Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, is a perfectly scaled city for a leisurely week: medieval spires, cobblestone lanes, and a salt-tinged Baltic breeze. Founded in the 13th century by the Danes and later shaped by the Hanseatic League, it’s one of Europe’s best-preserved Old Towns—and compact enough to savor without rushing.

Beyond the city walls lie design-forward districts like Telliskivi and Noblessner, sandy seaside paths toward Pirita, and palatial Kadriorg with its world-class Kumu Art Museum. Coffee culture thrives here; bakeries and roasteries fuel unhurried mornings, while markets brim with local berries, rye breads, smoked fish, and forest flavors.

Practical notes: Tallinn is walkable, safe, and largely cashless; public transport is clean and easy (single rides from ~2 EUR). Winters are magical but brisk, summers mild and light-filled. Consider a Tallinn Card (24–72 hours, roughly 45–85 EUR) if you plan multiple museums and transit rides.

Tallinn

Storybook towers meet Nordic-cool creativity. Tallinn pairs UNESCO-listed Old Town with revitalized factories, sea-facing promenades, and an ever-growing list of cafés, galleries, and music venues.

• Top sights: Town Hall Square, St. Olaf’s Church, Kiek in de Kök & Bastion Tunnels, Kadriorg Palace, Kumu, Seaplane Harbour, Noblessner Seafront, Pirita Promenade, TV Tower.
• Neighborhoods to wander: Old Town for history, Kalamaja for wooden houses, Telliskivi Creative City for street art and indie shops, Rotermann for modern architecture, Noblessner for seaside dining.
• Eat & drink highlights: Estonian rye bread, elk dumplings, mushroom barley, sprat sandwiches, kama desserts, local craft beer, and third-wave coffee.
• Fun fact: The Estonian Song Festival—held at the vast Song Festival Grounds—can see choirs of 20,000 voices sing together.

Where to stay (mid-range friendly):

• Hotel Telegraaf (heritage spa hotel in Old Town): Check availability on Hotels.com
• Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Conference & Spa Hotel Tallinn (good value + spa, near Toompea): See rooms on Hotels.com
• City Hotel Tallinn by Unique Hotels (budget-friendly, short walk to Old Town): Book on Hotels.com
• Apartments and townhouses: Browse central stays on VRBO or more options on Hotels.com.

Getting in: Tallinn Airport (TLL) is 15–20 minutes from Old Town. Tram 4 runs to the center (~2 EUR), taxis and ride-hailing are typically 10–20 EUR. From Helsinki, ferries (2–2.5 hours, ~20–40 EUR) are frequent. Compare options on Omio flights, trains in Europe, buses, and ferries. From Riga, buses take ~4.5 hours (often 15–30 EUR) via Omio.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town Stroll, and a Cozy First Night

Morning: Travel day. If connecting via a European hub, most flights to Tallinn are 1–3 hours. Check fares and schedules on Omio. Pack a scarf regardless of season—the Baltic breeze can surprise you.

Afternoon: Check in and shake off the journey with a gentle loop around Town Hall Square and St. Catherine’s Passage. Pause for a first sip at Kohvik August (Old Town; silky flat whites, good salads) or RØST in Rotermann (cardamom buns, sourdough toasties).

Evening: Dinner at Lee Restoran (modern Estonian, garden courtyard; try the kohuke dessert) or Vegan Restoran V (inventive plant-based plates). If you have energy, a sunset viewpoint at Kohtuotsa over red rooftops sets the scene for the week.

Day 2: Medieval Magic and Tallinn’s Coffee Culture

Morning: Join a guided walk to get your bearings and the stories behind the stones: Guided Old Town Tallinn Historical Walking Tour (typically ~2 hours; ~15–30 EUR). Expect Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and artisan courtyards.

Afternoon: Explore Kiek in de Kök museum and the Bastion Tunnels (medieval defenses turned WWII shelters; allow 1.5–2 hours; ~14–18 EUR). Coffee break at Maiasmokk, Estonia’s oldest café, for marzipan and history in one bite.

Evening: Tram to Telliskivi for dinner at F-hoone (Estonian comfort done light—beetroot risotto, local fish) and browsing indie shops. For live music, check schedules for Philly Joe’s (jazz) or a gig night at Uus Laine; tickets are often 10–20 EUR at the door.

Day 3: Kadriorg, Kumu, and a Seaside Sunset

Morning: Breakfast at leafy NOP (Kadriorg; shakshuka, fresh-pressed juices), then stroll through Kadriorg Park to Kadriorg Palace (baroque interiors; ~8 EUR) and the excellent Kumu Art Museum (Estonian art from classics to contemporary; ~12 EUR). Tram 3 or 1 makes it easy.

