museums to visit in tallinn

• Top 10 Museums Tallinn Estonia

The Top 10 Museums in Tallinn, Estonia

Any visitors to Tallinn should visit as many of the city’s greatest museums as possible, to understand the rich history of Estonia and get in touch with the local culture. Tallinn has changed a lot throughout the years , so every museum is authentic in its own way.

1. niguliste museum.

Niguliste Museum | © Jorge Láscar / Flickr

2. Peter the Great House Museum

Peter the Great House Museum is the oldest museum in Tallinn, offering a brilliant collection of items which belonged to Peter I, the Russian Tsar, and his wife Catherine I. The couple stayed in this old manor in the early 18th century, making this site a historical heritage today.

Peter the Great House Museum, Mäekalda 2, 10127 Tallinn

3. Kiek in de Kok and Bastion Passages Museum

Cellar of the Kiek in de Kok | © Mussels / Flickr

5. Rocca Al Mare Open Air Museum

Rocca Al Mare Open Air Museum | © Eesti.pl / Flickr

6. Helios Hall

People who love art, particularly Impressionism , will definitely enjoy visiting this little museum in the heart of the Old Town. Admire the works of talented painters while listening to classical music and learning about Estonian culture in Helios Hall, one of the top places to visit while in Tallinn.

Helios Hall, Sauna 1-3, 10140 Tallinn

7. Seaplane Harbour

Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour │© /kallu / Flickr

Great Guild Hall

Great Guild Hall offers some of the most intrinsic details about Estonian history, including the political movement of freedom. The staff are extremely friendly and keen to help while everything is translated into English so visitors from all over can learn the history behind every exhibit.

Great Guild Hall, Pikk 17, 10123 Tallinn

8. Kumu Art Museum

Kumu Art Museum | © Karen Bryan / Flickr

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The 11 Best Museums In Tallinn

The capital of Estonia and its most populous city, Tallinn, is an innovative metropolis where a creative and vibrant urban environment meets the old world. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, you’ll be captivated by its majestic merchant houses, ancient buildings, medieval churches, and natural beauty. It provides ideal opportunities to work and organize conferences with cutting-edge facilities but has also managed to preserve its medieval treasures.

The famous Old Town should be on top of your must-visit list. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the best-preserved medieval town in Northern Europe, with Gothic spires, spectacular architecture, old city walls, and cobblestone alleyways. It is also home to exciting museums, intriguing art galleries, baroque palaces, and restaurants, making the Old Town a year-round destination you shouldn’t miss.

With around 250 museums in Estonia, it might be daunting to find the best museums in Tallinn. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you make the most of your trip, highlighting some free and budget-friendly options to consider. Once you’ve dropped off your bags at luggage storage in Tallinn , you can embark on a memorable cultural adventure.

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Tallinn City Museum

Tallinn City Museum isn’t just one structure narrating the lively history of Estonia’s capital. It consists of several sites throughout the city, giving visitors an insight into the town’s past from the earliest times to the present day. It includes a photography museum, a museum of children, a life museum, a Russian museum, and more.

Overall, the collections of Tallin City Museum include around 150,000 objects and artifacts related to the history of the city. If you don’t have enough time to explore all museums, the main site is a 14th-century merchant house in the historic Old Town. Its permanent display presents the capital’s history from when it was founded to the re-establishment of the country’s independence in 1991.

Location: Vene 17, 10123 Tallinn, Estonia

Estonian Open Air Museum

A fifteen-minute drive from the center of Tallinn will take you to a picturesque site highlighting Estonia’s rural way of life and architecture. The Estonian Open Air Museum covers fourteen farms that provide visitors with a glimpse of how families in Estonia lived in the old days from the 18th to the 20th century. It’s like a living community with a church, a schoolhouse, a fire station, an inn, a shop, mills, and fishing sheds by the sea.

Not all the features and facilities at the Estonian Open Air Museum are only for a show. You can actually sample traditional Estonian delicacies at the inn, buy handicrafts, and ride horses. It is open year-round, from Tuesday to Sunday, between 10 AM and 5 PM, offering lovely shops, events, and entertainment for all ages.

