Top 5 Places to Take Photos in Tallinn

Tallinn Photo Spots

On the coast of the Baltic Sea, the Estonian capital of Tallinn is truly something out of a fairy tale. It has one of Europe’s best preserved medieval town cores and is considered one of the most beautiful walled cities in the world.  To take a walking tour in Tallinn’s old town is to marvel at incredible architecture composed of picturesque buildings, old churches with gothic spires, and an impressive town wall punctuated by watchtowers. This city breathes history! No wonder the area is a UNESCO-listed heritage site. In Tallinn, wherever you go sightseeing, you’ll stumble across incredible, insta-worthy spots. From gothic and orthodox churches to historical Soviet structures, this city is incredibly photogenic. Not sure where to start? Here are the top 5 places to take photos in Tallinn. 📸

Photo: Uri in Tallinn for Flytographer. A photo of Lai Street in Tallinn, Estonia.

1. Lai Street

As one of the principal streets in Tallinn’s old town, Lai Street is a cultural wonderland where you’ll find several outstanding museums, including the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, the Natural History Museum, and the Puppetry Art Museum.

As you’re culture-hopping, stop by the aptly-named Three Brothers Building Complex for a nice photo. Simple but very instagrammable, they consist of three charming gable roof houses in different colours — cream, green, and yellow.

Elsewhere in the street, you’ll also find a rounded building called Hobuveski, which translates from Estonian to “horse mill.” As the name suggests, this curious structure used to be a horse-powered mill, but today it’s a stage for music concerts, theatre plays and one of the best places to take photos in Tallinn. 🎭

While you’re in the area, it’d be hard to miss St Olaf’s Church. Its 123 meters tall gothic spire rises majestically above all the other roofs. Can you believe this was once the world’s tallest building?

A stone’s throw away from Lai Street is the former KGB headquarters, a small but informative museum where you can learn about the time when Estonia was part of the Soviet Union.

Photo: Uri in Tallinn for Flytographer. A photo of Lai Street in Tallinn, Estonia.

2. Danish King Gardens

Surrounded by the gorgeous 13th-century city walls, this park on the slopes of Toompea Hill is a peaceful spot with stunning panoramic views of Old Town. Relax on a bench amidst the greenery or stroll through some sections of the walls while looking for the delightful cafe housed in a watchtower — a totally instagrammable place with even more superb views.

Don’t miss taking snapshots of the three eerie bronze sculptures of monks. They are Ambrosius, the waiting monk, Bartholomeus, the praying monk, and Claudius, the observing monk. These statues evoke legends of this site, which is supposedly haunted by many ghosts. All three monks gain a unique lighting effect at night, looking even spookier. 👻

On the other hand, rising behind the statues, the walls and towers look stunning with their light effects. All this makes visiting the park at night a splendid idea.

While in the Danish King’s Garden, you can also visit the Kiek in de Kök tower, today housing the Fortification Museum, where you can explore underground passages and learn about Estonia’s military legacy. 🎖️

If you’re wondering about the name, here’s a curiosity: it’s widely believed that the Danish King’s Garden is the birthplace of the Danish flag. Legend has it that, during a brutal battle with the Estonians in this site, the Danish received a divine sign as a small red flag with a white cross falling from the sky. The sign gave them extra strength to fight, which led to victory. Today, visitors can see where the flag supposedly landed. 🇩🇰

Photo: Uri in Tallinn for Flytographer. A photo of the Danish King Gardens in Tallinn, Estonia.

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3. Town Hall Square

Everyone who crosses Viru Gate, the main gate to the Old Town of Tallinn, enters a land of medieval wonders. The heart of everything is Town Hall Square or Raekoja Plats, just a four-minute walk from the gate. 

Tallinn’s Town Hall, which gives the square its name, is the oldest city hall in Northern Europe and the only one in Gothic style. Its impressive facade and gigantic spire alone are already worth the visit, but inside you’ll also find rare artifacts and restored rooms that will take you back in time. 

