We came from Sutomore by bus, spent two nights, and continued on to Shkodër in Albania. So we had one full day in the town plus more time for the beaches. We left with a much warmer impression of Ulcinj than expected going in.

If you are making your way down the coast, do not just treat Ulcinj as a transit point. Spend at least a day here, you won’t regret it. Here’s things to do in Ulcinj in one day, plus practical tips on when to visit, how to get there and where to stay.

What to See in Ulcinj: 1-Day Itinerary

Start your morning by going to the beach of your choice, before the heat sets in. Then you can continue with exploring the old town, where you will have a little more shade.

Ulcinj’s Beaches

Ulcinj has a number of gorgeous beaches. I recommend Liman beaches for their great views or Velika Plaza for the space, but you can choose whichever is close to your hotel.

Velika Plaža (Long Beach) is the one that stretches for several kilometers just south of the Ulcinj center and is one of the longest beaches in the Adriatic. Its scale also makes it slightly less crowded than the more central beaches.

Ada Bojana is an island right near the Albanian border with beautiful sandy beaches and a very relaxed, off-the-beaten-track feel. There’s a nude beach, as well as a non-nude part. While we didn’t make it there, it looks beautiful, if you have more time.

Valdanos Beach sits in a bay surrounded by ancient olive groves. Interestingly, this is the bay where pirates historically hid their ships.

Ladies Beach holds the distinction of being the first women-only nude beach in Europe. It sits between the Small Beach and Long Beach, nestled next to a pine forest. Worth knowing about even if it’s not your thing.

The Old Town and Castle

How to get to the old town: Ulcinj is hilly, so getting between the beaches and the old town may require a taxi or some uphill walking.

The cute old town is the heart of Ulcinj. It sits on a rocky cliff above the sea, and its atmosphere is quite unlike anywhere else in Montenegro, with a feel that reflects the city’s proximity to Albania and its long Ottoman history.

The castle at the top of the old town was originally built by the ancient Greeks, probably around the 5^th century BC. It subsequently passed through the hands of Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans and others -the usual Montenegrin history. Inside the old town walls you will find narrow cobblestone streets, ruined churches, a mosque, and a clock tower. The streets are lovely to wander around. Notice the cute windows and tiny balconies, partly ruined alleys and other small details.

As we had two evenings in Ulcinj, on one evening we watched the sunset from the Liman area, with the view of the old town. The second evening we witnessed it from the castle area. I am not sure which of these sunsets was more beautiful, but they definitely were one of the highlights. If you have only one evening, I would have a hard time suggesting one over the other, so do whichever is more convenient. Either way, the light on the sea from these elevated locations is something else.

The Pasha Mosque at the entrance to the old city from the main road is also worth pausing at. It dates to the 19^th century and is a typical Ottoman architecture.

The Museum of Local History (price: 2.5 EUR) is fascinating for its building. It’s a 16^th century church, which was then transformed into a mosque during the Ottoman rule. It houses archaeological findings depicting the life of the city starting from the 5^th century. Even if you don’t visit the museum for the artifacts, you should see the building.

The Cervantes Connection

According to local legend the young Cervantes was captured at the age of 24 during a naval battle and held captive in Ulcinj by local pirates for around five years. The captivity was quite strange – he was apparently allowed to walk freely around the town. While in Ulcinj, he fell in love with a local woman and was inspired to create the famous Dulcinea. Even the name Dulcinea derives from “de Ulicini,” meaning from Ulcinj.

Spanish historians dispute the whole story and say there is no evidence for it. But we decided this story is lovely and gives Ulcinj the mystery you won’t find anywhere else in Montenegro. So let’s be Don Quixotes about it and imagine the windmills, even if it’s not true.

You can even visit Cervantes statue in the old town, one of the more unexpected things you’ll find in a small Montenegrin coastal city.

The Promenade and Cafes

Outside the old town, the promenade runs along the small beachside area and is a lovely place to spend an evening. By nightfall it fills up with locals and visitors alike, and the cafes along the waterfront become very busy. The views out to sea from here are beautiful, and the atmosphere is relaxed.

We sat at one of the cafes – café Timoni – and enjoyed the view, even if the food was not particularly memorable. The vibe more than made up for it.

When to Visit Ulcinj

We visited in September as part of a longer Balkans trip, and as with the rest of the coast, the timing was ideal. The summer heat had eased, the city was calm, and the old town was pleasantly uncrowded.

Ulcinj is a beach destination for many visitors, particularly those from the region, so July and August bring considerably more people. So if you prefer a quieter visit, aim for late September to October or late spring. This timing can be hit or miss for the sea though, as it may be cold.

How Long Do You Need in Ulcinj?

One full day is the right amount of time to see the city itself comfortably. In a single day you can explore the old town, visit the castle, walk the promenade, and see the Liman beaches and the cool views of the town. We used our one full day in Ulcinj to do exactly that before continuing to Albania.

If you want to spend time at the longer beaches like Velika Plaža or venture out to Ada Bojana Island, you would need an additional day or two. We did check out the Velika beach on our first late afternoon there. But for the town itself, one day is enough.

How to Get to Ulcinj

By Bus from the Montenegrin Coast

We arrived by bus from Sutomore, which was straightforward. Ulcinj is the last major town on the Montenegrin coast before the Albanian border, so buses run here from Bar, Sutomore, Budva, and other coastal towns, as well as from Podgorica. As with all bus travel in Montenegro, schedules are approximate. Just show up at the bus stop and hop on the next one heading south.

One important thing to know: the bus station in Ulcinj is not close to the city center. It is about a 30-minute walk, which is manageable without luggage but not ideal if you are arriving with bags. We took a taxi, which we don’t love doing, but it was the practical choice. Keep this in mind when planning your arrival..

See my dedicated article for more information on how to get around Montenegro by public transport.

Getting From Albania to Ulcinj

We took the shared taxi from the bus station, which worked fine. Compared to minibuses, the border crossing was faster with a smaller vehicle than a full bus. From Shkodër, minibuses to Tirana run regularly and are easy to find.

Where to Stay in Ulcinj

Ulcinj has a good range of accommodation, from apartments and guesthouses to small hotels. Given that the town is compact and walkable, you don’t need to be right in the old town to have easy access to everything.

You can choose an accommodation with direct access to the beach or stay in the old town area, depending on your preference.

Velika Plaza: Another common location is near Velika Plaza beach. There are resorts, like a very popular all-inclusive Azul Beach Resort or a more affordable AM Palace.

Old town: If you are planning to stay in the old town proper, hotel options are limited, so you will have to find serviced apartments, like Villa Marinero for instance.

Where to Next from Ulcinj

If you are heading south, Albania awaits. Shkodër is the first major stop, with Tirana easily reachable from there. Shkodër deserves at least a couple of hours, before continuing to Tirana.

If you are heading back north along the coast, Bar is the nearest stop and its beautiful old town with the mountain backdrop is definitely worth a day trip.

Further north along the coast, you can visit my favorite Montenegrin city, Budva and continue on to the most popular Kotor.

For something different, Lake Skadar is also an easy detour nearby, especially if you want a break from the coast.

<p>The post One Day in Ulcinj: Montenegro’s City of Legends first appeared on Hit the Road Ket.</p>

If you are traveling around the Balkans, I think Herceg Novi deserves at least a day to explore its cute old town. When we visited, the city was pleasantly quiet, and Kanli Kula, which would be overrun with tourists if it was located elsewhere, was so empty that we practically had it to ourselves.

Here’s how to spend one day in Herceg Novi, followed by practical tips on when to visit, how to get there and where to stay.

What to See in Herceg Novi: 1-Day Itinerary

You can walk in Herceg Novi for the whole time of your stay. We never needed any transport inside the town. However, it is hilly, so if you are visiting the fortresses, you would have to climb uphill. If you have mobility issues, then taxi is your main option.

Kanli Kula Fortress: The Best Views in Herceg Novi

Entrance fee: 4 EUR

Opening hours: 9 am-8 pm, shorter hours in winter.

How to get to Kanli Kula: The fortress sits high above the old town. From the waterside area, you will have to climb quite a lot of stairs and steep streets. If you have any difficulty with stairs or steep roads, it is also accessible by car or a taxi from the main road above.

Start your day with Kanli Kula, which translates rather ominously as the Bloody Tower. The name is entirely earned. Built in the 16^th century during Ottoman rule, this fortress served as a prison, and its dark dungeons can still be visited today. The atmosphere inside is gloomy and menacing.

The fortress also has a large amphitheatre, heavily renovated in the 20^th century and now used as an open-air performance venue. It has lost much of its historical feel, but the original parts of the fortress more than make up for it. Unbelievably, this is a popular wedding venue. Seems people aren’t deterred by the bloody past of this place.

The Old Town

From Kanli Kula, make your way down into the old town and simply wander. We basically did a few circles to look into the small alleys and enjoy the secluded staircases. In September the old town was by far not crowded and very pleasant.

Belvista Square and the Church of Archangel Michael: The Belvista (beautiful view) square is located not too far from Kanli Kula. The Serbian Orthodox church of Archangel Michael here is free to enter. It is a beautiful building and worth a few minutes inside.

The Clock Tower: located close to Belvista Square, this is one of Herceg Novi’s most recognizable landmarks. The tower was first built in the 17^th century during Turkish rule, while the upper part was added by the Venetians in the 19^th century. It’s a lovely sight. I read that it is possible to climb the tower for free, but when we visited, we couldn’t find any obvious way up or anyone in attendance. Worth checking when you are there and let me know if you have better luck.

There are also several other churches, small museums, and cute alleys throughout the old town. Take your time, grab a burek if you spot one, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Forte Mare (Sea Fortress)

Entrance fee: 5 EUR

Opening hours: 9 am-8 pm, shorter hours in winter.

After exploring the old town, make your way to Forte Mare (Sea Fortress), which sits right at the shore. You can either descend from the old town or climb the steep steps up from the seafront promenade; we came from the old town and exited to the seaside, which worked well.

Forte Mare was originally built in the 14^th century by the Bosnian king Tvrtko for protection against invaders from the sea. It has been damaged and rebuilt numerous times over the centuries, taking its current form in the 19^th century.

The views here are not as wide as from Kanli Kula, but the setting right at the water is beautiful, particularly in the late afternoon when the light on the bay is lovely. If your timing works out, it is a beautiful place to catch the sunset. Like Kanli Kula, Forte Mare also works as an open-air venue for theatre and concerts.

The Promenade Walk

On your way down to the promenade, you will come to the ruins of a third fortress – the Citadel, which was almost completely destroyed in the 1979 earthquake. Only ruins remain, but they are worth a glance as you pass.

Finish your day with a walk along Herceg Novi’s lovely promenade, ideally once the afternoon heat has passed. It is a long, peaceful pedestrian path along the waterfront, with the sounds of the sea and beautiful views of the bay. If you feel like stretching your legs, you can walk all the way to the neighboring town of Igalo.

Keep an eye out for Do Do café near Forte Mare. They serve great ice cream and coffee, which is exactly what you want after a day of stair-climbing. Plus, they have wonderful outdoor seats, if you need some rest.

For dinner, my recommendation is Tri Lipe. It came highly recommended and absolutely did not disappoint. It is not the cheapest option in town, but still reasonable. The food and atmosphere are great, particularly if you sit in the cute courtyard. While we didn’t have to wait during our September visit, in summer they are rather busy, so you may need to book ahead or arrive early.

If You Have More Time in Herceg Novi

Spanish Fortress

Opening hours: Currently closed for renovations and can only be viewed from outside.

Entrance fee: free.

If you have more time, the Spanish Fortress is absolutely worth the effort. It is a significant climb from the old town. But you can take a taxi if you would rather not walk.

While in ruins and now being renovated, seeing fortress even from outside is fascinating. Plus, the views from up here are spectacular.

The history of the fortress is quite absurd: the Spanish began constructing it during their one-year rule over Herceg Novi in 1538, and the Ottomans finished it after taking over. Still the fortress is called Spanish to this day.

Boat Trip to the Blue Cave

Price of the boat ride: 15-20 EUR depending on which tour you take.

The Blue Cave is a stunning sea cave in Kotor Bay, one of the most popular excursions in Montenegro. You can visit it from Kotor, as well as from Herceg Novi. We haven’t done this tour ourselves, because I can’t really snorkel, so can’t provide the details, but people rave about it.

The group tour options online depart mainly from Kotor. For Herceg Novi, you can only book a private Blue Cave tour. Or just show up at the waterfront and find boats heading out.

Savina Monastery

About 20 minutes’ walk from the old town, the Savina Monastery is an Orthodox complex dating back to the 11th century. We did not visit ourselves, but it is worth considering if you have extra time and an interest in religious architecture.

Trip to Mostar

We took a tour to Bosnia and Herzegovina from Herceg Novi, including Mostar and Trebinje, which were the highlights. Herceg Novi’s location near the border makes it a great base for the trip. The overall tour took up to 12 hours.

Alternatively, you can head to Mostar by bus and continue your journey onwards to Sarajevo from there.

Trip to Dubrovnik

Given how close Herceg Novi is to the Croatian border, a day trip to Dubrovnik is also very doable. It is a popular excursion from here taking about 1-1.5 hours to get to Dubrovnik depending on the border delays. It will make a long and satisfying day.

Dubrovnik can also be a great gateway to next stops in Croatia through Split and other coastal cities.

If you are continuing your journey in Montenegro, after Herceg Novi, you can continue around the bay to Kotor. This is what we did. You can check out my 2-day Kotor itinerary for more details.

