Discover the best Tallinn photography spots, areas and a unique day trip with this guide! The most complete overview of Estonia’s capital for photography.
Estonia is the northernmost Baltic country, and Tallinn, its capital, is located at the northern tip of the country. A short ferry ride to Finland, and (when geopolitics allow it), a short train ride to Russia.
Tallinn is probably the most photogenic of the three Baltic capitals. However, this might be due to the city being the most touristy out of the three of them (Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn), although not for a massive difference. The proximity to Finland and the modern and cosmopolitan vibe of Tallinn make it perfect for a long weekend. However, it can also be used as a base to explore the north of Estonia.
Tallinn photography guide: useful information
Before deep-diving into the main photography spots and opportunities of this Tallinn guide, here are a couple of technical questions that I would have liked to read about before making it there.
How many days do I need to photograph Tallinn?
Tallinn is not a massive city, and it can be visited in a few days. If you only have 24 hours, you could explore its Old Town and leave thinking you have seen most of it. While it could be technically true, Tallinn is way more than its Old Town. There are a few very interesting day trips you can take, and other areas of the city are also worth your time.
3 days would be the sweet spot for me. It would allow enough time to get lost in its old town, explore areas like its harbour and Kadriorg, and even do a day trip to a bog (which, if weather permits, it’s a must for me).
What is the best area to stay, visit, and photograph Tallinn?
I’ve been to Tallinn twice, and I have stayed in two very different areas of the city. On my first time, I stayed in the Old Town. The second time, I went for an Airbnb at a 10-15′ walk to the Old Town, in a more modern area.
After trying both options, I think it depends on how much time you will have in Tallinn. If you want to explore and photograph the city in less than 24-36 hours, stay in the Old Town. Everything will be at a 10-20′ walk max, and you will save time moving around. However, if you plan on exploring a bit more of the area, go for something a bit more distant. The Old Town doesn’t represent Tallinn. Although it’s not a massively touristy city, the Old Town is where most people stay and where most tourist traps/attractions are.
What is the best season to visit and photograph Tallinn? (summer vs winter)
I mentioned above that I’ve been twice to Tallinn. The first time was in December, the second one in August. I would usually recommend Spring and Summer. It’s when the weather will be better, and will allow for more outdoor activities.
Yet, winter has its charm in Tallinn. The Old Town looks fantastic under the snow, and its Christmas Markets are great. However, be warned, it can get really cold, don’t underestimate it.
If you are planning a 24h trip/weekend getaway, both Summer and Winter are good options. If you want to devote a bit more time, enjoy nature and the sun, go during the Summer.
How expensive is Tallinn?
Tallinn is, without any doubt, the most expensive city in the Baltic. I have also noticed how the prices have increased over time, from my first visit to my second one. Yet, Tallinn is still an affordable destination if you compare it to other European cities.
Don’t expect South-East Asia prices, but within Europe, you will be on the cheaper side, but not in the cheapest city. Even Riga or Vilnius are cheaper than Tallinn.
How safe is Tallinn?
Tallinn is very safe. Overall, the Baltic cities are very safe, and Tallinn is no exception. As a photographer, I walk alone in the early morning or late night with a camera and other gear in my hand, and safety is very important to me. I did not feel unsafe, threatened or worried at any time.
If we look at world statistics, according to the Global Peace Index, it’s number 24. A big feat if we consider that it borders Russia, which at the time of writing this is at war with Ukraine.
Tallinn Old Town photography spots: a complete guide
The Old Town of Tallinn is its main tourist attraction. Slightly hilly (this means great viewpoints), cobblestone streets, beautiful alleys, and lots of great photography opportunities. It is a must for anyone visiting and photographing Tallinn.
However, be careful with your photos. There’s the risk (and this usually happens to me all the time) of taking only the easy photos, as they are already beautiful enough. This is why I recommend more than one visit to its old town, to photograph behind the beautiful first impression.
Old town streets
Let’s start with something that is not a specific location. The streets and alleys of the Old Town are full of photo opportunities, and besides the famous Tallinn Photography spots that you will find in this guide, I highly recommend getting lost in its streets, especially at early morning, just at sunrise, when tourists are sleeping or getting breakfast, and the old town starts waking up.
Here you have one of the alleys I found, but the Old Town has many. Make sure to explore them!
Viru Gate
One of the main city gates is the Viru Gate. Most likely, you will access the Old Town through it, at least at some point in your visit. This is one of the most photographed spots in Tallinn, and it’s easy to understand why. The cute tower of the city walls, with one of the main streets of the old town behind,… It really makes for a good photo.
Just next to it, there are a few flower stands. You can try to include them in your photo, to add a bit of colour, and make the photo slightly different from the classical snapshot. Or instead of shooting towards the old town, shoot towards the newer part of the city.
Tallinn Old Town viewpoints
Tallinn is a city that has to be seen from above. The 2 main viewpoints over the city are at a 2/3 minute walk from one another, and offer a very similar view. In fact, one of them is far superior in my opinion, as it offers a more complete view of the old town. The two spots are the Kohtuotsa viewing platform and the Patkuli Viewing Platform.
From the first one, you can get a view like the one below. It is a more urban viewpoint, although the sea is very visible in the distance. The second viewpoint only shows part of the Old Town, but offers views over some of the gardens, and is a more direct viewpoint over the sea. Being so close to one another, check them both, and decide which is your favourite one!
Pro tip: This is a great photography sunrise spot year-round (although be careful with the ice in winter). Get there early and enjoy the first sunbeams over the city of Tallinn.
Alexandr Nevski Cathedral
If this name rings a bell, it might be that you have visited a cathedral with the same name in Bulgaria. The one in Tallinn was built at the end of the 18th century/beginning of the 19th century, and it’s a great photo spot. However, only from the outside. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to take photos inside, which is beautiful.
Still, try to avoid the simple frontal photo of the Orthodox Church. Try capturing it from one of the streets leading to it for a slightly different photo.
City walls
Tallinn’s Old Town is surrounded by city walls. Some of them date back to the 14th century and can add to your photos of the city. Excluding the specific towers/gates that I cover in the guide, I did not find them easy to photograph. The main reason is that the walls are either attached or very close to the houses in the Old Town, so it was difficult to give a sense of size to the photos.
It’s true that with a drone I would have been able to take way better photos of them, but I don’t know about the drone legislation in Estonia, and I suspect that in the Old Town, you’d need to ask for an official permit.
Coastal Gate and Fat Margaret
Not all sections of the city walls are difficult to photograph. I mentioned the Viru Gate earlier, and now it’s the turn of the Coastal Gate and Fat Margaret. Fat Margaret is the name of the tower attached to the Coastal Gate, which is the starting point of some of the Tallinn tours.
In both my experiences in the city, the coastal gate was way quieter than the other access points to the Old Town, not only at sunrise but also throughout the day. Like in many cities in Europe, the moment you leave the main path that all tourists take, you can easily get the city to yourself.
Old Town Square
The heart of the Old Town of Tallinn had to make it to this photography guide as a spot. However, to me, it’s not the top 1 spot to photograph. It’s one of these places that I find more beautiful when captured from a distance than when I am in it.
The Square is big and has the city hall at its centre. Yet, I found it difficult to photograph. You will be in this square more than once, so it’s the perfect opportunity to try different angles and try to get a better and different photo from the one I took below.
Katariina käik
I already recommended the Old Town streets of Tallinn as a spot in this photography guide. But there is one specific street that deserves to be mentioned separately, and it is Katariina käik. This little alley is just next to St. Catherine’s Monastery. What makes it unique are the arches that were used to make sure that the Monastery would not fall, and that cross the street at different levels.
It is a great photo spot, but a slightly tricky one. If you want to get most of the arches in the photo, you will need to find the right place in the street, so walk up and down it until you get a photo you are happy with.
Town Hall Pharmacy
If you have visited some European cities, you might think you’ve read the following line a few times. This is the oldest pharmacy in Europe that has continually operated in the same premises. I have seen similar claims in multiple cities, and I don’t know if it’s 100% true or not, but what I do know is that it is a very interesting pharmacy.