Location: Vabaõhumuuseumi tee 12, 13521 Tallinn, Estonia

Kumu Art Museum

Opened to the public in February 2006, the Kumu Art Museum of Estonia aims to preserve and interpret unique Estonian art from the 18th century to the present. It is the country’s largest and most impressive exhibition space, allowing visitors to access quality contemporary art and learn about art history.

The Kumu Art Museum serves as a museum of contemporary art and a national art gallery with displays spread throughout different building floors. Take the lift and view the Baltic German artistic heritage displays from the 18th and 19th centuries. It also features an overview of Estonian art from the first half of the twentieth century. The fourth floor will introduce you to the art of the 1990s and Soviet Estonian art, whereas the fifth floor includes the Gallery of Contemporary art with regular exhibitions.

In addition to the art galleries, Kumu also boasts the Great Hall, Education Center, and the Kumu Auditorium for films, theatrical performances, and concerts. It is open daily except for Mondays, from 10 AM to 6 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and 10 AM to 8 PM on Thursday.

Location: Weizenbergi 34 / Valge 1, 10127 Tallinn, Estonia

Kadriorg Art Museum

Art reveals much about history, especially every era’s culture, trends, and societal values. For art lovers and history enthusiasts who want to discover Tallinn’s colorful past through unique art pieces, head to the Kadriorg Art Museum. It’s another art gallery and museum in Tallinn, just a stone's throw away from Kumu Art Museum. Near Tallinn Train Station , it is housed in Kadriorg Palace, an early 18th-century Baroque palace that plays a significant part in Estonia’s royalty history.

Kadriorg Art Museum is the only one of its kind in Estonia to be dedicated to early European and Russian art. It features century-old collections of paintings, sculptures, and applied art, as well as porcelain and glass. Besides the exhibitions, the museum offers guests the Palace Music Concert Series.

Location: Weizenbergi 37 10127 Tallinn

Estonian History Museum – Great Guild Hall

The Great Guild Hall is one of medieval Tallinn’s most prominent historical buildings and is part of the Estonian History Museum, also referred to as Eesti Ajaloomuuseum. While the building has been a popular venue for cultural events for over 600 years, it wasn’t until 1952 that it was commissioned to be one of the locations for the museum. Nearly six decades later, the building underwent refurbishing and restoration between 2010 and 2011.

For years, the Estonian History Museum at the Great Guild Hall has been the go-to spot for historians due to its vast collection of items that are part of Estonia’s history. This includes the country’s currency, from banknotes, coins, rubles, krona, and ancient silver coins to pistols and rifles. Exhibitions, concerts, and themed events are also occasionally held in the venue.

Location: Pikk 17, 10123 Tallinn, Estonia

Maarjamäe Castle

Constructed in 1874, the Maarjamäe Castle is currently part of the Estonian History Museum in Tallinn. But before it became a museum, Maarjamäe Castle was called Strietberg, one of the favorite summer destinations in Tallinn. It also became the Russian Count Anatoli Orlov-Davydov’s summer residence and named the place Marienberg until it became Maarjamäe in the late 1930s.

The Palace was opened as a history discovery center on the Republic of Estonia’s 100th anniversary. The Estonian Film Museum is situated in the park, and the historical castle was renovated. Visitors at the Maarjamäe Castle are welcome to explore the eight rooms representing an overview of the significant events of the area through texts, interior designs, and artifacts.

Location: Pirita tee 56, 12011 Tallinn, Estonia

Estonian Maritime Museum

Former sailors and captains initiated the founding of the Estonian Maritime Museum in 1935. Today, it is one of the country’s largest and most famous museums, thanks to the fascinating Seaplane Harbour exhibition. The Seaplane Harbour is stationed in North Tallinn by Tallinn Bay, featuring over a century-old hangar old hangar of seaplanes.

One of the main features of the Estonian Maritime Museum is the Lembit submarine constructed by the British Vickers-Armstrongs shipyard in 1937. It also houses the Maasilinn shop, the oldest sunken ship obtained in the waters of Estonia, a Short 184 seaplane, and many other genuine items, such as naval mines, boats, and sailships. It’s a family-friendly museum with an outdoor space and a play area for young visitors.

