Top Tallinn viewpoints - 12 incredible spots for beautiful views and Instagrammable shots.
- teamthomastravels
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Tallinn, Estonia’s fairy-tale capital, is famed for its medieval charm and red-roofed Old Town and there’s no better way to soak in its beauty than from above. Whether you're after panoramic photos, a romantic sunset, or just a new perspective on the city’s spires and cobbled streets, Tallinn offers a variety of stunning viewpoints. From iconic viewing platforms like Kohtuotsa and Patkuli on Toompea Hill to the soaring heights of St. Olav’s Church and the modern Tallinn TV Tower, this guide explores the best viewpoints in Tallinn, so you can choose the perfect place to take in the cityscape, or plan to visit them all! If you've bought a Tallinn card or your trip then good news - 8 of the ticketed sites on this list are included!
1. Patkuli Viewing Platform
What to see: This is one of Tallinn's most famous viewpoints and for good reason! The view from Patkuli is instantly recognisable from postcards on sale in the Old Town: a classic shot of four historic towers and the city walls with St Olaf's Church tower behind.
Where it is: Located on the northern side of Toompea Hill, at Rahukohtu, 10130 Tallinn. You can reach it by cimbing a scenic set of 157 steps from Nunne Street and Shnelli Park. It's then only a couple of minutes walk to Kohtsuotsa viewing platform.
Cost: Free to enjoy!
2. Kohtsuotsa Viewing Platform
What to see: Another gem on Toompea Hill and our personal favourite. From here, you'll be treated to a sweeping view across the Old Town's iconic red rooftops and church spires, all the way the Baltic Sea stretching out in the distance where you can watch the ferries coming and going. At the moment (until someone graffitis over it) there is the word Tallinn painted on a wall, which makes for a very Instagrammable shot and there's a nice overhanging tree branch for some framing!
Where it is: Perched on the eastern side of Toompea Hill, at Kohtu tn 12, 10130 Tallinn. It's a really short walk from Patkuli viewing platform.
Cost: Also absolutely free!
3. Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum
What to see: This isn't just a viewpoint, it's a journey through Tallinn's formidable defensive past! This massive cannon tower's quirky name (no giggling at the back!) means "Peek into the Kitchen," a nod to how high medieval guards could see, and it is now a fascinating museum. From its upper floors you'll get excellent views of the Old Town and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on Toompea Hill, which you can frame with historic stone as you take your photos out of the windows.
Where it is: Find it at Komandandi tee 2, Tallinn, right in the heart of the Old Town's defensive complex. The museum entrance is in the Danish King's garden which also offers a lovely viewpoint across the town, very similar to Kohtsuotsa but from a lower perspective.
Cost: Entry to the entire museum complex (including Kiek in de Kök, Maiden Tower, Marstal Tower and the bastion passages) is €16 for adults, €8 for students. Free with a Tallinn Card. We highly recommend seeing it all, it's absolutely fascinating.
4. St. Olav's Church Tower
What to see: For those who don't mind a climb, the tower of St. Olav's Church offers the highest vantage point in the Old Town. In fact you'll spot this tremendous tower in photographs from all the other viewings platforms - it's visible from all over Tallinn! After climbing 232 steps, you'll be rewarded with 360-degree birdseye views from 60m up- well worth the work out!
Where it is: Located at Lai 50, 10133 Tallinn, within the Old Town, close to the KGB prison cells museum.
Cost: €8 for adults to climb the tower, €5 for students, Free with a Tallinn Card. Entrance to the church itself is free.
5. Hellemann Tower
What to see: Hellemann Tower has a beautifully restored 200m stretch of the medieval city wall that you can walk along. Climb to the top for lovely views of the Old Town, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and a real sense of what it was like to patrol these ancient defenses - from the top of the tower you can also look along the length of the wall towards St Olav's Church.
Where it is: Situated at Müürivahe tn 48, Tallinn, part of the well-preserved city wall near Viru Gate. If you walk through St Catherine's Passage from Vene tn you'll pop out at the right place.
Cost: €4 for adults, €2 for students. Free with a Tallinn Card.
6. Niguliste Museum Sky Deck
What to see: A hidden gem that many miss, this viewpoint offers a modern twist on historical perspectives. Located within the Niguliste Museum (St. Nicholas Church), a 13th century church rebuilt over 30 years following WWII bombing, a glass lift whizzes you up to a contemporary sky deck for fantastic 360-degree views of the Old Town. The museum itself is also worth exploring for its impressive collection of ecclesiastical art including the last remaining section of one of Estonia's most famous paintings, Bernt Notke's Dance Of Death, the only medieval Dance Macabre on canvas in the world.
Where it is: Find it at Niguliste tn 3, 10130 Tallinn, in the Old Town.
Cost: €15 for adults to access the museum and sky deck, €9 for children (aged 9-18), students and seniors. Free with a Tallinn Card. On the last Wednesday of very month, you can visit for €3.
7. Tallinn Town Hall Tower
What to see: Climbing the Town Hall Tower's 115 steps puts you at the very heart of the Old Town, offering a unique perspective of Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square) and the surrounding medieval buildings. You'll get a close-up view of the intricate details of the Town Hall itself, built in 1402, and the bustling square below from the balcony where soldiers used to keep watch. N.B. It's a seasonal opening, you can only visit between from June 1st - August 31st.
Where it is: Located at Raekoja plats 1, 10146 Tallinn, right in the main Town Hall Square.
