Patkuli Viewing Platform, Tallinn

If you are looking for a postcard-perfect picture of Tallinn, head to the Patkuli Viewing Platform. The 157 step stairway begins in Toompark by the Snelli pond. These steep steps were built in 1903. This is the quickest and most straightforward route to reach the top.

The stairs are steep, but there is another easier and more scenic way to access the viewing platform. You can walk through the Danish King's Garden and past the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to access the Patkuli Viewing Platform. From the top of the viewing platform, you can see Old Town, its walls and towers, the port, and the Gulf of Finland. You'll see picturesque red rooftops, the Town Wall, Saint Olav's Church, and the castle towers.

It might be worth climbing the stairs to this viewing platform twice. Climb in the day for bright views to the horizon. Climb again at dusk when the lights of the city magically twinkle. If you're traveling during the peak summer months, you might want to climb the steps before 10:00 am or after 5:00 pm to avoid crowds.