Location: Vesilennuki tänav 6, Põhja-Tallinna linnaosa, Tallinn

Estonian Museum of Natural History

Get up close and personal with nature and its treasures at the Estonian Museum of National History. It’s one of the best museums in Tallinn, especially for those curious about the natural world. It boasts a collection of approximately 330,000 items; each holds unique evidence of an event or species that existed at a certain place and time. The items and specimens at the museum have been collected for around 200 years.

You can marvel at the permanent exhibition on three floors. It includes the geology exhibition on the second floor, the hall of Estonian Mires, and the biodiversity of the country’s meadows and forests. Take your time to explore, and it will be a worthwhile experience.

Location: Lai 29a, 10133 Tallinn, Tallinn, Estonia

Carved Stone Museum

There are more than one means to explore a town’s history, and in the case of the Carved Stone Museum , it is through decorative carved stones. It’s one of the many galleries in the Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum, located in the Inger Bastion tunnel.

With carved stones being one of the leading export articles of the city during medieval times, these decorative fragments have a story behind them. Exclusive in the Carved Stone Museum is The City of Ruins exhibition, presenting more than 600 decorative stones once part of the Tallinn Old Town. Also featured are portals, pillars, coats of arms, decorated window jambs, and 16th to 19th-century tombstones.

Location: Vabaduse väljak, 10130 Tallinn, Estonia

Museum of Puppetry Arts

The Museum of Puppetry Arts is undoubtedly the perfect gallery in Tallinn for dolls, puppets, and theatre enthusiasts. It is, after all, the only museum in Estonia for such attractions. It’s part of the Estonian Theatre for Young Audiences, previously known as the Estonian State Puppet Theatre, Estonian Puppet and Youth Theatre, or NUKU Theatre.

The purpose behind the establishment of the Museum of Puppetry Arts is to store and display puppets used in theatres. Be prepared to be introduced to various Estonian theatre masks, television puppets, shadow theatre, and exhibitions of puppeteers’ jubilee and dolls from abroad. Also included is a firsthand view experience of puppet makers at work. The Museum of Puppetry Arts is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Location: Nunne tänav 4, Kesklinna linnaosa, Tallinn

Estonian Health Museum

Estonian Health Museum is the only gallery in Estonia dedicated to promoting health-focused activities and popularizing health-related knowledge in an engaging and modern way. It creates the perfect learning environment for kids, students, and adults alike. The Union of the Medical Societies of Estonia established the museum on March 4th, 1928, in two buildings in the Tallinn Old Town.

A Heart to Heart About Your Body, the Estonian Health Museum’s permanent exhibition, showcases schematics, wax or plastic anatomic models, original plastinated organs, and electronic and mechanic interactive exhibits teaching human anatomy. It’s open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Location: Lai 30, 10133 Tallinn, Estonia

What are the best free museums in Tallinn?

Visiting Tallinn’s cultural attractions doesn’t have to be very expensive. In fact, it can be free! Some museums offer special discounts and promotions, while others provide free tickets on certain days or special events.

Besides being free for children under seven, any museums in the collections of Tallinn City Museum can be accessed without a ticket on May 18th, International Museum Day. If you arrive early, entrance is only 1€ on Tallinn Day, May 15th.

Which are the best museums in Downtown Tallinn?

It’s hard to pick the best museum in Downtown Tallinn, as each offers something unique and exciting. But you can start with the Great Guild Hall, which houses the Estonian Historical Museum. Then you can head to Tallinn City Museum, a two-minute walk from the Guild Hall.

Are there any cheap museums in Tallinn?

The best thing about visiting Tallinn museums is that most of them are inexpensive and suitable for travelers on a budget. If you’re one of them or hoping to save more on your trip, check out the Estonian Museum of Natural History. Adult tickets cost less than $10, and $5 for discounted tickets. You can also buy a family ticket for around $16, while children up to nine years old are free to enter.

Explore Tallinn Museums

Tallinn will keep you busy and entertained all day long with so many beautiful places and fascinating sights worth exploring (and don't miss the shopping and dining. Choosing the city’s top places to visit isn’t an easy feat, but this guide should help if you want to begin your adventure at the best museums in Tallinn.

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly cultural institution or free attractions to take your friends and family, these Estonian museums won’t disappoint. Most of them are just a short walk away from each other, so you can start your walking tour beginning at the Old Town.

