Estonia attractions

Northeast of the city center, Pirita is a seaside district of Tallinn best known for its long stretch of beach and reputation as one of Tallinn’s wealthiest areas. Besides Pirita Beach, the district’s most important landmarks are the 15th century ruins of Pirita Convent, the Tallinn TV Tower, and the expansive Tallinn Botanic Garden.

Stalls of fresh produce and handicrafts stand alongside a food court offering international dishes at Tallinn’s Balti Jaam Market. Across from the city’s train station, the market is housed in a modern angular structure, with both indoor and outdoor communal areas. Street art and unusual features, such as a converted tram, make it a vibrant space that’s not just for shoppers.

Inspired by Scandinavian open-air museums and founded in 1957, the Estonian Open Air Museum (Eesti vabaõhumuuseum) is a collection of rural farmhouses and other historical buildings from the 18th to the 20th centuries. It is a unique glimpse into different architectural styles found across Estonia, and examines various social strata and celebrates daily life in the countryside.

One of Estonia’s grandest baroque mansions, Palmse Manor (Palmse Mois) in Lahemaa National Park dates back to the late 13th century, when it was part of Tallinn's St. Michael's nunnery. Restored to its former glory, it’s now an open-air museum and its buildings are under state protection as architectural monuments.

Floating in the Gulf of Finland, Prangli is like a chunk of ancient Estonia marooned off Tallinn. With a permanent population of only around 100 people, this tiny island’s old-school fishing village culture and untouched beauty combine to entice peace-seekers, nature-lovers, and those wanting to escape the modern world.

In 1972 the Hotel Viru opened its doors welcoming guests into the modern high-rise, but concealed within the new hotel’s walls was a secret communist radio center used to spy on guests. While the Communist party may have fled the country once Estonia claimed its independence in 1991, the radio center, now known as the KGB Museum, remained on the top floor of the hotel.

Telliskivi Creative City is a reinvigorated warehouse district where street art lines the walls, located between Tallinn station and its railyard. Shopping streets lead between warehouses that have been converted into a cultural complex of entrepreneurial businesses and artistic institutions, where everything from art galleries and theaters to cafés, museums, and breweries can be found.

Located on the right bank of the Pirita River, the Tallinn Botanic Garden (Tallinna Botaanikaaed) is the largest and most biodiverse botanic garden in the country. From its modern row of greenhouses—home to foreign, exotic, and local plant varietals—to the more than 6,000 plant species spread out across hundreds of acres, this botanic garden is perfect for plant enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

Situated in Tallinn Old Town, Tallinn Legends offers an immersive journey through key events and places in the city’s medieval history. Theatrical and interactive experiences featuring actors, mechanical figures, and special effects bring the bygone city to life in dramatic and memorable ways ideal for families and history buffs.

The Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom in Tallinn traces the history of Estonia during its occupation by the Nazis and then the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991. By charting the crimes against Estonia’s peoples and their fight for freedom during these periods, visitors can gain a poignant window into the country’s recent past.

Sagadi Manor (Sagadi Mois) has stood in what is now Lahemaa National Park for 500 years, dating from Estonia’s Baltic-German period. Having been restored to its former glory, the manor is now open to visitors who can explore the rooms and gardens while learning about its history and admiring its romantic architecture.

Boasting a wealth of flora, fauna, and landscapes, this wetland wilderness in south-western Estonia is a must-see for any outdoor enthusiast. Under 45 minutes’ drive from Pärnu, the park is an ideal day-trip destination, while more intrepid adventurers can take advantage of the park’s camping facilities for overnight expeditions.