TallinnEstonia · Ferry Destinations

All About Tallinn

The capital of Estonia, called Tallinn, is a charismatic travel destination that until recently flew under the radar of tourists. An all-encompassing city, Tallinn has now gained popularity as both a budget and culturally rich escape. It continues to enchant visitors with its glowing mix of architecture, beaches along the Baltic Sea, museums, and a modern European outlook. Taking a ferry to Tallinn is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.

A summer vacation spot on par with the region’s top coastal cities, Tallinn is equally charming during the rest of the year. Most notably, the town transforms into a lively and lit-up destination with Christmas markets and an omnipresent holiday cheer during the festive winter season.
 

Routes and Ferries to Tallinn

It’s possible to reach the city via different routes. However, taking the ferry to Tallinn is amongst the most preferred. You can book a ferry to Tallinn via Ferryscanner from Helsinki, Finland. The trip takes 2 to 3.5 hours one way, allowing passengers to treat Tallinn as a day-trip excursion. Tallink vessels on this route arrive at Terminal D, whereas Viking Line and Eckerö Line ferries dock at Terminals A and B of the harbor. The city also has limited ferry connections with Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Turku, and Mariehamn.

A somewhat quick introduction can also be made through one of the 300 cruises that make a stopover in Tallinn. Sadly, they leave very little time to truly appreciate the city’s attractions. Alternatively, plan a more extended trip by arriving at Tallinn Airport. Situated 5km from the city, it is well-connected with prominent cities via several European airlines.

There’s also a train to Tallin from St. Petersburg and Moscow. Alternatively, you can get there by bus from various Estonian cities, St. Peterburg, Riga, or Vilnius in Lithuania.
 

Port of Tallinn

Known as the Old City Harbour, the Port of Tallinn is a vast development consisting of three passenger ferry terminals, a separate quay for cruise ships, and the Old City Marina, which accommodates private yachts. The port’s location is extremely convenient. Particularly for day-long cruise ship passengers who can quickly reach the city center within 15 minutes on arrival. Welcoming over 10 million travelers every year, the Port of Tallinn is permanently busy. Especially with ferries arriving regularly from Helsinki, St. Petersburg, and Stockholm. On Ferryscanner you can easily compare prices or ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets to Tallinn.
 

Best Beaches

Highlighting Tallinn’s versatility as a revered travel destination that can be enjoyed by tourists of all ages are its many beaches. Family-friendly, clean, and crammed with activities to do besides just swimming in the sea, the beaches in and around the city are perfect escapes that form the catalyst for a fun day well spent.

Pirita Beach

Tallinn’s most famous beach borders the Gulf of Finland and is situated 15 minutes away from the center. While the 2km long Pirita attracts thousands of beachgoers every day during the summer, it stays busy with windsurfers during the off-peak season. Pirita has been accredited as a Blue Flag beach and offers visitors a range of options, from volleyball and an open gym to swings and beachside kiosks and cafes. A superlative place to spend time with your loved ones, the views of the Old Town from the beach are particularly remarkable.

Harku Beach

A wonderful place to visit near Tallinn is Harku Lake, reachable easily by taking a 45-minute bus ride from town. Here, you’ll find Harku Beach. The only of its kind in the area, it primarily attracts locals or those rare tourists in the knowhow. Although this quaint sandy spot has undeveloped natural surroundings, beach conveniences such as changing rooms, toilets, showers, and a playground for children are nearby. The water is typically a couple of degrees warmer here, making it a favorite with families. Harku beach has free parking and lifeguards on duty during summer.

Pikakari Beach

In a tiny corner of the Paljassaare peninsula lies Pikakari, a still unknown-to-many beach. It promises soft clean sand, distant views of ships passing by, and a dreamy location. The water tends to get deep reasonably quickly, so it’s not the best place to swim with children. However, the beach does have hiking trails and bird-watching possibilities for those not interested in sunbathing. A former military zone, sunsets at Pikakari Beach tend to be quite memorable.