Before you go, here are a few practical things to know.

When to Visit Herceg Novi

If you are coming primarily for the fortresses and old town rather than the beaches, then late spring or early to mid autumn are great. Herceg Novi is a seaside destination, and the waterfront and promenade attract plenty of beach visitors in summer. So while the historical sights stay relatively quiet even in peak season, the seafront area can be busy.

On the other hand, if you are dreaming of crystal-clear water and gorgeous beaches, I’ll be honest the sea in Kotor Bay generally is not as clean or as beautiful as on the southern Montenegrin coast. It’s better to plan your beach days in or around Sutomore, Budva, Petrovac, Ulcinj and so on, rather than here.

We visited in September as part of a longer Balkans trip and the timing was ideal. The summer heat had softened, the skies were clear, and the old town and fortresses were not crowded.

How Long Do You Need to Explore Herceg Novi

One to two days is the right amount of time for Herceg Novi itself. In a single well-planned day you can cover the main fortresses, the old town, and the promenade comfortably. We stayed for a couple of nights, which gave us time to do all of that plus use the city as a base for a day trip to Mostar, which I would highly recommend if you are in the area.

How to Get to Herceg Novi

The most common approach for travelers already in Montenegro is the bus from Kotor, which is how we arrived. The journey takes about an hour to an hour and a half depending on the route and traffic. Buses run regularly between the two cities. As always with Montenegrin buses, schedules are approximate rather than strict. You have to find a bus stop and hop on the next bus.

If you are combining Montenegro with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Herceg Novi is a great gateway to Mostar and vice versa. The journey takes around 4 hours. Buses run daily in the morning at 8.35 from Herceg Novi and at 9.30 from Mostar – check the schedule on Busticket4me. However, they often have delays.

If you are planning a day trip from Herceg Novi to Mostar or the other way round, buses won’t work. You won’t be able to take a bus in the evening – they only run in the morning hours. So for this you would need to join a tour, rent a car or hire a private driver.

Herceg Novi is very close to the Croatian border, and Dubrovnik is only about an hour’s drive away. Many travelers use Dubrovnik Airport as their entry point into Montenegro, which makes Herceg Novi a natural first stop. Buses run between Dubrovnik and Herceg Novi regularly, about 3-4 times a day. Alternatively, you can book a transfer from the Dubrovnik airport to Herceg Novi.

For more information about transport in Montenegro, see my dedicated article.

Where to Stay in Herceg Novi

Compared to Kotor or Budva, accommodation in Herceg Novi is affordable, which is one more reason to like it. You will find a good range of small hotels and apartments, and prices are reasonable even in the summer months.

Given that the town is small, you don’t really need to stay in the downtown area, but finding accommodation closer to the beach is of course nice.

If you are looking for something higher level and pricier, Hotel Talia is a great option, very close to the beach and providing 4-star service.

<p>The post One Day in Herceg Novi: A Gateway to Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina first appeared on Hit the Road Ket.</p>

We visited the town as a day trip from Sutomore, and I was genuinely surprised by how much there was to experience here. If you are already staying along the Montenegrin coast, Bar is absolutely worth a few hours of your time.

In this guide I’ll cover what to see on a day trip to Bar, plus practical tips on when to visit, how to get there and where to stay.

Is Bar Worth Visiting?

Bar is absolutely worth visiting. It won’t give you the polished, photogenic magic of Kotor or the beach energy of Budva, but it has quiet, authentic character, and a hidden gem in the form of Stari Bar. If you are planning your Montenegro trip, I recommend including it in your itinerary. From many parts of Montenegrin coast, such as Sutomore, Ulcinj, Petrovac, or similar, Bar is a very easy day trip.

We loved it, and hubby, who is considerably harder to impress with old ruins than I am, agreed it was one of the more memorable stops of our Montenegro trip.

What to See in Bar: 1-Day Itinerary

The Town Centre and Marina

Bar’s newer town center is pleasant without being particularly remarkable. What it does offer is a slice of authentic, everyday Montenegrin life that you simply won’t find in the more tourist-heavy towns. The streets are quiet, the marina is pretty with the dramatic backdrop of mountains behind it, and you can walk around without anyone trying to sell you anything. There is something refreshing about a town that hasn’t been polished for tourists.

The town also has quite a few bars and cafes, which makes it easy to take breaks during your visit.

Stari Bar: The Old Town and Fortress

How to get to Stari Bar: Stari Bar is up to an hour walk away from the port area and from the modern town center. It is a pleasant albeit uphill walk if you don’t mind the distance. A cobbled street lined with small yards with trailing vines leads up to the entrance, which makes a lovely approach. The uphill walk is not especially strenuous, if you are relatively fit and takes about half an hour at a comfortable pace.

If you don’t walk though, your options are limited. There should be buses from the Bar train station running uphill, they cost 1 EUR. Otherwise, the taxi drivers ask exorbitant amounts to take you uphill (I heard amounts like 15-20 EUR one way, which is crazy for such a short distance).

Entrance fee: 5 EUR

Opening hours: 8 am-8 pm in summer, shorter hours in winter.

How long do you need to explore Stari Bar: We loved this beautiful place, so spent about three hours in Stari Bar and did not feel rushed. If you really want to linger and explore every corner (and stop in the hamam for a few rounds of echo testing, as we did), that is a good amount of time. If you are short on time, you can get a good sense of the main highlights in an hour or so, though I would be sad to rush it.

Stari Bar is on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list. Unlike the old towns of Kotor or Budva, which are full of cafes, restaurants, and people, Stari Bar is something else entirely: a ruined, largely abandoned fortified city at the foot of a mountain, slowly being reclaimed by nature. The fortress has lovely cobblestone paths and ancient arches. It is also unique, as it’s built at the foot of the mountain and provides truly amazing views.

What I particularly loved about it was that there were so few people there. The site is large so the few dozen people we encountered really didn’t bother at all. So we happily wandered through the ancient streets at a slow pace.

Highlights of Stari Bar

Once you pass through the entrance gate, you step into history. The fortifications were first built here in the 6^th century, and the site grew and changed hands over the following millennium and a half. Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, Venetians, Ottomans all left their marks here. Most parts you see today are from 11-12^th century. The 1979 earthquake caused significant damage.

Nowadays, nature took over parts of the old town – grass grows between the stones, trees push through ancient walls, and the whole place has a romantically overgrown quality. But the walls, arches and buildings that remain are beautiful even in their ruined state.

The Clock Tower/Watchtower is the most recognizable structure in Stari Bar. Scientists believe it may originally date back to the Middle Ages, though it was destroyed and rebuilt by the Ottomans in 1752, damaged again toward the end of the 19^th century, and underwent restoration in the early 20^th century and again in the 1980s. It dominates the skyline of the old town and makes for a striking photo.

The Turkish Hamam is one of the coolest parts of the entire site. This Ottoman bathhouse was built in the 18^th century, and its distinctive round shape has survived remarkably well. When you step inside, try calling out. You will get an amazing echo. So basically, you can practice your singing without anyone disturbing you. Yes, there was literally no one here, except us, so needless to say we had a lot of fun.

Remains of Monasteries and a Mosque: you will find the remnants of a couple of monasteries that were at various points converted into a mosque. It’s one of those interesting places, where you clearly see the layers of history under different rulers.

The Small Museum: there is a modest museum within the old town that provides additional context on the site’s history, buildings, and artifacts.

The Aqueduct: Near the old town you will also find a reconstructed aqueduct. The original Roman construction was completely destroyed; what you see today is a later reconstruction, but it adds to the lovely views.

If you want more detailed information about the history, buildings and museum of the Stari Bar, head to the official website of Stari Bar.

The Olive Tree: Just near Stari Bar, you can see an olive tree that is said to be 2,000 years old. There is a 1 EUR entrance fee to visit the enclosure. We skipped it, as it didn’t feel worth our time, and there are more interesting things to see nearby.

Once you’ve had your fill of the old town, head back down to the modern center for a very different but equally charming stop.

On the walk back down from Stari Bar to the town center, there are a few cafes along the main connecting street. We stopped at one and had a Turkish coffee. This is not my usual preference, but there wasn’t much else on offer. Don’t expect a specialty coffee scene here. If you need a proper coffee fix, save it for the town center.

King Nikola’s Palace

Entrance fee: 8 EUR. Gardens free.

Opening hours: In summer daily 9 am-5 pm in summer. From mid-November to mid-April only open weekdays till 3 pm.

Back in the modern town center, head to King Nikola’s Palace built in the 19^th century. King Nikola built the palace for his daughter and her family. From the outside it is not particularly impressive, but the small museum inside is very charming. It houses a collection of folk costumes and historical items that give a good sense of Montenegrin royal and folk history. We loved the old furniture, including the piano, which particularly etched in my mind.

While not a grand or sprawling palace by any means (don’t expect Versailles) this palace is cute and definitely worth a stop.

The Church of St. Jovan Vladimir

Entrance fee: free.

This is a modern Orthodox cathedral, built only a few decades ago, so it doesn’t have the historical gravitas of Bar’s ancient sites. That said, it is a fine example of contemporary Orthodox church architecture, and if you happen to be passing by, it is worth a quick look.

We were lucky enough to witness a wedding ceremony during our visit. It was a small, intimate gathering. The ceremony closely resembles other Orthodox Christian services, with its circling of the altar and chanting from the priest so it wasn’t a surprise for me personally, but for anyone less familiar with the tradition it would be an interesting thing to observe.

Is a Day Trip to Bar Enough?

A day trip is more than enough to explore what Bar has to offer. Of course, you can stay longer if you want a quiet and relaxed vacation.

We spent over 6 hours in total in the town. That gave us plenty of time to see everything we wanted at a comfortable pace and take a lot of photos. The town itself doesn’t have an overwhelming number of sights, but what it does have is genuinely impressive and deserves a slow, unhurried visit rather than a rushed one.

One thing that really shows how under the radar Bar is, is that there aren’t many proper tours of the town. Your best bet is to visit independently or hire a car.

When to Visit Bar

We visited in September and honestly it was ideal. The summer heat had softened, the skies were still blue and sunny, and the town was quiet without feeling abandoned. There were very few tourists around, quite the contrast to the crowds we had encountered in Kotor and Budva later on our trip.

In general, late spring and early autumn are probably the best for Bar. You get comfortable temperatures for walking around and avoid summer heat. The only possible downside of these seasons is the chance of rain. But these occasional showers are not too cold or too long.

Summer is perfectly fine too, though July and August can be too hot, especially in the old town where you will be walking under the sun with little opportunities for finding shade.

Bar is not the kind of destination you visit in winter. This coastal town is quiet as it is, but in winter it has even less going on.

The town is usually not very crowded, so you don’t really need to be much concerned about avoiding the crowds, but outside the summer popular seasons, it’s still quieter. You can even have parts of Stari Bar to yourself.

Getting to Bar

Bar is a transport hub in more ways than one. It has the port and the train station but also is a gateway to the southern part of Montenegro and to Albania, which gives it a slightly more lively, workaday character than you might expect from a small coastal town.

By Bus

Bar is well connected by bus from the other coastal towns in Montenegro. From Budva, Kotor Ulcinj  and other cities there are regular connections, and the journey is scenic along the coast.

Buses in Montenegro don’t run on tight schedules. There are several different bus companies operating on the same routes, and in practice you go to the bus stop, wait, and hop on whatever comes. It works out fine, we did this dozens of times. You could technically check bus schedules on Busticket4me. But I wouldn’t buy bus tickets online, as you have to have your ticket printed and some bus drivers may not even accept it, unless you exchange it for paper ticket at a bus station.

We came to Bar by bus from Sutomore. We hopped on one of the passing buses on the main coastal road and arrived to the Bar bus station.

By Train

There are two trains running daily during the summer months only – mid-June to mid-September. The full route would take about 11-12 hours, while only a bit more than an hour from Podgorica, but delays are quite common. You can find the train schedule on the Montenegro railways official website, but from Prijepolje, not all the way from Belgrade.

You can’t book the tickets for this train online. You will have to buy them at the train station with cash. You might find some available tickets on the day of travel, but that’s not guaranteed. Therefore, if you want to take it, make sure to book at least a few days in advance. This was the major reason why I didn’t consider taking this train from Podgorica.

By Car

If you are renting a car, reaching Bar is straightforward. The coastal road and the main highway both connect here easily, and having a car also makes it simple to combine Bar with a beach stop at Sutomore or Susanj on the same day.

By Ferry

Bar’s port receives ferries from Bari, Italy. Nowadays, only one ferry company runs on this route once a day. If you are combining Montenegro with a broader Balkan or Adriatic itinerary, this is a scenic and practical entry or exit point.

If you want more detailed information about transport in Montenegro, check out my dedicated article.

Where to Stay in and around Bar

My main recommendation is to stay somewhere with beach access, either at Susanj beach or in nearby Sutomore. Bar is not primarily a beach destination, but Montenegro’s coast is beautiful, and the best way to enjoy a day here is to combine a morning or evening at the beach with a few hours in Bar proper. We did exactly that and it made for a very satisfying day.

We were based in Sutomore, just a short ride away from Bar. I would highly recommend it as a base for exploring the area, if you want to combine beach time with a day trip to Bar. Sutomore has decent beaches, and is quieter and cheaper than the more popular resort towns further north.

If you do want to stay in Bar specifically, the town has a range of accommodation options, but mostly apartments rather than hotels.

Check out Hotel Agape, it has a great location in central Bar and is very highly reviewed.

