Year-round
Dates
4h
Duration
2+
Min group size
Tour in Tallinn and its Surroundings: the Soviet Estonia
Discover how Soviet-era architecture, military history, and Cold War heritage shaped Tallinn and its coastal districts on this Soviet Estonia tour.
Tour Highlights
- Discover the Soviet secrets hidden behind the former Iron Curtain in Tallinn and its surroundings.
- Hear about the Olympic Center built for the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
- Visit an abandoned Soviet air-defence base, the Exhibition of Soviet Monuments in Maarjamäe Palace, or the Estonian Coastal Folk Museum (depending on the season and opening times).
- Drive along Tallinn’s coastline and enjoy postcard-worthy views from the Tallinn TV Tower.
Experience the legacy of Soviet occupation through coastal landscapes, forgotten military sites, and the striking monuments that remain. You’ll get a clear and engaging overview of Estonia’s Soviet past — from everyday life to major political events.
Read more about 9 Soviet sights to visit in Tallinn.
PRICE INCLUDES: pick-up and drop-off from Tallinn Old Town, guide service, transport, and museum entrance tickets.
FOR EXTRA CHARGE: optional lunch or coffee break in Viimsi or at the TV Tower.
PICK UP PLACE AND TIME: Tallinn Tourist Information Centre or hotel pick up for private tours
LANGUAGES: English, Spanish
1
Learn about the historical background of Soviet times in Estonia
The Soviet Estonia tour begins at the Tallinn Tourist Information Centre. From there, we drive past Freedom Square and the “Statue of Liberty,” the landmark symbolising Estonia’s restored independence. As we pass the square, your guide introduces the key events of the Soviet occupation, everyday life behind the Iron Curtain, and the stories—both dramatic and unexpectedly humorous—that shaped this era.
2
See Soviet architecture in Tallinn and visit the Song Festival Grounds
We continue through central Tallinn, passing major Soviet-era landmarks such as the former KGB headquarters at Viru Hotel and striking examples of Stalinist architecture.
At the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds, you’ll hear how Estonians used mass singing as peaceful resistance during the 1980s, ultimately helping the country regain independence.
At the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds, you’ll hear how Estonians used mass singing as peaceful resistance during the 1980s, ultimately helping the country regain independence.
3
Hear the stories behind Tallinn’s Olympic Centre from the 1980 Moscow Olympics
Driving along Tallinn’s eastern coastline, we pass the former Olympic Yachting Centre built for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Your guide explains how the international sailing events were organised during Soviet times, why Tallinn was chosen as the Olympic venue, and what life was like during the Games. Although we do not go inside the complex, the drive-by gives an excellent overview of its architecture, purpose, and significance during the Soviet era.
4
Explore an abandoned Soviet air-defense base and enjoy views from the Tallinn TV Tower
The Soviet Estonia tour continues to Viimsi peninsula, once part of the Soviet border zone. Here you can walk through an abandoned air-defense base hidden in the forest, once used for rocket installations.
Returning toward the city, we visit the Tallinn TV Tower—built in 1980—where panoramic views reveal both the cityscape and Soviet-era districts such as Lasnamäe.
Returning toward the city, we visit the Tallinn TV Tower—built in 1980—where panoramic views reveal both the cityscape and Soviet-era districts such as Lasnamäe.
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Optional tips to enhance your experience:
- take a 1–2 hour yacht cruise on the Olympic sailing trail in Pirita
- enjoy a Soviet-style outdoor picnic
- visit the KGB prison cells (extra fee)
- add a guided Virtual Reality tour on Harju Street (years 1939–1944)
Prices for the Tour in Tallinn and its Surroundings: the Soviet Estonia
For families with children, we usually offer a discounted price. Please ask for more information.
The minimum group size for our tours is two people. Solo travellers are welcome to join others. Send the request with possible dates, and we will give you more information.
| Number of participants: | Price per person: |
| 1 | joining others or price for 2 |
| 2-3 | 135 euros |
| 4 | 115 euros |
| 5-7 | 105 euros |
| 8 and more | on request |
We can organize this tour for large groups. Ask for a custom offer and mention the number of people.
©Jane Leppmets. Discover the abandoned Soviet air defence base on the Viimsi peninsula.
©Prangli Travel. A forest path in Viimsi peninsula, once part of the Soviet border zone.
©Jane Leppmets. We visit the Tallinn TV Tower, completed in 1980 for the Moscow Olympics.
©Jane Leppmets. We visit the Tallinn TV Tower, completed in 1980 for the Moscow Olympics.
©Jane Leppmets. View from 170 meters above the ground from the TV Tower.
©Jane Leppmets. A panoramic view from the Tallinn TV Tower.
©Jane Leppmets. We get to admire the beautiful view from Tallinn TV Tower.
©Prangli Travel. The Maarjamäe memorial opened in 2018 in memory of Estonia’s victims of communism.
©Prangli Travel. The Maarjamäe memorial opened in 2018 in memory of Estonia’s victims of communism.
©Jane Leppmets. The Olympic Center in Tallinn was built for the Moscow Olympics in 1980.
©Vikipeedia. The Tallinn Song Festival grounds play an essential role in Estonia's journey to freedom.
©Jane Leppmets. Vintage Soviet-era museum bus illustrating coastal village history.
©Ajapaik. Tallinn Old Town during the Soviet time
©Ajapaik. Tallinn’s medieval skyline
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Tour Reviews
Powerful and Personal Look Behind the Iron Curtain. We took the 4-Hour Behind the Iron Curtain Tour with Stassi on 23 September 2025, and it was an unforgettable experience. Stassi’s lived experiences brought the history to life in a way no guidebook ever could. As we visited key sites, she shared not only facts, but also personal stories that gave us a deeper understanding of Estonia and everything its people endured during the Soviet era. Stassi is warm, personable, and engaging — she created a space where questions flowed naturally, and her passion for sharing Estonia’s history was evident throughout. The tour length was just right at four hours, with a balance of walking and stops that never felt taxing. Be prepared for all kinds of weather — the tour goes on rain or shine — but it only added to the atmosphere of the day. We came away with both knowledge and empathy, and we can’t recommend this tour enough. If you want to truly understand Estonia’s past beyond the surface, this is the tour for you!
I loved the personal details our guide stassi interwoven with the fact I took the tour about the Soviet era in Estonia. Hearing a little bit about her life was in that area coupled with the sites we were shown made the experience very real for me.
This tour was fantastic! Our guide was so knowledgeable and offered so many personalized stories to really add to our experience. We chose an English language tour and our guide spoke flawless English!
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