RunCity

Tallinn on foot: a self-guided walking route

This route takes you past 11 of Tallinn's best-known sights, including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Kohtuotsa viewing platform ("The Times We Had"), Patkuli viewing platform and more. It is about 4 km on foot, roughly 2 hours at an easy pace with short stops. Follow the list on your own, or play it as a free GPS checkpoint game with RunCity and race the clock on the Tallinn leaderboard.

  • 11Stops
  • about 4 kmDistance
  • 2 hoursWalking
  • about 46 minRunning
Play Tallinn in RunCity

Free during launch. Runs in your phone's browser; the app is in English, German and Hungarian.

Tallinn
Photo: Ben Bender · CC BY-SA 3.0

Tallinn's medieval Old Town is one of the best preserved in Europe, and this route covers it in about 4 km, starting just outside in Telliskivi Creative City, the bonus stop, where old factory halls now hold cafés, shops and street art. From there you climb Toompea, the upper town, to the onion domes of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Kohtuotsa and Patkuli viewing platforms over the red roofs.

The lower town starts at Town Hall Square and the Town Hall Pharmacy, in business for six centuries, and continues through St Catherine's Passage to the round Viru Gate towers. Freedom Square, the tall spire of St Olaf's and the Fat Margaret tower at the harbour end close the loop. The cobbles are uneven, so wear proper shoes; the ferry terminal for Helsinki is a ten-minute walk from Fat Margaret.

Coming from a cruise ship

Cruise ships dock at the Old City Harbour, a 10–15 minute walk from the Fat Margaret tower at the edge of the Old Town. The whole route is about 4 km, so a port day leaves time for all of it: start in the Old Town, climb Toompea for the viewing platforms and end at Telliskivi, the bonus stop, a short walk west of the walls.

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Download the route as GPX (for Komoot, Strava or a watch)

The stops

A suggested order. In the game you can visit them in any order.

  1. Telliskivi Creative City

    Telliskivi Creative City Bonus

    Old factory halls turned into cafés, shops and street art.

    Photo: Liilia Moroz · CC BY-SA 4.0

  2. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

    Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Photo

    The cathedral's main entrance with onion domes visible.

    Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0

  3. Kohtuotsa viewing platform ("The Times We Had")

    Kohtuotsa viewing platform ("The Times We Had") Photo

    The wall with the "The Times We Had" graffiti and the old town skyline.

    Photo: Ymblanter · CC BY-SA 4.0

  4. Patkuli viewing platform

    Patkuli viewing platform

    The terrace on Toompea looking over the Old Town roofs.

    Photo: Ximonic (Simo Räsänen) · CC BY-SA 4.0

  5. Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats)

    Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) Photo

    The Town Hall façade with the dragon-head gutters.

    Photo: Ivar Leidus · CC BY-SA 3.0 ee

  6. Town Hall Pharmacy (Raeapteek) sign

    Town Hall Pharmacy (Raeapteek) sign Photo

    The pharmacy sign above the door.

    Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0

  7. St Catherine's Passage

    St Catherine's Passage

    A narrow medieval lane of craft workshops and old gravestones.

    Photo: Leif Jørgensen · CC BY-SA 4.0

  8. Viru Gate towers

    Viru Gate towers

    The two round medieval towers at the entrance to the Old Town.

    Photo: Axel Cotón Gutiérrez · CC BY-SA 4.0

  9. Freedom Square, Cross of Liberty

    Freedom Square, Cross of Liberty Photo

    The glass Cross of Liberty monument.

    Photo: Алексей Решетников · CC BY 3.0

  10. St Olaf's Church

    St Olaf's Church

    The tall church spire that once made Tallinn's skyline.

    Photo: Olga Itenberg · CC BY 2.0

  11. Fat Margaret tower

    Fat Margaret tower Photo

    The round tower from the street side.

    Photo: Jennifer Boyer from Maryland, USA · CC BY 2.0

Play Tallinn in RunCity

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    Questions

    Can you see Tallinn on foot in one day?

    Yes. The 11 stops on this route add up to about 4 km, roughly 2 hours at an easy pace with short stops.

    Is this self-guided walking tour free?

    Yes. The route and map on this page are free, and the RunCity game for Tallinn is free during launch.

    How does the RunCity game work in Tallinn?

    Open Tallinn in RunCity, walk to a stop and tap Validate: your phone's GPS confirms you are there. Some stops also ask for a photo. Timed runs go on the Tallinn leaderboard.

    Where does the route start?

    This page suggests starting at Telliskivi Creative City and finishing at Fat Margaret tower. In the game you can take the stops in any order.

    Can you walk into Tallinn from the cruise port?

    Cruise ships dock at the Old City Harbour, a 10–15 minute walk from the Fat Margaret tower at the edge of the Old Town. The whole route is about 4 km, so a port day leaves time for all of it: start in the Old Town, climb Toompea for the viewing platforms and end at Telliskivi, the bonus stop, a short walk west of the walls.

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