Shopping · Tallinn · Estonia
Shopping in Tallinn
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 3.0 ee
Quick answer
Tallinn shopping is strongest in crafts, knitwear, Estonian design and food gifts. Most shops open daily, including Sundays. Best souvenirs: Hand-knitted woollens, Vana Tallinn liqueur and Marzipan figures.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 4
- Markets
- 2
- Top souvenir
- Hand-knitted woollens
Where to shop
Old Town
Handicrafts, amber, linen, woodwork and glass in shops along Viru, Pikk and Müürivahe streets and St Catherine's Passage.
Telliskivi Creative City
Estonian designers, concept stores, vintage clothing and homeware.
City Centre
Viru Keskus and other malls with international chains and the Kaubamaja department store.
Rotermann Quarter
Design boutiques and Estonian brands in the converted warehouses.
Markets
Balti Jaama market
Food hall, fresh produce and an upstairs floor of antiques and Soviet-era curiosities next to the Baltic Station.
Christmas market
Stalls on Town Hall Square selling wool socks, ceramics, gingerbread and mulled wine from late November into early January.
What to buy
Hand-knitted woollens
Patterned socks, mittens and sweaters, including those sold along the 'Wall of Sweaters' on Müürivahe street.
Vana Tallinn liqueur
The city's own rum-based liqueur, available in several flavours and bottle sizes.
Marzipan figures
Hand-painted marzipan from Old Town confectioners.
Juniper-wood items
Butter knives, coasters and boards made from fragrant juniper wood, a traditional craft from the islands.
Black rye bread and kama
Packaged rye bread and kama flour travel well as food gifts.
Streets and markets worth a wander
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Neighbourhood · Old Town
Lower Town streets and St Catherine's Passage
A walk from the 14th-century Viru Gate along Viru street, then up Pikk street past the Great Guild Hall and the ornate House of the Brotherhood of Blackheads, shows the merchant city at its best.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Shopping
Neighbourhood · Kalamaja
Telliskivi Creative City
A cluster of brick buildings that once housed a railway factory, Telliskivi now holds studios, galleries, design and vintage shops, street art, a theatre and some of Tallinn's most popular restaurants and bars.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Art
- After dark
Market · Kalamaja
Balti Jaama market
Rebuilt in 2017 beside the Baltic Station, this market combines fresh produce, meat and smoked fish counters with a food hall of street-food stalls, while the upper floor sells antiques, Soviet-era memorabilia and secondhand clothes.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Architecture · City Centre
Rotermann Quarter
Between the Old Town and the port, the former Rotermann factory complex of 19th-century limestone mills and warehouses has been reworked with striking contemporary buildings by Estonian architects.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Food
- Shopping
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Black rye bread, Sprat sandwich, Curd snack and Marzipan. Bakeries, supermarkets and every restaurant bread basket; garlic bread in most pubs. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamaja and Telliskivi | $$ | Wooden houses, converted factories, cafés and the city's creative scene |
| City Centre and Rotermann | $$$ | Modern hotels, shopping malls and an old industrial quarter rebuilt with bold architecture |
| Noblessner | $$$ | Former submarine shipyard turned waterfront of restaurants, galleries and a brewery taproom |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in EUR. Tipping around 10% for good table service is common in Tallinn restaurants but not mandatory; check the bill, as some add a service charge. Tipping in cafés and bars is optional.
- Greet shopkeepers and waiters with 'Tere'; a simple 'Aitäh' (thank you) is appreciated.
- The Tallinn Card pays off if you visit three or more paid museums in a day and use public transport.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in February; the busiest months are July.
- January: Christmas market on Town Hall Square continues into early January
- April: Jazzkaar — international jazz festival (usually April)
- June: Old Town Days — street festival in the Old Town (usually late May or early June)
- August: Birgitta Festival — music and opera in the Pirita Convent ruins (usually August)
- November: Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) (usually November)
- November: Christmas market opens on Town Hall Square (usually late November)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping and families
City Centre and Rotermann
Modern hotels, shopping malls and an old industrial quarter rebuilt with bold architecture
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Tallinn?
Hand-knitted woollens, Vana Tallinn liqueur, Marzipan figures and Juniper-wood items.
+Where is the best shopping in Tallinn?
Old Town: Handicrafts, amber, linen, woodwork and glass in shops along Viru, Pikk and Müürivahe streets and St Catherine's Passage.
+What are the best markets in Tallinn?
Balti Jaama market and Christmas market.