Continuing Your Montenegro Trip

If you’re continuing south, Ulcinj is a great next stop and feels quite different from the rest of the coast. If you’re heading north instead, Budva is the obvious choice, with a much livelier atmosphere.

<p>The post Day Trip to Bar: An Overlooked Coastal Town in Montenegro first appeared on Hit the Road Ket.</p>

Two days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Tallinn. It gives you enough time to explore the Old Town properly without rushing, venture slightly outside it to the beautiful Kadriorg Park, and actually sit down and enjoy the city rather than just tick things off a list.

This 2-day Tallinn itinerary is based on how we explored the city. It’s structured to help you move logically through Tallinn without unnecessary backtracking, while still leaving space to slow down, sit in cafés, and just enjoy the atmosphere.

For everything you need to plan your visit, such as where to stay, how to get there, costs, food and practical tips, see my complete Tallinn travel guide.

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Day 1 Itinerary: Old Town Highlights

(Red pins on the map)

Your first day will be spent entirely in the heart of the Old Town, and it’s a full day. You’ll start early at the Toompea for the best viewpoints in the city, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the pink baroque castle that now serves as the Estonian Parliament. After that it’s Kiek in de Kök, one of the highlights of Tallinn, with four medieval towers connected by wall passages and creepy underground tunnels beneath Toompea Hill.

After lunch, you will head to the Town Hall Square, climb the medieval tower, visit the oldest continuously operating pharmacy in Europe just across the square, then walk through the Old Town to St Olaf’s Church tower for what should be the best views in the city, I say “should be” because it was closed both times I visited, so I’m still waiting.

For the full step-by-step route with all practical details, opening times and tickets, see my day 1 Tallinn itinerary.

Day 2 Itinerary: Exploring Tallinn in More Detail

(Blue pins on the map)

Day 2 will start at a slightly more relaxed pace. Before heading to Kadriorg, grab coffee and breakfast in or near the Old Town.

See my Tallinn café lists for a number of different options.

Kadriorg Park and Palace: Tallinn Beyond the Old Town

How to get to the Kadriorg Palace from the Old Town: Take tram lines 1 or 3 from the Viru/Opera House area just outside the Old Town. The tram will take about 10 minutes to the Kadriorg stop. If you prefer, you can also walk for half an hour.

Ticket price: Park is free. Kadriorg Art Museum 15 EUR. Included in the Tallinn Card. There are combined tickets, if you are also visiting Mikkel Museum and KUMU Museum.

Discounted tickets available for students and seniors.

Opening times: Park is open daily. Museum is open 10 am-6 pm in summer except Mondays. Longer hours on Wednesday. In winter the hours are shorter.

How long do you need to explore Kadriorg Park and Museum: while you may manage to do it faster, I recommend spending at least 2-3 hours to enjoy the park, as well as marvel at the beautiful palace.

Kadriorg was one of the unexpected highlights of our trip. We knew it would be pretty, but didn’t expect to love it. The whole area has a completely different feel from the Old Town, calmer and more spacious. After an intense day 1 that’s exactly what we needed to wander around and relax a bit.

The park was built by Peter the Great in 1718 as a summer residence. In the palace grounds you will find wide tree-lined paths, formal baroque gardens and a much quieter, relaxing atmosphere.

The Kadriorg park has beautiful gardens, if you are visiting in summer. You will find flowers of all colors here. We wandered around the park, checked out the gardens, the ponds and generally spent a lovely morning before visiting the museum.

The Kadriorg Art Museum is located inside the baroque Kadriorg Palace. The palace was built for Peter the Great who named it after his wife Catherine. Honestly, the building itself is beautiful and I recommend visiting, even if you aren’t an art enthusiast at all. The gilded baroque rooms provide a glimpse into the old palace life. On top of this, the art collection includes works of such big names, as Aivazovsky, Cranach and Jordaens among others.

KUMU Art Museum (Price 16 EUR) is also in the Kadriorg area, a few minutes’ walk from the palace. This is Estonia’s main modern art museum if you’re interested. This is not a short stop though, as it requires a separate ticket and a couple of additional hours on your itinerary. To be honest, I can’t provide you with personal notes on this, as I am by far not a modern art appreciator.

If you want a coffee fix when you are near Kadriorg, we loved the cute Gourmet Coffee Kadriorg.

Getting back to the Old Town: Take tram 1 or 3 back from the Kadriorg stop to the Viru/Opera House area.

Back in the Old Town, head for lunch before continuing your sightseeing. See my Tallinn food guide for details on these and other options in the area.

Tallinn City Walls and Towers

Ticket price: Nun Towers – 5 EUR, Helleman Tower – 4 EUR. Some sections are free. Included in the Tallinn Card.

Opening times: Vary according to towers, about 11 am to 5-6 pm.

How long do you need to explore the City Walls: It depends how extensively you want to cover them. If you want to visit one tower, then half an hour to an hour, otherwise at least a couple of hours to walk around and explore more parts.

Medieval Tallinn had 46 towers and 4 kilometres of walls. Out of these 26 towers and 2 kilometres of wall remain intact. This is one of the best-preserved medieval fortification systems in the world.

Viru Gate is the iconic twin towers at the eastern side of the Old Town, dating from the 14^th century. You probably would have noticed it on your first day.

The most rewarding section for actually walking the walls is the Nun towers and walls section on the northern side (Price: 5 EUR). This stretch connects three towers. You can walk along the walkway, which gives a completely different perspective on the Old Town from wall level. The views over the rooftops and towards Toompea are excellent.

The Hellemann Tower (price: 4 EUR) near Viru Gate is also a great viewpoint and a walkway. There’s even a small art gallery inside. I think the walkway is the best part of it, as you can walk a 200-metre section of wall with views in both directions.

Whether you visit the towers or not, just wandering along the walls from the outside also gives a real sense of how formidable this fortification system was. We did this from the inside streets, as well as moved outside to see the impressive views of the stretch of the walls.

In general, you will find far fewer tourists along the walls than either at the Town Hall Square or Toompea. So you can wander relatively freely and enjoy your time slowly.

Great Guild Hall

Walk from Opera House area: 5-10 minutes.

Ticket price: 14 EUR adults. Included in the Tallinn Card.

Opening times: 10 am-6 pm. Closed on Mondays in April-September and Mondays and Tuesdays in October-March.

How long do you need: half an hour to an hour for most visitors should be sufficient. We spent an hour, but you may prefer longer if you want to explore the exhibitions in more detail.

The Great Guild Hall is one of the most distinguished Gothic buildings in Tallinn. For over 500 years it saw various events of the guild life, from hosting banquets to court proceedings to church services. Currently, it houses a branch of the Estonian History Museum.

My main purpose of planning our visit was seeing the centuries’ old building itself rather than the museum. I do believe the building completely justifies the visit. The Gothic facade with its lion-head doorknobs is more interesting than it first appears, and the interior transports you back in time. The wine cellar downstairs operated here from 1437 all the way to WWII, that detail alone makes you want to visit.

For those interested in Estonian history, the exhibitions cover Estonia’s historical time periods from medieval Hanseatic trading city through independence struggles and Soviet occupation to the present.

Niguliste Museum (St Nicholas Church): Best Accessible Viewpoint in Tallinn

Walk from the Guild Hall: about 5 minutes.

Ticket price: 15 EUR. Included in the Tallinn Card. Discounts available for students and seniors.

Opening times: 10 am-6 pm. Outside summer period closed Mondays.

How long do you need to explore St Nicholas Church: 1-1.5 hours including the tower climb.

St Nicholas Church is one of the oldest buildings in Tallinn built in the 13^th century by Westphalian merchants. Currently, it’s partly a Lutheran church and partly an art museum. Definitely a strange combination.

The museum houses the famous artwork Bernt Notke’s Dance Macabre. It used to be a 30-metre painting but only a part of it survived. You will also find an extensive collection of medieval ecclesiastical art from altarpieces to sculptures, to gold pieces. It was a quick visit for us however, as our main focus was the tower views.

On Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 4pm there are traditional organ concerts in the church, if you happen to visit at the time.

KGB Museum at Hotel Viru

Walking time from Niguliste: under 10 minutes.

Opening hours: the times vary so double check on their website when booking.

Tour price: 20 EUR. You must book in advance on the hotel website. Tours consistently sell out.

How long do you need to visit the KGB Museum at Hotel Viru: the tour takes about an hour.

If you are fascinated by Soviet history, the KGB Museum is one of Tallinn’s most unusual experiences. The Hotel Viru was built in 1972 specifically to accommodate foreign visitors during the Soviet era. To monitor them, the KGB installed a surveillance system on the secret 23^rd floor that officially didn’t exist. That’s where the museum is currently located.

The guided tour will show you the surveillance equipment, listening devices and tell you the stories of Soviet occupation. The views from the top floor over the Old Town and harbor are also great.

I’ll be honest, as someone from a post-Soviet country, this is not the museum I am fascinated by. But for most visitors it is very interesting. For example, hubby loves going to museums related to Soviet past, for him it’s a completely different world from anything he grew up with, and he finds it intriguing.

What to Do in Tallinn in the Evening: Estonian National Opera

Today you can do the evening activity you missed on the previous day.

The Estonian National Opera is about a 10-minute walk from the Old Town and is one of the more affordable and excellent opera experiences in Europe. The Italian and French classics, as well as contemporary Estonian works are usually performed here. For example, when we visited, Swan Lake was being performed.

The building itself is beautiful, the acoustics are excellent and tickets are quite reasonably priced.

You should book tickets in advance at the official website as popular productions sell out.

Practical Tips for Your Tallinn 2-Day Itinerary

Tallinn Card: Across two days the card covers significant ground: just the Town Hall and Tower (12 EUR), Kiek in de Kök (16 EUR), Kadriorg Art Museum (15 EUR), Great Guild Hall (14 EUR) and Niguliste Museum (15 EUR) sum up to over 70 EUR, before tower climbs and city wall entry. The 48-hour card costs 65 EUR and includes public transport including trams to Kadriorg. So for a 2-day itinerary, it’s absolutely worth getting the card.

See my full breakdown in the Tallinn travel guide.

Day order flexibility: If you’re visiting in winter when the Town Hall Tower and St Olaf’s are closed, day 1 becomes slightly shorter. In this case, consider moving Niguliste to day 1 afternoon rather than day 2.

Kadriorg in winter: The Art Museum is open year-round, but the park is obviously most beautiful in warmer months. Still worth visiting any time of the year, as the palace interiors are gorgeous.

Shoes: The cobblestones across both days can be relentless, particularly around Toompea and the city walls. Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable.

Getting around: You will rarely need transport on either day inside the Old Town itself, as everything is walkable. The one exception is the tram to Kadriorg on day 2, which takes about 10 minutes and costs the same as any other public transport journey. 

For accommodation, transport, costs, food recommendations and all the practical details, see my complete Tallinn travel guide.

If you have more than 2 days in Tallinn, consider taking the Tallinn to Helsinki ferry for a memorable day trip.

<p>The post Tallinn 2-Day Itinerary: Where Medieval Streets Meet Modern Life first appeared on Hit the Road Ket.</p>

This 1-day Tallinn itinerary covers the main highlights of the Old Town with an efficient walking route. You’ll cover roughly 3-4 km, depending on how much you wander. While doable, this is an ambitious day. I’ve done this exact route myself, and while it’s ambitious, it’s the best way to see the attractions without feeling like you missed the soul of the city.

With 2 days in Tallinn, follow this itinerary for the first day and see my detailed 2-day Tallinn itinerary for what to do next.

The tours are particularly useful if you want historical context without having to research everything yourself. They usually cover the Old Town in a few hours without entering the sites, so you can later return to the ones you want to explore properly. Granted, this will make the walking time on this day longer.

If you’re planning your trip, I’ve also put together a complete Tallinn travel guide with costs, tips and where to stay.

Toompea Hill: Best Views in Tallinn

How to get to the Toompea Hill: if you are fit, you can walk up the hill from the Town Hall Square in about 10 minutes uphill. There are two major routes. The route up via Pikk jalg is one of the most atmospheric walks in the city, a narrow medieval lane that climbs between old stone walls to the upper town. There is also a shorter, steeper route called Lühike jalg – it’s all stairs.

Easier option for those with mobility issues is to get a Bolt taxi to the Toompea Hill, namely to the square in front of the Toompea Castle. From here you can walk mainly on flat areas, exploring the Toompea Hill viewpoints, Kiek in de Kök and only after that moving to other parts of the Old Town.

Ticket price: Free.

How long do you need to explore Toompea Hill: depending on your pace, 2 hours should be sufficient to cover the viewpoints, cathedral and castle exterior, as well as walk a bit on the cute narrow streets. We spent more than hours, because we loved exploring every tiny street.

Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform

Once you reach the Toompea Hill, head straight to Kohtuotsa viewing platform first. It’s best if you get there before 9 am to avoid crowds.

I think I am not the only one who considers this the best viewpoint in Tallinn. It has gorgeous views over the red rooftops of the Old Town with the modern city visible in the distance.

Nowadays, the famous wall text ‘The Times We Had’ is gone (I have no idea why they would repaint it), but the view and seagulls are as amazing as ever.

Patkuli Viewing Platform

Then walk a few minutes to Patkuli viewing platform, which looks west over the city walls and towers and down toward the port. While I personally don’t consider it as great, as Kohtuotsa, it still has amazing views. You will find a lot of seagulls here too.

There is also Piiskopi viewing platform, which is very underwhelming compared to its more picturesque neighbors. It faces the north, so no views of the old town or the harbor. But still worth a short stop while walking around the area.

