Kadriorg Palace & Tallinn Shore Excursion

This tour pairs a quick introduction to medieval Tallinn with an afternoon in a completely different architectural world: an 18th century Russian imperiAdmission costs are covered on Tallinn tours whenever the tour page says so. Keep in mind some venues require timed, skip-the-line tickets that become non-refundable the moment they're purchased. We'll flag any non-refundable entrance fees for you at booking.al palace.

Your guide meets you at the pier for a short drive around the city walls into the Lower Old Town, where a brief walking tour takes in Old Town Hall Square and enough history to set the stage for the rest of the day. This is meant as an introduction rather than the full Old Town experience, since the palace is this tour's real focus.

From the Old Town you drive toward Kadriorg, with a photo stop along the way at the ruins of Pirita Abbey and the vast open-air stage of the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds, built to hold tens of thousands of singers during Estonia's national song festivals. Kadriorg itself is a secluded district of forested parkland, statues, and ponds, built around the palace that gives the neighborhood its name (Kadriorg means Catherine's Valley in Estonian). Emperor Peter the Great commissioned the Baroque palace in 1721 as a gift for his wife, Empress Catherine I, and it served as their summer residence. Surrounded by manicured gardens and fountains, the palace and its grounds remain one of the finest examples of early 18th century Russian architecture outside Russia itself. Your guide walks you through the palace and gardens before returning you to the pier in Tallinn.

• Mobility: Due to uneven surfaces, steps, and walking distances, this itinerary is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs. Please contact us for alternative sightseeing options, including private driving tours that may better accommodate your needs.