Pikk Tanav (Long Street), Tallinn

Running through the core of Tallinn’s Old Town, Long Street is one of the city’s principal historic streets, stretching from Town Hall Square toward the harbor. Its name reflects both its length and its role as a key route linking commercial and administrative areas.

The street is lined with tall, narrow buildings dating mainly from the 15th to 17th centuries, many of which have been carefully preserved. Among the most prominent is the Great Guild Hall at number 17, once the center of merchant power. Further along stands the House of the Blackheads at number 26, known for its richly decorated façade and Renaissance details.

As you walk along the cobblestones, architectural details begin to reveal themselves: carved stone portals, ornate doorways, and stepped gables reflect the status of former residents. Along the way, you will also encounter long-standing establishments such as the Maiasmokk Café, located near the Guild Hall and operating since 1864, and the Hell Hunt at number 39, near the intersection with Olevimägi Street, often noted as one of the city’s earliest modern pubs.

Today, Long Street balances its historic character with everyday life. Shops, galleries, cafés, and small museums occupy the ground floors, maintaining the street’s lively rhythm. Moving along its length, you experience not only a sequence of landmarks but a continuous thread of Tallinn’s history.