How to Spend 2 Days in Tallinn

With its Old Town of medieval buildings and cobbled squares and a rich culinary, cultural, and social scene, Tallinn will delight foodies and party lovers, as well as history, art, and architecture buffs. Here are our tips for how best to fill two days in Estonia’s capital.  

Day 1: Tallinn’s Top Sights

**Morning:**From the 15th-century Kiek in de Kök tower to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, abounds with sights. Cover as much as possible this morning on a bus-and-walking, bike, or dedicated walking tour around the cobbled old quarter and the parks and landmarks of the city’s outskirts.

**Afternoon:**Join a bicycle tour to experience Tallinn’s vibrant Kalamaja area, home to colorful weatherboard houses and the abandoned city hall, built for the 1980 Olympic Games. Alternatively, ride a hop-on hop-off bus into Tallinn’s fringes to explore attractions such as the Seaplane Harbour Museum, home to a 1930s submarine and icebreaker.

**Evening:**Explore Tallinn’s darker side on a ghost tour. Wander the passageways to find places linked with hauntings and bloody events, and hear the stories behind them. Beer lovers might instead embark on a craft-beer-tasting tour to sample Estonia’s top artisanal brews.

Day 2: Museums, Food, and Nightlife

**Morning:**Leave the Old Town for Kadriorg Palace, an 18th-century edifice commissioned by Peter the Great that’s now an international art museum framed by gardens that are perfect for strolling. Or, experience a piece of Soviet-era 1980s Tallinn at the TV tower, whose open-air observatory serves up spectacular views of the Gulf of Finland. 

**Afternoon:**Discover Tallinn’s cuisine with a tour of food spots both in and around the Old Town—tasting everything from spiced sprat sandwiches to schnapps. Or, punctuate your tastings with cycling and sightseeing on a food-and-bike tour. Love marzipan? Uncover the secrets of sculpting this sweet treat at a marzipan class—you’ll leave with a figurine to savor later. 

**Evening:**Finish your day with a challenging escape game—cracking puzzles to escape a locked room. Then, dive into Tallinn’s animated nightlife: either on a tasting roundup of Estonian liqueurs or a bar crawl with free shots at some of the city’s liveliest pubs and clubs.