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THE 10 BEST Museums in Tallinn

Museums in tallinn.

• Art Galleries
• Speciality Museums
• History Museums
• Art Museums
• Science Museums
• Children's Museums
• Military Museums
• Natural History Museums
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Tatari multispinosus
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Eesti Meremuuseum

2. Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum

3. Kumu Art Museum

4. Kiek in de Kok and Bastion Passages Museum

5. Tallinn Museum of Orders of Knighthood

6. KGB Museum

7. Estonian Health Museum

8. Niguliste Museum

9. Kadriorg Palace

10. Telliskivi Loomelinnak

11. Vabamu Museum Of Occupations & Freedom

12. Estonian Maritime Museum

13. Fat Margaret (Paks Margareeta)

14. Tallinn City Museum Linnamuuseum

15. Great Guild Hall

16. Maarjamae Palace Estonian History Museum (Maarjamae Loss)

17. Fotografiska

18. KGB Prison Cells

19. Peter the Great House Museum

20. Estonian Theatre for Young Audiences & Museum of Puppetry Arts

21. Museum of Photography

22. Energy Discovery Centre

23. Marzipan Gallery

24. Bank of Estonia Museum

25. Estonian Art Doll House

26. Banned Books - Keelatud Kirjandus

27. Kadriorg Art Museum

28. Museum of Estonian Architecture

29. Estonian Museum of Applied Art & Design

30. Navitrolla Galerii

What travellers are saying

• Eesti Meremuuseum
• Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum
• Kumu Art Museum
• Telliskivi Loomelinnak
• Kadriorg Palace
• Tallinn Museum of Orders of Knighthood
• Estonian Health Museum
• Kiek in de Kok and Bastion Passages Museum

THE 10 BEST Museums in Tallinn

Museums in tallinn.

• Art Galleries
• Speciality Museums
• History Museums
• Art Museums
• Science Museums
• Children's Museums
• Military Museums
• Natural History Museums
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Tatari multispinosus
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Eesti Meremuuseum

2. Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum

3. Kumu Art Museum

4. Kiek in de Kok and Bastion Passages Museum

5. Tallinn Museum of Orders of Knighthood

6. KGB Museum

7. Estonian Health Museum

8. Niguliste Museum

9. Kadriorg Palace

10. Telliskivi Loomelinnak

11. Vabamu Museum Of Occupations & Freedom

12. Estonian Maritime Museum

13. Fat Margaret (Paks Margareeta)

14. Tallinn City Museum Linnamuuseum

15. Great Guild Hall

16. Maarjamae Palace Estonian History Museum (Maarjamae Loss)

17. Fotografiska

18. KGB Prison Cells

19. Peter the Great House Museum

20. Estonian Theatre for Young Audiences & Museum of Puppetry Arts

21. Museum of Photography

22. Energy Discovery Centre

23. Marzipan Gallery

24. Bank of Estonia Museum

25. Estonian Art Doll House

26. Banned Books - Keelatud Kirjandus

27. Kadriorg Art Museum

28. Museum of Estonian Architecture

29. Estonian Museum of Applied Art & Design

30. Navitrolla Galerii

What travellers are saying

• Eesti Meremuuseum
• Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum
• Kumu Art Museum
• Telliskivi Loomelinnak
• Kadriorg Palace
• Tallinn Museum of Orders of Knighthood
• Estonian Health Museum
• Kiek in de Kok and Bastion Passages Museum

Tallinna Linnamuuseum

Plan your visit to tallinn city life museum, opening hours.

May – September Mon – Sun 11–18

October – April Tu 11–19 We, Th, Fr, St 11–18 Sun 11–16

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND SHORTENED WORKING DAYS >

E-mail: linnaelu @linnamuuseum.ee Tel: (+372) 615 5184

Adult: 8€ Concessions: 6€ (students, seniors, ISIC-card holders) Family ticket: 16€   (2 adults and their children under 20)

COMBO TICKETS

7 museums annual pass.