All viewpoints are free and open 24 hours.

St. Mary’s Cathedral

Price: The church itself is free. The tower costs 7 EUR and can only be visited, if the weather is conducive.

Opening hours: 10 am-6 pm in summer, shorter hours in winter. But note that it’s often closed for concerts and events.

St. Mary’s is the oldest cathedral in the city built in the 13^th century. This is another tower with narrow stairs and great views, Tallinn definitely doesn’t lack those to my delight.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Price: free.

Opening Hours: 8 am-6 pm.

From the viewpoints, walk to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which has typical Slavic orthodox cathedral style with five onion-shaped domes. Built during the Russian tsarist period, it was constructed opposite the Estonian parliament to show Russian power. While its history is controversial, it’s still a beautiful building worth a stop.

Photography is not allowed inside. Interestingly, the cathedral has 11 bells including the largest in Tallinn, weighing 15 tons.

Toompea Castle and Tall Hermann

How to visit Toompea Castle: You can only visit as part of the guided tour, which is free and can be booked on the official website. They sell out very fast and should be booked 2-3 months in advance.

The Tall Hermann is not part of these guided visits. It is only accessible during the open day in April, as well as on 4 June and 20 August.

Right opposite the cathedral is Toompea Castle, which is now the Estonian Parliament building. Even if you don’t manage to book the tour, it’s worth seeing the pink baroque facade from outside. It was rebuilt in the 18^th century and looks like more of a baroque style.

The Tall Hermann Tower at the corner of the castle is one of Tallinn’s most recognizable landmarks. Look at the Estonian flag flying on top of it.

I did not reserve the tour. It was already fully booked, when I checked and anyways it wasn’t a huge priority, as we were not visiting on the days Tall Hermann would be accessible. So we just walked around and took it all in from outside.

Kiek in de Kök and the Bastion Tunnels: Tallinn’s Most Impressive Fortress

Walk from Toompea viewpoints and Castle: about 5-10 minutes downhill.

Ticket price: Full combined ticket 16 EUR adults (You can also purchase parts of it, but I don’t recommend this). Free with Tallinn Card.

Reduced tickets can be purchased by students, PWDs and pensioners.

While there are rarely queues given the size of the site, you still can purchase tickets on the official website in advance.

Opening times: 11 am-6 pm. Closed Mondays outside summer.

How long do you need to explore Kiek in de Kök: I would recommend at least 2 hours here. The fortifications are quite large if you see all parts, plus the café is nice.

If you start early at Toompea, you will likely arrive to the fortress right around the opening time.

This was one of the highlights of our time in Tallinn and one I’d encourage you not to rush or skip. The complex is enormous, connecting four medieval towers with wall passages above ground and underground bastion tunnels beneath Toompea Hill. You will be getting lost a bit and taking tons of photos.

The entrance is through the main tower, Kiek in de Kök, Tallinn’s tallest defensive cannon tower, completed in 1483. You will find exhibition rooms  on each floor mainly related to the defence history.

After this you can follow the passage towards the Maiden Tower. This rectangular shaped tower has some art exhibitions and a café on the 4^th floor. The café is actually a great spot to get amazing views with coffee in hand. We loved our break here.

You can then continue your wall walk to the Marstal Tower and Gate Tower before heading back to the main entrance. Don’t forget to enjoy the scenic views of the towers themselves from the passageways. You get the idea of the scale of this place. This area is great for photo stops.

Bastion Tunnels

The underground bastion tunnels built in the 17th century run beneath Toompea Hill. They were used for military defence and storage during wars, including WWII. None of us are huge fans of military history in general, but these tunnels were still very memorable. Walking through them is slightly creepy and fascinating at the same time. The historical displays are arranged chronologically along the route, you find medieval armory, as well as Soviet-era sections with old phones, supplies and other items. We were quite taken aback by the extent of it all. The tunnels are cold even in summer though, so come prepared.

Important note: The museum is not wheelchair accessible due to the historic nature of the buildings. There are steps throughout and the tunnels involve uneven surfaces.

After Kiek in de Kök you’ll be back down in the lower parts of the Old Town and probably hungry. You can head to Kompressor for great savory and sweet pancakes at very affordable prices. It’s my favourite lunch spot in Tallinn. You also have a number of other options. If you want something more historical, III Draakon on Town Hall Square is the medieval tavern option. There are always queues here though so fitting it in one day itinerary could be difficult.

See my Tallinn food guide for details on these and other options in the area.

Tallinn Town Hall and Tower

Walk from Kiek in de Kök or Kompressor: 5-10 minutes.

Town hall opening times: 11 am -6 pm on Mon-Thurs. 11 am-4 pm on Friday-Sunday.

Town Hall Tower opening times: 11 am -6 pm only during summer months.

Town Hall ticket price: 7 EUR. Separate tickets to the Tower: 6 EUR.

Combined ticket of the Town Hall and Tower: 12 EUR. Included in the Tallinn Card only during summer months.

Discounts are available for seniors, students and PWDs.

You can easily purchase tickets on the spot at the ticket office. There is no need to book in advance.

How long do you need to visit Town Hall and Tower: About an hour including the tower climb.

You will head to Town Hall Square in the afternoon. The square is often very crowded, especially in summer, unless you come here very early. You could briefly pass through the square on your way in the morning, but it’s best to properly visit later once the Town Hall opens at 11 am.

The square is surrounded by medieval merchant houses and dominated by the Town Hall (Tallinna Raekoda). It has been the center of Tallinn’s civic life since the 13th century and today still is practically the heart of the city.

The Town Hall is the oldest surviving Gothic town hall in Northern Europe, built in the 14^th century. The building has been the city’s administrative center for over 7 centuries, and also functioned as a courthouse, a wine cellar, and a venue for grand civic banquets, multi-functionality at its best. The cool Gothic arches, wood carvings, tapestries and paintings inside were designed to show the riches of the trade town.

The highlight for us was the 15^th century tower, which was used as a lookout for fires across the city and as a hideout – part of the stairs could apparently be dismantled rapidly in an emergency. My sister and I both love climbing old towers and this was obviously the first thing we did.

While the Tower is not very tall, just 115 steps, it has narrow and steep stairs, but that’s part of the experience of course. It wouldn’t feel like a proper medieval tower climb otherwise, right? If you are relatively fit, it’s not difficult, you will just have to take your time. However, if you have mobility issues or don’t like tight spaces, this one is probably not for you.

Unfortunately, the space at the top is very small so you can’t linger long, but the views over the red rooftops are breathtaking even for a few minutes. We found the climb very much worth the efforts.

The tower is only open June to August so time your visit accordingly if this is important to you. Outside summer, the tower is usually closed to visitors.

Interesting detail: The weathervane on top of the tower depicts Old Thomas, a soldier who has protected the city since 1530. The bell rings every hour, so don’t be startled if you’re up in the tower at the time.

Town Hall Pharmacy

Walk from Town Hall: 1 minute, right across the square.

Ticket price: Free to enter. It’s an actual working pharmacy.

Opening times: Monday–Friday 9 am-6 pm, Saturday 9 am-5 pm. Closed Sundays and holidays.

How long do you need to visit the Town Hall Pharmacy: 10–15 minutes.

Once you come down from the tower, don’t leave the square without stopping at the Town Hall Pharmacy on the corner. At first glance it looks like it might be a historical museum, but it is actually a fully functioning pharmacy where you can buy medicines today, just as people have been doing here since the 15^th century.

It is the oldest operating pharmacies in Europe, which has not interrupted its work throughout the centuries. I couldn’t get over this. Think about how many things have changed and this pharmacy just kept selling medicine through all of it. I doubt I have seen anything similar. Talk about legacy.

The interior still has elements of the original apothecary and there are displays explaining the history. Worth a quick look even if you don’t need any ibuprofen.

St Catherine’s Passage

Walk from Town Hall Square: about 5 minutes.

St Catherine’s Passage is of course not a proper stop on your itinerary, but something to note and take photos at. It’s a narrow medieval alley, running behind the ruins of the former St Catherine’s Dominican monastery. The monastery was founded in the 13^th century and is now in ruins.

Honestly, I don’t have much to say about it, it’s a passage. A very pretty one with cobblestones, medieval stone arches and old tombstones embedded in the walls on the northern side, but not somewhere you need to linger long.

At the artisan workshops lining the southern side you can watch craftspeople making ceramics, glass, hats and jewellery by hand. The tradition of craftsmanship here goes back centuries and it shows. If you’re looking to buy a local souvenir in the Old Town, this is the best place in Tallinn to find one.

The passage is also one of the most photogenic spots in the Old Town, that’s the reason you will see many people trying to take their photo here.

St Olaf’s Church Tower

Walk from the Town Hall area: under 10 minutes north through the Old Town.

Ticket price: Church entry free. Tower climb approximately 10 EUR with discounts for students, etc. Buy tickets at the church on the day.

Opening times: Tower open during 1 April – 31 October daily. Hours vary by season, plus it can close temporarily for events. There also can be queues, as the tower is popular and has very narrow space.

How long do you need to visit St. Olaf and Tower: half an hour to an hour should be enough, including the climb to the viewpoint.

St Olaf’s current tower is 124-metre high. But it was, incredibly, the tallest building in the world for a period in the 16^th century when it reached 150 metres. Lightning has struck it at least a dozen times over the centuries causing three major fires, which reduced it to its current height. During Soviet times, it was used as a radio tower and surveillance point.

The tower climb involves 258 narrow, steep stairs. It’s not for anyone with mobility issues or severe claustrophobia. It was closed during both of my visits unfortunately. I have seen those amazing views on the photos, and that alone makes me want to come back for it.  Maybe third time is the charm.

The church interior is free to visit. This is a working Baptist church. Photography is not allowed inside.

What to Do in Tallinn in the Evening

After the productive day, by evening you will be tired. So here are your options for the evening activities depending on your mood and energy:

Option 1: Wander around Old Town and Rotermann at Night

If you still have energy after the long day, Tallinn’s Old Town after dark is magical. The medieval buildings are beautifully lit and you can get a different feeling than during the day.

After that head to Rotermann quarter. It’s an old industrial area turned into a trendy hub of bars and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to grab a cocktail and realize that Tallinn is way more than its medieval history.

Option 2: Estonian National Opera

The Estonian National Opera is about a 10-minute walk from the Old Town and is one of the more affordable and excellent opera experiences in Europe. The repertoire ranges from Italian and French classics to contemporary Estonian works. For example, when we visited, Swan Lake was being performed.

The building itself is beautiful, the acoustics are excellent and tickets are quite reasonably priced.

You should book tickets in advance at the official website as popular productions sell out.

Practical Tips for Your Tallinn 1-Day Itinerary

Tallinn Card: Worth it on this day, if you follow this itinerary without skipping any of the sights.

The attractions included in the Tallinn Card for this day in the summer season: Town Hall and Tower (12 EUR), St. Mary’s Cathedral Tower, Kiek in de Kök (16 EUR) and St Olaf’s Tower (10 EUR) = 45 EUR in attractions. The Tallinn Card costs 45 EUR for 24 hours and also covers trams and buses.

In winter however, some of the sites may be closed, therefore double check before purchasing the Card.

If you have mobility issues and are unable to climb towers with steep stairs, then Tallinn Card won’t be worth it.

Winter visits: The Town Hall and Tower are only open in summer. St Olaf’s tower closes November-March. Plan accordingly if visiting outside these months.

Wear proper shoes: Between the cobblestones and all the stairs, you’ll feel it by the end of the day.

Mobility issues: If you have any mobility issues, make sure to take a taxi up to the Toompea Hill and be very careful on the cobblestone streets.

For everything else you need to plan your visit, including where to stay, how to get there, costs, food recommendations and more, see my complete Tallinn travel guide.

<p>The post Tallinn 1-Day Walking Itinerary: A Medieval Storybook Brought to Life first appeared on Hit the Road Ket.</p>

The Old Town is genuinely one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with towers, city walls and cobbled streets that look like they haven’t changed in centuries. And yet just outside those walls you find modern neighborhoods, creative spaces and a café scene that is very much alive and current. It’s that combination of old and modern that makes Tallinn so interesting.

This Tallinn travel guide covers everything practical you need before visiting, including when to go, how to get there by different means, getting around, where to stay, whether the Tallinn Card is worth it, and more.

If you are looking for the day-by-day itinerary, check out my 1-day walking itinerary and 2-day step-by-step itinerary.

When to Visit Tallinn

While you can visit any time of the year, Tallinn has distinct seasons, so it highly depends on how well you deal with cold.

Normally summer is the best time to visit. During this period you have a higher chance of comfortable weather and will be able to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. That said being so much in the North, you may not be so lucky and get cold days in summer. On the other hand, July and August are particularly crowded months, with tourists flocking to the city. I hate cold, so I planned our visit in August. Thankfully we were lucky with great warm weather.

September and May can be considered shoulder seasons and have more chance of comfortable weather. But the rest of the year is very cold. I visited once in October, which was not too bad yet, but still cold for my liking.

If you like cold days though, winter is beautiful in Tallinn with the snow-covered Old Town and, if you visit in November and December, Christmas markets. However, temperatures can drop well below freezing. Plus, the daylight hours are very short, which can affect your sightseeing schedule. While beautiful, I haven’t attempted visiting during winter.

How Many Days to Spend in Tallinn

Tallinn is a compact city and the Old Town, which is where you will spend most of your time, is small enough to cross on foot in half an hour.

