Seaplane Harbour (Lennusadam)

The basics

As the Seaplane Harbour is located outside the city center—in the hip Kalamaja district—travelers often visit the museum as a stop on a guided bike tour. These tours typically showcase the Old Town or highlights of north Tallinn. Other sites typically visited on these routes include Patarei Prison Exhibition, Balti Jaam Market, Stroomi Beach, and Kopli liinid, known for its Soviet-era architecture. Alternatively, a self-guided visit may be a better option for some travelers.

Things to know before you go

• The museum is suitable for kids and adults alike. If traveling with kids, there’s a simulator and a chance to dress up in naval outfits.

• There are elevators available for wheelchair users as well as wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.

• The museum offers free Wi-Fi access for visitors.

• Audio guides are available in multiple languages—including Chinese, English, French, Latvian, Finnish, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian.

How to get there

Situated in Kalamaja, getting to The Seaplane Harbour from the Old Town is easy. The best way is to catch bus #73, which takes roughly 15 minutes and stops directly outside the museum. If traveling on foot, walk down Pikk Street in the Old Town, pass by the Fat Margaret Tower, and then follow the Culture Kilometre walkway.

When to get there

The Seaplane Harbour is typically closed on Mondays. Every other day, it’s usually open from mid-morning until early evening, but checking on opening hours before visiting is advisable. To avoid the biggest crowds, visit close to opening time, or in the late afternoon, after 3pm.

All about submarine Lembit

The museum’s main attraction is a submarine called “Lembit”—a 600-ton British-built submarine constructed in 1936 to be used in World War II by the Estonian Navy. It was the oldest submarine still in use for many years and was functional for 75 years until it was retired in 2011. It’s still in excellent condition and is a fantastic example of 1930s engineering.