An excursion to nearby Tallinn is one of the best things to do while visiting Helsinki. Beautiful Tallinn, the Estonian capital, feels like you've taken a step back in time thanks to its incredible medieval architecture, pastel-colored buildings, and historic watchtowers.

Not to take anything away from Helsinki, the "daughter of the Baltic," but Tallinn, on the other side of the Gulf of Finland, is definitely worth seeing ... even if only for one day. Especially when it takes less than 2 hours to get there by ferry!

Tallinn, like Helsinki, is one of the most characteristic cities in northern Europe. You may think that one day isn't enough to visit, but since Tallinn is a very compact city, you can walk its streets and see its most iconic monuments on a day trip. The bad news is that you will never want to leave; there's a reason it's called the "Pearl of the Baltic"!

When you are only 2 hours by ferry from an unforgettable experience, just get started by choosing the day and time of departure. And Netfrerry comes to the rescue again; on our booking portal, you can quickly and easily compare ticket prices to independently organize your excursion.

The first ferry leaves at 07:30 from Helsinki, and the last return ferry is at around 22:30. We recommend you go in the morning and enjoy a full day there. Tallinn’s port is only a 15-minute walk from the city center, so getting around is easy.

Your excursion starts from the watchtowers surrounding the historical center; they are among the best preserved in Europe. Tallinn was known as "one of the most heavily fortified towns in Northern Europe" due to the constant threat of enemy invasion. The result is over 2 km of walls, almost 16 meters high, along which there were originally 46 watchtowers. Today there are about 20 left, mainly used as fancy restaurants and hotels, so the spectacle has remained intact. The two most famous watchtowers are Paks Margareeta, which means Fat Margaret, and Kiek in de kök, meaning peek into the kitchen. The first owes its name to the walls, which are almost 5 meters thick; the second to its height, thanks to which the guards could peek into inhabitants' houses to watch them from a distance. Although they were built for defensive purposes, crossing them feels like stepping into a medieval fairy tale.

Next head for Olesviste kogudus, more commonly known as St Olaf's church. This Gothic-style church was built in 1267 and is one of the oldest buildings in the city.

Fun fact, until 1625, Tallinn's bell tower was the tallest in the world. Its spire was designed to become a reference point for boats approaching from the sea, but it also acted as a lightning rod, which meant it was burned to the ground three times! However, it remains among Europe's tallest towers thanks to numerous reconstructions and restorations.

From the outside, the church is unassuming, but the inside will leave you speechless. First, you will find 31 beautiful starry vaults, some of the tallest in the Baltic. Then, when you climb to the top of the 256-step bell tower, there is a spectacular view over the entire historical center waiting for you. Not a bad start to the day, huh?

Continue along Vene, the street once home to Russian merchants, until you reach the historical center. Stroll around and lose yourself in the beauty of this area, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Next, you must check out Raekoja Plats, the main square where the Tallinn Town Hall is located. Then Raeapteek Pharmacy, one of the oldest in Europe still in use and the first commercial activity in the city center. Finally, head for St. Catherine's Passage, one of the most lovely lanes in Tallinn. The cobbled streets, colorful buildings, shops, and local artisans will make this a wonderful stroll through the medieval Old Town.

Next, go to a street named Pikk, also known as Long Street. Here, along with incredible views, you will find the Guilds, the city's home of enterprise. The most famous ones are the Guild Maggiore, at number 17, a meeting place for the most important merchants of the city, and the Gilda S. Olaf, at 24, the oldest in the city.

After walking along a street called Pikk, the final destination is a castle at the top of Toompea Hill, also the seat of the country's Parliament. You’ll also find the famous Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and Church of San Nicola here. You will go from the colorful Old Town to green, tree-lined avenues while enjoying a fantastic panoramic view of the city.

Tallinn's history is told through its streets; you can go from the medieval center to Tallin's financial district or "new city", where you will find skyscrapers and shopping centers.

We’re sure you will find what you are looking for in Tallinn, it’s a city that is everything you want it to be with its array of museums, shops, and restaurants. So lose yourself in the streets and have a wonderful time traveling across the Gulf with NetFerry.

Book the ferry for your Estonian excursion now. Click here.