Unlimited access to all the branches of Tallinn City Museum during one year (365 days) Adult 50 € Family ticket 70 € (max 2 adults and their children under 20)

5 MUSEUMS COMBO TICKET

City Museum + Kiek in de Kök Fortifications + Museum of Photography + Kalamaja Museum + Tallinn Russian Museum – (3 months) Adult: 25€ Concessions:  20€   (students, seniors, ISIC-card holders) Family ticket:  40€ (max 2 adults and their children under 20)

2 MUSEUMS COMBO TICKET

House of Peter the Great + Tallinn Russian Museum – (3 months) Adult: 7 € Concessions: 5 €   (students, seniors, ISIC-card holders) Family ticket: 14 € (max 2 adults and their children under 20)

GUIDED TOURS

Guided tour in English, Italian or Russian language: 55€ per group +  ticket for each person (Full 7 € / Concession 5 €) Guided tour in Estonian language 40€ per group +  ticket for each person (Full 7 € / Concession 5 €) Reduced price tour 30 € per group + ticket for each person (Concession 5 €) (For a group consisting of pupils, students, seniors and persons with partial work capacity.)

SPECIAL TOUR

Group size min 10 people, no guide fee added to the ticket price.

Full ticket:  12 € Concessions: 10 € (students, seniors, ISIC-card holders) Family ticket 20 € (max 2 adults and their children under 20)

FREE ENTRANCE

Free museum Sundays – admission to the museum is free for everyone once a month, pre-registration is required. Entrance is free to everyone on the International Museum Day, 18 May. The admission is free for children under 7 and holders of documents attesting to the following:

• holders of  Tallinn Card
• Muuseumikaart
• ICOM members
• WFTGA members
• Employees of Estonian museums
• Employees Tallinn Botanical Garden
• Holders of valid press cards
• Members of Tallinn Tour Guide Association
• Tours from children’s homes
• Disabled persons and their attendants
• ITIC Teacher Card holders with a discounted ticket, free of charge as a group guide
• refugees of the war in Ukraine

HOW TO GET HERE

We are located in the Old Town at Vene 17, 10123 Tallinn. Mobile view

On foot were just a few minutes away both from Viru väljak, Raekoja plats (the Town Hall Square), and the Balti jaam railway station. Check out Tallinn public transport planner  for connections.

Disabled persons who wish to visit us please contact either by phone Tel: (+372) 615 5184 or e-mail linnaelu @linnamuuseum.ee . Since we are located in a historic building with steep stairs and no lift, we have to try work out a solution on a case by case basis. By car:  you can reach the museum at Vene 17 either by turning to the Väike Rannavärav from Rannamäe tee, via Pikk and Olevimägi or from the Uus street. Parking fees  apply in the Old Town. You can find further information here .

PHOTOGRAPHING AND FILMING

The museum is closed on public holidays.

1 Jan New Year’s Day 24 Feb Independence Day 15 Apr Good Friday 17 Apr Easter Sunday 1 May Spring Day 5 Jun Whit Sunday (05.06.2022 the museum is exceptionally open) 23 Jun Victory Day 24 Jun St John’s Day 20 Aug Independence Restoration Day 24 Dec Christmas Eve 25 Dec Christmas Day 26 Dec 2nd Day of Christmas

The museum closes 3 hours earlier on days preceding public holidays

• 23 February
• 23 December
• 31 December

Great Guild Hall

Maarjamäe palace, film museum, theatre and music museum, tifs - smoke sauna sisterhood, guided tours at the exhibition "my free country", guided tour at film museum, exhibitions, ülo sooster: prison and love, astounding stories about theatre and music, chamber of legends, great guild hall is closed 30th of april., maarjamäe palace park is closed on 9th of may, special summer-price in maarjamäe history centre.

THE 10 BEST Museums in Tallinn

Museums in tallinn.

