Located on the north-central coast of Estonia along the Gulf of Finland, Tallinn is the country’s capital and most populous city.
With a population of just under 450,000, it’s not huge by European city standards, but its quaint and historic charm is there.
It is also Estonia’s economic, educational and cultural center, with attractions ranging from historical sites and museums to art galleries, chic restaurants and some of the most spectacular natural scenery in the region.
Here are 15 of the best tours in Tallinn that might deserve a top spot on your Estonia itinerary.
1. Best of Tallinn 2-Hour Bike Tour
After a long international flight, it might be wise to run in Tallinn or hit the ground on this 2-hour bike tour – peddling.
For first-time visitors, it’s a great way to get a quick overview of the city’s history, culture, and layout with the help of a local guide.
There’s a lot of ground covered on every trip, but there’s nothing that most mid-sized travelers can’t handle.
You’ll see many of the city’s highlights, such as the World War II Memorial and the Olympic Stadium, and explore on your own after the tour.
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2. 3-Hour Estonian Food Tour in Tallinn
Foodies from around the world tend to agree that Estonian food culture is surprisingly vibrant, including many regional influences.
On this 3-hour tour, guests will dine in Tallinn’s many ethnic neighborhoods while stopping at various restaurants including street food stalls and trendy coffee shops, chocolate shops and cool bistros decorated in a medieval style.
Along the way, guests will taste traditional and modern Estonian cuisine and learn about the charm of the city and its inhabitants.
The tour is small, so expect an engaging and intimate experience.
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3. 1 ½ hour Old Town Walking Tour
Much of Tallinn’s city centre is walkable, making it a worthwhile destination for those who want to see things up close while consuming too many calories from a hotel breakfast buffet.
Although only 90 minutes, this walking tour of the Old Town packs a punch, including sights such as the Town Hall Square and Pharmacy, the Medieval Church and the Estonian Parliament Building.
On the way and at each location, guests will gain interesting historical insights from a local guide and gain a better understanding of the country’s culture.
The final stop on the tour is a Dominican monastery built in the mid-13th century.
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4. Old Town Pub Crawl
Pub Crawl. When visiting exotic corners of the globe, there is something that makes them utterly fascinating.
They’re a great way to meet locals and like-minded international travelers, experience the city after dark, and are often an all-encompassing experience.
The five-hour crawl begins in Tallinn’s Old Town and takes place on multiple days of the week, including stops at several watering holes.
Singing, drinking games, tearful hugs, and telling your opponent how much you love them are all included in the cost of the tour, and plenty of free drinks along the way.
Club entrance fees are also included.
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5. 4-Hour Tallinn Shore Excursion Highlights Including Transfer Back to Port
Let’s imagine……
Your cruise ship has docked in Tallinn, and you’re wondering how to kill four hours without spending a lot of dough and getting lost in an unfamiliar city.
Fortunately, this tour of Tallinn’s main sights is just for you.
This whirlwind tour includes stops at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tumpia Castle and Pirita Monastery, as well as the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason.
The number of people is limited to 15 people, and the fee includes the services of a local guide and transportation back to the port at the end of the tour.
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6. Behind the Iron Curtain in Tallinn – Soviet Secrets
Thankfully, the Soviet bondage to Estonia is a thing of the past, but many remnants of the Iron Curtain era remain. They are must-see attractions for the history-minded traveler.
The tour includes historical and cultural narratives and takes guests to visit interesting sites such as the Olympic Center, the Coastal Folk Museum, the Pirita Yacht Harbor, and the abandoned anti-aircraft battery that once guarded the sky from foreign aircraft.
Perhaps the most interesting is the story of life under the Soviet regime and how the Estonian people transformed into a new way of life that included freedom, self-determination and countless economic opportunities.
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7. Private “Welcome to Tallinn” Walking Tour with a Local Guide
Tallinn is one of those cities that is relatively easy to explore on your own, but for a truly in-depth personal experience, it might be wise to take at least one guided tour of the area.
This tour was like a crash course into Estonian culture. So your guide is a great resource and should be put to good use.
The tour usually starts from your Tallinn hotel, and before you set off, you’ll get to know the nearby historical sites, restaurants and other places worth exploring.
Tours can also be customized according to the interests of guests.