Stroomi Beach

When traveling with kids, take a 10-minute drive from Tallinn center to Stroomi, a wide beach with shallow water and ample facilities for that faultless day in the sun. When not lounging on the sand, an adjoining park provides you with the opportunity to have a picnic or a barbeque. There are basketball and volleyball courts on site, an area to skate, trampolines, and a playground to keep the young ones busy.

Hasbneeme Beach

If the excitement of Pirita Beach is too crazy for your liking, go about 5km further north till you reach the much quieter Hasbneeme Beach. There are a few rocks in the sea here, but the water is excellent. If you aren’t looking to get wet, they have a little pier where you can stand and enjoy the seascapes. The wooded area next to the beach is ideal for a stroll, and there is one restaurant in the vicinity that caters to those feeling peckish.
 

Neighborhoods

The classic, the contemporary, the trendy, and the outright posh, neighborhoods in Tallinn are like a lavish buffet. There is always something exciting and worth biting into at the next table, or rather, in this case, around the next corner.

Old Town

Whether you are in Tallinn for a day or a few, the Old Town is an unmissable neighborhood wherein you get to step back into an alluring fairytale-like medieval world. As one of the largest and well-preserved old towns, it is a privilege to traverse around the district’s cobblestone streets, where you’ll discover beautiful buildings, historical sights, cafes, and street markets with sellers dressed up in traditional clothes. Don’t forget to go up Toompea Hill for panoramic views of Tallinn or miss out on the City Museum. The Old Town is an excellent place to stay when arriving with ferry tickets to Tallinn. You’ll find several boutique hotels and residences in the area.

Kalamaja

Backpackers, millennials, and the imaginative wanting to experience Tallinn should book their hotel in Kalamaja. Tallinn’s hippest neighborhood is within walking distance from the Old Town and next to the railway station. Full of galleries, cafes, vintage shops and bars, the list of things to do in this area is endless. Famous for a street festival held every September, Kalamaja attracts young entrepreneurs who can usually be found executing great ideas in one of the many cool co-working spaces.

Kesklinn

Downtown (or the Tallinn city center) is relatively smaller than Old Town but houses a more modern architectural style showcasing the city’s slow transformation into a world-class capital. Rotermann Quarter is the liveliest of spots here. Once home to warehouses and a factory that made starch, it has since been converted into a fashionable hangout with cafes, the Museum of Estonian Architecture, a multiplex, and shops. Kesklinn is usually preferred by business travelers as it has branded hotels. The neighborhood is also worth a visit for gourmands wanting to eat at some of Tallinn’s best restaurants.

Pirita

The area around Pirita Beach is unconventional, to say the least. While it has that unmistakable beachy aura with its trendy cafes and bars, the neighborhood also has an intermix of history, entertainment, and design features. When in Pirita, go all the way up the Tallinn TV Tower, the tallest building in the city, to admire the fantastic city and sea views. There are also ruins of a 15th-century convent, an adventure park, and the Botanic Gardens for nature enthusiasts to discover.

Kadriorg

Are you in search of a natural respite away from the tourist crowds that throng Tallinn daily? Well, head straight to the neighborhood of Kadriorg. It’s a quiet, lush sanctuary where you’ll find old wooden houses and residences of the city’s wealthiest, including the president. Moreover, the beauty and quietude of Kadriorg Park are god-sent, and nothing beats a romantic stroll around the Swan Pond and the adjoining Japanese Garden. There are a few museums in the park’s vicinity, but the one not to miss is the Kadriorg Art Museum, a Baroque palace that houses early Russian and European paintings.
 

Transportation Around Tallinn

Tallinn demands a few days of exploration, during which time you will end up using a variety of transport modes. While it is easy to navigate the Old Town on foot, there are buses and trams for everything else. Look into buying the Tallinn Card, which includes free entry to several museums, discounts, and unlimited travel on public transport. The card can be purchased in 24, 48, and 72-hour denominations.

Taxis are also readily available but reserve their use till you are short on time. Most cabs have printed rate cards you can check before getting in. Renting cars is a possibility, but an expensive one as you’ll spend lots of time stuck in traffic jams and will have to pay for parking everywhere you go. Taking a ferry to Tallinn is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.