• Art Galleries
• Speciality Museums
• History Museums
• Art Museums
• Science Museums
• Children's Museums
• Military Museums
• Natural History Museums
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Tatari multispinosus
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Eesti Meremuuseum

2. Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum

3. Kumu Art Museum

4. Kiek in de Kok and Bastion Passages Museum

5. Tallinn Museum of Orders of Knighthood

6. KGB Museum

7. Estonian Health Museum

8. Niguliste Museum

9. Kadriorg Palace

10. Telliskivi Loomelinnak

11. Vabamu Museum Of Occupations & Freedom

12. Estonian Maritime Museum

13. Fat Margaret (Paks Margareeta)

14. Tallinn City Museum Linnamuuseum

15. Great Guild Hall

16. Maarjamae Palace Estonian History Museum (Maarjamae Loss)

17. Fotografiska

18. KGB Prison Cells

19. Peter the Great House Museum

20. Estonian Theatre for Young Audiences & Museum of Puppetry Arts

21. Museum of Photography

22. Energy Discovery Centre

23. Marzipan Gallery

24. Bank of Estonia Museum

25. Estonian Art Doll House

26. Banned Books - Keelatud Kirjandus

27. Kadriorg Art Museum

28. Museum of Estonian Architecture

29. Estonian Museum of Applied Art & Design

30. Navitrolla Galerii

What travellers are saying

• Eesti Meremuuseum
• Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum
• Kumu Art Museum
• Telliskivi Loomelinnak
• Kadriorg Palace
• Tallinn Museum of Orders of Knighthood
• Estonian Health Museum
• Kiek in de Kok and Bastion Passages Museum

5 Must-Visit Museums in Tallinn

Whether you are visiting the capital of Estonia for a day or perhaps a long weekend, know that there is a lot to see. That is why we created this list of the 5 best museums in Tallinn.

We hope it will make the trip planning easier for you and you will be able quickly to decide what you like and what you don’t. What is worth your time and what is not?

The good news is that it is a compact city which is a plus when you only have a limited time to explore.

Now, that being said, it is good to know in advance how to get around Tallinn because it allows you to plan your trip smoothly and avoid any misunderstandings.

Below is the list of the 5 best museums in Tallinn. We visited every single one of them, so they include some tips and useful information as well.

Estonian Open Air Museum (Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum) – A must-see place if you want to see how Estonians lived back in time. You can explore almost 80 life-size buildings including mills, a church, a fire station, a village shop, and traditional houses from all over Estonia.

Some houses also have staff walking around in period costumes, doing things they would do back in old times. One of the cool things about the Estonian Open Air Museum is the option to explore it on a bike! And, if you are lucky, the place might even host some interesting events!

Kiek in de Kök Museum – (literally meaning “a peek in the kitchen” in Old German). This museum offers combination tickets to see underground bastion passages and 4 towers (Kiek in de Kok, Maiden’s Tower, Tallitorn Tower, and Gate Tower). It is an interesting place to see and the expositions are well made.

Tip: There is a lot to see so make sure you have enough time to explore all of it. If not, skip the underground passages and visit the towers only. Count 2 to 3 hours for the combo ticket.

Great Guild Hall – Located on Pikk Street, literally a minute walk from the Town Hall Square (Raekoja Plats) and right next to a beautiful souvenir shop “Eesti Esindus”, this small museum is the perfect option if you only have a limited time to wander around. It offers a quick look at the history of Estonia and includes some interesting collections of artifacts.

Tip: Check their website for possible free entry. There are not many, but you might be lucky! Also, because of its proximity to the Town Hall Square, it’s a good option when it is raining outside or when visiting Tallinn in Winter and needing a place to warm up for an hour or so.

Seaplane Harbor (Meremuuseum) – This large hangar, once built to be a part of Peter the Great’s naval fortress, now houses a collection of maritime items from mines, sailships, and boats as well as the 1936 LEMBIT submarine and a few simulators.

Good to know: The place is wheelchair and baby stroller accessible and there is a cafe and kids area. If you pay more, you can also visit the century-old ice breaker “Suur Tõll” and the naval vessel “Valvas”. Another option is to combine the Harbor Museum with the Maritime Museum located in the “Fat Margaret” tower. It is a short walk from the harbor, located on Pikk Street.

Tip: Bus number 73 stops right in front of the Seaplane Harbor Museum (“Lennusadam” stop). When arriving by car, you will need to register at the parking kiosk to avail of the free 4-hour parking (only when visiting the museum).

Kumu Art Museum – This impressive building is home to permanent and temporary art collections, mostly Estonian works from different eras. Most of the expositions are spread over 3 floors so there is a lot to see! Count with at least 3 hours!

