Tsarist alleys and art museums: a self-guided walk through Kadriorg

Kadriorg is one of the city's most elegant areas, where Tallinn's upper-class history, park culture and exquisite wooden architecture meet.

Come and discover the most elegant area of Tallinn! After the conquest of Estonian territories in the 18th century, the Russian Tsar Peter I built a palace and a park complex near Tallinn’s seashore, around which a new residential area began to develop. The area was named Katharinenthal, later in Estonian as Kadriorg, after Ekaterina, Peter's beloved wife.

Today, the Kadriorg area is valued for its museums and beautiful historic park, and its quiet streets offer a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

What to expect along the way

Gems along the route: Kadriorg Park, Kadriorg Art Museum, Kumu Art Museum, Miiamilla Children's Museum, A. H. Tammsaare Museum, Eduard Vilde Museum, NOP Café and Shop
Length of the journey: 2-3 km
Duration: about 1.5 hours without museum visits
Visiting season: any time of year
How to get there: trams from Hobujaama station (No. 1 and 3) or from the Baltic station (No. 1)
Where to start: in front of the Katharinenthal Café
Sustainable choices: NOP Café and Shop

Enchanting Kadriorg Park

Kadriorg Park is one of Estonia's most prominent palace and park ensembles and covers almost 70 hectares. Kadriorg Palace and the park were built in 1718 on the orders of Russian Tsar Peter I, who wanted a summer palace here. Examples of park design from the 18th and 19th centuries can be seen here today, as well as from the 20th century.

The jewel of the park is the Swan Lake, with a beautiful pavilion in the centre where ducks and swans can be seen nesting in the warmer months. Walking around the pond, you can admire sculptures depicting major figures of Estonian culture. Kadriorg Park's long history is also illustrated by the fact that gardens and areas in different styles have sprung up over time – you can admire a French-style rose garden, stroll through a lush English-style landscape area or take a moment to yourself in the wonderful Japanese garden.

The total length of the footpaths through the park is 16 kilometres, so you can easily get your recommended daily exercise by walking or jogging here.

Photo author: Rasmus Jurkatam

Art museums and writers' houses

In addition to its soul-soothing greenery, Kadriorg Park also offers food for the mind. It is home to Estonia's most important art museums – the Kadriorg Baroque Palace houses the Kadriorg Art Museum, a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia dedicated to foreign art. Just a few steps away, the Kumu Art Museum is home to some of the most significant works of Estonian art.

Families with young children should visit the Miiamilla Children's Museum, which has fun and educational hands-on exhibits for children aged 2-10.

Kadriorg’s residential area has been home to major figures of Estonian culture, whose beautiful wooden villas still stand in the quiet streets of the neighbourhood. Visitors can explore the museum of the great Estonian writer Anton Hansen Tammsaare, while the Eduard Vilde Museum is located right next to the park.

All these museums can be visited free of charge with the Tallinn Card. On the first Sunday of every month, you can visit the Miiamilla, Vilde and Tammsaare museums free of charge as part of Museum Sunday.

Kadrioru lossis tegutseb väliskunsti muuseum

Photo author: Kaupo Kalda

Great food experiences for all tastes

A walk in the park and visits to the museums are sure to make you hungry at some point. Luckily, Kadriorg offers a wide variety of excellent places to eat.

A local favourite is the NOP Café – a cosy, home-style eatery whose menu includes dishes made from organic eggs, as well as a range of vegan, lactose and wheat-free options. Located in a beautiful villa, Mon Repos is an elegant French brasserie-style restaurant. Restaurant Mantel and Korsten is a place of excellence in the art of cooking, which has also been mentioned in the Michelin guide.

If none of these appeal at first glance, there is no need to worry, as many more worthwhile dining options can be found in and around Kadriorg.