Last Updated: May 2026
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is a captivating blend of ancient medieval charm and modern Scandinavian-style vibrancy. With a population just under 500,000, this compact Baltic city boasts one of the most remarkably well-preserved Old Towns in all of Europe — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that transports visitors back to the Middle Ages. Evidence of human settlement here dates back to at least 3000 BC, when early ceramic pottery was crafted on these shores. Situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, Tallinn sits just 50 miles south of Helsinki by boat and has long served as a strategic crossroads between Scandinavia, Russia, and the rest of Europe. We visited Tallinn after leaving Stockholm, and it quickly became one of the most memorable stops of the entire Baltic cruise.