I believe 2 days is the sweet spot. It gives you enough time to explore the Tallinn Old Town properly without rushing, venture slightly outside it to places like Kadriorg Park, and actually sit down and enjoy the city rather than rush around too much. My 2-day Tallinn itinerary is built around exactly this pace and covers everything worth seeing without feeling hectic.

If you only have one day, you can still cover the main highlights. It’s doable, just more focused. But you will have to keep the time in mind and move quickly. Find more details in my step-by-step itinerary for 1-day visit.

Three days or more gives you room to slow down, explore the lesser-known neighborhoods, consider a day trip, or simply spend more time in the places you loved. I visited twice and would happily go back to revisit and explore more.

How to Get to and around Tallinn

Tallinn is very easy to reach, with frequent buses from Riga, ferries from Helsinki, and direct flights from many European cities. Once you arrive, the Old Town is compact and walkable, and public transport is simple to use.

For a detailed breakdown of all options, including buses, ferries, trains, and how to get around the city, see my full Tallinn transport guide.

Where to Stay in Tallinn

For the first visit, staying in or near the Old Town is the most convenient option, as it allows you to walk everywhere.

Old Town itself has some accommodation options, although not as many. I personally always prefer more modern types of accommodation, so didn’t really consider staying inside the Old Town. Plus getting in with the luggage, given the cobbled streets would be difficult. Most streets in the historical center are car-free, so consider this, if you have heavy luggage or any mobility issues.

Rotermann Quarter sits just outside the Old Town and a stone’s throw to the port. It has great modern vibes with a lot of restaurants and you can walk to major sites from here.

Kalamaja is located slightly farther, but still very walkable. Plus, the area is close to the train station and to the port. It’s a quieter neighborhood and you will get more local atmosphere, compared to far more touristy Old Town and Rotermann.

Where We Stayed in Tallinn

I visited Tallinn twice, once we stayed at the apartments in the Kalamaja area, which no longer exist. Another time, we stayed at the Swissotel Tallinn and it was a perfect choice. Given that we were traveling around the region, I wanted to find the most optimal location, sufficiently close to all locations we would be mainly going to. It was perfectly located – 15 minutes’ walk from the bus station, 20 minutes to the ferry terminal, a few minutes to the Opera House and about 10 minutes to the Old Town.

While I can’t normally afford luxury hotels, Swissotel in Tallinn was surprisingly cost-efficient, as I booked in advance. We got a great price for a 5-star hotel. Needless to say, we were very happy about it.

That said the choice of hotels changes significantly depending on the time of year you are visiting. During the summer months the price differences between budget and luxury hotels can be huge, while in other seasons you can easily book 5-star hotel very cheaply. Either way, booking in advance is a good idea for finding cheaper deals.

Here are a few other great choices:

Budget option: City Yard Inn Hotel is located near the ferry terminal and the Old Town, in Rotermann quarter. In addition to a perfect location, it has newly renovated clean rooms and is very reasonably priced, even if you don’t find any discounts.

Midrange option: Hestia Hotel Ilmarine is located in Kalamaja not too far from the ferry terminal and also walking distance to the Old Town. They also often offer discounts.

Luxury option: Movenpick Hotel Tallinn is the other luxury option you can consider. It’s just a stone’s throw from Swissotel where we stayed and reliable if you know what the brand delivers.

Tallinn Card: Is It Worth It?

The Tallinn Card offers the following options:

• 24-hour card for 45 EUR.
• 48-hour card for 65 EUR.
• 72-hour card for 78 EUR.

The card can be worth it even for 1 day, depending on how many paid sights you include. If you follow my 1-day itinerary and visit all the main attractions (including towers and Kiek in de Kök), you’ll roughly break even or come out slightly ahead.

If you have 2 days, the card becomes much more clearly worth it. My 2-day itinerary includes some of the more expensive attractions. So, I would recommend getting the card for that itinerary to save money.

You can explore the full list of things that are included or discounted with the Tallinn Card. Here are a few of the more expensive attractions that can make the card price worth it:

• Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum (16 EUR)
• Kadriorg Art Museum (13-15 EUR)
• Great Guild Hall (14 EUR)
• Niguliste Museum (15 EUR)
• KUMU Museum (16 EUR): This museum is quite close to Kadriorg.
• Tallinn TV Tower (24 EUR): I considered visiting it but didn’t really think it would be interesting. It’s far from the city center and the views are ok, but Tallinn has much better viewpoints than that.
• Fotografiska (17 EUR): If you are interested in photography exhibitions.

The Tallinn Card can be purchased via GetYourGuide, Visit Tallinn website or the Tallinn Card website itself.

Food in Tallinn

Tallinn’s food scene is better than most people expect. Here are the places I recommend.

Kompressor is my favorite lunch place. They have great pancakes – tasty, filling and very affordable (only 7-8 EUR).

The downside is that you should expect queues any time of day, but especially in the afternoon. I recommend arriving as soon as it opens at 11 am or later in the evening – it’s open till 10 pm, if you don’t mind eating pancakes late (I certainly don’t). You may still have to queue a bit, but I attest that the pancakes are worth it. We ordered one savory and one sweet pancake and were so full, we could hardly walk afterwards.

St. Patrick’s forum is a relatively cheap place with good food. It’s located in the Roterman area and offers a wide range of delicious food. We enjoyed their salads and sandwiches during our evening visit.

III Draakon: If you want something unique, try to eat at III Draakon.  I say “try” because this tavern/pub always has very long queues and if you have limited time or just don’t want to wait, that may be extremely inconvenient. The menu changes sometimes though, so you will have to ask, what the day offer is. By the way, prices are very affordable, especially considering the location and historical significance.

Either way, this is a medieval pub, which is amazing just to visit, even if you don’t eat there. You can have a look at its historical décor and vibes.

Olde Hansa: This is another medieval restaurant, for which you either have to queue or book in advance. It offers medieval cuisine and is very popular. However, unlike III Draakon, it’s expensive. We haven’t tried checking it out though, as we didn’t have too much time to either wait or book.

Cafes in Tallinn

What really sets Tallinn apart is the café culture. The Old Town is full of cozy historic spots tucked into courtyards and old buildings.

Pierre Chocolaterie is situated in a lovely yard, where you can sit in summer to enjoy the quiet. Their tables are cute and the environment is lovely and cozy. We tried their delicious hot chocolate drinks and ice cream and just enjoyed the break from long sightseeing.

Kalev Marzipan and Maiasmokk café: Their marzipans are beautiful. You can purchase them in the shop or stay at the café Maiasmokk to order drinks and sweets. By the way, this is the oldest café in Tallinn.

I recommend sitting in the café, as the interior décor is lovely, in red colors. Don’t forget to look at the gorgeous ceiling. Like other popular spots in Tallinn, the café will be crowded. On the plus side, their space is not too small.

We loved the atmosphere in this old style place with delicious sweets and cozy seats. I don’t really remember how the coffee was, it was ok. But while coffee here may not be as strong and great, as in specialty coffee shops, you are coming for the sweets and the vibes.

Kehrwieder Saiakang Chocolaterie is an old café that looks very unusual. It has the basement/wine cellar vibes, rather than that of a café. It can be a bit claustrophobic though. With the delicious cakes and small space, unsurprisingly it gets quite crowded.

Kohvik Rukis offers delicious food and coffee. I especially love its quirky interior. It’s particularly popular for breakfast. We visited for late lunch though and it wasn’t as busy as we expected.

Kohvik Must Puudel is not just offering coffee and sweets, you can come here for hearty lunch or even dinner. The café has very interesting décor with photos from different art styles, and cozy vibes. If the weather allows, sit at the lovely patio in the back. The café is quite affordable and tasty.

Tasikoogod café has amazing cupcakes – they are not only delicious but so pretty. You can also get good coffee here. Plus, the café has lovely atmosphere with wooden ceiling and flowers.

Additional Practical Tips for Visiting Tallinn

What to Book in Advance in Tallinn

Tallinn, despite being touristy, is still very chill. You don’t really need to book any of the attractions in advance, you can just turn up and buy your tickets on the spot. The queues shouldn’t be more than a few minutes really, even in summer.

That said, it’s preferable to book the following things in advance in order to save money:

• Accommodation: especially in summer, advance booking will ensure that you get cheaper rates. However, if you can’t pre-book, you can easily find accommodation last minute.
• Transport: book intercity buses and ferries in advance to save money. I would recommend about 1-2 months in advance. However, as with accommodation, you can still do this last minute, like we did in case of the Riga-Tallinn bus. But that ended up more expensive than pre-purchased tickets.
• Famous Restaurants: some of the popular places, like Olde Hansa can have huge wait times, so if you want to visit, you may consider booking them. However, there are tons of great restaurants and I don’t think any is worth the pre-booking or waiting for long. I normally don’t book restaurants though – I am not a huge foodie and I prefer not to stress about the exact times of arriving somewhere, if I don’t absolutely have to.

I wouldn’t worry about booking anything else in advance. You can just get everything on the spot.

Safety in Tallinn

Compared to many European capitals, Tallinn feels remarkably safe. As someone who visited twice, I never felt uncomfortable. Just take usual precautions, especially late at night. Keep an eye on your belongings in the crowded central areas during peak season and you’ll be fine.

SIM and E-SIM Cards in Tallinn

The major providers in Estonia are Elisa, Telia and Telle2, which has the most affordable packages.

If you want to purchase a SIM card at Tallinn airport, you should go to the R Kiosk. Otherwise, you can buy one in the city itself in a number of places, including the supermarkets.

If you don’t want the hassle of finding a SIM card on the spot, you can purchase E-SIM card from Saily, which offers cost-efficient packs.

I used EU roaming on both visits so didn’t need a local SIM at all. This will be the same for you, if you’re coming from within the EU.

Costs in Tallinn

Tallinn is notably cheaper than most of Northern and Western Europe, however, it’s not as affordable as I initially expected, considering the prices in other Baltic cities. While transport and attraction tickets are quite affordable, accommodation is where costs vary most dramatically by season, so booking early makes a real difference.

Accessibility of Tallinn

While modern parts of the city are more accessible, the Old Town understandably presents challenges. It has cobbled streets, uneven surfaces and hills.

If you want to avoid the uphill walk, you can take a taxi or a Bolt ride up to Toompea and then explore the area mostly downhill from there. There are also a few access points with gentler slopes, but overall, moving around the Old Town can still require some effort. Even for visitors without mobility issues, comfortable flat shoes are strongly recommended throughout the Old Town.

Public transport (trams and buses) is modern and generally accessible, so getting to areas like Kadriorg or Kalamaja is much easier than navigating the Old Town itself.

The city has a dedicated accessibility portal, which can provide detailed information on specific locations.

Best Tallinn Itineraries

One Day in Tallinn

One day is enough to cover the Old Town highlights, including Town Hall Square, Toompea Hill, the viewpoints and the main medieval streets. It’s tight but very doable given how compact everything is.

See my 1-day Tallinn itinerary for the step-by-step route.

Two Days in Tallinn

Two days is the pace I’d recommend for a first visit. It gives you time to explore the highlights on day one, as well as to include the Kadriorg Park, St Olaf’s Church tower and the city walls. You won’t feel rushed and you’ll actually get a feel for the city rather than just passing through it.

See my 2-day Tallinn itinerary for the full route.

<p>The post Tallinn Travel Guide: How to Experience Estonia’s Captivating Capital first appeared on Hit the Road Ket.</p>

I’ve visited Tallinn twice, arriving by bus from Riga the first time and by flight the second. I also took the ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki for a day trip, which was honestly one of the highlights of the whole trip.

In this Tallinn transport guide, I cover the realistic options for getting to Tallinn depending on where you’re coming from, plus everything you need to know about getting around once you arrive, based on what actually worked for us in practice.

Find more practical details for planning your trip in my Tallinn travel guide.

How to Get to Tallinn: Transport Guide

Best Ways to Get to Tallinn (Quick Overview)

Flights to Tallinn

Tallinn Airport is small and easy to navigate, one of the least stressful airports I have been to. It’s well connected to most major European cities, with some long-haul options too.

How to Get from Tallinn Airport to the City Center

The airport is close to the city center and you can reach it within 15-20 minutes. The most straightforward option is tram line 4, which runs frequently and drops you close to the Old Town. This is what I used during one of my trips.

You can also take bus numbers 2 or 15, although in practice, the tram is usually more convenient and easier to navigate.

If you prefer not to deal with public transport after a flight, taxis are reasonably priced. Using Bolt is the easiest and cheapest option, as you can order it directly from the app and avoid any confusion with pricing. The ride is short, so it won’t be expensive. Alternatively, you can use the metered taxis.

You can also order the airport transfer in advance, which would reduce the waiting time.

Ferries to Tallinn

The ferry connection between Tallinn and Helsinki is one of the best things about visiting either city — it makes day trips or short breaks easy. It takes about 2-2.5 hours to travel between the two cities. You can also find longer ferry routes to Stockholm from here.

We took the 2.5-hour ferry to Helsinki and it was genuinely one of the highlights of the whole trip. The ships are enormous and the approach into Helsinki harbor is beautiful.

Here is my practical guide on the Tallinn to Helsinki ferry trip.

How to Get from the Tallinn Ferry Terminal to the City Center

The main ferry terminal is very close to the city center. If you are staying nearby, you can even walk about 15-30 minutes, depending on your hotel area. If you don’t want to walk, you can easily find tram (lines 1 and 2) and bus stops nearby.

Our hotel was under 15-minute walk away, so we walked one way and hopped on a tram on the way back.

