Helsinki to Tallinn Day Trip: What We Loved and What We'd Change
A day trip that’s only a ferry ride away from Helsinki, filled with medieval charm and rich stories.
Every time we visit Europe, we’re reminded just how close everything is. Coming from Australia, where even the nearest international trip means hours in the air, the idea of crossing into another country for the day still feels like a novelty.
So while spending a week in Helsinki, we decided to make the most of it and take a day trip across the Baltic to Tallinn, Estonia.
Estonia hadn’t really been on our radar, and it turns out that’s entirely on us. The two capitals sit just 82km (51 miles) apart, making them one of the closest capital-to-capital pairings in Europe. The ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn takes around 2–2.5 hours each way, and with an early start and evening return, it leaves a surprisingly big window to explore.
(Be sure to check out our custom map later in the post.)
The Viru Gate marks the entrance to Tallinn’s Old Town.
Getting from Helsinki to Tallinn (and back)
The ferry is by far the easiest way to get from Helsinki to Tallinn. You can fly—it’s only about 30 minutes in the air—but once you factor in airport transfers at both ends, plus time for security and boarding, it quickly becomes the longer and more cumbersome option. With the ferry, you’re travelling city centre to city centre, which makes a big difference on a day trip.
There are three main operators: Tallink Silja Line, Viking Line and Eckerö Line. They depart from different terminals in Helsinki, so it’s worth double-checking this when you book.
We ended up going with Tallink Silja, mostly based on timing (and, if we’re honest, a bit on vibes). Our ferry left from West Terminal 2, with boarding scheduled for 9:50am ahead of a 10:30 departure. In reality, things moved quickly—the ship actually pulled away around 10:15—so it’s worth arriving with a bit of buffer.
The ferry itself feels less like public transport and more like a compact cruise ship. It’s enormous, with multiple decks that carry everything from cars to freight trucks making the crossing. On board there are bars, shops, duty free, a supermarket, slot machines, an arcade—and even a Burger King. There’s plenty of seating throughout, along with cabins for those taking the overnight service.
The Tallink is not your average ferry.
First stop: baked goods in the Rotermann Quarter
Most visitors make a beeline for Tallinn’s Old Town—and for good reason—but just between the harbour and the old city lies the Rotermann Quarter, a compact pocket of modern architecture, design, shopping and cafés woven into restored industrial buildings.
It’s only a few minutes’ walk from the port, and an easy first stop after arriving off the ferry.
For us, that meant heading straight to RØST Bakery. It’s a self-described Scandinavian-inspired sourdough bakery and specialty coffee spot. The cinnamon and cardamom scrolls made for a mouth-watering second breakfast and exactly the kind of fuel you’ll want before a few hours wandering the Old Town.
Exploring the Old Town
Tallinn is beautiful. The multi-coloured pastel shades. The quiet alleys and culs-de-sac. The impossibly ornate doorways. Buildings and customs that take you back half a millennia to medieval Europe.
The cherry blossoms were blooming as we walked past the Kanuti Garden and towards the Viru Gate that effectively marks the entrance to Tallinn’s Old Town. The red tile-topped towers date back to the 14th century, part of the Tallinn city wall fortifications built almost 700 years ago. It’s a little like stepping out of time.
From there, we didn’t follow much of a plan. It’s the kind of place that rewards getting a little lost. We drifted through side streets until we found St. Catherine’s Passage (Katariina Käik), a narrow lane running between Vene and Müürivahe streets alongside the old Dominican Monastery. Formerly known as Monk's Alley, here you’ll find buildings and remnants from the 15th through 17th centuries.
Eventually, with no real sense of hurry, we arrived at Tallinn Town Hall, its Gothic tower rising above the square. Parts of the building date back to the 13th century. Looking up, we spotted Old Thomas, a weather vane added around 1530. Legend has it he was a peasant crossbowman who won a competition meant for the wealthy, but was denied the prize. Instead, he was made a town guard for life.
Opposite sits Raeapteek, the Old Town Hall Pharmacy. It has been operating since at least 1422, making it one of the oldest continuously running pharmacies in Europe.
We took a short break just around the corner for a packed lunch, and realised we were sitting among a surprising number of local legends. Nearby is the Cat’s Well, tied to a story about cats being thrown into it to appease an evil spirit said to have poisoned the water. Just above, a bricked-up window marks the spot where a landlord is said to have witnessed the Devil’s wedding—promptly sealing the room shut forever.
For a view over it all, we and several hundred of our closest friends headed up to the Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform. It’s busy, so expect a bit of elbowing for space. But once you reach the front, the view opens up across the Old Town rooftops, with the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral prominent on the skyline.
You can see almost all of Tallinn from the Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform — assuming you can jostle past everybody else doing the same.
Afternoon beers and busts
About ready for a beer, we noticed that a number of the places we had mapped didn’t open until later in the day. So, we settled on Beer House, a Bavarian-beer brewery that is equal parts restaurant and theme park attraction. (The taxidermy and pirates at the entrance didn’t stop us from knocking back a Pilsner and a Marzen before kicking on.)
Wandering along those cobblestoned backstreets, we were constantly struck by the understated beauty. After a time, the Mikkeller Old Town was open and we grabbed a couple of local beers and a small snack before wandering back in the direction of the port.
For reasons that still aren’t entirely obvious, there is a bust of legendary Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery along the way in Šoti Park. Just sitting right there. Right across from poet Robert Burns. In Tallinn, Estonia. Apparently, it was part of the nearby Scottish Club’s efforts to celebrate Scottish heritage in Estonia. The more you know.
Was it Rushed? What We’d Do Differently
Short answer is yes.
We underestimated how much there was to see in Tallinn. While I don’t feel as though we missed anything, we would have appreciated more time. Like I said, bars and taprooms didn’t really start opening until 3pm or later on a weekday, and there were dozens of museums and galleries we didn’t even get to (including the Anton Corbijn exhibit at Fotografiska, although we did later catch that in Berlin).
You may even want to consider staying on in Tallinn if you’re not returning to Helsinki. We certainly would next time. After all, Riga in Latvia is only a 4-hour drive away if you’re ticking off countries.
Was It Worth It?
Absolutely! As a day drip or a prelude to a longer stay, Tallinn offers medieval storybook charm, chic modern shopping and food centres and a wealth of storied history. It’s so convenient to Helsinki too, so definitely consider that as a pairing while visiting Estonia.
Have you been to Estonia? Or planning to go? Let us know your thoughts. We’re at Pinterest and Insta.
Practical stuff
Tallinn at a Glance
- Ferry between Helsinki and Tallinn takes about 2 to 2.5 hours each way.
- Recommend allowing 5 to 7 hours time in Tallinn.
- On weekdays, many bars and taprooms don't open until after 3pm.
- Estonia uses the euro (€) as its official currency.
- Best for: a quick day trip.
