Toompea CastleAbout Toompea Castle
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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Toompea Castle
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).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -6° - -1° | -9° | 49 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
| February | Poor | -7° - -2° | -10° | 34 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.0h |
| March | Poor | -4° - 2° | -6° | 38 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Acceptable | 0° - 8° | 1° | 38 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 4.1 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.3h |
| May | Good | 5° - 15° | 10° | 34 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.0 m/s | 1.0 high | 16.8h |
| June | Very Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 18.2h |
| July | Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 75 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 17.5h |
| August | Good | 12° - 20° | 16° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 15.3h |
| September | Good | 8° - 15° | 11° | 72 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 12.6h |
| October | Acceptable | 4° - 9° | 3° | 74 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | -1° - 4° | -3° | 71 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| December | Poor | -4° - 1° | -7° | 60 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.9h |
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.