Eesti Meremuuseum

The Estonian Maritime Museum's Seaplane Harbour (Lennusadam) is one of the most impressive maritime museums in Europe, housed in vast, cathedral-like seaplane hangars from 1916–17, a feat of early concrete-shell engineering. Inside the cavernous space, exhibits float on three levels (air, surface, and underwater), letting you explore a real submarine (the 1930s Lembit, which you can walk through), a century-old icebreaker, seaplanes, yellow Soviet-era mini-subs, and hands-on interactive displays. Outside, historic ships are moored at the harbour.

It's brilliantly designed and genuinely fun for all ages, atmospheric, interactive, and a little out from Tallinn's Old Town but well worth the trip. The Lembit submarine alone is a highlight. Allow a couple of hours, and combine it with the harbour ships and the waterfront walk back toward the centre.

Don't miss

• The cathedral-like 1917 seaplane hangars
• Walking through the 1930s submarine Lembit
• A century-old icebreaker and historic ships
• Seaplanes and Soviet-era mini-submarines
• Interactive, all-ages displays

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Eesti Meremuuseum

Cheapest way inGuided Tallinn Old Town Walking Tour5★ · 11 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$16 per personSee dates →Most bookedGuided Old Town Tallinn Historical Walking Tour4.8★ · 477 travelers2-3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$41 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleTallinn Private Walking Tour with a Local4.9★ · 48 travelers2-6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$56 per personSee dates →

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Getting there

Know before you go

• Walk through the Lembit submarine, a highlight you can actually go inside.
• The ticket also covers the historic ships moored outside.
• It's in Kalamaja, a 20–30 min walk from the Old Town along the waterfront.
• It's hands-on and great for families, allow a couple of hours.

A bit of history

The Seaplane Harbour's hangars were built in 1916–17 as part of a naval fortress for the Russian Tsar Peter the Great's sea defences, pioneering thin-shell concrete dome construction. Long derelict, they were restored and opened in 2012 as the Estonian Maritime Museum's flagship branch.