The city's coolest, most creative quarter — Kalamaja, a bohemian district of colourful wooden houses just north-west of the old town, home to the buzzing Telliskivi Creative City (a former factory complex of galleries, design shops, cafés, bars and the superb Fotografiska), street art, and the seaside. Trendy, walkable and full of life, minutes from the old town; the base for travellers who want the hippest food, bars, culture and a genuine local vibe. Tallinn's creative heart. Cool and characterful.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€80–150
typical per night in Estonia
The sensible middle
Typical prices for Tallinn — neither steal nor splurge.
Where it sits
The circle is Kalamaja & Telliskivi and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- Balti Jaam Market10 min walk839 m
- The medieval city walls & towers12 min walk993 m
- Toompea Hill & viewpoints14 min walk1.2 km
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral14 min walk1.2 km
- The medieval Old Town14 min walk1.2 km
- Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats)14 min walk1.2 km
- Estonian food & cosy taverns14 min walk1.2 km
- Kadriorg Palace & Park10 min taxi3.3 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 5.Telliskivi Creative City — The hip, beating heart of modern Tallinn — Telliskivi Creative City, a former industrial complex in the Kalamaja district transformed into the city's coolest cultural hub, full of design shops, galleries, hip restaurants, craft-beer bars, street art, markets and the superb Fotografiska photography museum. Wander the buzzing, mural-covered grounds, browse the design stores, and eat and drink among the creative crowd; it's a brilliant window into cool, contemporary Estonia, a total contrast to the medieval old town. A vibrant, essential highlight. Cool, creative and lots of fun.
- 6.Seaplane Harbour Museum — One of the best museums in the Baltics — the Seaplane Harbour (Lennusadam), a maritime museum housed in a vast, cathedral-like former seaplane hangar, where you can climb aboard a real WWII-era submarine, explore historic ships and seaplanes, and enjoy hands-on interactive exhibits. Superbly done, immersive and great for all ages, it tells the story of Estonia's seafaring history in a spectacular space, right on the harbour. A wonderful, engaging highlight, especially with kids or on a rainy day. Excellent and unexpected; a real crowd-pleaser. Don't miss the submarine.
- 15.Tallinn nightlife — Tallinn's nightlife punches well above its size — from cosy medieval cellar bars and cool craft-beer and cocktail spots in the old town, to the hip bars, clubs and live-music venues of trendy Telliskivi and Kalamaja, all cheaper than the Nordic capitals across the sea. Sip a spiced medieval ale by candlelight, hunt out a hidden speakeasy, or party with the young creative crowd in Telliskivi; the scene is lively, affordable and fun. A brilliant way to round off a day in the city. Energetic and great value; something for every mood. A fun night out.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Kalamaja & Telliskivi; flights via Google Flights.