Best places to enjoy views of Tallinn

Author: visitestonia.com
Source: visitestonia.com

What’s striking about Tallinn is its versatility – visitors can find serene beaches, cobblestone roads in the old town, bustling city life, beautiful green parks and a lot of other treats. We have compiled a list of places where you can enjoy and capture the city’s views in the best way possible. P.S. you can visit most of these places for free or for a symbolic fee.

Great Coastal Gate and Fat Margaret's Tower

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Great Coastal Gate and Fat Margaret's Tower were built to protect the city from the seaside, but also to impress quests arriving by sea. The Great Coastal Gate (built at the same time with the city wall) is located in the northern part of the Old Town of Tallinn near the port. In the 16th century, during the reconstruction of the gate, the Fat Margaret's artillery tower was built nearby. Today, the Fat Margaret houses Estonian Maritime Museum. The Museum exhibits a remarkable collection of ship models from different eras. The viewing platform on the roof of the tower offers a view over the Old Town and the Bay of Tallinn. In the summer, the only rooftop café in the Tallinn Old Town is open there.

Tallinn St. Mary's Cathedral (Dome Church) and bell tower

In Tallinn St. Mary's Cathedral (first mentioned in 1233), you find gravestones from the 13th-18th centuries and coat of arms epitaphs dating from the 17th-20th centuries. The most famous people to be buried in the church include Swedish military officer Pontus De la Gardie; his wife, Swedish King Johann III's daughter Sophia Gyllenhelm; Admiral Samuel Greigh; and Admiral Adam Johan von Krusenstern – the first man to lead a Russian round-the-world voyage. In addition to enjoying the beautiful interior of the church, visitors can climb its 69-metre Baroque bell tower and admire an excellent view of the city. A donation should be made for a visit to the church; for visiting the bell tower, a ticket should be purchased.

Kiek in de Kök Museum

Strong medieval fortification tower Kiek in de Kök (Germ. "peek in the kitchen") got its name from a legend about some soldiers in the tower who liked to peek from the top of the tower into the windows of Lower Town kitchens. Nowadays, the tower houses a museum that introduces the genesis of Tallinn, its development, as well as the most important war events from the 13th to the 18th century. On the basement floor, there are temporary photography exhibitions; in the armoury, you can explore various weapons and have a go on a shooting simulator. The café on the sixth floor affords one-of-a-kind views of Toompea, the Lower Town and the harbour. Guided tours of bastion passages also start at Kiek in de Kök.

Restaurant & Bar Horisont

Elegant and stylish Restaurant & Bar Horisont is located at the top floor of Swissôtel Tallinn. This is an ideal place for relaxing and enjoying a five star cuisine. Visitors can enjoy the enchanting panoramic view of the Old Town of Tallinn and the sea. Restaurant Horisont offers a modern take on food, using seasonal, local and international ingredients. The Restaurant also offers a possibility to hold private dinners in a special purpose room.

Kohtuotsa viewing platform

Kohtuotsa viewing platform is on the northern side of Toompea hill. It provides excellent views over the red roofs and towering spires of the Old Town as well as of the gleaming highrise buildings in the new part of the city. In the background is the Gulf of Finland, the port and the Pirita district. Unforgettable views are guaranteed all year round, whatever the weather.

Lounge 24

Lounge 24 is a wonderful place for organising meetings with business partners during lunch or dinner. For a truly refreshing experience, sip cocktails with your friends on the terrace, breathe in the frosty air, and enjoy the wonderful view of the city lights.

Patkuli viewing platform

Patkuli viewing platform is situated in one of the most ancient parts of Tallinn. It has fairytale views of the Old Town and its towers and walls, all the way down to the port. The stairway leading up to the platform was constructed in 1903. There are 157 steps connecting Toompea to the town below, with the stairway coming out in Toompark by the Snelli pond.

St. Olav’s Church tower

The gothic steeple of this church, which was completed in the early 16th century, once made the church one of the tallest buildings in the world (soaring to 159 metres, according to certain sources). Historians disagree, however, on the details and interpretation of the measurements, and some even think that the steeple has never been higher than 115-125 metres. Nevertheless, the church has always been a grand structure, and its 124-metre tower is considered one of the symbols of Tallinn. In summer visitors can climb a winding staircase to the tower's viewing platform to enjoy the views of the city. Did you know...? *There are 232 steps up to the viewing platform.

Tallinn Television Tower

The Tallinn Television Tower in Pirita is the tallest building in Tallinn and Estonia with 314 metres. The TV Tower is a great tourist, culture and leisure centre. Waiting for you at the tower: - a panoramic view from 170 metres  - brasserie/restaurant and terrace on the 22nd floor  - interactive multimedia solutions that introduce Estonia and Tallinn - view of the ground through the glass floor of the platform - futuristic interior milieu - attractions for children - mini TV studio, gift shop.

Town Hall tower and Old Thomas

Town Hall tower was built at the same time as the building itself, between 1402 and 1404. In 1530, a weather vane was placed at the top of the tower which the people named 'Old Thomas'. He remains one of Tallinn's most popular symbols and is considered to be the city's guard and defender. The original Old Thomas (from 1530) is stored in the ancient cellar of the town hall. In summer, visitors to the city can climb the winding staircase up the octagonal tower and enjoy the stunning views over the Old Town and surrounding areas. In order to reach the clock balcony of the tower that is 34 m above the ground, you need to climb 115 stairs. The higher you get, the steeper and higher the stairs become. 

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