Kiek in de Kok and Bastion Passages Museum

Kiek in de Kok (Low German for 'Peek into the Kitchen') is a 15th-century artillery tower that forms part of Tallinn's historic city wall. Standing 38 meters tall, the tower gets its name from the legend that guards could peek into the kitchens of nearby houses. Today, it houses the Kiek in de Kok and Bastion Passages Museum, which explores the city's military history and underground fortifications. Visitors can climb the tower's spiral staircase to the top for sweeping views of Tallinn's red-tiled rooftops and the Baltic Sea. The museum also includes a network of 17th- and 18th-century bastion tunnels, which you can explore with a guide. Exhibits feature medieval weapons, cannonballs, and models of the city's defense system. The tower is one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in the Baltic region.

Don't miss

• Climb to the top of the tower for panoramic views of Tallinn's Old Town
• Explore the underground bastion tunnels and learn about their strategic role
• See medieval cannons, armor, and weaponry on display
• Discover the history of Tallinn's fortifications through interactive exhibits
• Visit the adjacent Maiden Tower (Neitsitorn), which is also part of the museum

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Kiek in de Kok and Bastion Passages Museum

Cheapest way inMonks, Ghosts and Legends Self Guided Tour of Tallinn4.2★ · 29 travelers2-3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$9 per personSee dates →Most bookedGuided Old Town Tallinn Historical Walking Tour4.8★ · 473 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

• Wear comfortable shoes for climbing the tower's narrow stairs and walking through the tunnels.
• Photography is allowed inside the museum, but flash may be restricted in some areas.
• Audio guides are available in several languages; ask at the ticket desk.
• The bastion tunnels can be cool and damp; bring a light jacket even in summer.

A bit of history

Built between 1475 and 1483, Kiek in de Kok was part of Tallinn's defensive wall. It was reinforced in the 16th century to withstand cannon fire, with walls up to 4 meters thick. The tower was damaged during the Livonian War and later used as a prison. The bastion passages were added in the 17th and 18th centuries under Swedish and Russian rule.