Intercity Buses to Tallinn

Long-distance buses connect Tallinn with Riga, Vilnius and other cities. This is the most common option for traveling between the Baltic cities.

How to Get from the Tallinn Bus Station to the City Center

The buses run from the central bus station, which is accessible by trams and buses. You can take tram line 4 (the one that runs from the airport) to get to the city center.

Interestingly, having seen a number of bus stations, I normally expect the areas around them to be unpleasant. But this area is pretty central. The main road just around the corner, where trams run, is very nice to walk on. When we arrived to the station, we just took a pleasant walk to our accommodation.

Intercity Bus Companies Traveling to Tallinn

If you are coming from Riga, you have several bus companies you can choose from. They take 4-5 hours, depending on the time of day. There are dozens of departures daily and it’s really very easy to get a bus.

From Vilnius buses are more tiring, as they take up to 10 hours. If you need to travel directly from Vilnius to Tallinn, I honestly wouldn’t really try a bus and would fly instead.

For traveling to Tartu, Narva and other cities inside Estonia, Lux Express is the only company that covers these routes.

Lux Express is my preferred option. It has very comfortable seats. Buses are new and we arrived from Riga to Tallinn very easily, even after a long flight to Riga. The seats have personal screens. So if you are able to, I would recommend taking Lux Express. Also, while somewhat more expensive than the other options, the difference is really not all that much, if you book in advance.

Flixbus is another most common option. It’s generally the cheapest as anywhere else in Europe. However, I am not their fan. While I have not taken Flixbus on this route, I have used it elsewhere and experienced delays. They are notorious for this, if you ask other frequent travelers. So if you do choose it, be aware of the possibilities. Another thing is, they usually take the longest – I am not really sure why.

Ecolines is a good balance between cheaper tickets and comfortable trip. The main downside is that they don’t run as frequently as the other two companies. We took them from Tallinn to Riga and they were fine. It was a completely uneventful ride, just a smooth bus ride.

How to Get Bus Tickets to Tallinn

At the bus station: If you don’t have fixed plans, you can get a bus ticket on the spot at the bus station. This should be very easy, especially outside the summertime, when the tickets are hardly ever sold out. In summer, you might have to wait some for the next available bus. We didn’t know when we would manage to get to the bus station in Riga after our flight so left the ticket purchase to the last minute. Of course, it was more expensive compared to booking in advance. We also had to wait about half an hour for the next bus, as the one departing immediately was sold out.

On the official websites of the bus companies: I have linked the official websites for each company above. I myself haven’t used this but they all offer this option.

On third party websites: I personally used Omio for purchasing bus tickets from Tallinn to Riga. It’s a very user-friendly app and I often rely on it.

Trains to Tallinn

Trains are a newer addition to the options for traveling to Tallinn. Tallinn’s main train station – Baltic station is located just outside the Old Town, which makes traveling by train easier.

The Vilnius-Riga-Tallinn train runs once a day, while there’s an additional service between Riga and Tallinn. To get to Tallinn from Vilnius, the train takes almost 11 hours. While from Riga, you could reach Tallinn in about 6-8 hours. While they take longer than buses, trains are comfy. They are also more expensive than buses. I haven’t tried them on this route yet, but the time difference is quite big, plus they run too rarely.

You can also get to Tartu, Valga and other Estonian cities by train.

How to Get Train Tickets to Tallinn

To book train tickets from Riga to Tallinn, you have to check out the official website of the Estonian Railway. By the way, note that for Riga, you should choose Riia, as it’s the name for Riga in Estonian apparently. Even if you are using English version of the website, you still can’t search for Riga, so first time I was trying to find ticket, I got confused, before figuring it out.

For train ticket from Vilnius to Tallinn, as well as Vilnius to Riga, you will have to purchase them on the Lithuanian Railway website.

Getting Around Tallinn

Tallinn is one of the easiest European capitals to navigate. The Old Town is compact and entirely walkable, and you can cross the entire area in just half an hour. In practice, you will rarely need public transport for sightseeing. Besides, no cars are allowed on most streets around the Old Town. The only thing to keep in mind is that the streets are cobbled and can be uneven, especially around Toompea Hill, so comfortable shoes are essential.

Public Transport in Tallinn

In most cases, you will only need transport for specific routes, like for getting to and from the airport, reaching Kadriorg Park, or traveling between the bus station, ferry terminal, and your accommodation.

Trams and buses are reliable and easy to hop on. We especially liked trams. There are some older and newer trams, so we loved seeing which one we would get.

You have two major options for buying public transport tickets in Tallinn:

• The easiest option is just tapping your contactless bank card. You can do this at the front of the tram or a bus, when boarding. This will provide you with a one-hour ride on public transportation. We simply did this throughout our stay, as we didn’t want to bother with buying the Ühiskaart. It worked seamlessly without needing to buy anything in advance.
• Ühiskaart is a contactless transport card. You can charge it while buying it at the relevant booths. After that you can charge it either online (although the website doesn’t always work and the app might glitch) or at the same places you bought it from. It only really makes sense if you are staying longer or using public transport frequently. For a short visit, tapping your bank card is much simpler.

Taxis and Ride Hailing Apps

Taxis are reasonably priced in Tallinn. If you hail one on the street, they should have meters and you will be paying the fare according to it.

However, we preferred the ride-hailing app Bolt. Bolt is widely used in Tallinn and is usually cheaper and easier than hailing taxis on the street. We used it a couple of times and had good experiences. By the way, Bolt is an Estonian company. Uber also operates here though, if you prefer it.

To help you further plan your trip, my Tallinn travel guide covers accommodation, costs and what to book in advance.

For the day-by-day route, see my 2-day Tallinn itinerary.

 

<p>The post How to Reach Tallinn and Get Around: A Hassle-Free Transport Guide first appeared on Hit the Road Ket.</p>

What I loved most about visiting Suomenlinna is that it doesn’t feel like your usual museum. It’s a living neighborhood where around 800 people live in former barracks and historic buildings. You take just a 20-minute ferry ride and end up in a completely different environment, which does not feel like a part of the city, but rather a secluded island.

If you’re wondering whether Suomenlinna is worth visiting, it absolutely is, even if you only have a short time in Helsinki. This is the one stop I don’t suggest skipping. Here is everything you need to know to visit Suomenlinna, including how to get there, what to see and do.

If you’re planning your visit, also check out my Helsinki 1-day itinerary with the step-by-step route.

Also see my detailed Helsinki travel guide for practical tips on transport, costs, and where to stay.

When to Visit Suomenlinna

While technically you can visit all year round, the islands are far more enjoyable during the warmer months. Summer is the best time to wander around the old fortress walls, explore the tunnels and enjoy the sun. Besides, Submarine Vesiko is only open during summer months.

Note that the islands are quite exposed to the wind, so it can feel much colder than expected, even on a sunny day.

You can visit in the colder months too, though I’ll be honest, wandering exposed fortress islands in Baltic winter is not really my idea of a good time. If you do go, warm layers are non-negotiable and the museums and cafés will be your main refuge to warm up indoors at times.

If you take my advice and are visiting in summer, you should note that the islands get crowded, especially the Blue Route (see more details on that below). So arriving as early, as you possibly would be the best strategy. That said, morning and evening hours can be chilly even in summer, so pick your poison.

How to Get to Suomenlinna from Helsinki: Choosing Your Ferry

Option 1: Public Ferry

The HSL ferry provides public transport connection to the mainland. Suomenlinna is actually a residential neighborhood with people living in these 18th-century buildings. So this ferry is a regular transport first and the tourist connection second.

Ferry departure locations: departure from the terminal near Market Square (Kauppatori). The ferry will get you to Sveaborg terminal.

Suomenlinna public ferry single ticket price: 3.30 EUR. The public ferry price is same as for the other transport types. You can purchase it at the ferry stop machines using your bank card or use the HSL official website or app. If you purchase a day pass for public transport, the ferry will be included.

Suomenlinna public ferry timetable: The timetable changes according to the time of the year and day of the week, as well as time of day. It can be every 15 minutes to every hour. Check exact timetable during your visit through the official website.

How long does the ferry to Suomenlinna take: about 20 minutes.

Option 2: FRS Finland Boat

Water boat departure locations: The boat departs from the same Kauppatori terminal, as the public ferry. It will get you to the terminal near King’s Gate.

FRS Finland water boat price: 10 EUR for the return trip. You can purchase your return ticket via GetYourGuide.

FRS Finland timetable: The boats normally operate from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm. The frequency changes according to season, so check on their website. Note that these boats are generally seasonal.

Practical Details for Visiting Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna ended up being my favourite part of the Helsinki trip, although maybe Oodi Library can compete with it a bit but for completely different reasons. The ferry ride over is lovely in itself, and the moment you step off and start walking the fortress walls with the sea stretching out around you, the city feels very far away even though it isn’t.

Suomenlinna Fortress Opening Times

The fortress is open 24/7, as it’s an open space. But the museums, cafes and other spots here have their own opening times.

Plus, your visit will depend on the ferry timetables.

How Much Time Do You Need at the Suomenlinna Island

There are plenty of things to do on Suomenlinna. I recommend spending at least 2-3 hours here. The islands aren’t very small and you will need time to explore.

With only a couple of hours on the Suomenlinna islands, I would focus on the outdoor areas and views rather than the museums. It’s best experienced through wandering around the fortress walls, seeing their views against the sea, checking out the courtyards and old barracks. That’s the real Suomenlinna anyway.

If you want to visit the museums, sit at a café and see all corners, you’ll need at least half a day. It’s very easy to lose track of time here, especially once you start wandering off the main paths. So keep track if you need to be somewhere at a certain time.

Accessibility of Suomenlinna Island

Most of the routes are inaccessible for wheelchair users and difficult for persons with limited mobility. You will be walking quite a bit, and not always on smooth paths. There are gravel sections and uneven areas.

However, there is an accessible path specifically for wheelchair users, which is somewhat shorter than the Blue Route. You can either follow the provided map or signposts along the way.

Suomenlinna History: Brief Overview

Suomenlinna is a UNESCO listed sea fortress in Helsinki spread across several interconnected islands. Its 200 buildings were constructed over the years in the 18^th century by the Swedes and its original name was Sveaborg. Aimed to defend Finland from Russia, it had impressive military fortifications. The irony is of course that in the 19^th century Russians took over this fortress.

The Sightseeing Route to Explore Suomenlinna

This is the most popular route and gets genuinely busy in summer, especially around midday. This is the main reason to arrive early if you can. That said, the moment you step slightly off the main path, the crowds thin out dramatically.

There are cafés, restrooms, and small shops on the two major islands you will be exploring, so you don’t need to worry about facilities during your visit.

Iso Mustasaari Island

The first island you get to, once you get off the ferry, is Iso Mustasaari. If you need a morning coffee fix, try Café Silo. For food however, unless you have a bigger budget, do what the locals do and bring snacks for picnic.

Suomenlinna Church

Once you start the Blue Route, the first major building you will come up to will be the Suomenlinna Church. Built by Russians in the 19^th century, it used to be an orthodox church and converted to a Lutheran one later on.

It’s worth a quick look, as the conversion from orthodox to Lutheran gives it an interesting mixed character. But we moved on fairly quickly. It’s small and there’s only so much you can see.

The Military Museum

Ticket price: 10 EUR with discounts for students and pensioners and free entry for children and other groups.

Opening times: 11 am – 6pm in summer, 11 am -4.30 pm the rest of the year.

If you are interested in the military history, including the armory and defense artifacts of the Finnish army, the Military Museum will be of interest.

We skipped this one, as military history isn’t really our thing. But if you’re interested in Finnish defense history, weapons, and armory artifacts, this would be worth half an hour or an hour of your time. The building itself is also historically significant.

Suomenlinna Museum

Ticket price: 10 EUR with discounts for students and pensioners.

Opening times: 10 am – 6pm in summer, 10.30 am -5.30 pm the rest of the year.

Suomenlinna Museum is the major museum on Suomenlinna, showcasing the history of the fortress. You can watch a documentary, then browse various objects from weapons to everyday items. You will also find models of the fortress here, as well as parts of the military ships.

If you only choose one museum to visit, this would be the one that gives you the best overview of the fortress.

Susisaari Island

Once you explore the Iso Mustasaari, you will cross the bridge to the main island – Susisaari. The main route will lead you to the King’s Gate the shorter way. However, if you have time and energy, I recommend exploring the island in more detail. Namely, move towards the western side of the island after crossing the small bridge.

This area is quieter, more scenic, and offers better views of the open sea. You can take great pictures and enjoy watching the sea. Besides, if you divert your route, you will find interesting hidden tunnels you can explore.

This part was my favorite. We just wandered around and took different paths near the seaside and inland without following any set path. It was a lot of fun seeing various interesting details that most visitors don’t look for.

Once you are done wandering here, move towards the eastern side.

Submarine Vesiko

Ticket price: combined with the Suomenlinna museum: 10 EUR

Opening times: Only from May to September 11 am -6 pm

Vesiko is a submarine which survived World War II and currently serves as a war museum. It’s a compact museum, which you can explore within a few minutes. It’s fascinating to see how small the living quarters were. Plus, you will see a number of objects used by the navy.

It’s a quick visit, but quite memorable if you haven’t been inside a submarine before.

King’s Gate

After this continue walking until you reach King’s Gate, one of the most photogenic spots on the island.

The gate itself is interesting up close, but honestly what stopped us here were the views of the fortress walls stretching out toward the sea on either side. It’s one of the best photo spots on the whole island and worth taking your time at.

