Tallinn might not be on your radar as the perfect spot for a family vacation. However, Estonia’s capital and its picturesque Old Town cater to all tastes and have plenty of attractions and activities in store for a fun and active family vacation to Tallinn with children, ranging from a day at the beach to exploring the Old Town's walls or discovering the animal world in a playful and family-friendly way.  

Kadriorg Park and Children’s Museum Miiamilla

The picturesque Kadriorg Park is the perfect place for a day out with children or a relaxed walk. The park was established under Peter the Great in 1718 and is Estonia’s most spectacular Baroque park to this day. While adults can enjoy characteristic designs from the 18th to 21st century as well as the Japanese Garden, a large area of the park is specifically catering to its younger visitors.

The park has its own children’s playground with an attached museum, the Children’s Museum Miiamilla, a playful environment for children and families located right in the heart of the park. Children can touch and play with almost everything in the exhibit and next to the museum, you will find a huge outdoor playground far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, making it one of the most child-friendly places in Tallinn.

Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour/Estonian Maritime Museum

Visit Estonia’s most popular museum, one of Europe’s biggest maritime museums and the perfect spot for maritime and history enthusiasts: the Seaplane Harbour Museum. The museum is located in a remarkable hangar that was built under Peter the Great and features the world’s first column-less thin-shell concrete domes of such volume.

The museum takes its visitors on a journey around the world in the Yellow Submarine, with a big aquarium and over 200 authentic items, many interactive and exciting activities and simulators, making it a memorable and interactive experience for the whole family.  A visit here also rewards visitors with a magnificent view of the city and the sea, the working harbour with all its ships and boats as well as a playground for the youngest of visitors.

Tallinn Zoo

Tallinn Zoo inhibits one of the most exciting collections of animals in Europe and is home to more than 8000 animals from almost 400 species. Located in the Rocca al Mare district, the zoo is a fascinating attraction for the whole family with several experiences targeted to different age groups.

The children’s zoo along with the Smartzoos trail are the main attractions for children here. Kids can pet small farm animals and solve tasks on a smartphone or tablet while they learn more about the different animals, such as polar bears, eagles, elephants and snakes, around them.

Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum

The Estonian Open Air Museum is just a 15 minute drive away from Tallinn’s centre and the perfect place to discover rural Estonian architecture and village life. The museum is home to 14 different farms that show visitors the life of families in the 18th to 20th century from different parts of Estonia and from different classes and occupations.

The museum consists of more than 100 traditional buildings, including several farms, a school, a chapel, different mills as well as a village shop and even a fire station. Distributed across an open area, the museum is constantly developing and changing. It is open all year round and hosts different exhibitions and events throughout the year.

Tower’s Square

The Tower’s Square is one of Europe’s best preserved medieval fortifications with 20 defensive towers in very good condition and around 2 kilometres of the original city walls, giving the Old Town its fairy tale-like charm. Head to the North-western corner of the Old Town to get a glimpse into the wall from inside.

The Tower’s Square is not only the perfect destination for little history buffs but also a popular recreational area. The communal park has several playgrounds for children as well as fitness areas and is a well beloved spot among tourists as well as locals.

Pirita Beach

Tallinn is home to several beaches that are close by to the Old Town and are perfect for a relaxed day or a break from sightseeing. Pirita Beach is one of the largest and most popular beaches around Tallinn, running for 2 kilometres with a stunning view of the Old Town and bypassing ships.

The beach has several playgrounds for children, areas for ball games such as volleyball, chaise lounges as well as water sport equipment rental.