Tallinn Old Town, Tallinn

Tallinn Old Town, Tallinn

Tallinn Old Town, known as "Tallinna vanalinn" in Estonian, is the historical heart of Tallinn. Renowned for its well-preserved medieval and Hanseatic architecture, this area is a living testimony to the city's rich history. Spanning 113 hectares with a buffer zone of 2,253 hectares, the Old Town is characterized by its 13th-century city plan, which remains remarkably intact.

The Old Town has a history of prosperity and turmoil. Most buildings date back to the 13th-16th centuries, reflecting its medieval importance. However, WWII caused significant damage. Between 1941-1944, Soviet air raids, during the German occupation of Estonia, destroyed about 10% of Old Town buildings, leaving 20,000 homeless and many casualties.

Despite this turbulent history, Tallinn Old Town stands today as Northern Europe's best-preserved medieval city. Its Gothic spires, winding cobblestone streets, and enchanting architecture attract visitors worldwide. The area was once a hub for wealthy merchants from Germany, Denmark, and other regions. Now, it is a vibrant center with restaurants, bars, museums, and galleries, offering a blend of historical ambiance and modern vitality.

The Old Town's unique charm lies in its ability to maintain its medieval and Hanseatic structure completely. Recognized for its historical value and well-preserved state, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city's layout includes original cobblestone streets lined with medieval churches, grand merchant houses, barns, and warehouses, many dating back to the Middle Ages.

Visitors to Tallinn Old Town often describe it as mystical, mesmerizing, and addictive. Spending a day wandering through its streets offers an immersive experience in an authentic medieval milieu, revealing why it holds such a special place in the annals of world heritage sites.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tallinn. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Tallinn Old Town on Map

Sight Name: Tallinn Old Town
Sight Location: Tallinn, Estonia (See walking tours in Tallinn)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Tallinn, Estonia

Create Your Own Walk in Tallinn

Create Your Own Walk in Tallinn

Creating your own self-guided walk in Tallinn is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tallinn Old Towers and Gates

Tallinn Old Towers and Gates

Once Europe's greatest fortified city, Tallinn had 46 defense towers and approximately 4 kilometers of surrounding walls. Today, there are 26 towers and about 2 kilometers of walls still in place, making the Old Town of Tallinn one of the best-preserved systems of medieval fortifications in Europe.

Upon entering the district through the Viru Gate, whose two picturesque, ivy-covered towers...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tallinn Introduction Walking Tour

Tallinn Introduction Walking Tour

Estonia’s capital Tallinn is the country’s largest city and cultural hub. One of the biggest ports on the Baltic Sea, the area has been known for its convenient harbor since as early as the 10th century. Owing to its strategic location for trade between Russia and Scandinavia, the Kingdom of Denmark laid claim on this land in 1219. The city itself, first mentioned in 1154, was incorporated in...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tallinn Medieval Old Town

Tallinn Medieval Old Town

The Old Town of Tallinn is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site since 1997. The area emerged in the 13th-16th centuries when Tallinn was an active member of the Hanseatic trade league, slowly evolving into an enclosed district of colorful, ancient gabled houses, medieval towers and gates, half-hidden courtyards, and ostentatious churches.

Today it is one of the best preserved medieval towns in...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles