Tallinn – The city of contrasts

Tallinn tour with very little walking.

This tour reveals the many contrasting faces of Tallinn, its differing nature and styles of life.

First drive through the modern and bustling city centre with its banks, shops and offices, and even there see the preserved wooden churches and houses from the beginning of the 20th century. While driving to the apartment district of Lasnamäe you will notice examples of limestone, the principal stone to be found in Estonia. Limestone has been used here as a building material for a thousand years. In the 1970’s, during the soviet period, Lasnamäe was constructed as a vast residential district. You will see the plainness of the apartment houses in their never-ending rows.

Driving from Lasnamäe to the Kose-Pirita district you will witness a very different type of architecture – private houses from 1950-60’s, all in their neat gardens. In Pirita you can also see the racecourse which has always been popular, even in soviet times.

Just across the Pirita River lie the majestic ruins of St. Bridget’s Convent. The largest convent in Old Livonia, St. Bridget’s was founded in 1407 as part of a Swedish religious order and functioned until its destruction by Ivan the Terrible’s forces in 1577. What remains are massive, gothic façade and walls of the main building, foundations, cellars, and a cemetery.

The coast of the nearby Viimsi peninsula saw the arrival of its first inhabitants over the two centuries, 1271-1471. Habitation developed along the coastline, and immigrants from Sweden played an important role. Gradually mixed settlements appeared, where side-by-side with the Swedes lived Estonians and Finns. In the 19th century the lands of Viimsi manor stretched as far as the western shore of the peninsula from the mouth of Pirita River to Rohuneeme village.

During the soviet period Viimsi was the centre of a prominent collective fish farm. Even today you can see the old farm buildings alongside new houses which are building up rapidly. The Open Air Museum displays Estonian peasant architecture from the 19-20th centuries: it was founded in 1980 within the former Kingu farmstead buildings. Here you will enjoy refreshments in a restaurant overlooking the picturesque seashore.

Departure

We will meet you at previously agreed time at your hotel.

Duration: 2 hours

Price

Price per person 55 EUR (min 4 persons)
Price per person 70 EUR (min 2 persons)

Children under 2 are free. Children 3-12 years of age receive 50% off regular adult price

The tour can be arranged for the bigger groups – ask for an offer!

The event takes place all year round.

Tour includes

  • English speaking guide
  • 2 hour sightseeing
  • Coffee break

Additional information

  • Comfortable outfit and shoes
  • The price does not include museum tickets and paid admissions
  • In addition you can order a tour to the TV-tower, the Botanical Gardens, Rocca al Mare Open Air Museum, Seaplane museum, TV-house, Discovery Centre “Energy” and Bastion Passages.
  • We can include coffee-break or lunch to the program.