Individual excursions in Tallinn with a guide by car Artsantaxi in the Old Town and its surroundings
Tallinn is an incredible and unique city. Its beauty is amazing, so thousands, tens of thousands of tourists travel to the capital of Estonia every year to see with their own eyes the unique architecture and beautiful parks. In the summer, there are especially many tourists in Tallinn, because from May to October, tourist liners sail and call at the capital's port. For example, this year, 2025, more than 150 tourist liners are scheduled to stop in Tallinn by October. Some come for a couple of days, some for a few hours. But no matter how long the liner stays, its passengers always go ashore to see the incredible and beautiful Old Town - a special area of Tallinn that everyone should visit.
Why you should definitely visit the Old Town in Tallinn
The Old Town of Tallinn is not just the historical center of the capital of Estonia, but a real portal to the Middle Ages. Here, time seems to have stopped: cobbled streets, ancient walls and towers, merchant houses with steep roofs and wrought-iron signs, Gothic churches and cozy squares create a medieval atmosphere. Being there, you involuntarily begin to feel like a bourgeois or bourgeois woman who went for a walk from their home, located somewhere here, literally in the next alley. At the same time, Old Tallinn is not an open-air museum. The quarter harmoniously combines antiquity and modernity. It is filled with music, laughter, there you can clearly feel how subtly centuries-old traditions and the spirit of the 21st century are intertwined. There, ancient walls coexist with modern galleries, restaurants, cozy cafes and souvenir shops. By the way, the Old Town in Tallinn is one of the best-preserved medieval urban ensembles in Europe and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. A walk through the Old Town is a journey into the past, where legends, myths and incredible medieval beauty that are impossible to take your eyes off meet tourists around every corner. There are many beautiful places in the Old Town, but the most amazing and interesting are those that will be discussed further in this article.
Unique St. Oleviste Church
The St. Oleviste Church is not just one of the main attractions of Tallinn, but a real legend that has towered over the Old Town for many centuries. Once upon a time, its sharp spire, reaching into the sky, made this temple the tallest building not only in Tallinn, but also on the entire European continent. It is believed that in the Middle Ages there was not a single building that could compare with it in height. And it was with St. Oleviste that the Reformation in Estonia began in the 16th century.
The first mention of the church dates back to 1267. Initially, it was built as a Catholic church and was named after St. Olaf, the Norwegian king Olaf Haraldsson, who was canonized after his death. At the time of its completion, the church spire reached 159 meters, an incredible height by the standards of that time. It was visible from afar and served as a beacon for ships approaching the ports of Tallinn.
In the 15th century, the church building underwent a major reconstruction: new choirs were built, the main part was converted into a basilica, and later a chapel of the Virgin Mary appeared. Today, the height of the spire is 123.7 meters, and according to the urban planning standards in force in Tallinn, no building in the city center should be higher.
Of particular interest to tourists is the Oleviste observation deck. It is located at a height of about 60 meters, and offers one of the best views of Tallinn.
Toompea Castle – the heart of Estonian state power
High on a hill, from where the entire Old Town of Tallinn can be seen, Toompea Castle rises majestically – a historical citadel that has symbolized power in Estonia for centuries. Today, the country's parliament (Riigikogu) sits within the castle walls, making it not just an architectural monument, but an active political center of the state.
The area of the complex exceeds 9,000 m², and the building itself is located 50 meters above sea level. The fortress has four towers, including the legendary Tall Hermann – one of the main emblems of the Estonian capital. It is on it that the national flag is raised every day, emphasizing the continuity and independence of Estonian statehood.
The history of Toompea dates back to the 13th century, when Danish conquerors began building a fortress on a steep cliff. This location made it virtually impregnable to enemies and allowed them to control the surrounding areas. Until the mid-14th century, the castle was in Danish possession, and was then sold to the Livonian Order. The western and northern wings of the castle, as well as three of the four watchtowers, have survived to this day.
Town Hall Square – the Heart of Old Tallinn
Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) is the soul and centre of Old Tallinn. It is here that the famous Town Hall building is located – the only fully preserved Gothic ratusha in Northern Europe.
On summer days, a special atmosphere reigns here: on the open terraces of cozy cafes, tourists try Estonian delicacies, live music is played, street performances are held. And in winter, the Town Hall Square turns into a fairy tale - one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe is open here. By the way, it was on this square in 1441 that the first Christmas tree was installed in Europe.
The formation of the square began in the 14th century. Over time, merchants' houses, shops and outbuildings grew along its perimeter. Until the middle of the 20th century, the center of the square was divided by the vazhnya - a wooden trading building that was destroyed during the Second World War.
And this square also makes wishes come true. The main thing before making a wish is to stand on the slab with the image of the Rose of the Winds so that the five most famous spires of the city are visible at the same time: the Town Hall, Oleviste, the Holy Spirit, Niguliste and the Dome Cathedral.
The Presidential Palace in Kadriorg – strict elegance and history
In the heart of the historical Kadriorg Park stands an elegant neo-baroque building – the official residence of the President of Estonia. Built in 1938 according to the design of the architect Alar Kotli, it fits well into the ensemble of the tsarist era, neighboring the Catherine Palace.
The architectural style of the building is strict and solemn: the columns of the balcony are carved from Vasalemma marble mined in the Rummu quarry. This stone gives the façade a special expressiveness and elegance. The palace is decorated with a classical pediment, the windows are framed with elegant decor – everything emphasizes the status of the official residence.
