For History Fans
Tallinn has no shortage of historical attractions.
Where to start? I recommend starting your Tallinn adventure with a private tour. No matter how much research you ’ve done or plan to do, when you take a tour, you always learn something unexpected- often from the unscripted moments of talking with your private guide. Plus, the tour inspires you to explore more on your own…
…which takes us to the history museums.
Just 1-minute walking from the central Town Hall Square you will find the ESTONIAN HISTORY MUSEUM housed in the GREAT GILD HALL. This historic building has been around since 1410. It was commissioned and built by the second most powerful organization in Tallinn (after the city government), serving as a trading hall and as a venue for social gatherings & parties held by influential merchants.
Start your visit watching a short film: it covers 11 000 (eleven thousand) years of the history of Estonia in approximately 10 minutes. An engaging experience.
Both the main hall and the cellars are impressive spaces. Unique aspect of this museum is that it arranges its exhibits in a way that makes sense thematically, rather than in chronological order.
Exhibitions:
The Splendour of the Hanseatic League: How Wealth Was Made in the Middle Ages
Chamber of Legends
Where: Pikk street 17
Wheelchair Accessibility: No
If you want to continue exploring the Middle Ages, TALLINN CITY LIFE MUSEUM is the logical next step. It is a 5-minute walk from the Town Hall Square.
The museum is set in a 14th century merchant’s house. A beautiful medieval building with a huge fireplace and chimney. The displays are spread over three floors and cover the history of the town through centuries.
Exhibitions:
The Wealthy and Handsome. The Brotherhood of Blackheads in Tallinn – probably the most playful experience among the history museums in town.
Lyndanise. Reval. Tallinn. City Life Through the Centuries
Where: Vene street 17
Wheelchair Accessibility: No
ESTONIAN HISTORY MUSEUM IN MAARJAMÄE PALACE
You need a bus or a taxi to get there, but it is worth a visit for anyone who is looking for a well-structured overview of the history of Estonia, covering the last 120+ years.
My Free Country: a comprehensive exhibition that starts with the years preceding the declaration of independence in 1918, takes you through the War of Independence, life in the Republic of Estonia in 1920s – 1930s, World War II, the horrors and daily life under the Russian Occupation that followed for half a century, recreates the emotions of the turbulent years of Singing Revolution, and takes you to 21st century.
Where: Pirita tee 56
How to get there from the city center: the easiest is to walk to Tammsaare Park, located between Estonian National Opera and Viru Shopping Centre.
Find a bus stop “Viru” and take bus No 5. NB! The right direction (= the final stop name) displayed on the bus is “Metsakooli tee”.
The drive will take approx. 12-13 minutes. Leave the bus at “Maarjamägi” stop. Here, you can see many steps. Climb up and you find yourself in front of Maarjamäe Palace.
Bus tickets (2 euros/per person) are available using your contactless bank card or phone, from the validator in front of the bus. Bus drivers do not sell tickets.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes, if you arrive by car or taxi.
VABAMU MUSEUM OF OCCUPATIONS AND FREEDOM
A must visit for people with an interest in Estonia´s recent history and crimes against humanity.
As you might know, before restoring independence in 1991, Estonia went through a difficult century. Occupations by the Soviets, the Nazis and again the Soviets followed each other.
Vabamu museum gives you a taste of how it was to live in an occupied country. It gives a great deal of insight into what people endured and why we treasure independence so much. It also gives the story of Estonians who lived across borders, in exile.
A variety of exhibits, personal stories and presentations help to bring the subject to life. Everything is well-balanced, without feeling overwhelmed by too much information.
You will be accompanied by a smart application, specially designed e-tour guide. It is available in seven languages and is free for all visitors.
The exhibition:
Freedom Without Boarders
Where: Toompea street 8b
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
KGB PRISON CELLS
A museum that is in the basement of the former KGB headquarters, a 7-minute walk from the Town Hall Square.
In 1940s, suspected enemies of the state (intellectuals, veterans of the War of Independence, ordinary people) were interrogated and tortured here, before they were either executed or sent to labor camps in Siberia.
The exhibition:
Locked Up Stories: The KGB in Estonia
Where: Pagari 1
Wheelchair Accessibility: No
ESTONIAN OPEN-AIR MUSEUM
A history museum where you immerse yourself in everyday life. It may sound like a theme park, but it is not. Everything here is authentic – not only the buildings and furniture, but the forest smell, the creak of a horse-drawn cartwheel and warmth from the stove when you enter the room.
In the museum territory, there are:
–twelve farmyards from the 18th-20th century Estonia, each having the barn-dwelling: a traditional farmhouse & home, a unique house type which is characteristic only to our region.
-public buildings: an old village school, the chapel, the inn (where you can try traditional dishes), the village shop and the fire station, windmills.
– a fully equipped dwelling from the 1930s
– a two-storey Kolkhoz apartment building from 1964: a “foreigner” compared to the above-mentioned, but not less real.
Many of the buildings are open for entry and furnished. It may even happen that your visit coincides with sauna heating, or bread is being baked.
I recommend setting aside at least half a day for the visit.
More about the museum and exhibition here.
Where: Vabaõhumuuseumi tee 12
How to get there from the city center:
Walk to Vabaduse Väljak (= Freedom Square). Find a bus stop “Vabaduse Väljak”, it is located across the street from Palace Hotel.
Take bus No 21 or 21B. NB! The right direction (= the final stop name) displayed on the bus is “Landi” for bus 21, and “Kakumäe” for bus 21B.
The drive will take approx. 19-20 minutes.
Leave the bus at “Rocca al Mare” stop, next to the museum entrance.
Bus tickets (2 euros/per person) are available using your contactless bank card or phone, from the validator in front of the bus. Bus drivers do not sell tickets.
Wheelchair Accessibility: partly.
This post was last updated in January 2026.