The Highlights of Tallinn, Estonia, Tallinn, Estonia (B)

Tallinn is an interesting combination of traditional Medieval city and post-Soviet hipster oasis. The marriage of the two is somewhat disjointed, but it definitely works. The city is interesting, historical, and ultra hip.

Tallin’s Old Town area is nicely delineated because it’s completely walled in. The most picturesque entrance to the town is Viru Gate, which frames the city center with two identical towers. It has one of Europe’s best preserved fortifications and 20 defensive towers still standing. The structures are appreciated from a few different viewpoints. There’s the Nun’s Tower and Town Wall Walkway, which gives you access to the view of the center of Old Town from the towers themselves. There’s also some fantastic views from the Kohtuotsa Viewpoint and Patkuli Viewing Platform, which gives you a direct view of the Town Wall and the Nun’s tower from a perspective outside the walls of the city.

Inside, you can wander around the streets, which are so nicely maintained that everything looks like Disneyland. In the center of Old Town, you’ll find a large square with lots of restaurants, on one end of which is Tallinn Town Hall. This Gothic building is from the 13th century and if you really want to go back in time, have some elk soup and a meat pastry from III Draakon, a candlelit eatery straight out of this time period. After that, take a long walk down Pikk tanav (Long Street) and enjoy the beautiful views. Or stop at the oldest operating pharmacy in Europe, Raeapteek, established in 1422. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).