Welcome to Hidden Tallinn! While traditional tours take you to the most famous tourist spots, I created these tours to take you on alternative routes through some of Tallinn’s famous and lesser-known locations so you can discover the hidden stories and obscure corners of the city.
Through storytelling, curiosity and a relaxed conversational style, I aim to give you a more authentic and immersive travel experience. If you want to be entertained, become smarter and leave the city with a sense of satisfaction, you’re in the right place!
Hidden Tallinn Tours 🏚️
Conversational storytelling tours; researched and given by me personally. Ideal for small/medium-sized groups. More information below.
Lantern Tours 🔥
I am also the English guide for ‘Lantern Hikes’. Click the photo to join one of my public tours! Different routes and stories from Hidden Tallinn.
Walking Tours
Hidden Stories of Tallinn Old Town
Wait, the priests put a dead body inside the church!? What’s the deal with that random deer statue? I was wondering… where did they execute people in the olden days? How much did that toilet cost!? Just some of the many mysteries of Tallinn Old Town.
On this alternative tour we will ask some of the more uncommon questions about Tallinn’s most famous medieval centre. Many of the more interesting and quirky stories of Old Town are hidden from view, but with a keen eye and an open mind we can uncover these stories and get under the skin of this unique and abundant place.
Whether you’re a first time visitor, or a lifelong Tallinn resident, there will always be new hidden secrets to discover from the last 900 years of Old Town life. So join me on a little adventure through the Hidden Old Town!
Duration: 2 hours
Price: €10-€100 per person (depending on group size)
Behind the Iron Curtain:
Soviet Tallinn Walking Tour
Step into a world that once stood behind the Iron Curtain and uncover the hidden stories of Soviet Tallinn. This tour takes you to Tallinn’s most iconic Soviet-era sites (the KGB headquarters, Linnahall and striking brutalist architecture) while also revealing the everyday experiences of the people who lived through this time. What was it really like to grow up in Soviet Estonia? How did people navigate the restrictions, find joy in the absurd, and quietly resist the system?
From grand Soviet buildings to forgotten corners where history lingers, you’ll hear tales of surveillance, rebellion, and the strange contradictions of life under Soviet rule. This isn’t your typical history lesson—it’s a journey into the past, filled with stories that are too intriguing to be left untold.
Join me and discover a side of Tallinn that most travellers never get to see.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: €10-€100 per person (depending on group size)
Kopli Walking Tour:
Industry, Crime and Hidden Corners
For many locals, the word ‘Kopli’ still strikes fear into their hearts. Stories of house fires, drug abuse, murder and misery have filled the headlines in the last few decades; but things are changing. This forgotten district is starting to wake up. The crime of the late 90’s is disappearing and new life is slowly arriving. Thankfully for curious travellers, many of the old buildings still remain!
On this tour we’ll explore the gritty past of this area, visiting old factory buildings, abandoned worker’s housing on Kopli Lines and sites with dark histories, while also witnessing the early stages of the rebirth of Kopli.
This tour provides a unique glimpse into the transformation of Tallinn’s most intriguing district. If you are someone who likes to explore forgotten industrial areas and get away from the well-trodden tourist path, this is the tour for you.
Duration: 2 hours
Prices: €10-€100 per person (depending on group size)
Hidden Kalamaja Walking Tour
Bunkers, cemeteries, film sets, lost railways and an infamous prison. Kalamaja has it all!
Long before Kalamaja became Tallinn’s trendiest district, it was a humble fishing village, first mentioned in 1374. Over the centuries, it evolved into an industrial powerhouse, home to bustling factories, shipyards, and workers who shaped the city’s fortunes. But behind the colourful wooden houses and tasty food lies a past filled with dramatic transformations, from the rise of industry to the shadows of war and oppression.
On this tour, we’ll uncover the real story of Tallinn’s oldest suburb: its fishing roots, its time as the beating heart of Tallinn’s working class, and the darker side of its history, including the notorious Patarei Prison and a wartime bunker. If you’ve heard of Kalamaja as Tallinn’s hipster hub but want to dig deeper into the stories that shaped it, this tour is for you. Step beyond the trendy cafés and explore a neighbourhood filled with forgotten stories.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: €10-€100 per person (depending on group size)
Abandoned Tallinn Tour: Aegna Island
(May – September)
The only urbex tour in Tallinn! Leave the city behind and journey to the eerie and tranquil Aegna Island, where nature has reclaimed abandoned military installations and forgotten structures. On this day trip, we’ll discover overgrown military bunkers, deserted buildings, ancient remnants Estonia’s pagan past and soak in the peaceful atmosphere of the forest.
This tour is ideal for urban explorers, photographers, nature lovers and adventurous travellers. If you love exploring abandoned paces and enjoy a mix of history and natural beauty, this tour will offer a unique experience that’s both atmospheric and serene. We might even have a swim in the Baltic Sea!
For this Aegna Island tour, we’ll begin our adventure by taking the morning boat from Linnahall. The tour itself will last approximately 3 hours (including breaks), during which we’ll explore the island’s abandoned sites and natural beauty. After the tour, you’ll have a few hours to relax and soak in the peaceful surroundings before catching the afternoon boat back. Please note that the exact timings will depend on the boat schedule but we will be back in Tallinn before the evening. Guests should bring their own lunch and snacks for the day, though there is water available on the island, and I’ll provide tea or coffee whenever needed.
Duration: Day trip (10am – late afternoon)
Price: €20-€200 per person ( includes 2-way boat journey)
Bespoke Tours
Looking for something a little different? Contact me with your ideas and together we can create an experience that is tailored to your individual interests and passions.
How do I book a tour?
You can organise a tour with me directly through Instagram, WhatsApp or email. Send me a message and we will schedule a tour together. Please include the following information:
~ How many people are in your group?
~ When would you like to meet? (date and time)
~ What tour are you interested in?
Testimonials
James (UK 🇬🇧)
“I’ve been fortunate enough to go on several trips around Tallinn and Estonia with Tom, and it’s left me with things I’ll never forget and a perspective on that place and culture which few travellers will ever have.”
Anna (USA 🇺🇸)
“I absolutely recommend Hidden Tallinn walking tours to anyone who would like an intimate introduction with Tallinn. Thank you, Tom, for showing us the magic of your city!”
Andrew (UK 🇬🇧)
“Tom’s knowledge and passion for Tallinn is amazing and he’s a really friendly guy. His tour around old town was the highlight of my trip around the Baltics last year. I enjoyed my first visit so much that I’ve been back twice and each time Tom’s shown me a different part of the city.”
Molly (USA 🇺🇸)
“For my first trip to Tallinn, my travel group and I did several walking tours with Tom, and he was an amazingly engaging and knowledgable guide... His love of Estonia and passion for history really shine through and make the experience memorable.“
For the full page of reviews and testimonials, click here.
Why Hidden Tallinn?
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#1. Smaller groups see more secrets
Small, intimate groups. Chosen by you.
One-to-one tours are also available.
#2. There is no script, every tour is unique
Hidden Tallinn is an independent travel blog: it’s just me here!
#3. I chose to become a local
I’ve been exploring, photographing and writing about Estonia for over ten years! Hidden Tallinn is my way of helping travellers explore the city and see it through my eyes
#4. I don’t live on a schedule
Morning, afternoon or night. Let’s set a time together.
You can schedule a tour using the contact form below or through WhatsApp and Instagram