Districts · Tallinn
Tallinn by district
A first visit fits inside three areas: the Old Town (Toompea above, the lower town below), Telliskivi and Kalamaja 1.5 km to the west, and Kadriorg 3 km east. Everything else is a tram or Bolt ride, and the harbour and the ferries to Helsinki are a 10-minute walk from the Old Town.A first visit fits inside three areas: the Old Town (Toompea above, the lower town below), Telliskivi and Kalamaja 0.9 mi to the west, and Kadriorg 1.9 mi east. Everything else is a tram or Bolt ride, and the harbour and the ferries to Helsinki are a 10-minute walk from the Old Town.
About these names
Tallinn is divided into eight administrative districts, but visitors think in neighbourhoods. Google Maps and the Peatus.ee journey planner both route trams and buses well.
- Old Town (Vanalinn)VanalinnsleepeatseeSuits: First visit, walking, short staysCobbled lanes, Town Hall Square and the Viru Gate; the base with the shortest walks, and the busiest when ships are in.3 sights · 4 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- ToompeaseeSuits: Morning views and the cathedralThe upper town: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Kohtuotsa viewing platform and the parliament in the castle; steep from the lower town.4 sights · 4 eatsDistrict guide →
- Telliskivi and KalamajaTelliskivi ja KalamajasleepeatseeSuits: Cafés, design, a quieter baseFormer factory yards and wooden houses 1.5 km west; flat, with the Balti Jaam market at the station.Former factory yards and wooden houses 0.9 mi west; flat, with the Balti Jaam market at the station.1 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- KadriorgseeSuits: A half-day of parks and artThe palace, the park and the Kumu art museum, 3 km east by tram.The palace, the park and the Kumu art museum, 1.9 mi east by tram.2 sightsDistrict guide →
- Rotermann Quarter and the harbourRotermanni kvartal ja sadameatseeSuits: Ferries, modern restaurants, shoppingA block of restored factory buildings and glass between the Old Town and the harbour; a good place for a dinner when the lanes are full. Not covered as a cluster here.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Pirita and Nõmme (outer)Pirita ja NõmmeseeSuits: A summer beach or a forest walkPirita is the city beach and the marina, 8 km north-east; Nõmme is a villa district with pine woods. Both need a bus or a ride.Pirita is the city beach and the marina, 5 mi north-east; Nõmme is a villa district with pine woods. Both need a bus or a ride.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport (TLL) (15–30 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Rotermann Quarter and the harbour, Pirita and Nõmme (outer). See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Old Town (Vanalinn) (Vanalinn): Cobbled lanes, Town Hall Square and the Viru Gate; the base with the shortest walks, and the busiest when ships are in. Suits: First visit, walking, short stays. Price band $$.
- Toompea (Toompea): The upper town: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Kohtuotsa viewing platform and the parliament in the castle; steep from the lower town. Suits: Morning views and the cathedral.
- Telliskivi and Kalamaja (Telliskivi ja Kalamaja): Former factory yards and wooden houses 1.5 km west; flat, with the Balti Jaam market at the station.Former factory yards and wooden houses 0.9 mi west; flat, with the Balti Jaam market at the station. Suits: Cafés, design, a quieter base. Price band $$.
- Kadriorg (Kadriorg): The palace, the park and the Kumu art museum, 3 km east by tram.The palace, the park and the Kumu art museum, 1.9 mi east by tram. Suits: A half-day of parks and art.
- Rotermann Quarter and the harbour (Rotermanni kvartal ja sadam): A block of restored factory buildings and glass between the Old Town and the harbour; a good place for a dinner when the lanes are full. Not covered as a cluster here. Suits: Ferries, modern restaurants, shopping.
- Pirita and Nõmme (outer) (Pirita ja Nõmme): Pirita is the city beach and the marina, 8 km north-east; Nõmme is a villa district with pine woods. Both need a bus or a ride.Pirita is the city beach and the marina, 5 mi north-east; Nõmme is a villa district with pine woods. Both need a bus or a ride. Suits: A summer beach or a forest walk.
- Sleep area Old Town (Vanalinn): suits First visit, walking, short stays, price band $$.
- Sleep area Telliskivi & Kalamaja: suits Cafés, design, a quieter base, price band $$.
- Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport (TLL), 15–30 min by the usual route.