Town Hall Square, or Raekoja plats, is the historic centre of Tallinn’s Old Town. Pastel merchant houses frame the cobbled square, while the Gothic Town Hall, completed in 1404, anchors its southern side. Look up to spot Old Thomas, the weathervane figure on the town hall spire and a longstanding symbol of Tallinn.
For centuries, the square was a marketplace and gathering place for the city’s merchants and residents. Today, café terraces fill it in warmer months, and the annual Christmas market brings wooden stalls and lights during the festive season. On the northern edge, the Town Hall Pharmacy has served the city since at least 1422 and has a small museum room devoted to its history.
Visit early in the morning for a quieter look at the architecture, then return later when the square is livelier. Wear comfortable shoes for the uneven cobblestones, and check opening times in advance if you want to tour the town hall or climb its tower, as access is seasonal.