Viru Gates
Viru Gates
4.5
About
Viru Gates were built in the 14thC, and the towers still standing today are only a part of the original structure. Viru Gates are located in the eastern section of the town wall. The main tower of the gates was built in its initial form in 1345-1355. Today, Viru Gates are one of the entrances into the Old Town leading to numerous shops and restaurants in Viru Street.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Viru Gates
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
977 within 3 miles
Attractions
316 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
878 reviews
Excellent
399
Very good
380
Average
92
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Honest reviews
Belfast, UK57 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
The towers are what’s left of the gates and it is beautiful to see. They are well maintained with a lovely little flower market just outside the old town. Only negative was a fast food restaurant right beside them, meaning their was some rubbish beside them but they are still 100% worth a visit
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coryy20
Port of Spain, Trinidad6,366 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
The Viru gate is the first thing you will see before you enter into the streets of the Old town. What usually happens is most people take photographs of it because it is not only a piece of history still standing strong but it is also majestic and a work of art.
Viru gate dates back to the 14th century. It was built as a protective barrier during the ages when the city was under attack. The walls are gone but the gate still stand strong and resilient. It was nicely decorated during the holidays and was a welcoming sight.
Viru gate dates back to the 14th century. It was built as a protective barrier during the ages when the city was under attack. The walls are gone but the gate still stand strong and resilient. It was nicely decorated during the holidays and was a welcoming sight.
Written September 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben White
Northampton, UK3,243 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Nice area in central Tallinn which gives you a insight of what the old city walls would’ve looked like ‘back in the day.’ They have an informative board, detailing the history behind the gate.
It’s an excellent meeting spot, as there’s a lot of bars and restaurant surrounding the area as well as a flower market outside the city gate.
Overall, the two towers are rather fascinating as they provide the entrance to one of the most popular pedestrianised streets in Tallinn.
It’s an excellent meeting spot, as there’s a lot of bars and restaurant surrounding the area as well as a flower market outside the city gate.
Overall, the two towers are rather fascinating as they provide the entrance to one of the most popular pedestrianised streets in Tallinn.
Written August 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cristinel
Romania1,278 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Beautiful landmark to enter the Old City. Coming from ferry port and passing Rottermann Quarter you’ll be surprised by the change from new to old in couple a minutes and meters.
Anyway, Viru Gates give you a nice “welcome” to the Old City and you cannot miss a selfie here.
Anyway, Viru Gates give you a nice “welcome” to the Old City and you cannot miss a selfie here.
Written September 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chrissieb94
Dorset, UK3,125 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The Viru Gate formed part of the defences of Old Tallinn and was built in the 14th century. The main tower was square and the barbicans had smaller round towers. Today it is a wide and welcoming entrance to the Old Town. There are market stalls nearby and tourist attractions. The tram stops near here too. It certainly provides a welcome!
Written August 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Passport Lover
Rome, Italy344 contributions
Apr 2020
While talking around Old Town Tallinn, We ended our day at the foot of these Gates. We ended our evening picking flowers from the flower shop located at the end. We also visited a souvenir shop. Very pretty.
Written May 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LostInTime
Pittsburgh, PA22,289 contributions
Jun 2023 • Business
I love stuff like this. The old city gates are mostly still there. It looks like they blasted a hole in the middle at some point for the road. But you can still set the scene in your mind. Very cool.
Written June 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tomi Wickman
Helsinki, Finland2,918 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
The main gate to Tallin old town. Two big impressivs towers. Smaller gate used to be for walking passage.
Written June 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
high_low73
Bergen, Norway772 contributions
Jul 2019
Our first meeting with the Old Town of Tallinn was these fairytale, ivy-covered towers at the entrance to Viru Street. They were built in the 14th century. There should be a warning telling you that you are now leaving the modern part of Tallinn and entering the 18th century. It was for us a good greeting!
The towers are actually the remains of a complex gate system built in the 14th century. Most of the gate was pulled down in the 1880s to make room for traffic, but these two towers remained.
The towers are actually the remains of a complex gate system built in the 14th century. Most of the gate was pulled down in the 1880s to make room for traffic, but these two towers remained.
Written August 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fluffymonkey
Worcester, UK4,015 contributions
Apr 2023
Standing proud at the entrance to the town on Viru Street are the medival gates, or towers. There are a number of flower sellers that have set up residence close by, what would someone from the 14th century make of it today!
Written April 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing