Soviet Walking Tour Of Tallinn: Explore The City's Hidden History

I did the Soviet Walking Tour as a solo traveler and had a great time. Tom is a fantastic guide who is clear, entertaining, and informative. He paid attention to everyone in the group, ensuring he could be heard, that everyone made street crossings, and that everyone see the areas he was describing. He keeps his knowledge current, which is appreciated. He was happy to answer questions and offer recommendations for other things to see in and around Tallinn. I wish I'd had time to do another tour with him. Big recommendation!

Tom is a wonderful guide- easy to understand and adds a lot of great stories to the factual information. Tom kept us moving while at the same time gave us time for photos etc. I really enjoyed this tour and highly recommend

Tom was engaging ,knowledgeable and entertaining . One of the highlights of our time in Tallinn ! We just wish that we had gone on other tours with him as well !

Super knowledgeable and accommodating! Great stories really made our trip to Tallin come alive. Highly recommended!

Tom presents the whole tour in a very articulate manner. His stories of various sites that we visited are both humourous and informative. We would highly recommend this tour.

Tom was animated and a good storyteller. I feel as though the timing of being a part of this tour was great as it appears that many of these old Soviet sites are quickly disappearing as Estonia moves forward. Visit soon if you want to see the old

Very interesting tour. Tom the tour guide was clear, direct and engaging. In addition he has clearly done his research on the history of Estonia, and the transition from soviet era into a modern way of life.

Tom was a wonderful tour guide. High energy and had great knowledge of the Soviet era in Tallinn and engaging stories. Not easy to do with a big group of 23. One of the best tours I’ve been on. Don’t miss it!

Tom was an excellent guide taking us to soviet sites in Tallinn, some of which will soon disappear. He was v knowledgeable and told fascinating stories of soviet occupation. Highly recommended. Go soon!

Tom is an amazing guide. We learnt a lot while having fun.

This was a fantastic tour! Very interesting and informative experience. Tom was incredible! Very knowledgeable, friendly, conscientious, and a master story teller of history. Highly recommend on a visit to Tallinn!

Oh joy, this was really fabulous! We started at an "off location" outside old town (but not too far, 25 mins walk or 15 mins with tram) and had actually a really nice walk outside of the usually touristic places! Tom was very talkative and fun and very much knowledgable! Although I had been in Tallinn for 5 days already (despite some excursions), everything I learned was kind of new. So it is huge bonus for all those history aficionados around! I was really sad, I could not join in for a chat with Tom after the tour, since I had an appointment right afterwards. But I am sure, he would be willing to chat and stay for sure! (Especially at this very special location noone would ever recognize!). So thanks a lot, it was a real nice walk!

Tom was a great guide and very enthuastic, various stops showed the remains of soviet life within Tallinn with some quick explanation on the politics - if you want more depth on the geopolitics this skimms but gives an overview and as a result we made a booking for the hotel featured within - no spoilers - highly recommend.

We would have appreciated more facts and less bias. The guide was very friendly but also very chatty - too many words to come to the gist of a story.

It's a long walk. The guide was fantastic to speak about the Soviet theme. Maybe it also should have included a visit into Viru Hotel.

Very interesting and informative. I loved noticing things I had previously walked straight past and not given a thought to. Good stories, well planned and paced to suit the group. We covered a lot without feeling rushed and the visuals on the ipad were a good addition I am not well versed in Estonian history, and brief timeline at the beginning of the tour would have given context. There were times I felt a bit conspicuous in large group standing in a neighborhood discussing the dark history of the neighbors passing by. Lastly, I am always a bit disappointed when the tour guide isn't a native of the city, but our guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

If you are thinking about booking this tour think no more and book right now. Tom - the guide for this tour, is thoroughly professional and knowledgeable. He met us early at the agreed meeting point and from the start he was interesting, engaging and a pleasure to spend time with. I was struck, not only by how well he presented the tour, but also by how much he cared for everyone in the group. He considered everyone’s needs and constantly ensured that everyone could hear and understand. In truth this was not necessary as Tom was such an engaging presenter that I have never seen a walking tour party so attentive. Everyone was enthralled and at the end most people stayed behind to ask further questions. I could have listened to him all day long. Tip - book this tour early on in your stay - as Tom’s recommendations for other places to visit did not disappoint. Thank you Tom - A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TOUR. It was the highlight of our stay.

Tom is a knowledgeable and well-informed guide with a lot of stories to share. Interesting to see the remaining traces of the Soviet occupation of Tallinn.

Fantastic tour! It was very unique. You would need to research so much to learn about about you can learn in a couple hours! Loved it!

Guide had fantastic historical context for Soviet history in Tallinn and of the Soviet Union writ large

A ‘must’! Really interesting and engaging tour with Tom. Buildings you’d walk past without a second thought, and areas you’d simply pass through, suddenly become meaningful when you hear the fascinating stories behind them. It feels like if you only stick to the Old Town, you’re getting just half the story. Do it!!

Tom was an amazing guide. Very knowledgeable and informative. Very engaging especially with the historical stories but maintaining full respect of the history.

Excellent tour with knowledgeable and informative guide Tom, most interesting. Fascinating and educational.

Tom was excellent! Excellent level of knowledge and was able to convey it clearly and in a way everyone can relate to. So glad that I took the tour because there were so many surviving aspects of the Soviet era that I would have otherwise missed. Outstanding!