The history of the building is closely connected with the key milestones of Estonian statehood. During the Soviet years, the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the ESSR was located here, and during the Second World War – the German General Commissar. Only since 1992, the palace has once again become a symbol of independent Estonia and the official home of the country's president.
Today, the palace remains an important state object and, at the same time, an interesting landmark. The area around it is open for walks, and an honor guard stands guard at the main entrance. This is a place where architectural grandeur meets the living history of modern Estonia.
Telliskivi – the creative heart of Tallinn
The site of an old industrial complex, where the workshops of the Kalinin Electric Plant once thundered, is now the pulsating heart of creative Tallinn. Telliskivi is not just a neighborhood, but an atmosphere that combines lofts, street art, modern gastronomy and culture. Here, in the former factory buildings, the energy of artists, designers, creative agencies, start-ups and artisans is in full swing.
The history of the place goes back to the 19th century, when the Baltic Railway railway workshops began operating in this area. Then there was a Soviet factory, and finally, after the 2000s, the place was literally reborn into a space that became a symbol of a new, free and creative Estonia. Today, Telliskivi is more than 10 buildings with exhibitions, concerts, coworking spaces and markets. Every year, about 800 events take place here, including the Jazzkaar and Tallinn Music Week festivals.
Walking along the streets of Telliskivi, you can see graffiti, conceptual galleries, vintage clothing stores and cozy cafes. This place is especially atmospheric in the summer - music plays in the open air, and the bar terraces offer a view of the industrial landscape turned into an art object.
One of the iconic places of Telliskivi is the Fotografiska photography museum, where photographs tell stories louder and more interesting than ordinary words.
Although all these attractions are located in the same area, they are still at a distance from each other. And if time is limited or it is simply difficult for a person to walk, moving between them becomes problematic. In this situation, a guided tour in a private car will be an excellent solution.
What does the service include: “guided tour in a private car”
Our company Artsantaxi offers a unique opportunity to see old Tallinn with a professional guide, moving by car from point to point. Our guide, together with the driver, meets clients at the port, at the ferry, at the airport or at the train station and goes on a journey through Old Tallinn.
Since guests from different countries come to Tallinn, including America, Canada, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, the Russian Federation, the guides are fluent in all these languages and can tell you about all the sights, interesting facts, legends, etc. in an interesting, accessible and understandable way. All guides have licenses, so when you contact us, you can be sure that a professional who knows every nuance, every historical event, every architectural monument will tell you about Tallinn.
The cost of a guide's services is 30-40 euros per hour. The price may vary depending on the language in which the tour is conducted. On average, tours of the Old Town last from 4 to 6 hours. This time is enough to calmly enjoyadmire the beauty of the architecture, take photos, walk, hear all the interesting stories.
Since our tours are individual, guides and drivers always adapt to the needs of passengers. And if clients at some point want to shorten the tour or stay somewhere longer - there will be no problem.
We offer drivers with transfers for different numbers of passengers: from two to fifteen. If the group is small (two or three people), we provide a Nissan car. It is ideal for such a number of tourists. The guide sits in the front seat so that he can tell interesting facts along the way, and the passengers sit in the back. Ideally, there should be two people in the back seat, but if our clients are traveling in three - this is also not a problem.
For groups of four to eight people, we have minibuses, and if there are more people, then we offer buses with 16 seats. Such transport can easily fit 15 people and a guide. The price of the trip is from 25 to 40 euros per hour. It is important to remember that the cost directly depends on the size of the vehicle.
By the way, our transport can be used not only for excursions, but also for corporate and team trips. For example, our individual drivers are ready to provide services to dancers and singers during the Song and Dance Festival, which is worth visiting for those who will be in Tallinn from July 3 to 6.
A driver with a car always meets tourists at the agreed point and takes them to the entrance of each museum, park, etc. For our clients who find it difficult to walk a lot, we will do everything to make their stay in Tallinn as comfortable as possible. And those who have an organic amount of time for excursions will definitely not have to worry about possible delays. Our driver always follows the passengers. For example, if they start the excursion in the upper part of the Old Town and finish in the lower part, the driver will definitely be waiting for them at the end of the excursion. You also do not need to worry about getting to the airport, port or train station - our drivers deliver passengers to their destination exactly at the agreed time. Therefore, there is no reason to worry about being late. With our private drivers, excursions are comfortable and interesting, and our clients always return to their ships on time.
Other advantages of traveling with an individual Artsantaxi transfer
Each car of the Artsantaxi taxi fleet is a modern car that regularly undergoes technical inspection. Thanks to this, traveling with our company will not only be fast and comfortable, but also safe. All drivers are highly qualified professionals who know the shortest routes, are well-oriented in the area and do everything to ensure that passengers feel relaxed during the trip.
For clients with children, we have child car seats in which small passengers feel comfortable and safe. Also, all cars are equipped with air conditioners, thanks to which you can create a comfortable temperature in the cabin at any time of the year and at any time of the day. Our taxi operates 24/7, so the driver can arrive whenever it is convenient for the passenger. We can assign a driver not only for an excursion, but also for other individual trips. This is very convenient if a person comes to the capital for a couple of days and wants to visit the maximum number of interesting places. And if our passengers want to go somewhere else besides Tallinn, for example to Tartu, we can offer intercity taxi services and create the most convenient and fastest route for everyone.
Each car has water and wet wipes so that our passengers feel even more comfortable. The drivers also have terminals, so you can always pay for the service both in cash and by credit card. We offer transfers both in Tallinn and to other cities in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania. Contact us, order an individual excursion around the capital or trips to other cities, and relax with 100% comfort and pleasure!