Attractions & museums

Viru Gate

The barbican of Viru Gate was part of the defence system of the Tallinn city wall built in the 14th century.

A couple of centuries later, it already had 8 gates that consisted of several towers and curtain walls connecting them. The main tower of a gate was always square and the barbicans were equipped with one or two small round towers.

As the entrances to the Old Town were widened, several gates were demolished. The Viru Gate had to pay its dues to a horse-drawn tram route that connected the Old Market with Kadriorg.

However, the corner towers were preserved. Also, you can still see a part of the bastion that is called Musumägi. Viru Street with its many shops and restaurants has become one of the busiest pedestrian streets in the Old Town.

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TripAdvisor® Traveler Reviews

TripAdvisor logo tripadvisor rating 4.3 of 5

based on 893 reviews

  • Old gate

    tripadvisor rating 4 of 5
    February 1, 2026 By zuv

    An old stone gate that was part of the fortified defense system of the old city. Preserved in a decent shape, it became a kind of border between the old and the new city. One of the emblematic images... Read more comments

  • Nice Area of Old Town Wall

    tripadvisor rating 5 of 5
    November 20, 2025 By deanosaur89

    The Viru Gates had a nice market and some affordable restaurant and souvenir shops nearby. This was one of the busiest areas of the city wall when we visited Tallinn but nearby is a hidden gem in... Read more comments

  • good

    tripadvisor rating 4 of 5
    August 24, 2025 By Perry G

    The gates are pretty and at one time, before they demolished part of it, must have been very impressive. I was a bit disappointed, however, they are definitely worth a visit.