Tallinn is the capital of Estonia and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. This scenic city with medieval characteristics of city walls, cathedrals and alleys stands between history and modernity. Planning a trip and not sure where to stay in Tallinn? Our guide to Tallinn best areas will be helpful!
Estonian capital offers numerous accommodation options in different neighborhoods providing different atmospheres and experiences. The Old Town is definitely the best area to stay in Tallinn. However, there are other neighborhoods in Tallinn that can be considered and they are briefly described below.
If you are planning to visit the capital Estonia and looking for accommodation for your stay, this guide will help you choose the best area and accommodation in the picturesque of Tallinn, depending on your needs and budget.
We recommend doing a research and booking your hotel in advance, especially when traveling during peak season, to save time and nerves during your trip. The best websites to book hotels in Tallinn, Estonia are Booking.com and Agoda.com that always offer great deals.
Here is a quick overview of the main areas to stay in Tallinn.
1. Tallinn Old Town
The historic center of Tallinn is known as Vanalinn (Old Town) and is certainly the jewel of the city. Tallinn Old Town is the preferred area to stay for tourists visiting the city. The Old Town is quite large, if compared to the size and population of the city, and offers a wide variety of restaurants, bars, accommodation facilities and night clubs. This area is also accessible and well connected by various means of transportation.
Vanalinn is the neighborhood where you will find all the most important attractions of the city and for this reason it became the best area to stay in Tallinn. Toompea Hill, museums such as the City Museum and Museum of History of Estonia, the most important churches, and Square City Hall are all located in this area and are within walking distance of each other.
However, it is not a very good area for disabled people or travelers coming with own car and not everyone likes the cobbled streets that are in poor condition. If you need parking, you should look for hotel in another area, or you will have to pay more to get the parking at the hotel. There are also several hills so it might be a bit of struggle to move around, especially in winter or on a rainy day.
Tallinn Old Town is offering a wide range of hotels, especially the higher class ones, hostels and aparthotels for all types of visitors.
Our recommended hotels in Tallinn Old Town:
Hotel Telegraaf, Autograph Collection
2. Kesklinn (Downtown)
Kesklinn means neither more nor less than the city center. This area is the true center of Tallinn. There are good restaurants, chic cafes, shops, bars and all kinds of other tourist attractions throughout the area. Here you will find Tallinn's skyscrapers, the most modern buildings in the city, many of its shopping malls and Rotermann, the favorite neighborhood for lovers of avant-garde architecture in Tallinn. In the Kesklinn district, there is also the Kadriorg Palace, home to the Museum of Foreign Art and the Kadriorg Park.
Kesklinn is in a short distance from the Old Town and the port. The area has good transport links to the rest of the city. The streets are in good condition and there will be no difficulty moving from one place to another in winter.
Kesklinn is one the best areas to stay in Tallinn because of its varied hotel offers and many leisure options for all types of travelers. Rooms in this area are normally larger and more affordable than in the Old Town. Tallinn city center houses a huge number of newly built hotels.
Our recommended hotels in Kesklinn, Tallinn city center:
3. Kalamaja
Kalamaja is located in the northwestern part of Tallinn, close to Kalamaja Railway Station. This is a good base for travelers arriving in the city by train. The area is large as it also includes the areas adjacent to Terminal A of the port, but its best parts are in the vicinity of Tallinn Railway Station. The area next to Telliskivi Street is a short walk from the Old Town.
Kalamaja is considered the most creative neighborhood of Tallinn, which makes the area always full of students and young people, art and culture. Some people call this area as Tallinn's Nothing Hill. It is a lively district with many bars, hipster cafes, art galleries, co-working offices, and vintage and alternative shops. This area is also good for experiencing city’s nightlife. Even if you will be staying in another area of the city, coming to spend the night at Kalamaja district with its numerous bars and other entertainment venues can be recommended. If you will be traveling to Tallinn in September, you might get an opportunity to take part in the street market and festival.
In Kalamaja you can see the typical old wooden houses of Tallinn that are currently hardly seen in other areas of the city. The vast majority of these houses were built before World War II for workers who worked in factories in this area. Staying here is a very interesting way to get to know another alternative version of the city as you can discover other residential neighborhoods.
Kalamaja was once a dangerous area in terms of reputation, but today it is safe to stay. Kalamaja offers several quality accommodation facilities at affordable price. Compared to the historic center, here you will find wider choice of low-cost hotels, apartments and youth hostels.
Our recommended accommodations in Kalamaja:
If you will not be staying overnight in Kalamaja, you can take the Tallinn Old Town and Kalamaja Tour to explore Old Town Tallinn and be immersed in Kalamaja's local atmosphere of exciting art and culture.
4. Pirita
Pirita, Tallinn's waterfront area, is located a few kilometers from the city center. If you will be visiting Tallinn in summer, a good alternative is to opt for Pirita area. This is the place where you can enjoy swimming in the Baltic Sea and long walks along the beach. During June to September, Pirita is lively as families and city residents come here on weekends to enjoy a day on the beach.
Some of the main attractions of Tallinn can be found in Pirita, including Tallinn's television tower, the tallest building in the city which offers panoramic views of the surrounding neighborhoods. There is also the Botanical Garden and several parks where you can walk in the countryside, as well as many sports and outdoor activities. Pirita is also known for being the sailing venue for the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
The transportation between Pirita and city center is good and you can reach the Old Town in 30 minutes. If you are travelling by car, Pirita is also a good option for staying as there are plenty of parking spaces.
Our recommended accommodations in Pirita area:
Pirita Sea View Apartments One bedroom
Tips
Estonia is a mandatory stop when touring the Baltic countries. Many tourists just come here for a few hours as an excursion on their cruises, but visiting the country longer is certainly worth it.
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is an exciting city to explore. You can read our guide to exploring the best of Tallinn to prepare for visiting the most popular attractions and historical landmarks of the city.