Quote: Where else in the world can you visit a location where you feel transported back to the medieval period of the 14th century? Tallinn's Toompea Hill affords just that with its iconic buildings and quaint streets and walkways.

Rising above the western part of Tallinn, Toompea Hill is easily seen from any place within Tallinn City. The onion domes of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the daunting stone façade and tower of Toompea Castle soar above the rest of Tallinn, making it easy to wander your way to, and through, the cobblestoned streets of Toompea.

Quite possibly the most recognisable building in Toompea is the Russian orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Built at the turn of the 19th century, whilst under Russian rule, the cathedral received a lot of heat in the mid-1900s because it was a symbol of the Russian occupation. The inside is adorned with numerous mosaics and paintings, though be sure to be dressed modestly when entering. The cathedral is open daily from 8am to 7pm.

Located across the Lossiplaats from the Cathedral is the Toompea Castle, which was built in the 12th century by the local population but, in subsequent years, was taken over by the Danish. Today, behind the pinkish façade, is the Parliament of Estonia (Riigikogu), which has met there since 1922. Tours of the castle are available on weekdays between 10am and 4pm. The Castle Gardens are located directly to the south of the castle, and are an ideal place to take a rest break whilst still reveling in the grandeur of Toompea Hill.

Right near the intersection of Toom-Rüütli and Kohtu streets, there is an open courtyard that is a perfect vantage point for looking out over much of Tallinn. If you ever see the amazing pictures of Tallinn encompassing much of the Old Town, it is most likely from this lookout point that they were taken. Because of this, it's hardly off the beaten track, and you'll be accompanied by dozens of other tourists racing to get an open spot along the wall to get your snapshots of the city. Since there are often many tourists at this location, merchants have discovered the wealth they can receive by setting up a stand. Most are selling slightly overpriced "antique" souvenirs, and we were also approached by a man trying to sell us historical coins, some of which were from the Soviet era, and others which were hundreds of years old. Now, I don't know my historic coins too well, but I don't think that a 400 year old coin would only sell for around 2 Euro. They looked legitimate, but the price surely didn't sound it. Other, licenced, shops are located around the area, where the prices seemed to be slightly higher than one would find in the Old Town.

Toompea Hill is a place where you can just wander the streets and alleys, and be marveled by what you stumble accross. It's a safe area, but stay assertive as you would in any other city.
From journals Traversing Tallinn