Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Remember to bring a jacket—Tallinn can be chilly even on sunny summer
days. And, given that locals call their cobbled streets “a free foot massage,”
sturdy shoes are smart, too.
Tallinn's walled Old Town is an easy 15-minute walk from the ferry and
cruiseterminals,wheremostvisitorsland(see“ArrivalinTallinn,”later).The
Old Town is divided into two parts (historically, two separate towns): the up-
per town (Toompea), and the lower town, with Town Hall Square. A remark-
ably intact medieval wall surrounds the two towns, which are themselves sep-
arated by another wall.
Town Hall Square (Raekoja Plats) marks the heart of the medieval lower
town. The main TI is nearby, as are many sights and eateries. Pickpockets
have become a problem in the more touristy parts of the Old Town, so keep
valuables carefully stowed. The area around the Viru Keskus mall and Hotel
Viru, just east of the Old Town, is useful for everyday shopping (bookstores
and supermarkets), practical services (laundry and Internet café), and public
transport.
The hardworking, English-speaking
TI
has maps, concert listings, and free
brochures. It also sells
Tallinn in Your Pocket
and the Tallinn Card, both de-
scribedlater(May-AugMon-Fri9:00-19:00—until20:00mid-June-Aug,Sat-
Sun 9:00-17:00—until 18:00 mid-June-Aug; Sept-April Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00,
Sat-Sun 9:00-15:00; a block off Town Hall Square at Kullassepa 4, tel.
645-7777,
www.tourism.tallinn.ee
,
turismiinfo@tallinnlv.ee
).
Travellers' Tent
isn't an official information center, but a creative service
offered by young people for young visitors. Working from a tent in the park
immediatelyinfrontoftheTI,thefriendlystaffisagreatsourceforbackpack-
er info, youthful tours, bike rental, and cheap accommodations (daily June-
Aug 10:00-18:00, mobile 5837-4800). Their free map is packed with fun tips
to enjoy Tallinn down, dirty, and on the cheap. While their map and inform-
