Moments in Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia and a great destination if you want to combine the comforts of modern world, versatile nightlife and magnificent adventures in a local historical setting. The city has a great mix of old and new.  The Old Town, center city, is boasting with Gothic spires, captivating architecture and winding cobblestone streets. Within Old Town you will find both visitors and locals enjoying the numerous restaurant, bars, shops and galleries. Tallinn is a beach town and also a very popular cruise ship destination, with more than 300 ships making the call here each year.

Tallinn's Town Hall, pictured below, was built from 1402-1404 and is the best preserved Medieval town hall in Northern Europe.  Originally it was 2.4km long, up to 16 meters high and three meters thick with 46 watch towers. It is so well preserved that today 1.9km remains, along with 20 observation towers. This wall certainly adds to the Old Town charm of this historic city.

Although this stunning building, Soprus, looks more like an opera house, it is actually their movie theatre. 

St. Olaf's Church

From 1549 to 1625 St. Olav's Church was the tallest building in the world.  
The spire is 159 meters high

Just one way to head up to the top of Toompea Hill to get amazing views.

Beautiful views from the top of Toompea Hill

Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral

The positioning of this magnificent, onion-domed Russian Orthodox cathedral (completed in 1900) at the heart of the country's main administrative hub was no accident.  The church was one of many built in the last part of the 19th century as part of a general wave of Russification. Orthodox believers come here in droves, alongside tourists ogling the interior’s striking icons and frescoes. Quiet, respectful, visitors are welcome but cameras are not. 

St. Mary's Cathedral is the oldest church in Tallinn.

St. Catherine's Passage

One of Tallinn's most romantic spots.  A little lane where craftswomen create and sell stained glass, jewelry, leather goods, ceramics and hats.

Just love the architecture.

Walls of Tallinn

One of the highlights for me was walking around center city and being able to walk on some of the wall.  The views up on the wall of Old Town are amazing.

Kadriorig Park
This is a beautiful park in Estonia that is part of the palace estate but as always been open to the public. 

The palace was built in the early 18th century and was originally an imperial summer residence that was designed to resemble Italian palaces of its time

I really enjoyed Tallinn and would love to go back and explore more of Estonia as well as the surrounding countries of Finland and Latvia.