Pikk Hermann

Tower Historic tower in Tallinn symbolizing Estonian statehood

Atop Toompea Hill in Tallinn, Pikk Hermann tower marks the site where Estonia’s national flag is raised daily. Visitors pair the tower with Toompea Castle and panoramic Old Town views.

Main image

Pikk Hermann is a historic tower standing on Toompea hill in central Tallinn, Estonia, forming part of the Toompea Castle complex and overlooking Tallinn’s Old Town.

The tower is a visible civic symbol where the national flag is flown; the viewpoint from the tower area provides views across the medieval city and surrounding streets. The tower’s medieval fabric is integrated with later repairs and restorations.

Built as part of the castle’s fortifications in the medieval period, the tower has been adapted over centuries and has served defensive and symbolic roles connected to the castle and governing institutions that occupy Toompea.

Pikk Hermann sits immediately adjacent to the Estonian Parliament buildings on Toompea hill in Tallinn’s historic core, within walking distance of the main Old Town squares.

  • Flag tradition: The national flag of Estonia is traditionally raised from the tower and is a visible national symbol over Toompea; flag ceremonies are a regular feature.
Pikk Hermann
Toompea Hill / Toompea Castle (Lossi plats 1), Tallinn, Estonia
59.4352, 24.7369
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How to Get to Pikk Hermann #

Pikk Hermann is the tall tower within Toompea Castle on Toompea Hill in Tallinn’s Old Town. It’s reached on foot from lower Old Town (Raekoja plats / Town Hall Square) in about 5-10 minutes via the short uphill streets and steps leading up to Toompea, or from Viru Gate/Parnu mnt area with a 10-15 minute walk. The site is in the historic centre, so practical access is on foot from central Tallinn; local buses and trams stop around the edges of the Old Town if you prefer a short ride before walking up to Toompea.

Tips for Visiting Pikk Hermann #

  • Aim for early morning or late afternoon to avoid cruise-ship-driven crowds in Old Town and to capture the tower and Toompea hill bathed in good light from the Kohtuotsa or Patkuli viewing platforms.
  • Approach via the Toompea hill paths rather than from the busy Lower Town streets - the short walk up gives much better vantage points of Pikk Hermann and the surrounding skyline that many visitors miss.
  • Combine the visit with a short walk to Toompea Castle and the Riigikogu (Parliament) exterior to understand the tower's civic context; those nearby sites are in the immediate area and are easy to include.

Best Time to Visit Pikk Hermann #

Best late spring through early autumn (May-September) for pleasant weather and full tourist services around Toompea and the tower.

Summer
June-August · 15-22°C
Warmest, sunniest period and the busiest for tourists around Toompea and the tower.
Spring / Autumn
April-May & September-October · 5-15°C
Milder weather and fewer crowds - good for photos and quieter visits to the hill and castle area.
Winter
November-March · -5-3°C
Cold with short daylight and occasional snow or ice; outdoor areas are much quieter and can be slippery.

Weather & Climate near Pikk Hermann #

Climate

Pikk Hermann's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -7°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (676 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 31 Good
Best Time to Visit
JuneMayJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
-27°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-6° – -1°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
6.7h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -2°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-7° – -2°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.0h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-4° – 2°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
11.6h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

4°
Feels Like Cold
4°C
Temperature
0° – 8°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
14.3h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
5° – 15°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
16.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° – 20°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
18.2h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° – 22°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
17.5h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 78 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
12° – 20°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
15.3h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
8° – 15°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
12.6h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

6°
Feels Like Cold
6°C
Temperature
4° – 9°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

2°
Feels Like Cold
2°C
Temperature
-1° – 4°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.4h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-4° – 1°
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
5.9h daylight

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