Tom was a great guide. He walked us through Tallinn highlighting various Soviet buildings and relics that still remain today

Interesting tour around parts you would not normally visit. Tom was a very interesting and informative guide, although don’t know what will happen when they demolish the landmarks.

Very informative and wonderful, knowledgable guide. Very immersive tour, would highly recommend to anyone having a visit to Tallinn

Very informative with lots of top tips and interesting facts - highly recommended - enthusiastic guide who held the attention of the group.

I didn't quite know what was awaiting me. It was a great experience with even better background stories. Something you wouldn't read in a city guide.

Our guide Tom was excellent, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He provided a fascinating insight into Tallinn's Soviet past and has some great stories about the people and places included on the walking tour. I liked that he used a palm top to display additional photos to bring some of the even more hidden places to life. If you love history and want to delve that bit beneath the surface then I highly recommend this walking tour and especially if Tom is your guide

Tom was an excellent tour guide! We visited on a cold, windy May day, just perfect for old Soviet markets. Tom took us through an old market and a diner, both still unchanged by modernity. He shared locals' stories and provided an excellent backdrop for our subsequent visits to Hotel Viru and the Soviet statue graveyard. There are a few hidden gems still to be seen in post-occupation Tallinn, and Tom knows where they are hidden! If you are a Cold War buff, this tour is a must-do. *Tom, I haven't watched Stalker yet, but I hope you have located Len Deighton!

Cracking tour with Tom the very knowledgeable guide. He showed us buildings that hide a hidden history within plane sight.

My family and I loved Tom’s tour. His sheer enthusiasm for the topic, and getting to the heart of what Soviet times were really like in pre-re independence Tallinn was contagious, and it was clear that he wanted to take everybody on that journey with him, answering questions and making it super accessible. It wasn’t a performance where everyone had to be quiet and listen, it was a sharing of his findings and that was very special and unique. I would recommend this tour to anyone, especially if you want to go on a journey of discovery and not just hear the well trodden path. This comes with a warning: some of the locations may soon fall foul of redevelopment, we witnessed it in action. So prioritise this tour! Thank you, Tom.

The experience was great. We found every information really interesseting. The guide was amacing. He planed the tour perfect with good sights and relevant storys.

This tour was the highlight of my time in Tallinn! Tom was a fantastic guide; engaging, had plenty of stories and historical background to share, and the answers to all our questions. I learned a lot and enjoyed the sites and experience. Would 10/10 not miss this tour, and would love to take future tours with him as a guide in the future!

Tom , although not estonian, is very knowledgeable and passionate about soviet history and took us through the last days of the old market on the route, as well as the last days of the currency shop before new developments take place. It felt special and sad to see these places in their last days but definitely part of a great experience as a tourist. Tom kept the tour humorous and educative showing us old soviet cafes and the old communist headquarters. I am a history enthusiast and would highly recommend this tour. It gives great insight into soviet estonia as well as showing how much the country has thrived since communism. Book this tour!!

Fascinating overview of the city

We really enjoyed this very interesting tour of Tallinn. Our guide, Tom, was passionate about the Soviet era history of Tallinn and he kept the tour interesting whilst being very informative. He brings history to life in a way that no book you read on the subject could. We would highly recommend this tour on your trip to Tallinn.

A fantastic tour, Tom was friendly and engaging, and the tour was at a reasonable pace, so we weren't bored, and he gave some amazing tips and fascinating facts about Tallinn.

Very informative and entertaining Loved all of the inside jokes Excellent tour for anyone that has not experienced life under soviets

Brilliant guided walk would highly recommend.

Well worth the 2 hours. Really Interesting, Tom was very knowledgeable explained things really well. We was in a small group of 9 which was prefect for everyone to be involved.

It was good to meet someone with a interest in Soviet history. I really enjoyed it seeing the market and Soviet architecture in the snow was great addition to my photo collection.

Tom was great! His tours are “customized” to the clients individual interests, while maintaining a core “must see” curriculum! Tom is extremely well researched and passionate about showing you the Tallinn that is off the typical “tourist tours”. I was fortunate to arrange a personal tour with Tom and despite the freezing cold temperatures 🥶 (dress appropriately!), I thoroughly enjoyed and learned so much about this historic and beautiful city! Tom’s tours are professionally constructed and well worth the price of admission! Thanks Tom! 🙏🏼

This was an excellent tour. The 2h (despite -8 degrees) flew by. Tom had an extensive knowledge of the Soviet history of Estonia and his little bonus stories and photographs he shared made our experience even better. We all loved it and want to know what other tours he does!

Despite a freezing cold day, this tour was absolutely worth it! I would recommend this to any history buff, especially those with a particular interest in Soviet era or Estonian history. If you do this in winter, definitely come over prepared with proper winter attire.

Amazing intriguing look back at Tallinn in the Soviet era. Could have listened to our guide talk all day as he has so many stories. Our favourite thing that we did with our time in Tallinn.

Fascinating and informative tour of “hidden” Tallinn. Our tour guide was friendly, hugely knowledgeable and showed us an increasingly rare side of Tallinn such as the last authentic Soviet market in the city. I’d highly recommend doing this tour if you even have a passing interest in modern history.

One of the highlights of our first visit to Tallinn was our tour of former Soviet sites within the Estonian capital with Tom. Would highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in Tallinn and the rapidly disappearing links to its recent Soviet past. Great tour Tom. Thankyou again