Tallinn Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats)
Picturesque Town Hall Square has been the undisputed hub of Old Town for the last eight centuries.
Surrounded by elaborate merchant houses and, in summer, packed with café tables, it's a natural magnet for tourists.
Historically it served as a market and meeting place, and was the site of at least one execution (resulting from a dispute over a bad omelette). Find the round stone marked with a compass rose in the middle of the square. From this spot, with a little stretching and bending, you can see the tops all five of Old Town's spires.
Today, the square remains the social heart of the city, a venue for open-air concerts, handicraft fairs and medieval markets. Each winter it's home to the town's Christmas tree – a tradition that stretches back to 1441 – and a buzzing Christmas Market. In spring it hosts the Old Town Days festival, a modern version of a medieval carnival, where traditions from the Middle Ages are kept alive.
Notable buildings around the square include the Town Hall with its tower and the Town Hall Pharmacy.
TripAdvisor® Traveler Reviews
tripadvisor rating 4.5 of 5
based on 4755 reviews
Unique and magical place!
tripadvisor rating 5 of 5In Tallinn Town Hall Square you can visit a unique Christmas market in the world. It takes you back to the Middle Ages. Incredibly beautiful experience !!!
Lovely
tripadvisor rating 5 of 5This is a nice part of the old town part of Tallinn. You must go through it once you visiting in Tallinn
11th century marketplace oozes with charm
tripadvisor rating 5 of 5This charming marketplace oozes local culture. There was soo much positive energy in this area. I stumbled across the oldest continuing running pharmacy, Raepteek, which is across the Town Hall... Read more comments