Cost: Information on exact pricing varies seasonally, but expect a small fee for entry.
8. Tallinn TV Tower
What to see: For the most expansive panoramic views of Tallinn and beyond, head to the Tallinn Teletorn. As the tallest building in Estonia, it offers unparalleled 360-degree vistas from the 21st level (175m) that stretch for miles on a clear day, encompassing the entire city, the Baltic Sea, and even glimpses of the Finnish coast. Beyond the views, there are interactive exhibits, a thrilling "Walk on the Edge" experience for the brave and a restaurant.
Where it is: It's a bit further out from the Old Town, located at Kloostrimetsa tee 58 A, Tallinn. You can easily reach it by public transport (buses 34 and 38 from Viru Center).
Cost: Adult tickets are €18 online (19 in person) with discounts for children, students, and families. Free with the Tallinn card.
9. Hotel Viru & KGB Museum
What to see: This isn't your typical "viewing platform" in the traditional sense, but it offers a unique and historically significant perspective of Tallinn. Located on the 23rd floor of the iconic Hotel Viru, the KGB Museum unveils the intriguing (and often chilling) secrets of Soviet-era surveillance. Only accessible by pre booking a guided tour, as well as enjoying a panoramic view of the city from the hotel balcony, you'll also get an eye-opening look into history by exploring a secret former KGB office and hearing captivating stories of espionage, hidden microphones, and the lives of those under watch.
Where it is: Right in the modern centre of Tallinn, at Viru väljak 4, 10111 Tallinn. The hotel is a prominent landmark, easily accessible from the Old Town
Cost: Access to the KGB Museum is by guided tour only, and it's highly recommended to book in advance as spots are limited. The cost is €17 for adults, €8.50 for children (9 and under free). The tour usually lasts about an hour.
Scenic cafes and rooftop bars in Tallinn:
Sometimes the best views come with a drink in hand! If you're looking for a coffee or cocktail with a view here are 3 suggestions:
10. ISSEI Restaurant & Bar (Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallinn)
What to see: Perched atop the Radisson Collection Hotel, ISSEI offers wonderful panoramic views from their open air terrace that perfectly blend the old city with the new. You'll get sweeping vistas of the Old Town's red roofs and spires alongside the modern city skyline and the sparkling Baltic Sea. It's an ideal spot for a sunset drink! Beyond the views, ISSEI is known for its exquisite Nikkei cuisine (Japanese-Peruvian fusion) and creative cocktails.
Where it is: Located on the 24th floor of the Radisson Collection Hotel at Rävala puiestee 3, 10143 Tallinn. It's a short walk from the Old Town.
Cost: While there's no entry fee for the bar, you'll be paying for your drinks and any food you order. Cocktails typically range from €14-€19 and food prices align with a high-end restaurant. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner or prime sunset times.
11. Café Maru at Fat Margaret (Estonian Maritime Museum)
What to see: Perched on the top floor of the historic Fat Margaret cannon tower, which houses the Estonian Maritime Museum, Café Maru offers charming views of Tallinn's busy seaport with its ferries and cruise ships and a lovely angle on the northern part of the Old Town city wall. It's a particularly nice stop for a daytime coffee or a light lunch, and the Maritime museum is also worth a visit.
Where it is: Located on the top floor of Fat Margaret, at Pikk 70, 10133 Tallinn, right at the northern entrance to the Old Town and very close to the passenger harbor.
Cost: Access to Café Maru is included with the entry ticket to the Estonian Maritime Museum (which is housed within Fat Margaret). The museum ticket is €15 for adults, €8 for children. Free entry with a Tallinn Card, plus 10% discount in the cafe.
12. Maiden Tower Museum Cafe (Neitsitorn)
What to see: The Maiden Tower, or Neitsitorn, gives you the opportunity to enjoy a coffee hile sitting on Tallinn's medieval city wall. Built as a defensive tower in the 14th century, it later served as a residence for artists before becoming a popular café. From the 3rd floor you'll get lovely views of the Danish King's Garden, the Old Town rooftops and St Olav's Church, sitting either inside the cafe by the large windows, or at one of the little tables out along the wall itself.
Where it is: Located at Lühike jalg 9a, 10130 Tallinn. It's connected to the Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum complex, and you can access it from the Danish King's Garden.
Cost: You can only access the Neitsitorn café through the ticket barrier as part of the Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum. €16 for adults, €8 for students. Free with a Tallinn Card.
A note about accessibility :
While Kohtsuotsa and Patkuli on Toompea hill can be accessed by road and so avoid steps, for those requiring lift access, the Niguliste Museum Sky Deck and the Tallinn TV Tower are your best bets, offering modern conveniences to reach their impressive heights.
However, many of Tallinn's historic towers and viewpoints like Kiek in de Kök, St. Olav's Church Tower, Hellemann Tower, and the Town Hall Tower, involve navigating steep and winding historic staircases. Unfortunately, this means they aren't suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The KGB museum at Hotel Viru is also accessed via stairs.
ISSEI Restaurant & Bar is wheelchair accessible, Cafe Maru has a lift (the whole museum is accessible), but one section of the terrace is up a short flight of steps and the Maiden Tower cafe is not wheelchair accessible as it is up a flight of stairs on the 3rd floor as part of the Kiek in de Kok fortifications complex.
If you're visiting with very young children, we'd highly recommend baby wearing as you won't be able to take a pushchair into most of these sites- we use a small backpack carrier from LittleLife.
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