10 Amazing Things To See And Do In Kalamaja Tallinn

Just a ten minute walk from the Old Town you’ll discover Kalamaja, a vibrant meeting point for Tallinn’s creative, bohemian souls. This former ghetto has undergone a phoenix-like revival that’s got everybody talking: its old abandoned factories now contain hot new restaurants, and its beautiful wooden houses are drawing in a surge of young, hip residents. Brimming with new activity and new places to explore, this is the most happening part of Tallinn today. Check out our list for the top 10 things you don’t want to miss in this exciting neighborhood.

The Culture Kilometer

Venture off the beaten tourist track and onto this less traditional 2.5-kilometer route which shows a different side of Tallinn, telling the story of its industrial history and its growth into a modern bohemia. You’ll see abandoned structures from the Soviet era left to ruin, and remnants of railroad tracks going nowhere, but as you walk on, you’ll also see several Soviet factories transformed into bohemian cafés and other thriving community spaces. You’ll see the shells of old buildings completely covered in colorful graffiti, as well as the squeaky-clean facades of newly incorporated upscale residential buildings. Officially starting at Linnahall car park and ending at Port Noblessner, the Culture Kilometer offers visitors an insightful look at Kalamaja’s true character: an ever-evolving neighborhood where culture, art and industry merge.

Kultuurikilomeeter, Tallinn, Estonia

Linnahall Building

Linnahall was built as a sports and concerts venue for the 22nd Moscow Summer Olympic Games in 1980, and still stands right on Tallinn’s seafront like a friendly ghost from the Soviet era. Though it’s little more than a shell now, it remains a favorite under-the-radar stop for locals, especially at absurdly early hours on summer mornings. Sound a little crazy? Once you’ve watched the sunrise from the rooftop of Linnahall, you’ll understand what’s got everyone out of bed at 5am to visit a defunct stadium: a beautiful rosy panorama of the sea, the old town, the new skyscrapers and the factories, is without a doubt worth a sleepless night.
Mere puiestee 20B, Tallinn, Estonia

Patarei Sea Fortress Prison
Occupying 4 hectares of the seafront, this imperial sea fortress was introduced as a cannon battery in 1840 and since then served many different functions. From 1867 to 1919 it served as a Russian army barracks, then in 1920 it was converted into a high security prison, an identity it held through the Soviet Era; today the old building is free of prisoners, but has kept its spooky spirit intact. This unique example of military architecture and world-class engineering has remained practically untouched, giving visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in a real Soviet-era prison environment. Don’t be surprised if the feel of the old abandoned cells, working areas, or wards send a shiver or two down your spine.
Kihnu 6-124, Tallinn, Estonia, +37 25 046 536