Toompea Hill
Toompea Hill
4.5
About
An ancient 10th-century Estonian stronghold stood on this 170-foot-high limestone plateau, which was later divided into the Big and Small Fortress with its distinctive defense towers erected in the early 13th century.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Toompea Hill
The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
999 within 5 kms
Attractions
339 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Marc KMunich, Germany637 contributionsDefinitely worth a visitIf you’re visiting the city, this spot should be on your list. It’s a cute little hike up on the hill where the charming ancient architecture is awaiting you. The Russian Cathedral and the Dom is the clerical hotspots next to the different views on the fortress left over. There is one of the best spots to overview the city.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 March 2024
- Vik ASt. George, Utah8 contributionsThe Jewel of the BalticThe views from the top of Toompea Hill are amazing. Moving down from the top brings you into “old town” and the central plaza that is both well preserved and replete with great shops and restaurants. And before leaving “old town” the medieval gates and fortress walls complete with intact towers provide more eye candy for the historian.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 June 2024
- Thomas VOakland, California18,926 contributionsPretty RooftopsOne climbs way up here to get a good view of the old city and the harbor. It is worth the effort to make the climb if you want to get a sense of how the whole urban area looks. Pretty rooftops.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
3,578 reviews
Excellent
2,355
Very good
1,087
Average
135
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Merrowmum
Guildford, UK1,409 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
This was part of our guided walking tour - with some true highlights! Alexander Nevsky cathedral is the main one, stunning both inside and out (and incredible to think that it was nearly demolished), but many of the other buildings are also beautiful, in different ways, and there are many styles to admire from across the centuries.
The viewpoints are well worth visiting as they do give excellent vistas across the city rooftops.
One really quite odd thing was the almost complete absence of people other than tourists, mostly in groups: the whole area felt like it was somehow frozen in time and space, like some enormous museum piece.
The viewpoints are well worth visiting as they do give excellent vistas across the city rooftops.
One really quite odd thing was the almost complete absence of people other than tourists, mostly in groups: the whole area felt like it was somehow frozen in time and space, like some enormous museum piece.
Written 27 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roslyn138
Wrexham, UK1,202 contributions
May 2022
If you are visiting the Nevski Cathedral, and need a few minutes rest after walking up the hill , then admire the view from Toompea Hill. Look at the city from above its coloured rooftops and admire this UNESCO Heritage City.
Just below the walls there are a number of monk statues which are quite interesting. But the real benefit of the hill is that it gives you a spectacular platform of this fairy tale city.
Just below the walls there are a number of monk statues which are quite interesting. But the real benefit of the hill is that it gives you a spectacular platform of this fairy tale city.
Written 10 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coryy20
Port of Spain, Trinidad6,378 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
Toompea hill offers so much. I am sure during the spring or summer it's much better for viewing and it offers more greenery. The only disadvantage during the winter is the fog over the city which obscure some of the view.
Nonetheless, it offers so much more. On the hill you can find beautiful churches and castles and other interesting buildings. But this hill is mainly for the Birdseye view of the city. I recommend.
Nonetheless, it offers so much more. On the hill you can find beautiful churches and castles and other interesting buildings. But this hill is mainly for the Birdseye view of the city. I recommend.
Written 1 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ilovetravel
Birmingham, UK390 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Lovely panoramic city views from atop the hill and with narrow cobbled streets it is very nice stroll. Alexander Nevsky cathedral is the main site up here. A must see when in Tallinn.
Written 30 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laczkozsu
Debrecen, Hungary2,466 contributions
May 2022
This area is about 20-30 metres higher than its surroundings. In the folklore it’s known as the „tumulus mound over the grave of Kalev.” It has a rich history and today it’s the center of the Government of Estonia and the Parliament. We walked there in a sunny day so it was really nice. Nearby we took some photos of Tall Hermann tower with the flag of the tower which is one of the best-known symbols in Estonia of the government in force. It’s worth a visit.
Written 30 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Toby L
Calne, UK410 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
What a fantastic view over the roofs of this marvellous city, with each building being capped off in its own wonderful way.
The view is stunning, but if you have mobility issues, plan your day carefully as there’s not much else up here.
Worth it for the view, but time it well to allow plenty of time to return.
The view is stunning, but if you have mobility issues, plan your day carefully as there’s not much else up here.
Worth it for the view, but time it well to allow plenty of time to return.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarppaliini
Oulu, Finland340 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
There was not any good signs that hete is viewpoint but we did go there by accident. Now i know its back end of old town. If you go there middle of day, go also in museum. It was worth to see and explore.
Written 2 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ValRal
Kalmar, Sweden266 contributions
Oct 2019
Nice view of the city. Clean roads. Beautiful old town. Tallinn is a city that is so lovely. You can also find a lot of souvenir shops.
