Tallinn is a compact Baltic capital on the Gulf of Finland, and its main draw for a visitor is the medieval Old Town, one of the best-preserved in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also a modern European capital with a working port, a strong technology sector, and a ferry link to Helsinki that is short enough to make the city a natural stop on a wider northern itinerary.
For a visitor, the layout is simple to grasp. The Old Town sits at the centre, with Toompea hill above it, and it holds most of what you have come to see. Around it are the areas that grew up with the port and the railway: the harbour zone to the north, the streets just outside the old walls, and quieter residential districts further out. This guide covers which of those areas to base yourself in, and what each one means for how you spend your days.
Best areas to stay in Tallinn
1. Old Town
The Old Town is the medieval core, and it is where the largest share of places to stay is found, from hostels to hotels in historic buildings. It suits first-time visitors above all, because you can walk out of your door and be among the streets, squares and walls that define the city, and it also suits anyone who wants restaurants, bars and evening life within a short walk.
Accommodation here ranges widely: dorm beds in hostels, small hotels in old houses, and mid-range and upscale properties, some of them in buildings centuries old. The practical point to weigh is that this is the busiest and most tourist-facing part of the city, and the streets are old and often narrow, so expect some noise and a lot of foot traffic rather than quiet.
2. Just outside the Old Town
The ring of streets immediately beyond the old walls, including the area around Toompuiestee, the railway station and the streets south of the Old Town, is a practical alternative. It suits travellers who want to be within walking distance of the sights without sleeping in the middle of them, as well as those arriving or leaving by train, since the Baltic Railway Station is here.
You find a mix of hotels, including larger and more conventional ones, often at lower rates than inside the walls. The trade-off is small: you are a short walk, not a step, from the Old Town, and some of these streets are busy roads rather than lanes, so check how you will cross to the centre on foot.
3. The harbour area
The area around the Old Town Port and the ferry terminals, to the north of the centre, is dominated by the port and by larger modern hotels. It suits travellers arriving or departing by ferry, and anyone who values modern, spacious accommodation over historic surroundings.
This is where you find big hotels with facilities such as pools and conference space, and self-service options near the terminals. The practical point is distance: parts of this area are a considerable walk from everything except the ferry terminal, and some of it is not a picturesque part of the city, so it works best if the ferry is central to your plans.
4. Pirita
Pirita lies north-east of the centre, near the beach, and is the most resort-like of the options here. It suits travellers who want a quieter base with access to the sea, and it is a reasonable choice if you are combining a city visit with time outdoors.
Accommodation is limited and spread out, and the area is well away from the Old Town, so you should plan on using transport rather than walking to the centre. It is a sensible base only if the beach and the coastal setting are part of why you are coming.
5. Nõmme
Nõmme is a district further from the centre, and it appears here mainly as an option for travellers who want lower prices or who have a reason to be in that part of the city. It suits budget-conscious visitors who do not mind a commute.
You find hotel-style accommodation rather than hostels, and the connection to the centre is by bus, so you trade convenience for cost. Treat it as a base only if you are comfortable planning each trip into town.
6. Near the airport and Lake Ülemiste
The area around the airport and Lake Ülemiste, east of the centre, is the practical choice for a short stopover or a very early flight. It suits travellers passing through rather than those here to see the city.
There is at least one hotel here within walking distance of the airport and a shopping centre, but apart from those it is not close to anything, and you will need transport for everything else. Use it for convenience, not as a sightseeing base.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: hostels, mostly in and around the Old Town, with dorm beds and some single and double rooms; a few cheaper hotels exist further out, including near the airport and in Nõmme, and self-service hotels offer simple rooms at low rates.
- Mid-range: conventional hotels in and just outside the Old Town, often in older buildings, with private rooms and standard facilities; some larger hotels near the harbour and the centre also fall into this bracket.
- Splurge: upscale hotels, including properties in historic buildings in the Old Town and larger spa and conference hotels near the port, with more space and more facilities.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the Old Town. It puts the medieval streets, the Town Hall Square and Toompea within walking distance of your room, and it gives you the widest choice of places to stay at every level. If you want slightly more quiet or a lower rate, the streets just outside the old walls are the next best thing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Old Town a good base for a first trip to Tallinn?
Yes. It is the historic centre and the area with the greatest concentration of accommodation, and staying there means the main sights are within walking distance.
Where should I stay if I am arriving by ferry?
Look at the harbour area around the Old Town Port and the ferry terminals, where several larger hotels sit close to the terminals. Be aware that parts of this area are a considerable distance from the rest of the city.
Can I stay near the airport for an early flight?
Yes. There is a hotel close to the shore of Lake Ülemiste within walking distance of the airport, though it is not close to much else.
Are there budget options outside the Old Town?
Yes. Cheaper hotel rooms can be found in districts such as Nõmme, reached by bus, and near the airport, as well as in self-service hotels closer to the centre.
Compare live prices for the areas that suit you using the booking tools on this page.