I add it as part of this photography guide because it’s one of the must-visit spots in Tallinn. It’s not easy to get a great photo there. It’s a small space, with lots of people, but some of the details inside might be worth capturing.
Other Tallinn photography spots: a guide
Tallinn is much more than its Old Town. I hope the spots (and photos) below encourage you to leave the Old Town and explore the rest of the city, as it has much to offer, from majestic palaces to hipster markets.
Kadriorg Palace
If I could only do one thing from this list, I would choose this one. The Kadriorg Palace is located in the Kadriorg subdistrict and hosts the Kadriorg Art Museum. However, what makes it special is not its inside, but the outside view. This is a colourful palace, surrounded by green (or white, in winter) gardens, and is a fantastic photography opportunity.
Not only the palace, but the surrounding gardens have much to offer, and I had lots of fun trying to get some creative photos there.
Japanese gardens
While you are in the Kadriorg area, why not walk a bit more and reach the Japanese garden? Yes, a Japanese garden in Tallinn. This is a spot that looks better during the summer months, for obvious reasons. It’s not a unique thing, if you have been to Japan, it can be underwhelming, but it’s a great place to go for a walk, relax and take some different photos.
Balti Jaam market
Every European city needs a hipster market, and this is Tallinn’s. Located at a short walk from the Old Town, it is a very diverse place. In there, you can find from old Estonian books, to fresh (and a bit expensive) vegetables and fruits, or thrift shops.
It is a nice way to see how new meets old in Estonia, and being so close to the Old Town, it could very well make it in the “Tallinn Old Town photography spots” section.
Tallinn Linnahall
Tallinn is a modern city, but it also has its history with the USSR. One of the most prominent examples of it is the Tallinn Linnahall. When the 1980 Olympics were hosted in Moscow, the sailing events were held in Tallinn, and this venue was built. Nowadays, from the outside it looks like an abandoned building, but it has great views over the sea.
If you are visiting during winter, and you don’t mind the cold, this is a great spot to see and photograph the frozen Baltic Sea.
Noblessner marina
The sea is everywhere in Tallinn, and one of the best places to see it is the Noblessner marina. This area was surprisingly photogenic and one of the great surprises of the trip. It’s not the main place to be in Tallinn, but it felt quiet, authentic and less explored.
If you are up for it, walk from the marina to the Old Town. Almost all the route follows the seaside, and some nice photos can be taken there. I enjoyed grabbing my film camera and capturing some images, like the one below.
Trams
Almost at the end of the guide, there are the trams. If you have read my Riga guide, I mentioned how the old trams match the vibe of the city. Here, instead, the modern trams match the vibe of Tallinn. As a key part of the mobility of the city, trams are everywhere (except inside the old town). I especially enjoyed photographing them early in the morning or late into the night.
TV Tower
Finally, the TV Tower. This is the tallest building in Estonia at 314 meters. It has a viewing platform at the top. To be very honest, I did not climb to the top in either of my 2 visits to Tallinn. However, I made it to its base, as part of a bike trip (see below in the daytrips section), and it should be added to this guide.
Tallinn photography daytrips
As I mentioned in the information of interest section, Tallinn can be a great base to explore part of Estonia. Here you have 2 possible daytrips (or half-day trips) you can do, both with great photo opportunities.
Viru bog
Just like Latvia, Estonia has many bogs. The easiest one to reach by public transport and one of the most beautiful ones is the Viru bog. It is a short hike of around 5-6 km, but it has many photo opportunities. COMING SOON: Viru Bog photography guide.
Bike trip
Biking is always a great way to explore a new country. You can cover larger distances, and you are not going too fast to not see or enjoy the landscape. I did a 40 km circular route, going from Tallinn to the North of the Bay, all the way to Puunsi, to then going towards the TV tower following a circular route. The photo opportunities are mostly on the seaside. I got unlucky and even had to bear a short storm, but the area has a lot of potential, as you can see in the photo below.
These are all the spots of my Tallinn photography guide! If you want to keep up with future posts, you can reach out to me on Instagram (@aniolvisuals)! Otherwise, if you need help when planning your trip, you can schedule a free 30-minute Q&A session with me below. Thanks for reading!
