Kadriorg Palace

Designed by architect Nicola Michetti, Kadriorg Palace is one of Northern Europe’s finest baroque houses. Visitors come to see the Kadriorg Art Museum’s grand paintings and sculptures dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries, and also take in the palace’s spectacular Great Hall and opulent rooms.

There’s ticketed admission to the Kadriorg Art Museum, but it’s free to enter the surrounding Kadriorg Park, with lovely gardens to stroll. The palace is also a stop on many Tallinn city tours. Options range from bike tours to cruise shore excursions, which include a palace drive-by, and private tours that let you delve into the museum and park. Hop-on, hop-off Tallinn bus tours also stop outside the park.

• Kadriorg Palace will appeal to Tallinn newcomers and history, art, and garden enthusiasts.

• Allow about 1 hour to view the artworks and palace.

• The Great Hall and galleries for the permanent collection are wheelchair accessible.

• On-site amenities include a cloakroom, café, museum shop, and restrooms.

Kadriorg Palace stands on Weizenbergi Street in Tallinn’s Kadriorg Park. It’s about a 35-minute walk from Tallinn center along Narva Road to Weizenbergi, where you’ll see the palace gates. Free parking is also available nearby and at the neighboring Kumu Art Museum. Otherwise, take a cab or use public transportation. Tramlines #1 and #3 and buses #5, #60, and #63 connect the city center to Kadriorg.

The Kadriorg Art Museum is open from morning to early evening, but is closed on Mondays and national holidays; it’s best to confirm times before visiting. Summer weekends are busiest, so consider visiting midweek to avoid crowds; as a bonus, the museum stays open later on Wednesday evenings.

After enjoying the palace’s paintings and architecture, don’t miss Kadriorg Park, whose elegant gardens are dotted with outlying buildings, many of which are museums as well. Consider upgrading your Kadriorg Palace entry ticket to include admission to two or three of these gems. Highlights include the ceramic galleries at the Mikkel Museum, and the Kumu Art Museum, a treasure trove of Estonian art from the 18th century to 1991.