Located on the northern shores of Estonia’s Baltic sea, Tallinn is a culturally complex city where a modern “European Silicon Valley” vibe meets perfectly preserved medieval architecture among the relics of Nazi and Soviet occupation. This scenic seaside city across the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki has grown as a tourist destination in recent years. There’s a very nice variety of options for running in Tallinn, whether it’s a historical ‘tour’ of the old city, paths along the Baltic Sea, or some of the lovely parks.
The best places to run in Tallinn take advantage of the city’s history and architecture, whether it’s a loop around Old Town, a kilometer (or 5) on the Kultuurikilomeeter, or an extended exploration of Kadriorg Park. For a scenic look at Tallinn’s coast, try the friendly Pirita Tee path, or the beachside stretch in Peluguranna. A more challenging option is to come in late May for the City Trail half marathon, which celebrates the city’s natural beauty.
This may be one of the few cities where all routes are runnable from the main tourist center. Still, Tallinn has a great public transportation system that can help you get around to the further-off neighborhoods. This includes a central rail and a public bus system. Ticketing works on a random-inspection basis, so make sure you are prepared ahead of time. Also note: Tallinn can be snowy and icy in winter, and days from November-February are short. Most of our routes are well enough lit that they can be run in the dark.
