Tallinn TV Tower: 360° Views, Glass Floor, and the Edge Walk for Thrill-Seekers

The Tallinn TV Tower is 314 metres tall, has an observation deck at 175 metres, and if you want to, you can clip yourself to the outside railing and walk around the perimeter of the tower with nothing below your feet but several hundred metres of Estonian air.

You don't have to do the Edge Walk. But the observation deck alone is worth the visit — particularly for the view over the city and out across Tallinn Bay to Finland.

Getting There

The TV Tower is in Pirita, a beach and sports district about 5km east of Old Town. It's not directly on a tram line from the centre.

Getting there:

Bus #34A or #38 from the city centre (journey about 20 minutes)
Bolt: Around €6–8 from Old Town
Bike: The coastal path from Kadriorg to Pirita is a beautiful 2km ride

If you're combining it with Kadriorg Park, the Pirita road connects them easily on foot (about 30–35 minutes walking along the coast) or by bike.

The Observation Deck

The observation deck at 175 metres gives you a full 360° view. On a clear day you can see:

Old Town's spires and red rooftops to the southwest
Tallinn Bay and the Baltic Sea stretching north
Finnish islands on the horizon (visible in clear weather)
The forests and residential districts of greater Tallinn to the south and east

There's a glass floor section — a transparent platform that lets you look straight down. Most people stand on it for 30 seconds and then edge sideways off it. It's dizzying in a good way.

The deck has a café and souvenir shop.

Entry: Around €12–15 for the observation deck. Prices vary — check current ticket costs. Hours: Typically daily 10:00–22:00 in summer, shorter hours in winter.

The Edge Walk

The Edge Walk lets you clip onto a safety rail system and walk around the exterior of the tower at observation deck height. You're outside, at 175 metres, walking on a narrow ledge around the perimeter.

You don't need prior experience. There's a safety briefing, a harness, and a guide. The whole experience takes about 45 minutes.

Cost: Around €25–30 on top of the observation deck entry. Age/weight limits apply — check the official website before booking. Weather dependent: If wind speeds are too high, the Edge Walk doesn't run.

Is it scary? Yes, if you're not keen on heights. The first step out is the worst. After that, the views take over.

Is it worth it? If you're comfortable with heights, absolutely. The perspective of standing outside the tower looking down at Tallinn is unlike anything you'll get indoors.

History: The Tower and 1991

The TV Tower was built for the 1980 Moscow Olympics (the sailing events were held in Tallinn). It became historically significant during the 1991 Soviet coup attempt — when Soviet paratroopers were sent to seize control of Estonian state media, hundreds of unarmed civilians surrounded the tower to physically block access. The coup failed. The tower broadcasts.

There's an exhibition inside documenting this period. If you have any interest in the history of Estonian independence, it's well worth 20 minutes.

Combining It with Pirita

The Pirita beach is a short walk from the TV Tower — Estonia's best urban beach. White sand, pine forest backing, calm Baltic water. In summer, the whole area around the tower and Pirita fills with local families.

The Pirita Convent ruins (15th century, now partially restored) are between the tower and the beach. Worth a quick detour.

The Honest Verdict

The TV Tower isn't in the centre and requires a specific trip. For most visitors doing 2–3 days in Tallinn, it competes with Old Town, Kadriorg, and Seaplane Harbour for time.

If views are your thing — and the view here is genuinely excellent — it's worth the effort. If you only have one day, prioritise the Old Town viewpoints first and come here on day two.

For a suggested itinerary that fits the TV Tower into a Tallinn visit alongside other attractions, the Tallinn Travel Guide has it planned out.