Written 4 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marywhotravels
Washington DC, DC1,621 contributions
I was just enchanted by Toompea Hill. I came here in September, which thankfully seemed to be far enough from peak tourist season that we could easily stroll around mostly empty streets lined with old fortress walls and colorful, medieval looking shops. Definitely give yourself at least an afternoon to walk around and take pictures. I was especially impressed when we found a wine cafe in one of the upper levels of the castle ruins--a great place to soak in the atmosphere and look out over the landscape.
Written 7 September 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,572 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
We went to Toompea primarily for the views of Lower Town, Toompea Castle, and the Tall Hermann Tower. The views of Lower town and surrounding area were good. Most of the sightseers were from cruise ships. The Estonian Parliament building is here, but I didn’t go inside, as twenty years earlier I had worked out of there for a few weeks. I liked the Russian Orthodox church, Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky. Although nice, I rate Toompea Hill as “Very Good” and the “Lower Town” portion of Old town as “Excellent.” I prefer the close-up views of Lower Town I get when strolling its streets.
Written 20 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you take the taxi from the cruise port and visit Upper Old Town, is it possible to walk down to Lower Old Town and then back to the ship? We can do some walking but worry about the uphill trek!
Written 22 April 2019
Yes, it is a nice walk through town and then a short walk outside the old town back to the port.
Written 26 April 2019
Soru...i dont speak english
Written 13 September 2018
Qualcuno ricorda di aver visto ai piedi della collina di Toompea resti romani sotto il manto stradale protetti da teche di vetro?
Written 19 July 2018
I would be arriving by cruise ship. Where should I tell the taxi driver to drop me if I want to minimize walking uphill? Thanks!
Written 2 July 2018
When we were there, a vinyl record club was apparently selling or trading vinyl records. They had there cars parked very near Toompea. Is there a reason why you want to go there specifically? The Cathedral? Otherwise the lower portion of town with fabulous photo ops can be entered by Viru gate. The cab can drop you on flat ground less than one block away. You could see Catherine's passage, the sweater wall, the flower vendors, the chimney sweep statue, access to the town wall, and more from that side. But, you can not escape the cobblestones. Wear good solid shoes.
Written 3 July 2018
the climb isn't too bad, its fairly gradual - i would think ok at any age for anyone even slightly fit. The views from the top are great and it is where you find the orthodox cathedral which is worth visiting
Written 7 June 2018
Hola! He leído que debe haber un guia en español.
No he encontrado FREE tours en español.
Alguien puede recomendarme algo???
Graciass
Written 26 February 2018
Leider habe Ahnung ob es Führungen in spanischer Sprache gibt. Vielleicht hilft das „googeln“ weiter. Viel Glück!
Written 6 March 2018
From reading reviews about accessing Toompea Hill there seems to be two ways, a steep but easier route and a steep stair route. Can anyone provide general directions for both? I plan to check this out when I'm in town this summer but traveling with my mom who has difficulty on stairs. Just trying to figure out the least painful way to the top. Thanks!
Written 17 January 2018
There are actually a few ways up, but they are all steep and some involve stairs. I would take the road not the stairs, the ones I stumbled on to walk up are not only steep, they are uneven.
Start in Freedom Square and slowly make your way up Komamdamdiree and then Toompea. There are some parks along this route, so it is a nice stroll and there are benches.
Heading down, there is a set of stairs from the Court Square Lookout. These are newer and therefore not as slippery. You can also try Pikk jalg to head down which will pop you out close to teh town square.
Written 18 January 2018
Hello!!
How do I get there from old town? If I don' want to walk.
Written 19 March 2017
You could take a cab from old town and ask them to drop you at the crossroad of Toompea and Falgi Tee street. You still have to walk about 400 metres from this junction. The first 50 metres will be slightly hilly but the rest should be flat on foot.
Good luck.
Written 30 March 2017
Hola! Proximamente estaremos visitando Tallinn en un crucero. Me gustaria saber si vale la pena tomar un tour o es facil movilizarse a pie o en el bus rojo que hace paradas en distintos puntos de la ciudad. Quisieramos visitar la ciudad vieja, la colina Toompea y el museo de Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour(submarino). Agradezco sus sugerencias.
Written 24 June 2016
hazlo a pie y por tu cuenta es a 15 minutos caminando desde el puerto y todo esta al alcance ai quieres entrar a sitios dentro de la ciudad sntigua es peobable que no alcances a ir a seaplane harbour
Written 2 October 2017
ebush91442
Las Vegas, Nevada
How far is this from Old Town. We will probably walk around Old Town ourselves and see what else we can take in with the time we will have off of the ship.
Written 8 June 2016
It's adjacent to or a part of the old town. Don't miss it!
Written 14 June 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 10
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing