Parliament of Estonia — Attraction in Tallinn

An important building in the Estonian government and democracy, the parliament sits within the Toompea Castle, and only accessible to the public via free public tours that are held either once or twice per week, depending on whether parliament is in session.

We were lucky to be able to join the tour when we visited in August, which gave us an exclusive glimpse into the inner workings of the Estonian democracy. You can learn more about the tours via their website, especially the details. For us, we waited near the front gate of the Toompea Castle, at one of the doors at the designated timing. There is no signage to the tour so you can look around for groups of people that may be waiting for the tour.

Even if you're not part of the tour, it's still good to admire the building...

I attended a unique open doors day at the Estonian Parliament. It provided a exciting and educational experience in many ways. Participants had the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the daily work and lives of Parliament members and staff in this historically important facility. The wonderful White Hall exhibits great items of decorative art, while the Session Hall is pragmatically built to include beautiful architecture and excellent functionality, such as a superior ventilation system and access to natural light, along with comfortable seating for members of Parliament, government representatives, and guests. Especially pleasant was dining in the canteen with a wonderful view of the Old Town,...

Show up for the free guided tour to go inside the parliament chambers and learn about the history and politics of Estonia. Make sure to bring your ID with you as you need to present it at the entrance. Arrive on time and reserve a couple of minutes extra for ’check-in’ and to pass through the security gate (if many people arrive at once, this might take a while). We visited around Christmas, when almost everybody was on vacation, so we were able to enjoy a quiet tour, take pictures in front of the flags and see freely every corner. Our guide was very friendly and informative, explained everything in detail and answered all...