A Day in Tallinn-Estonia
Departing the Ship
After a good night’s sleep on the boat, we were ready for our day in Tallinn, Estonia. We woke up to a gorgeous sunny day while still cruising across the Baltic Sea and were eager to get the day started. We quickly got up, dressed, and headed to breakfast at the Grand Buffet. Afterward, we went to the outside decks to watch as the ship cruised into the docks at Tallinn. Once docked, there was a mad rush to disembark and begin exploring. My husband and I, however, decided to take our time leaving the ship.
Old Town Tallinn
Once ashore, we made our way to Old Town Tallinn. The medieval town is almost entirely surrounded by a stone wall, known as the Walls of Tallinn. Entering through the arched gateway, we were immediately surrounded by centuries-old buildings lining cobblestone streets. As we wandered through the charming streets, we stumbled upon the Vangikongid Museum.
This small museum, also known as the KGB dungeons, is housed in a beautiful Art Nouveau-style building. Though tiny, with only six cells, it offers a wealth of history. A prominent wall displayed a timeline of Estonia’s history, detailing periods under Russian rule, its initial independence, the German occupation during World War II, and the re-establishment of independence after Soviet rule. The cells contained posters with stories of individual inmates, detailing their actions, the torture they endured, and their ultimate fates. The museum was fascinating yet emotionally overwhelming, especially when reading about the atrocities committed by the KGB.
After taking a breath of fresh air, we continued wandering through the town and stopped at Maiasmokk Café for coffee and pastries. Established by confectioner Georg Stude in 1864, the café has retained much of its original charm. Though pastries are no longer baked on-site, the café thrives with a bustling main floor and historical upstairs rooms available for events. One room even displays the history of the café, complete with pictures of Georg Stude and his family. We enjoyed our decadent pastries and coffee at a quaint little table with a view of the city streets.
Exploring Old Town Tallinn, Estonia
Our exploration of Old Town took us further into its historical core. We browsed numerous shops—mostly selling souvenirs—as we wound our way up the cobblestone streets. Eventually, we reached the colorful Town Hall Square, followed by the majestic Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Toompea Castle, which offered breathtaking views of the city and the Baltic Sea.
Later, we found a staircase leading down and out of the Old Town walls. Strolling through the gardens and green spaces along the walls, we eventually re-entered the Old Town near the main entrance. After visiting a few more shops, we began heading back toward the ship, making one last stop at Scotland Yard, an Irish pub. To our surprise, the pub featured life-size statues of the Blues Brothers! As Chicago natives, we found this detail hilarious. The rest of the pub stayed true to its Irish theme, with a long wooden bar at the entrance and a spacious, two-story dining room featuring brick walls and dark wood accents. Naturally, I ordered an Irish coffee, while my husband enjoyed a Guinness.
Cruise to back to Stockholm
The walk back to the ship was short, and check-in was quick. Once aboard, we enjoyed dinner at the Grand Buffet as the boat began its departure from Tallinn, Estonia. Afterward, we changed into our bathing suits and headed to the spa pools on the lower deck. We had a fantastic time during our reservation, with the hot tub’s jets and waterfall being the highlight. Of course, we also loved the private sauna room.
After getting dressed, we explored the ship once more. We spent some time at the Starlight Showbar, enjoying live music and dancing. To finish the evening, we relaxed to the soft piano music at the Manhattan Piano Bar.
Be sure to read about the first day of the three day cruise, A Cruise to Estonia – Departure and our return to Stockholm, The Cruise back from Estonia to Stockholm
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