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Tallinn Estonia Cruise Port Guide
Location:
Cruise ships dock at the Old City Harbor, which is only 500 meters from city center and 1 km from the spectacular old town. You can walk up to the top and back down - it is not too far but it is a lot of cobblestones and they wear your feet and legs out. Best view is at the top. Also, there is an excellent brewery you walk by just before climbing to the top - their beer is great! Pick up a free detailed map at info stand at the pier.
Alternatively, the cruise ship normally offers a convenient shuttle bus to the city center. Tickets can be purchased on board the ship or directly on the pier. Round trip costs approximately 5€ per person.
Plenty of taxis and public transportation near the docks.
In the old terminal C one can find the harbor market and is a result of an initiative to open the harbor area up to cruise passengers, tourists and city dwellers alike. In addition to fruits, vegetables, sweets and candies, the market operator sells regional handicrafts and domestic consumer goods.
On rare occasions you will be docked at Muuga Harbour, the biggest cargo harbor in Estonia and specialized on handling transit origin goods. It is the main cargo harbor for Port of Tallinn and is located ca 17 km east of Tallinn. So that leaves taxis and/or ship's shuttle to get into town.
A new terminal was completed in July 2021 and includes a large three-story building, pedestrian promenade area at the pier, children’s playground and parking spaces.
The airport is located just 4 km from downtown Tallinn. Bus no. 2 leaves the airport for downtown Tallinn and the port every 20 minutes, and operates from 7:00 a.m. until midnight. Tickets can be purchased from the driver. The airport bus stop is located in front of the departure hall.
Printable map to take along
Cruise calendar for this port.
Watch a destination video.
Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers
Monthly Climate Averages for Tallinn Estonia
Sightseeing:
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is truly one of the gems of Northern Europe. The city lies on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, only 70 km (43 mi) south of Helsinki. At the historical heart of the city is the hill of Toompea, covered in cobbled streets and filled with medieval houses and alleyways. The lower town spreads out from the foot of the hill, still protected by the remnants of a city wall. Around the city wall is a series of well-maintained green parks, great for strolling.
Follow the signs to Town Hall Square, this is truly the heart of Old Tallinn, from there on stroll the wonderful cobbled side streets and alleys.
The Old City is best navigated on foot. The old town is hilly and cobble stoned, wear comfortable shoes.
Tallinn - Attractions
Tours Excursions Transportation:
Hop on/off buses are stationed at the cruise terminal. As the tour goes in a one way direction, often they will put in an extra bus to bring you straight back to port from the main city center stop, ask the driver.
Taxis are plentiful and cheap. Just make sure that there's a visible meter in the taxi that works and a photo registration card. English is spoken by many of the dispatchers. Taxi's can easily be ordered by the phone or picked from the street.
Getting around by tram is an easy and nice way to travel in Tallinn. You have four routes available operating seven days a week. All modes of public transport operate with the same tickets. Single tickets can be bought from R-Kiosks or by mobile phones for €1, or from the drivers for €1.60. In addition the following ticket options are available: 10-ticket book (€8), 24-hour ticket (€4.50).
The town shuttle is now €10 return and €6 single
Tallinn Card - One Card for Everything Tallinn Card is the all-in-one ticket to the very best the city has to offer. Only interesting if you are visiting many museums etc.
It pays to compare your cruise line shore excursions here.
Nearby Places:
Stroomi beach is at Northern Tallinn, big and popular place to visit. The water is clean and warm.
There are many other beaches around Tallinn.
Shopping and Food
When visit Tallinn it's almost impossible not to shop. One reason to this is that the shops are very easily to reach from wherever you enter the city. The second reason is perhaps because it's so cozy in Tallinn. When roaming the shopping streets you'll find a lot of unique handicraft and some very up to date fashion and designer labels both domestic and foreign.
Only about a 300 meters from the cruise terminal there is a rather large shopping center which sells everything under the sun. Just walk towards the ferry terminal otherwise you might miss it. (from the cruise terminal you only see the back of it, not realizing that a large shopping arcade is inside.)
Behind the railroad station there is a large market for the locals. A fun place to visit if you want to get away from the tourists.
Currency:
Euro.
Credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard/Eurocard, Diner's Club, American Express etc. are accepted in most of the major hotels, restaurants and shops, but ask first.
Communication:
The official language is Estonian. Especially younger people speak English well. German is also taught at school in Estonia and a large number of people can speak some.
There is free WiFi in the cruise terminal area of Tallinn and can be received from your cabin at dockside or on the open decks. No login and password needed. Many other free WiFi spots throughout.
For police dial 110, for other emergencies like fires and so, call 112
Opening Hours and Holidays:
Shops are generally open from 9.30 to 18.00 weekdays and from 10.00 to 17.00 on Saturdays. In the city center many shops will usually be open on Sundays to. Many museums are closed on Mondays and sometimes on Tuesday.
1 January New Year's Day
24 February Independence Day
March/April Good Friday
1 May May Day
May/June Whitsun
23 June Victory Day
24 June Midsummer's Day
20 August Re-Independence Day
25 December Christmas Day
26 December Boxing Day
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