The few remaining residents, Russians, escaped elsewhere, and since then, the city has been in a state of neglect.

Rummu

Near the homonymous village, west of Tallinn, is an underwater prison with an adjoining labor camp in the limestone quarry. It is still used in summer by people going to bathe.

Hara submarine base

Close to Lahemaa National Park, this is one of Tallinn’s most visited attractions. It was built as a demagnetization station for submarines to make them invisible to radar.

This was a military area forbidden to Estonian civilians, and little information is available, but it is a very particular and fascinating place.

Want to travel the whole of Estonia deeply? Read our guide and suggested itineraries
And why not take a ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki, Finland
Here is our guide about cycling in Finland, with itineraries and tips

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