Tip: Every last Wednesday of each month you can visit at a reduced price of 3 euros (entrance for a family costs 6 euros). Free entry days – 18th May (International Museum Day) and 1st June (Children’s Day – for kids 18 and under). The visit is also free with Tallinn Card.

Good to know:

• Most museums and sights in Tallinn open at 10 am . Some have different opening hours during holidays or special days so make sure to check the official websites of each museum you would like to visit beforehand.
• Don’t leave the museum visits to the last minute and allocate plenty of time so you can wander around without having to run through the exhibitions.
• Check how much time you need to get to each place from where you are based. While Tallinn is quite compact, some places are farther than others (KUMU being one of them).

Useful websites:

• Estonian Open Air Museum
• Great Guild Hall
• Kiek in de Kök
• Seaplane Harbor
• Kadriorg Art Museum

What we think/What we recommend

We gladly recommend the first 4 museums. As for the KUMU, we felt like it should be on the list but… While you can admire the impressive building from the outside, the inside can get a bit tiring due to its large scale.

If you want to take your time and see everything, you will probably need way more than 3 hours. For me as a person who is not a huge art fan, it was a bit too much. Also, it definitely is not a place to bring kids.

N.B. Still not sure whether you should visit one of the Baltic states? Here are 10 Reasons why you should add Estonia to your travel list . Hope it will help you decide!

We also visited Kadriorg Art Museum but I could not decide whether to put it on this list or not. The building and gardens are beautiful. However, we had mixed feelings about this place. The staff was quite unprofessional, we had no idea where to go and the expositions were not very large. If you are an art lover with a limited time, this could be a better option for you than KUMU.

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Top 20 best museums in Tallinn

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The best museums in Tallinn in May 2024

These are the top 20 best museums in Tallinn, Estonia , ranked by their rating and popularity in 2024. Click a museum for more information about the museum, including visitor information, exhibitions and reviews.

For a complete overview of museums in Tallinn, their exhibitions and discount cards & passes, see our overview page with all museums in Tallinn .

Looking for the best museums in Tallinn? These are the best ones:

Seaplane Harbour

Estonian Open Air Museum

Kumu Kunstimuuseum

Kiek in de Kök & Bastion tunnels

Estonian History Museum

Vabamu museum of Occupation and Freedom

Estonian Maritime Museum

Kadriorg Art Museum

Tallinn City Museum

Niguliste museum

Tallinn legends.

Tallinn Zoo

NUKU Theatre & Museum

Kgb prison cells.

Maarjamäe Palace - Estonian History Museum

Photo Museum

Estonian Health Care Museum

Museum of Estonian Architecture

Tallinn Art Hall

All museums in Tallinn

Must see & do in Tallinn

Top 10 places in tallinn you have to see, where to enjoy nature in tallinn, make your trip easier – buy a tallinn card, tallinn card app – your free city guide, seven museums with unique locations in tallinn, explore tallinn's neighbourhoods, old town - where the heart of tallinn beats, kadriorg – elegant park & fine art, city centre – rotermann quarter and the modern tallinn, kalamaja, telliskivi, and noblessner – industrial heritage and bohemian charm, pirita – sea, nature, and historical landmarks, rocca al mare – exciting animals and traditional country life, nõmme – the village within the city, tallinn's surroundings: islands and more.

Seaplane Harbour (Estonian Maritime Museum)

Source: Seaplane Harbour

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There are about 170 museums in Estonia displaying everything from local history to international artists. The museums offer inspiring experience both for children and adults.

From traditional village culture to KGB history, there's plenty to learn about in Estonian museums. Some of the brightest stars in Estonian museum scene are KUMU art museum and Seaplane Harbour, both located in Tallinn. Nominated European Museum of the Year at different times, both museums are among the many must-see museums in Estonia for their inventive architectural grandeur as well as interactive displays, events and cafes.

In the southern part of the country Estonian National Museum opened its new and bigger building in October 2016. Many smaller museums may be found in the city centre of Tartu. Children will definitely love AHHAA science centre, where they can learn playfully about water, fire, energy and etc.

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Tartu's TOP museums and other exciting attractions

Tartu's rich cultural heritage is on display in its many museums. Head south and enjoy all the exciting attractions of Estonia's second-largest city.

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