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8. Tallinn Walking Tour with Free Time and Port Pickup
Many travelers agree that the best tours include a guided tour and a free time component, and this handy three-hour tour of Tallinn does just that.
Not only will tourist guests gain a unique insight into the city and its inhabitants, but they will have time to explore many attractions on their own.
Most tours take place in the Old Town, which is full of historic landmarks, restaurants and shops.
The tour lasts five hours from start to finish, including pickup from the port.
There are generally three hours of guided tour time, and one to two to two hours for self-exploration.
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9. Half-Day City Tour
This half-day city tour of Tallinn includes both a driving and a walking part and is perfect for those who want to stretch their legs without overstretching them.
Including pickup from your hotel or port, tour highlights include the Old Town, Kadriau Park and Palace, Song Festival grounds, the quaint seaside village of Pirita, and the sprawling Olympic Village built in the heyday of the 80s with Soviet influences.
This tour is especially popular with amateur photographers, history buffs, and those who like to do a lot of things in a short amount of time.
Click the link below for more details.
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10. Tallinn 3-Hour Private Tour
Tallinn’s Old Town is probably the most popular tourist destination in the city, and for those with limited time, it’s often the most explored.
This 3-hour tour of Tallinn begins in the Old Town and takes visitors to the city’s attractions such as Pirita, Kadriorg Palace and Toompea Hill, which offer some of the most beautiful and unobstructed views of the city.
This tour includes an air-conditioned car and a walking portion, so it’s wise to wear comfortable shoes and layer up as seaside weather can change on a dime.
Hotel or cruise ship transfers are included, and tours can be customized to the participant’s interests and schedule.
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11. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Sightseeing Tour
Hop-on hop-off tours are great for guests who don’t want to spend countless hours on a strict schedule connecting with a large group of people.
The tours are divided into three different routes – red, blue and green.
Each route visits attractions in different parts of the city, and depending on the option you choose, tickets are valid for one, two or three days from the date of purchase.
In short, it means flexibility and the ability to spend time exploring only the things that interest you.
With some pre-trip research, you can plan a full day and do it cheaply.
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12. 5-Hour Jägala Waterfall and Harju County Tour from Tallinn
Tourists may stay in Tallinn for a few days but never experience everything to see and do.
Having said that, for those who are claustrophobic in an urban environment, going abroad is a great day trip option.
Harju County is home to the Jägala Falls, and although it’s only a short drive from the city, it seems secluded.
Guests will have plenty of time to admire the stunning fall scenery before heading to the ancient history museum in La Barra and the medieval church in Saha.
The tour includes on-site admission, but does not include food, beverages and impulse purchases.
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13. Tallinn Beer Carnival
beer.
Need to say more?
No matter where they are these days, die-hard beer lovers aren’t far from trendy microbreweries or large factory-style breweries.
This brewery carnival tour is perfect for those who are interested not only in tasting a variety of local beers, but also learning how it is produced.
Existing beers include traditional, centuries-old recipes and relatively unorthodox blends using new technologies and ingredients.
The tour lasts two hours and the old town is full of bars, restaurants, shops and historical sites, and is worth a visit – if you can still walk.
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14. Medieval Banquets in Tallinn
Back in the Middle Ages, eating like an Estonian often meant nibbling on half-cooked turkey legs, sipping stale beer from a wooden mug, and keeping an eye out for looting savages plundering from the forest.
Yes, those were prosperous times, and luckily there is still a way to experience them in our so-called modern age.
Medieval banquet tours are fun for the whole family and include many interesting characters such as knights, sissies, kings and maidens in period-specific costumes.
In many ways, spending a night at a medieval banquet is like stepping into a dark past, so don’t miss it.
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15. Tallinn Sightseeing Tour with Coach and Walking
Short trips in the 2 ½ to 3 hour range are ideal for travelers who don’t want to dedicate an entire day to one trip.
This 2 ½ hour tour will take guests to many of the city’s most popular attractions, such as Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tumbia Castle, Kadriau Palace and the popular seaside village of Pirita.
Previous guests appreciated the tour’s combination of van and walking exploration, and the fact that they saw so much more than they thought, while leaving most of the day free for other adventures.
Bring a camera because you’ll want to capture the scenery for posterity.
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