Tallinn Town Hall
The only surviving Gothic town hall in northern Europe, dating to 1404 — climb the tower for the classic red-roof panorama.
Gothic Tallinn Town Hall with Old Thomas weathervane on the spire
What to expect at Tallinn Town Hall
The Raekoda has stood on Raekoja plats since 1404, and every Estonian schoolchild knows the weathervane on top as Vana Toomas — Old Thomas, the city's mascot since 1530. Inside, the Citizens' Hall and Council Chamber still have their original 15th-century oak benches and painted friezes, and the medieval kitchen in the basement is one of the best-preserved in the Hanseatic League. Unlike Bruges or Ghent, this is the real thing, never Disneyfied.
The interior is only reliably open in July and August — outside those months you need to catch an event or book a group tour. The tower, though, is a separate ticket and worth every cent: 115 steps up a spiral staircase to a wooden gallery just below Old Thomas himself, with a 360-degree view over the tiled roofs. Come at opening (11:00) to have the tower to yourself, and combine with a coffee at Kohvik Must Puudel on the same square.
Questions about Tallinn Town Hall
$6 for the hall interior, $4 for the tower climb. A combined ticket is $9.
Free on Tallinn Day, 15 May. The square outside is always free.
1-2 hours: 30 minutes for the hall, 30 for the tower climb, plus time on the square.
Full interior access is only July-August, Monday to Saturday. The tower runs June-August daily; the square is always open.
No — walk-in only. Group tours of 10+ should email raekoda@tallinnlv.ee a week ahead.
It's on Raekoja plats — a 5-minute walk from Viru Gate or the Freedom Square tram stops.
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