Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is a historic and culturally rich city known for iconic landmarks like Toompea Castle and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. With a population of over 437,619 people speaking a multitude of languages, it is a significant economic hub with a blend of medieval architecture and modern innovation.
Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia. It’s situated on the northern coast of the country, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. Tallinn is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the country’s main economic, transportation, and cultural centre. Since the Middle Ages, Tallinn has been a bridge between the East and West, being a crossroads for trade and diplomacy. It is famous for its astounding medieval architecture and modern structures that stand side by side to complement each other. Some of the places that make it famous include the amazing ancient buildings, Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn TV Tower and Kadriorg Palace.
Census in Estonia is done after every 10 years and 2011 was the last time that it was conducted. The next census is scheduled for 2021 in Estonia. According to the 2011 census, Tallinn had a population of 437,619. Compared to other cities in Estonia, Tallinn is considered to be more diverse. According to the 2011 census, 68.7% of the population is Estonians based in Tallinn while across Estonia amounted to 69.7%. This is due to many people moving away from the city center. When it comes to religious beliefs, Tallinn is known to be diverse as most people identify themselves as Orthodox Christians, Lutherans and non-religious. According to the data collected during the 2011 census, 16.15% people in Tallinn identified themselves as Orthodox Christians, 9.91% as Lutherans, 54.14% as non-religious and 19.8% of respondents declared that they followed other religions. Tallinn houses over 437,619 residents, who collectively speak over 100 languages, including Estonian, Russian, Ukrainian, English and Finnish. Tallinn is known for its well preserved medieval old town, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city boasts of a vibrant tech scene with numerous start-ups operating out of the city.
Tallinn is governed by the Tallinn City Council which is a representative body elected by the citizens for four years. The City Council appoints the City Government, which is an executive body formed by the Mayor. The Mayor is elected by the City Council and he then appoints the deputy mayors. The City Government manages and governs the city’s daily operations and implements the laws and regulations of the city. The city is divided into 8 administrative districts to provide better services and ensure necessary living and working conditions for the citizens. Each district is governed by an Elder, who is appointed by the City Government.
Tallinn has always been a commercial city and today enjoys the status of having one of the largest city economies in Estonia. The city thrives in trade and commerce and has a vibrant culture seeped in commerce. It has a GDP of about €15 billion, which is about 50 percent of Estonia's total GDP. The size of its economy is larger than that of several European nations. Tallinn's Port handles 20 million tons of cargo every year.
Tallinn has made significant progress in its infrastructure plan 2035. The Mayor of Tallinn took a big step forward in planning for growth with the publication of Tallinn’s Infrastructure Plan 2035. It identifies a range of infrastructure priorities for Tallinn, from new energy, water and sewerage infrastructure, to enhanced digital connectivity and new road, rail and sea transport schemes. Some of the investment is provided by the private sector, through the privatized utilities. This has generally worked well in Tallinn, although business is particularly concerned at the lack of capacity in digital infrastructure. The take-up of high speed broadband by business is high compared to other European cities; and just over 3% of premises cannot access superfast broadband in the first place.
Tallinn is one of the most technologically advanced cities in Europe. It has a huge number of financial transactions that take place electronically each day through it financial services industry. Because Tallinn relies on its tech and financial sector so much, it has invested heavily in its communications infrastructure, and continues to do so, under the auspices of its private IT sector and other partners, such as the city of Tallinn. However, the technology industry that is part of Tallinn's economy is not simply there to support the financial services sector. It is a big player in its own right.

Discover the delicious and unique flavors of Estonian cuisine in a hands-on cooking class guided by a local chef. Learn to prepare Estonia's favorite dishes with easy-to-follow techniques that you can recreate at home. While cooking, enjoy entertaining stories about Estonian food culture and traditions, making the experience both fun and educational. Perfect for food enthusiasts eager to explore a hidden culinary gem!
Being a private tour, it’s built around your interests. You will also get a video clip of your day as a thanks for visiting Estonia. You’ll have the freedom to decide on every part of your journey or just relax and enjoy one of the attractions along the way. We are going to explore Western-Estonia today during one of these day trips from Tallinn. The main draws for western Estonia are nature, the Paldiski area, Noarootsi Peninsula and the resort town of Haapsalu boasting some cute wooden architecture and oodles of summer concerts and outdoor terraces. There are many interesting cultural and nature-related sites to stop along the route. Like the calm and friendly small town of Haapsalu, Noarootsi peninsula with untouched nature and Scandinavian feel, limestone cliffs in Paldiski and a beautiful waterfall near Tallinn.
Feel like enjoying Tallinn in a more creative way? This special tour will show you its impressive Old Town by having a spontaneous photoshoot around its most fascinating spots. As a result, you will get a gallery of beautifully edited pictures in colour, sepia and b&w to keep as a unique memory of your trip. A different and fun way to get the best out of your Tallinn experience!
Explore Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town privately, at your pace, with an expert native Estonian guide who connects medieval merchants, rival towns, grand churches, wealthy guilds, foreign rulers, Soviet scars, and modern Estonia into one clear story. This is the classic medieval Old Town experience, but not a canned group tour. You’ll cover both Lower and Upper Old Town, from Town Hall Square and Toompea Hill to iconic medieval churches, panoramic viewpoints, city walls, and atmospheric corners that tie the city’s layers together. Private means private: no strangers, no raised umbrella, no memorized script. Just your group, your questions, and an attentive guide who listens, notices, and adapts the pace, depth, and emphasis to you. - Private 2- or 3-hour Old Town walking tour - Native Estonian guide with personal stories and local context - Highlights in Lower and Upper Old Town - 3-hour tour includes St Mary’s Cathedral entry - Archival visuals, rich storytelling, flexible pace
On this tour, you will see all the main highlights of Tallinn’s Old Town and learn more about daily life in the Middle Ages. We’ll explore merchants’ dwellings, a 15th-century pharmacy that’s still in operation, the medieval marketplace, the district of knights and nobility, churches, the Town Hall, artisans’ and merchants’ guild halls — and of course, the city wall and its towers. As we walk, you’ll find out: who lived in the Upper and Lower Towns, who was exempt from paying entrance fees to the city, how drunkenness was dealt with in medieval times, the cost of black pepper back then, why some young men were called "Blackheads", the meaning behind the medieval proverb “Town's air sets men free” — and much more! We invite you to explore Tallinn’s Old Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rare and authentic medieval atmosphere. Don’t miss it!
Discover the legendary Tallinn Old Town with a local guide! This unique guided walking tour takes you from Freedom Square to the Upper Town, where you can admire breathtaking views and discover some of Tallinn’s oldest and most prestigious sights. Your guide will share fascinating stories and legends about these landmarks, some of which date back nearly a thousand years. As you descend from Toompea Hill, the medieval cobblestone streets lead you to the very heart of the city – Town Hall Square, home to several record-breaking sights. During the walk, your guide will offer recommendations for local cafés and restaurants. You’ll also receive insider tips on handmade Estonian souvenirs and other places to explore in the city. Please note that this tour includes climbing some stairs and walking on uneven surfaces (cobblestones). It is not recommended to bring large items, such as suitcases, with you.