Tallinn from Helsinki: Guided Old Town Tour with Ferry

Summary

Discover Tallinn’s medieval streets & hidden corners by ferry

You’ll step off the ferry into Tallinn’s medieval heart with a local guide leading you through cobbled streets, grand cathedrals, and castle views. With hotel pickup in Helsinki and time to explore cafés or shops on your own after the tour, you’ll catch small moments—like laughter over mispronounced names or quiet corners in centuries-old pharmacies—that linger long after you’re back across the Gulf.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I noticed stepping off the ferry in Tallinn was the air — kind of crisp, with a faint smell of seaweed and coffee drifting from somewhere nearby. Our guide, Kristiina, waved at us by the harbor, holding a little sign and smiling like she actually meant it. She led us straight into the old town, past these thick stone walls that looked like they’d been there forever. The cobblestones were uneven enough that I almost tripped (twice), but nobody seemed to mind. There was this moment when we stopped under the shadow of Toompea Castle and Kristiina told us about how many times it had changed hands — Swedes, Russians, Germans. I tried to imagine all those layers of history stacked up in one place.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was next — onion domes shining even though the sky was mostly gray. Someone in our group tried to pronounce “Nevsky” properly and got a laugh out of Kristiina. Inside, it smelled like beeswax and old wood; outside, you could hear street musicians playing something that sounded almost familiar but not quite. We wandered through narrow lanes where every other doorway seemed to hide a tiny café or shop selling marzipan shaped like hedgehogs (I bought one for later). At some point I realized I’d lost track of time completely.

After the guided part ended, we had a couple hours to ourselves in Tallinn’s Old Town. I ducked into an old pharmacy — apparently the oldest in Europe still running — and bought some clove candies just because they looked odd. Sat on a bench near the main square watching people drift by: locals bundled up against the wind, tourists taking awkward selfies in front of the town hall. The light started shifting golden as we made our way back toward the port for the return ferry. Onboard, I just stared out at the water for a while, thinking about how places can feel both ancient and alive at once. Still can’t get that marzipan hedgehog out of my head.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tallinn Full Day Tour

• Hotel transfer to Helsinki Harbour
• Arrive Tallinn port and transfer to Old Town
• Visit Toompea Castle
• Photo at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
• View Old Town from hilltop
• Walk Danish King's Garden
• Visit Tallinn Town Hall
• Visit oldest pharmacy in Tallinn
• Free time in Old Town
• Transfer back to Tallinn Port and ferry to Helsinki
• Arrive Helsinki Harbour and end tour

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Helsinki to Tallinn?

The day trip lasts about 13 hours including ferry travel and guided tour time.

Is hotel pickup included for this Tallinn tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included from central Helsinki hotels within 4 km of West Terminal 2.

How much free time do I get in Tallinn Old Town?

You have free time after your 3-hour guided tour to explore on your own before returning to Helsinki.

What are the main attractions visited on this tour?

You’ll visit Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn Town Hall, and more in Old Town.

Is lunch included during the day trip?

No lunch is included; you can eat before arrival or buy food during your free time in Tallinn.

Does this tour include entry fees for attractions?

The guided walking tour covers exterior visits; entry fees for interiors are not included but optional during free time.

Is this Tallinn day trip suitable for families?

Yes, it’s suitable for all fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult’s lap during transfers.

Do I need my passport for this Helsinki-Tallinn ferry tour?

A valid travel document is required as you cross between Finland and Estonia by ferry.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central Helsinki hotels within 4 km of West Terminal 2, round-trip ferry tickets across the Gulf of Finland between Helsinki and Tallinn, transport between Tallinn harbor and Old Town, plus a three-hour guided walking tour led by a local expert before you enjoy free time to wander at your own pace before heading back on the evening ferry.