Toompea hill, where the castle is situated, can be visited anytime, all year round. The castle itself is home to the Estonia Parliament (Riigikogu), so if you want to gain access to the building, you should book a guided tour on the parliament's website in advance. It is possible Monday through Friday.
Toompea Castle also houses exhibitions of Estonian art. The Exhibition Hall is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 04:00 PM.
One of the castle towers — the Tall Hermann Tower — is open to visitors three times a year: on the Riigikogu Open House Day in April, on the National Flag Day (June 4), and on the Day of Restoration of Independence (August 20).
Plan your visit for a warm and sunny day to have an enjoyable stroll around the castle. The weather in Tallinn is the most pleasant from May to September.
Group tours that allow you to look inside the castle take place Monday through Friday at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 01:00 PM, and 03:00 PM.
Toompea Castle, dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries, is considered the oldest and largest architectural complex in Estonia. The castle, situated on a steep limestone hill, was meant to be an unconquerable fortress. You can admire its powerful wall and several towers, including the iconic Tall Hermann, where the Estonian flag flows.
Today, Toompea Castle combines various art styles, from medieval Gothic to the eclectic architecture of the early 20th century. You can see sugar-pink palace-like Baroque facades added by Russian empress Catherine the Great and the Expressionist-style parliamentary building erected right in the heart of the ancient Toompea stronghold.
Toompea Castle is located on Toompea (Cathedral) hill in the central part of Tallinn, at Lossi plats 1a. The historic center is pedestrian-friendly, and you can easily reach the castle on foot via Lühike Jalg (Short Leg Street), a narrow street with many stairs connecting the building with the Lower Old Town.
Toompea Castle is a 10-minute walk from Tallinn's central train station. The closest light rail stop is Vabaduse väljak, served by lines 3 and 4.
You can visit the castle for free. Guided tours provided by Riigikogu are also free of charge and can be taken in English, Estonian, or Russian.