Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
with its bonneted waitresses and merry men). Continue straight down Viru
street toward Hotel Viru, the blocky white skyscraper in the distance. Viru
street is old Tallinn's busiest and kitschiest shopping street. Just past the
strange and modern wood/glass/stone mall, Müürivahe street leads left along
the old wall, called the “Sweater Wall.” This is a colorful and tempting
gauntlet of women selling knitwear (anything with images and bright colors
is likely machine-made). Beyond the sweaters, Katariina Käik, a lane with
glassblowing shops, leads left. Back on Viru street, pass the golden arches
and walk through the medieval arches—Viru Gate—that mark the end of old
Tallinn. Outside the gates, opposite Viru 23, above the flower stalls, is a small
park on a piece of old bastion known as the Kissing Hill (come up here after
dark and you'll find out why).
•
Use the crosswalk to your right to reach the...
Viru Keskus Mall:
Here, behind Hotel Viru, at the end of this walk,
you'll find the real world: branch TI, Internet café, basement supermarket,
ticket service, bookstore, and many bus and tram stops. If you still have en-
ergy, you can cross the busy street by the complex and explore the nearby
Central Tallinn has dozens of small museums, most suitable only for special-
ized tastes (complete listings in
Tallinn in Your Pocket
). The following sights
are the ones I'd visit first.
Town Hall (Raekoda) and Tower
—This museum, facing Town Hall Square,
has exhibits on the town's administration and history, along with an interest-
ing bit on the story of limestone. The tower, the place to see all of Tallinn,
rewards those who climb its 155 steps with a wonderful city view.
Cost and Hours:
Museum—€4, entrance through cellar, July-Aug Mon-
Sat 10:00-16:00, closed Sun and Sept-June; tower—€3, May-mid-Sept daily
11:00-18:00, closed rest of year; tel. 645-7900,
www.tallinn.ee/raekoda
.