With the King’s Gate, you will complete the major spots that are notable on the islands. If you are interested, you could still explore the smaller islands, however, this would not be possible if you have only one day in Helsinki.

From the King’s Gate you can either take the FRS water boat or return to the Sveaborg terminal (about 20 minutes’ walk away) to take the public ferry.

<p>The post Visiting Suomenlinna: A Practical Guide to Helsinki’s Sea Fortress first appeared on Hit the Road Ket.</p>

Throughout over two millennia of history the city was under the rule of Romans, Muslims and Christians. The city particularly flourished during the Al Andalus period and then under Castilian rule, as a trade and cultural hub over centuries. Even now you can feel this centuries-old magnificence. This rich historical legacy, as well as modern development seamlessly blend into a stylish and passionate city.

Walking around Seville you will never be bored. The cute little streets change into the crowded piazzas. You will find fiery flamenco performances at every step. You will have amazing fun filled warm evenings. Needless to say, it’s very hard to leave.

As usual, I planned a fast-paced itinerary and loved every minute of it. I actually walked 40,000 steps each day. This Seville travel guide will share my experiences and provide advice to plan your trip to Seville, including when to visit, where to stay, transport and itineraries.

How Many Days to Spend in Seville

If you are a fast-paced traveler, 2 days is the minimum amount you will need to at least get a taste of Seville and feel its vibes. A day trip whether from Madrid, Cordoba or elsewhere is possible, but staying at least one night will let you see the city come alive in the evenings. For my first visit I felt 2 days was a good balance for covering the main sites and falling in love with the city, but I am a fast paced traveler.

If you prefer a more relaxed pace or want to venture to the less popular sites, then consider 3-4. Seville is also one of the few cities that made me immediately decide that I’d happily come back.

If you’re short on time, see my 1 day in Seville itinerary.

For a more thorough visit, check my 2 day Seville itinerary.

When to Visit Seville

The best times to visit Seville are Autumn and Spring with warm temperatures during the day, as well as pleasant evenings and nights. I visited in October and the weather was perfect. It was wonderfully warm at night and even hot during the day – perfect for me, but if you absolutely hate the heat, consider going closer to the wintertime.

That said these are understandably also very popular seasons for tourists. The city gets very crowded and you will need to arrange a lot more things in advance to make sure you don’t miss out.

There are also a few festivals during spring and autumn. Although expect higher prices and huge crowds during these periods, so plan accordingly. I personally don’t plan my first visits during the festivals, but it can be amazing if you have a longer time during the city or are visiting a second time.

Here are the major regular festivals:

• Feria de Abril or April Fair: as the name suggests, it takes place in April and is a beautiful colorful festival.
• Flamenco Festival is usually held once in two years in February-March period. The flamenco performances happen at iconic venues.
• Semana Santa or Holy Week takes place during the Easter holidays in March or April – depending when the Easter falls.
• Los Reyes Magos or Three Kings Day associated with Christmas happens on 6 January.

Summers are extremely hot. However, July and August are still very busy. Unless you don’t have another option, I would avoid this period. If you still choose summer time for your trip, be aware of the heat and plan your day incorporating breaks and indoor visits during the afternoons.

Seville has mild winters with some rain. This less popular season may be the best option for those travelers, who want to avoid heat and experience the city with less crowds. On the other hand, the evening vibes may not be as great with the weather preventing the outdoor fun.

Where to Stay in Seville: Accommodation Guide

While Seville is not a small city, most places you will be visiting are concentrated in the old city area – Centro/Casco Antiguo. If you are fit to walk, the city is very walkable. I personally walked almost everywhere. On the other hand, it can get exhausting for anyone, but especially for people with mobility issues. If you get tired, you can hop on buses that run along the edges of the old town.

Considering this, booking your accommodation anywhere in the old town is good, but the best areas are:

• Santa Cruz, Alfalfa and El Arenal – these areas are closest to the major attractions most travelers will be visiting and as such, highly popular. These areas are best for first time visitors, albeit expensive, given the very central location.
• Macarena is slightly farther, the North and East parts of the old town and beyond. This area is somewhat cheaper than the Santa Cruz and Centro areas but would require some more walking to get to main attractions.
• Triana across the river is also a great option, close to major attractions. It’s a humbler area and a birthplace of Flamenco. It’s great, if you want to experience local vibes.

Depending on the time of the year you are visiting, hotels can be rather expensive. I suggest booking as far in advance as you can and monitor prices throughout. You may be able to find some good deals at times. If you are unable to find a good deal, then you can consider checking Airbnb or VRBO for deals on apartments. While I am not a fan of staying in apartments – I prefer hotels – they can be cost efficient in Spain, especially if you are traveling in a group.

Where I stayed in Seville: I found a great deal at the H10 Corregidor Boutique Hotel. It has a convenient location near Alameda de Hercules and at a walking distance to all major sites to the south. It has comfortable rooms, nice staff and all the amenities you would need. Its price can fluctuate though, like in case of other hotels, especially during the high season.

Other hotel options in Seville:

Hotel Alfonso XIII – if you don’t mind splurging, this historical hotel is gorgeous. It’s located in the heart of the city and has gorgeous interiors and courtyard.

Las Casas de la Juderia – is another historical option with a number of old houses and courtyards. However, don’t stay here if you have any mobility issues, as it can be a problem with the stairs.

How to Get to Seville

Taking a Train to Seville

Seville is well connected and easy to reach from most major cities in Spain, as well as from around Europe.

Madrid to Seville takes around 2.5 hours. It’s a comfortable trip from a city center to city center and you have a number of options throughout the day. I used Iryo for my Madrid to Seville train journey. Similarly, you can easily get to Seville from other cities in Andalusia. Cordoba is just 45 minutes away by train, with Granada and Malaga taking about 2 hours.

If you are coming from Barcelona, there are very few direct options. But you will have more options, if you make a stop in Madrid.

Santa Justa Train station is very close to the city center and is easily walkable, unless you have a lot of luggage. Alternatively, you can take an EA bus, or a taxi.

For detailed information, see my complete guide to train travel in Spain.

Flying to Seville

If you are coming from farther and prefer to fly, Seville has a small airport, which is easy to navigate.

How to get from Seville Airport to the City Center

Getting from the airport to the center takes about half an hour. The airport bus line EA runs from the airport through the Santa Justa train station, passes the major points, like Plaza de España, near Cathedral and Alcazar and ends at the Plaza de Armas. You can see the exact route of the bus at the official website.

You can buy bus tickets either on the bus itself or at the ticket office at the airport. The easiest way I find is using your bank debit or credit card to tap and pay. You can also pay by cash on the bus, but this is being discontinued in some cities (for instance, we were unable to pay cash in Toledo recently), so I would be ready with the card. Another option is purchasing Multiviaje ticket (see below).

Taxis can also be a good option, if you want a hassle-free travel and like in other Spanish cities, they are reasonably priced. If you are not traveling solo, ordering taxi via ride hailing apps, like Uber or Bolt can even be cheaper than the bus.

Hiring a Car to Get to Seville

If you are driving to Seville, it’s best to either find accommodation outside the city center so that you park there, or even better returning the car. If you still want to drive in Seville, make sure you are aware of the numerous rules of driving in city center from not being able to drive there during the day hours to very limited parking options. Plus, the historic center has very narrow streets, so driving through them can result in getting stuck and other complications.

Getting Around in Seville

Seville’s narrow streets are best explored on foot. Many of the main sights that most visitors see throughout their trip are concentrated within the old town and nearby. So you will likely need to use transport very rarely. In case you have limited mobility however, you have a few options, like taxis or buses, however inside the narrow streets of the city center, you have very limited options.

Public Transport in Seville

Seville has a reliable bus network. From the airport bus (see above) to different lines criss-crossing the city. But none of the public transport enters the old city streets – understandably so, as they are too narrow for anything else but small cars to fit through. This official map shows where the buses run.

Seville also has one metro line. However, it is not particularly useful for central sightseeing. It only runs from the center to outskirts, and most travelers never use it. I haven’t.

There’s also one tram line T1. The tram runs on a relatively short distance from Plaza Nueva to Luis de Morales – not too far from the train station.

Seville Public Transport Tickets

Paying for public transport is quite easy. You have several options:

• Debit or credit card is the easiest option for most tourists, as you won’t need to purchase anything, just tap it to pay on the transport.
• The single tickets (price 1.40 EUR) can be purchased with cash on buses, but not on the tram. For metro and tram, you will have to use the machines.
• Multiviaje card is a rechargeable card. It offers discounts if you purchase 10 trips (0.76 EUR per trip). However, unless you plan to use public transportation often, it may not be needed for you. It certainly wasn’t for me, as I took transport only a couple of times.
• Tourist card: there are 1-day and 3-day card options, which give you unlimited travel for those days.

TUSSAM – Seville transport company – also has an official app, where you can purchase tickets and find information on the routes.

Seville Taxis

Taxis are quite affordable. You can use ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt. The white official taxis are metered. You hail them on the street and pay what meter says.

Hop-on Hop-off Bus

The Hop-on Hop-off bus is another good option for persons with limited mobility, especially first-time visitors. There are 24-hour or 48-hour tickets. The tour also includes some free entries and discounts at the museums, walking tours at some of the stops and other perks.

These sightseeing buses are a good way to limit walking. Even though they don’t enter the city center, they bring you close to most attractions. They are also wheelchair accessible. Check working hours, as they start working at 10 am and have more limited buses after 6 pm.

What to Book in Advance for Visiting Seville

Seville’s fame comes with its advantages and disadvantages. First and foremost, it would be a mistake, if you don’t purchase some of the sightseeing tickets in advance. Winging it, especially during the most popular periods of Spring and Autumn will highly likely result in missing at least the Cathedral and Alcazar. So I recommend to book at least some attractions in advance, even if you aren’t a planner. I booked Seville attractions over a month in advance and still missed out on the Royal Apartments in Real Alcazar. So don’t make the same mistake.

Here is the list of attractions in Seville that you should book in advance:

Real Alcazar

The Real Alcazar is the attraction you truly cannot risk leaving until the last minute. Book early! This is especially true, if you want to visit the Royal Rooms.

You can purchase tickets from the official website.

If tickets are sold out, guided tours may still have availability.

Seville Cathedral and Giralda Tower

The Cathedral is the second major site that frequently sells out.

I suggest booking at least a week in advance through the official website.

If standard tickets are gone, guided tours sometimes still have space and can provide a practical backup plan.

Setas de Sevilla (Metropol Parasol)

The Setas may not always sell out entirely, but popular sunset and evening time slots often do.

I arrived around 6pm and managed to get the last ticket for the next time slot. Otherwise, I would have had to wait an hour. While this would not be a dramatic problem, it would still be inconvenient. So next time I visit, I will book online either via official website or GetYourGuide.

Flamenco Shows

Seville is the birthplace of flamenco and certainly one of the best places in Spain to experience authentic dance performance. The most popular shows, especially those that are reasonably priced and in smaller venues.

I highly recommend to book at least a week in advance for the popular shows, especially if you want front row seats – the closer you are to the performers, the more powerful the experience feels. For instance, El Arenal is one of the famous venues.

But if you want last minute tickets, the Theatre Flamenco has a larger venue and you have more chance of finding them.

For broader information on what to book in advance for visiting Spain, including hotels, transport, and peak season advice, read my full guide on what to book in advance in Spain.

Additional Practical Tips for Visiting Seville

Are Seville Passes Worth It

I won’t even go into details on each pass, because very simple calculations without even checking thoroughly showed me that they are simply more expensive than individual tickets.

The older sources suggest getting Seville Pass noting that it includes Alcazar, Cathedral and the Hop-on Hop-off bus. If this was the case, it would make the cost worth it, but it’s not. It only includes airport bus transfer, which is much cheaper than the sightseeing bus. For the Hop-on Hop-off bus you will have to add the amount that is actually higher than the bus cost.

Food and Coffee in Seville

Food in Seville is very similar to the rest of Spain, with tapas culture at its core. You’ll find everything from jamón ibérico and croquetas to seafood and stews across the city. Tapas culture involves sharing and trying multiple small dishes rather than ordering one main course.

What is specific to Spain and especially Seville, is that they eat lunch and dinner later than most tourists may be used to. Lunch is usually from around 2 pm, and dinner rarely starts before 8–9 pm. It’s easy for lunch however, as you can go to brunch places. But for dinner, you may find some restaurants and tapas bars still closed or only serving drinks.

If you don’t want to learn about Spanish food and try different things, a tapas tour can be a great option. It allows you to try several dishes in different places without having to plan everything yourself.

If you’re looking for specific recommendations, see my guide to the best brunch and coffee spots in Seville.

Costs of Visiting Seville

Overall, the visit to Seville can be considered mid-range. It’s not the cheapest city when it comes to sightseeing. The main attractions are quite expensive, and if you follow a packed itinerary, these costs will add up quickly. While I did approximately calculate in advance, I still felt the cost at the end of the visit.

Another relatively costly thing is accommodation. Especially if you stay in the Centro and at the hotels, the cost can be quite high.

On the other hand, everyday expenses are quite reasonable. Food, coffee and transportation are affordable, especially compared to other major European cities. You can cut your costs, if you eat at tapas spots.

Safety in Seville

Seville felt very safe to me. I visited solo and walked around alone at all times of the day and night without any issues.

That said, like in any tourist city, you should still stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.

