My Photography & Travel Guide to Talinn, Estonia
Tallinn is a gem! It is a small town. You can walk from end to end in about 15 to 20 minutes. We really enjoyed our visit. It was an unexpected visit after Russia only gave us a 72-hour visa, but that’s another story. So we decided to visit another country, and Tallinn was perfect stopover.
Town Square
There is so much to photograph in Tallinn! There is also lots of delicious food. The city reminds me a little of Prague, but a much smaller version.
When to Go?
The best time to visit Tallinn is during early Summer, from May to June, and in the early Fall. The weather during this period is very pleasant. We visited during the Winter, and we loved it. You will only need 2-3 days to visit the city.
Where to Stay?
There are lots of great hotels in Tallinn, and we chose the 23-room Schlossle Hotel. Schlössle Hotel is located on Pühavaimu Street in the Old Town of Tallinn. The hotel dates back to the 14th century. It is located right next to the old town square, and its cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops are within a 10-minute walk.
They not only have beautiful rooms but also a very nice restaurant.
Where to Eat?
There are so many places to eat in Tallinn that you may have difficulty choosing. They have a huge number of vegetarian restaurants as well. Make sure to try the Black Rye Bread.
Rataskaevu 16 is by far the most popular and serves up some traditional Baltic food. We also enjoyed Vegan Restoran V, Von Krahli Aed, Fika – Leib ja Kohv (Bread and Coffee), and Rado, Tallinn Old Town.
My Favorite Photography Locations
Tallinn is a fantastic city for photography. The old town is quite small, but its countless alleys and streets make for great images. If you’re looking for an iconic photo of the city, there are 2 great locations that are within a 10-minute walk of the hotel I recommended above.
KOHTUOTSA VAATEPLATVORM (VIEWING PLATFORM)
This is probably the most iconic photography location in Tallinn. It is where the famous ‘The Times We Had’ quote is found on the wall next to the viewing platform.
The walk up to the viewing platform
The viewing platform provides an epic view of the Old Town with its red roofs, the Baltic Sea, and the Gulf of Finland in the background. The Toompea castle is right around the corner from this location.
Toompea Castle
This Baroque castle was built on top of a 9th-century citadel. It is believed that the first wooden Toompea Castle was built around the 10th or 11th century. After Estonia became independent in 1918, the government decided to build a new house for the nation's parliament (Riigikogu) at the site of the former convent building of the Teutonic Order.
Raekoja Plats - OLD TOWN SQUARE
Town Hall Square, also known as Raekoja Plats, is the heart of the city of Tallinn, with its colorful houses and the Gothic town hall as its main building. In this square, there are also many restaurants and an old pharmacy that is really interesting to visit.
You can take pictures in various picturesque corners but our favorite spot is between three/four coloured houses with the Troika restaurant in the centre.
Saiakang
One of the cutest streets in Tallinn is Saiakang, or “white bread”. The name comes from all the bakeries that used to be in the area.
CITY HALL
The Tallinn Town Hall is a building in the Old Town of Tallinn, Estonia, next to the Town Hall Square.
Kalev Marzipan Museum Room
Kalev Marzipan Museum Room is a museum in Tallinn that is located just a few steps from the Old Town Square.
Holy Spirit Church
The Church of the Holy Ghost, or Church of the Holy Spirit, is a medieval Lutheran church in the old town. It is located behind Raekoja plats.
House of the Brotherhood of Black Heads or Mustpeade Maja
There are plenty of amazing Tallinn Doors to photograph. In fact, people make it a mission to capture as many as possible. But, if you only have time for one, make it the entrance to the House of the Brotherhood of Blackheads.
St. Catherine’s Passage
St Catherine’s Passage or Katariina käik is a little street hidden in the Old Town. It is right by the city walls.
Tallinn City Walls
As well as the towers, visiting Tallinn's old city defense walls is a must. The old city walls are so well preserved.
St. Olaf’s Church
St. Olaf’s Church or St. Olav's Church is believed to have been built in the 12th century and to have been the center for old Tallinn's Scandinavian community before Denmark conquered Tallinn in 1219. Its name relates to King Olaf II of Norway (also known as Saint Olaf, 995–1030).
PATKULI VIEWING PLATFORM
From here, your photos will also show those iconic city wall towers and the churches. It’s only a 2-minute walk between the two viewing platforms, so you can photograph both locations at the same sunrise or sunset.
Rataskaevu Street
Tallinn’s old town is full of picturesque and colorful streets. There are lots of shops and cafes all over the city. These streets are Mündi Street, St. Catherine’s Passage, Saiakang, Pikk Street, and Rataskaevu Street.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
This Orthodox Cathedral is a reminder of the Russian colonial heritage in Tallinn. Tallinn was part of the Russian Empire and so Tsar Alexander III commissioned the design from Mikhail Preobrazhensky in 1894.
Final Thoughts
Tallinn feels like two worlds sharing the same skyline. On one side, medieval towers and cobblestone lanes that look unchanged for centuries. On the other, a sleek, digital forward city that moves quietly and confidently into the future. That contrast is what makes it unforgettable.
What struck me most was how compact and walkable it is. You can climb to Kohtuotsa or Patkuli viewing platforms at sunrise and watch soft light spill over red rooftops and church spires. Later, you can wander through the Old Town’s narrow alleys and photograph textured doors, iron lanterns, and hidden courtyards. By evening, the city glows warmly, and the stone walls seem to hold centuries of stories.
For photographers, Tallinn rewards exploration beyond the obvious postcard view. Yes, capture the classic skyline. But also look for layers, archways framing distant towers, silhouettes against pastel skies, reflections in small puddles after rain. Early morning is your best friend here. The crowds thin, and the city feels personal.
If you are interested in joining one of my photography workshops, you can find the details through the link. You can also follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or subscribe to my newsletter for more travel photography tips and behind-the-scenes insight.
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