Afternoon: Ride or walk the Pirita Promenade for Baltic views. If you’re keen on heights, the TV Tower offers panoramas and exhibitions (~15 EUR). On the way back, soak in local life at the historic Kalma Saun (traditional public sauna; sessions typically 1.5–2 hours, ~15–20 EUR—check mixed or separate hours).

Evening: Head to Noblessner Seafront for dinner at Lore Bistroo (sharing plates; Baltic herring to slow-cooked lamb) and a tasting at Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room. Summer sunsets over the harbor are unrushed and golden.

Day 4: Lahemaa National Park—Manors, Forests, and Waterfalls

Trade city cobbles for pines and peat bogs on the Lahemaa National Park and Three Waterfalls Tour (full-day; typically ~60–90 EUR). Wander boardwalks, visit historic manor houses, and pause at coastal fishing villages. It’s a refreshing, low-effort nature day with gentle hiking and plenty of photo stops.

Day 5: Prangli Island—Authentic Baltic Life

Escape to a time-slow island on the Day Trip to Prangli Island from Tallinn (full-day; commonly ~75–110 EUR, often includes ferry/transport). Expect conifer forests, wooden houses, fishing culture, and breezy beach walks—very “living like a local” in the archipelago.

Day 6: Markets, Makers, and an Estonian Food Tour

Morning: Coffee crawl: RØST for cardamom knots, The Brick Coffee Roastery (Pelgulinn) for single-origin pours, then FIKA in Telliskivi for Scandinavian bakes. Browse Balti Jaama Turg market—sample smoked fish, cheeses, and seasonal berries.

Afternoon: Dive deeper into flavors on the Tallinn 3‑Hour Estonian Food Tour (~3 hours; usually 65–85 EUR). You’ll taste rye breads, forest mushrooms, local cheeses, and classic desserts while learning how Estonian cuisine bridges Baltic and Nordic traditions.

Evening: Consider a performance at the Estonian National Opera (ballet, opera—many tickets 20–60 EUR) or a symphonic night at Alexela Concert Hall. Pre-show dinner near Old Town: Pegasus (stylish Estonian plates) or Kaja Pizza Köök (famed sourdough pies; arrive early).

Day 7: Seaplane Harbour and Farewell Lunch

Morning: Wrap up at the award‑winning Seaplane Harbour (Lennusadam)—submarines, icebreakers, and hands-on maritime exhibits (plan 1.5–2 hours; ~20 EUR). Coffee and a pastry at Kohvik Klaus by the water if time allows.

Afternoon: Last tastes at III Draakon (rustic soups and elk pies in a medieval tavern) or a light lunch in Rotermann. Head to the airport via Tram 4 (~2 EUR; 20 minutes) or taxi/ride-hail (10–20 EUR). Check Omio for your flight details.

Evening: Departure day—carry a loaf of local rye and a jar of sea buckthorn jam in your memories (and luggage, if you stocked up).

Coffee, Eats, and Nightlife—Extra Picks

• Breakfast/coffee: RØST (Rotermann), Kohvik August (Old Town), The Brick Coffee Roastery (Pelgulinn), NOP (Kadriorg).
• Lunch: Balti Jaama Turg stalls, Lore Bistroo (Noblessner), Pegasus (Old Town), F-hoone (Telliskivi).
• Dinner: Lee Restoran (Old Town), Tuljak (seaside, retro-modern classics), Kaja Pizza Köök (Kalamaja), Vegan Restoran V (Old Town).
• Drinks: Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room (Noblessner), wine bars around Telliskivi, jazz at Philly Joe’s, indie nights at Uus Laine.

Optional: Tickets and Transport Tips

• Public transport: Buses, trams, trolleybuses are integrated; contactless tap-ins are easy. Single rides ~2 EUR; day passes available.
• City pass: A 24–72h Tallinn Card can save money if you’re visiting several museums and using transit in a short window.
• Regional travel: Compare ferries to Helsinki and buses to Riga on Omio ferries and Omio buses.

Aligned Viator Activities (1–4 featured)

• Guided Old Town Tallinn Historical Walking Tour — relaxed sightseeing and local stories.
• Lahemaa National Park and Three Waterfalls Tour — forests, manors, waterfalls.
• Day Trip to Prangli Island — authentic island culture and nature.
• Tallinn 3‑Hour Estonian Food Tour — tastes of Estonia with context.

With a gentle rhythm, Tallinn reveals itself: spires and sea, galleries and good coffee, forests and fresh air. Across seven days you’ll see the essentials, eat wonderfully, and still leave room to breathe—exactly the recipe for a relaxing Baltic escape.