Staying Connected in Seville: SIM and eSIM Cards

Purchasing mobile data for Spain is quite easy. Inside the EU, the roaming is free, so you will simply use your EU number with the data plan you have at home. If you are visiting from outside the EU for a short visit, the easiest option is to use an eSIM. You can install it before your trip and have internet as soon as you land, without needing to look for a physical SIM card at the airport.

On the other hand, e-SIM while convenient can be more expensive than getting a physical card. If your visit is longer, you can buy a local SIM card from providers like Orange and Vodafone. You can find offices at the airport, train station and throughout the city. I had Vodafone Sim card with a data plan for a month, as I was visiting Spain for a longer stay and this was the cheapest option.

WiFi is widely available in cafes and restaurants around the city, but I actually never even used them, as my data plan was good.

Best Seville Itineraries

Day 1 Seville Itinerary

If you have only one day in Seville, you can cover all the main highlights in a logical walking loop. Start with the Real Alcázar, then move through Iglesia del Salvador, Plaza de San Francisco, Archivo de Indias, and the Cathedral with Giralda climb, before ending in Barrio Santa Cruz and Plaza de España.

For the details, see my step-by-step one day Seville itinerary.

Day 2 Seville Itinerary

With two days, you can explore beyond the main highlights, including palaces like Casa de Pilatos and Palacio de las Dueñas, then visit the Torre del Oro and cross into Triana. Finally visit the Fine Arts Museum and finish at Setas de Sevilla in the evening.

Additional Days in Seville

With more days in Seville, you can either slow down and revisit your favorite areas, wander around the cute streets or venture outside the historical city center to explore outskirts of this amazing city – like the Italica or Cartuja. You can also consider taking a river cruise.

<p>The post Seville Travel Guide: Everything to Know Before You Fall in Love With It first appeared on Hit the Road Ket.</p>

The problem is you will want to stop every couple of minutes to take photos of cute streets, wonderful cafes, courtyards and every little detail on your way simply because they are too picturesque.

So if you love wandering around, one day won’t cut it. But if that’s all you’ve got, this 1-day Seville itinerary covers all of the city’s most important landmarks and is ideal if you’re visiting Seville for the first time.

How to Plan Your 1 Day in Seville

Preparation for this walking itinerary is very important. The tickets for Real Alcazar and the Seville Cathedral regularly sell out. So do the guided tours, if you wish to take them.  You will need to book them at least a couple of weeks in advance.

This post focuses purely on making the most of one day in the city. If you need other practical details about accommodation, transport, or everything you need to plan, check my full Seville Travel Guide first.

The route forms a natural walking loop. You won’t need any public transport. The itinerary is doable for most people without feeling rushed. You can adjust it according to your level of fitness and type of travel. I personally did much more than this in a day. On the other hand, if I take my mom, I would cut one or two spots, as she has limited mobility.

If you prefer having everything explained and organised, popular guided tours in Seville mostly focus on the two main sites: the Alcázar and the Cathedral. After that, you can comfortably follow the rest of this itinerary on your own, as Seville is very easy to navigate on foot. Or you can add a short tour of Barrio Santa Cruz.

A pro tip: I recommend avoiding Sunday, for your 1 day in Seville. If this day falls on Sunday, make sure to double check Cathedral and church opening times, as they normally open later after the mass. This can lead to fewer available tickets and more crowds.

Real Alcázar

Ticket price: 15.5 EUR. Tickets sell out, so book in advance.

Opening times: 9.30 am -7 pm daily.

How long do you need to visit Real Alcazar: I spent about 3 hours here, but if you are in a rush, you could see the highlights in about 2 hours. With less than that you will probably miss out on a lot.

The Real Alcázar is Seville’s crown jewel. If you only have one day, this is the one attraction you absolutely cannot miss.

For full details, see my Alcázar guide on where to book tickets in advance, what to see at Alcazar and how to avoid crowds.

Iglesia Colegial del Divino Salvador

Walking time from Real Alcazar: under 10 minutes and the walk is through lovely small streets.

Ticket price: Combined ticket with the Cathedral – 13 EUR. Separate ticket – 7 EUR.

Opening times: daily 10.15 am – 4.30 pm, Sundays limited hours – 2.30-7pm.

How long do you need to visit Iglesia del Divino Salvador: I would say at least half an hour to an hour should be sufficient to explore the church.

After the Alcázar, walk toward Iglesia del Divino Salvador. It’s often overshadowed by the Cathedral, but it’s still worth a visit.

I am including this before the cathedral mainly because you need to have a set time for the Cathedral visit and I recommend having a buffer in-between visiting the Alcazar and Cathedral. If by any chance you spend more time at Alcazar, you can move your visit to Iglesia Salvador to later in the day. This church also closes earlier than the cathedral, so best to visit it in the afternoon if possible.

Built on the site of a former 12^th century mosque, this Baroque church has typical Spanish ornate interior. However, it’s much simpler than the Seville Cathedral. On top of that, the exterior painted in red colors makes it feel cozier.

You won’t find crowds here. It was rather quiet on the afternoon I visited, so I could walk around in peace, unlike at the Cathedral.

Plaza de San Francisco and Plaza del Cabildo

On your way toward the Cathedral area, you’ll pass Plaza de San Francisco. This is one of Seville’s main public squares. Its atmosphere is lively.

At this square, you should note the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) facade. This is one of the finest Renaissance facades in Spain and very easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.

Then head to Plaza del Cabildo, which is a semi-circular plaza. It’s very easy to miss, I kept wondering, where exactly the access way was and barely found it, even though I had it noted on the map. It’s an elegant square with large arches. While it looks like an old architectural piece on photos, the plaza was actually built in the 20^th century (1950s), which explains why it feels more modern despite its classical look.

On Sundays, there’s apparently a coin and stamp market here, although I didn’t come at the right time to see it.

If you need a break along the way, see my guide to the best brunch and coffee spots in Seville.

Archivo de Indias

Walk from Iglesia del Salvador: about 10 minutes.

Ticket price: Free

Opening times: 9.30 am-4.30 pm. Closed Mondays.

How long do you need to visit Archivo de Indias: Given that you are able to see only small section of the archives, you should be able to browse within 30 minutes to an hour.

This building constructed in the 16^th century was a consulate of the merchants and only in the 18^th century it became the archive housing all documentation related to Spain’s empire in the Americas. At its height, Seville held a monopoly over trade with the New World and this archive documents the time period in detail.

The building is gorgeous. On the ground floor, you will find a few rooms with information about the archive and its purpose. But the main highlights are the wide beautiful galleries on the first floor. The long galleries are lined with wooden shelves, holding thousands of original documents. Some of the displayed pieces include maps, letters, and records related to Spanish expeditions in the Americas. Look out for documents related to Christopher Columbus and other explorers, as well as detailed maps of colonial cities.

Overall, while you won’t be able to check out more than a few of the documents on display, you will be able to appreciate the grandeur of the era.

Seville Cathedral and La Giralda

Walk from Archivo de Indias: a couple of minutes.

Ticket price: 13 EUR. Make sure to book in advance.

Opening times: 11 am-6 pm, except Sundays – 2-7pm

How long do you need to visit Seville Cathedral and Giralda: I spent about 2 hours here to explore the Cathedral thoroughly and climb La Giralda. With less than that you could probably get a general feel.

Seville Cathedral and Giralda is the second site you will absolutely have to book in advance. My recommendation is to get the timeslot of 2 or 3 pm. This will allow you a buffer after the 9.30 am Alcazar entry, in case you want to stay there longer, grab lunch in the middle, etc. This buffer was important to me, as I had time to visit other sites in the middle and wasn’t scared that I would be late for my appointed time.

On the other hand, you don’t want to leave it too much later, as you will still have to maximize your daylight to visit Plaza de Espana on this day. While some people recommend later timeslots to avoid crowds, it’s false information. I was there till 6 pm and it was crazy crowded the entire time. I could barely walk down from the Giralda with turtle pace.

For more detailed information on tickets, what to see and my experiences, see my Seville Cathedral guide.

Barrio Santa Cruz

Walking time from the Cathedral: about 5 minutes.

After visiting the Cathedral, you should still have enough daylight left to walk through Barrio Santa Cruz, Seville’s former Jewish quarter. The mixed history is apparent in every detail with Muslim, Jewish and Christian elements intertwined.

This area with its complete cuteness (despite the crazy crowds) is where you will feel the other side of Seville, apart from the monumental scale of the sites you are seeing on this day.

Santa Cruz’s cute streets, plazas and alleys invite anyone to wander around and enjoy. If you are visiting during the hot period, you will immediately notice the shade.

On the downside, this is one of the most popular sights in Seville and you will inevitably meet numerous people, while walking. At some points, I simply couldn’t pass through the narrow street because a group of people was standing or walking very slowly. So I had to find alternative streets instead. The baffling thing is, when one street is so crowded, another one just parallel to it can be completely empty.

Look for small hidden plazas as you walk. They often have characteristic small fountains in the middle, interesting benches, trees lined, as well as restaurants and cafes with people sitting outside and enjoying the weather, if it’s not too hot.

Plaza de Doña Elvira is one of the prettiest. It has beautiful, tiled benches, orange trees and a very quiet atmosphere despite being in the middle of everything. While the neighborhood was full of crowds and noise, once I ended up at this plaza, the air shifted. It was very peaceful and I only saw a couple of people.

Plaza Alfaro is another small but famous corner, often linked to the legend of Rosina’s balcony from The Barber of Seville. Look up to notice this balcony overlooking the gardens. Unlike Plaza de Doña Elvira however, Alfaro is a very crowded plaza. People walk through here in groups all the time, so you won’t find it quiet.

As everywhere around Andalusia, Seville also has beautiful patios. Many buildings have them hidden behind simple doors. While you probably won’t manage to access many of them, you might sometimes catch a glimpse of the tiled fountains and walls, beautiful plants and flowers and the general cool atmosphere.

By the way, parts of the old town, including barrio Santa Cruz have ceramic street signs, which are very interesting distinctive detail.

Jardines de Murillo

Walking time from the Santa Cruz: 5 minutes.

After exploring Barrio Santa Cruz and before heading toward Plaza de Espana, take a short detour into Jardines de Murillo. It’s not even a detour, as you will pass through them while walking to Plaza de Espana.

These gardens form a shaded green belt with tall palms, fountains, orange trees, and what can be very important, if you are visiting during the hot months – shade. These gardens actually used to belong to the Alcazar, before being separately opened to the public.

I grabbed coffee from Cafeteria Jester and walked around the garden to slow down and catch my breath after heavy sightseeing. A small group of flamenco performers had staged a street performance here. As is pretty common around Seville, there was no stage or tickets. While I am not an expert on flamenco, I enjoyed the show a lot, it was fiery and dynamic. It was obvious they loved what they were doing.

You may or may not encounter dancers here, it’s random like any street performances. But even without them, the gardens are a perfect place to unwind and enjoy a stroll.

Plaza de España

Walk from Jardines de Murillo: about 5-10 minutes. While from Cathedral, direct walk would take about 15-20 minutes.

Ticket price: free.

Opening times: open any time, with certain activities, like boating having limited hours.

How long do you need to visit Plaza de España: I spent about 2 hours here – I walked through a couple of times, went upstairs, took a lot of photos and watched flamenco performance. You could however have a quick visit of just half an hour, if you have very limited time.

I recommend coming here, while it’s still light and staying through the sunset to see it beautifully lit at night as well.

For detailed information on how to experience Plaza de España, check out my detailed guide.

Evening Experiences in Seville

After a full day of walking, you have two good options depending on your energy level. Choose between watching a flamenco show at one of the tablaos or join the tapas walking tour.

Flamenco Shows

You can’t visit Seville without watching a flamenco show. You can do so at various parks and squares, like Jardines Murillo, Alameda de Hercules or Plaza Espana, where you will find street performers. But you can also book a professional performance at either one of the tablaos or theatres.

Interesting fact: Tablaos are venues for flamenco performances, usually set up like a bar. They generally offer drinks and often tapas and dinner options as well.

There are dozens of venues all around the city you can choose from, but here are a few particularly popular options:

• If you want a traditional authentic performance at a tablao, El Arenal is the most famous place for that.
• Casa de la Memoria is a historical location dating back to the 15th century. It’s a very popular venue for flamenco performances.
• If you prefer theatre setting with cheaper options, I recommend Teatro Flamenco. This also doesn’t easily sell out, given its 300-seat space. So if you didn’t book in advance, you can do so last minute.
• Flamenco Las Setas at the Setas Seville became very popular lately. The venue is small and intimate.

Tapas Tours

These tours usually take place in the evenings. Choose this, if you aren’t too exhausted from the day’s sightseeing.

Essential Stops if You Are Short on Time

If you are running short on time, then skip Archivo de Indias or shorten or skip Iglesia del Salvador. The main 3 sites you absolutely don’t want to miss are Real Alcázar, the Cathedral (at least a short visit) and the Plaza Espana.

This 1-day route allows you to feel the essence of Seville with its royal history, beautiful mixed culture architecture, shaded courtyards, and vibrant evening energy. If you have more time, you can slow down and leave some sites to next day. For example, I visited Plaza Espana on my second day because I had enough time in the city. But if you only have one day, this plan ensures you don’t leave feeling like you missed out.

If you have more time in Seville, my 2-day Seville itinerary will take you around noble palaces, Triana, museums, and allow you to enjoy the city at a slower pace.

<p>The post 1 Day in Seville: The Perfect Walking Itinerary for First-Time Visitors first appeared on Hit the Road Ket.</p>