Surrounding the Tallinn Town Hall, you’ll find other fabulous historical buildings, most of them pastel coloured and with red tile roofs. They contain everything from souvenir shops to charming cafes and restaurants — one even houses the oldest pharmacy in Europe. During summer, the restaurants extend their sitting deep into the square and create one of the best places to take photos in Tallinn. ☀️

A prime meeting point for Tallinners for 800 years, the square is still the site for several outdoor concerts, events, and festivals. One of the most fascinating is Old Town Days, an annual celebration that happens at the beginning of summer where people engage in medieval activities and even dress up in ancient attire. Expect a proper medieval feast with lots of music and photo-worthy moments! ⚔️

Since this is Estonia, you also have a dream-like Christmas Market happening in the square and bringing the city to life during the winter season. Every year, a magnificent Christmas tree is set right in the middle of the square. The popular belief is that Tallinn’s tree was the first Christmas tree on display in Europe. The original one was put up in the 15th century by the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, an old merchants association.

The wonderful Christmas carols are a special bonus. What could be more festive than this? 🎄

Photo: Uri in Tallinn for Flytographer. A photo of the Town Hall Square in Tallinn, Estonia.

4. St. Catherine’s Passage

Surely one of the best things to do in Tallinn‘s Old Town is to get lost in its narrow cobblestone streets and explore its wonders and hidden gems. While here, look for St. Catherine’s Passage, a hidden walkway behind what used to be St. Catherine’s Church. 

A small section of the passage with stone arches and buildings with wooden doors is particularly photogenic, boasting genuine middle-age vibes. 😮

The medieval atmosphere of this corner of the old city gets enhanced with the several craft workshops with artisans making everything from ceramics and hats to jewellery and hand-painted silk. Many resisted technology and still use century-old traditional techniques. The best part is that you can admire their craft in the making because they work in an open studio-like environment. 

During winter, St. Catherine’s Passage looks especially beautiful with its discreet yet incredibly charming Christmas decorations and the snow that covers the cobblestone paths and roofs.

If you want to explore further, the passage connects two well-known streets of the old town: Vene Street and Müürivahe Street. You’ll find great cafes and restaurants (some medieval-themed) in the first, while the latter is home to the Wool Market, where you can buy cute knit accessories. 🧶

Photo: Uri in Tallinn for Flytographer. A photo of St. Catherine’s Passage in Tallinn, Estonia.

5. Toompea Hill

Crowning Tallinn’s Old Town is Toompea Hill, where you’ll find more iconic landmarks and spectacular vistas. Head to the Kohtuotsa viewing platform to look over the picturesque red roofs, bell towers, and the spire of St. Olav’s Church. On the other side of the hill, on the edge of a limestone cliff, is the Patkuli viewing platform from where you get privileged views of the city walls, towers, and harbour.

One of the best places to take photos in Tallinn is: At Kohtuotsa’s viewpoint, you’ll notice a rosy wall with the bittersweet words: “The times we had.” No one is sure about the true meaning of this enigmatic quote, but as they say, the truth is in the beholder’s eye. This place makes for a perfect instagrammble spot with the city’s skyline, including St Olaf’s spire, in the background. 😍

That’s not all. Toompea Castle is also a must-visit spot. Its gigantic walls blend with the limestone hill, and you can climb the 200 steps of its tower, the Pikk Hermann, or Tall Hermann. It’s worth every step. You’ll get more amazing fairytale-like pictures from up there. 🏰

Last but not least, Toompea Hill is home to another Tallinn icon. No visit to the upper town is complete without stopping by Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an orthodox cathedral built when Estonia was part of the Czarist Empire of Russia. Try staying a while until you listen to the resounding sound of its bells. Once more, you’ll be transported to a time long gone. 🔔

Photo: Uri in Tallinn for Flytographer. A photo of the viewpoint at Toompea Hill in Tallinn, Estonia.