Toompea Castle | TravelDojo

Toompea Castle is a historic fortress on Toompea hill in central Tallinn that combines medieval masonry and 18th-century Baroque palace elements and currently houses the Parliament of Estonia (the Riigikogu).

Visitors see a mix of medieval towers and later palace wings; the adjoining tower Pikk Hermann is a prominent symbol from which the national flag is raised. The castle complex was rebuilt and modified under successive rulers, with much of the present palace façade dating to the 18th century.

Toompea Castle occupies a limestone plateau above Tallinn’s lower town and forms part of the city’s Old Town UNESCO ensemble.

Function and phases: Toompea Castle has medieval foundations and extensive 18th-century rebuilds under the Russian Empire; today it houses Estonia's parliament (Riigikogu).
Location and viewpoint: The castle sits on Toompea hill within Tallinn's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage area, and offers elevated viewpoints over the lower town.

What to See #

Pikk Hermann tower: Pikk Hermann ("Long Hermann") is the medieval tower adjacent to the castle from which the national flag of Estonia is traditionally raised.
Parliamentary chamber: The parliamentary chamber occupies the 18th-century palace wing that was rebuilt during Russian imperial rule and today forms the working seat of the Riigikogu.

How to Get to Toompea Castle #

Toompea Castle sits on Toompea hill in Tallinn’s Old Town. From the Viru Gate / Raekoja plats (Town Hall Square) it is an uphill 5-10 minute walk - routes include the historic stairways Pikk jalg (Long Leg) and Lühike jalg (Short Leg). Viru/Viru Keskus stops for buses and trams are a short walk from the old town and provide the most convenient public‑transport access.

Tips for Visiting Toompea Castle #

Head up to the Patkuli and Kohtuotsa viewing platforms on Toompea for the best panoramic photos of Tallinn's red-tiled roofs and the Old Town; early morning and late afternoon give the finest light and quieter viewpoints.
Enter the Toompea area from Lossi plats/Toompea hill via the short stairways from the lower Old Town to avoid the busiest approaches and to enjoy the hill's quieter corners and viewpoints first.
If you want to see the Riigikogu (parliament) interior, check availability and pre-book a guided visit-public access is limited and guided tours must be arranged in advance through official channels.

Best Time to Visit Toompea Castle #

Best in late spring through early autumn (June-August) for mild weather, long days and easy sightseeing around Toompea.

Summer (best for sightseeing)

Jun-Aug · 15-22°C

Mild temperatures, long daylight hours and lively Old Town make this the most pleasant time to visit Toompea and nearby viewpoints.

Shoulder seasons (quieter)

May, Sep · 5-15°C

Cooler but generally good for sightseeing with fewer tourists; some attractions and services may have reduced hours.

Winter (cold, short days)

Nov-Mar · -5-2°C

Cold weather, possible snow and shorter daylight; the hill and castle are still accessible but conditions are brisk and some facilities may be limited.

Weather & Climate near Toompea Castle #

Climate

Toompea Castle'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

Nearby Attractions to Toompea Castle

Pikk Hermann

Historic tower in Tallinn symbolizing Estonian statehood

Tower 43 m

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Tall orthodox cathedral in Tallinn with golden domes

Religious Site 129 m

St. Mary's Cathedral, Tallinn

Medieval cathedral on Toompea hill with Lutheran heritage

Church 187 m

Toompea

Historic hill in Tallinn hosting government and castle

Hill 220 m

Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn

Medieval Hanseatic old town with preserved city walls

Historical Site 224 m

Kiek in de Kök

Medieval Tallinn defensive tower, museum and exhibition space

Tower 244 m

St. Nicholas' Church

Medieval Tallinn church housing maritime art museum

Religious Site 315 m

Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom

Museum documenting Soviet and Nazi occupations in Estonia

Museum 346 m