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Offered languages
- English
- English
Tallinn's Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, where 800 years of conquest, resistance, trade, and reinvention are written into every cobblestone. On this self-guided audio tour, you'll trace the city's story from its Danish origins and Hanseatic trading wealth to Soviet occupation and the Singing Revolution that restored Estonia's freedom. The tour begins at Fat Margaret, conveniently located near the ferry terminal and perfect for visitors arriving by sea. This massive 25-meter-wide cannon tower once guarded Tallinn's harbor with 155 cannons. From here, you'll enter the Old Town and walk the length of Pikk Street - the medieval city's main artery - past merchant guild halls and ornate Hanseatic houses. The second half of the tour climbs into Upper Town, where rulers from Danish kings to Soviet authorities once governed the city. You'll pass through the Danish King's Garden and explore Toompea Castle.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
This tour starts at Fat Margaret and the Great Coastal Gate. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Tour ends at Kohtuotsa’s Final View
Itinerary
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Kgb Prison Cells (Pass by)
Pass the building where the KGB interrogated Estonians during Soviet occupation, just steps from Café Maiasmokk. Learn how this dark chapter sits side by side with the city's oldest café, still serving marzipan after more than 160 years.
Admission ticket free -
House of the Blackheads (Pass by)
Admire the House of the Blackheads, one of Tallinn's most photographed buildings and a masterpiece of Renaissance facade design. Discover how this 14th-century guildhall once housed the Brotherhood of Blackheads, an association of unmarried foreign merchants and shipowners active in the city for over 500 years.
Admission ticket free -
St. Catherine's Passage (Pass by)
Walk the enchanting St. Catherine's Passage, a medieval alley lined with artisan workshops and 14th–17th century tombstones from the medieval elite. Take in this atmospheric corner of Old Town, where craft and history sit side by side.
Admission ticket free -
Danish King's Garden (Pass by)
Walk through the Danish King's Garden as you climb into Upper Town, where rulers from Danish kings to Soviet authorities once governed the city. Take in this historic green space that has witnessed centuries of shifting power.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stand before the striking Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of Upper Town's most visually commanding landmarks. Take in its onion domes as a reminder of the many rulers who have shaped Tallinn over eight centuries.
Admission ticket free -
Toompea Castle (Pass by)
Explore Toompea Castle, seat of Estonian power for over eight centuries and now home to Parliament. Discover how this fortress has anchored the city's governance through Danish, Soviet, and modern Estonian rule alike.
Admission ticket free -
Patkuli Viewing Platform (Pass by)
End your tour at the iconic Patkuli Viewing Platform, where red rooftops, medieval spires, and the Baltic Sea stretch out in every direction. Take in this sweeping panorama as your reward for the climb into Upper Town.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Take in the equally spectacular views from Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform, another of Old Town's best vantage points. Enjoy the same striking mix of red rooftops, spires, and sea that make Tallinn's skyline so distinctive.
Admission ticket free -
Viru Gates (Pass by)
Pass through Viru Gate, the twin-towered medieval entrance that has welcomed visitors into Tallinn's Old Town since the 14th century. Look up at the distinctive red conical roofs, among the most photographed features in the city and one of the last surviving fragments of Tallinn's original eight defensive gates.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Spot Old Thomas, the legendary weathervane keeping watch from the top of Tallinn's Town Hall tower since 1530. Hear the local legend of the peasant boy who won a noble archery contest and was rewarded with a lifetime post as city guard, immortalised ever since above the square.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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