Maritime Museum in Tallinn
Ready to dive into Estonia's seafaring past? This optional afternoon visit takes you to the Seaplane Harbour, one of Europe's most modern and interactive maritime museums. The museum is set in remarkable seaplane hangars, built in 1916–1917 as part of Peter the Great's Naval Fortress. The building itself is an engineering marvel: its hangars were the first reinforced concrete domes of their size in the world without a single internal support. The restoration was so impressive that it earned the Europa Nostra Grand Prix in 2013, followed by a Special Commendation from the European Museum of the Year Awards in 2014.
Inside, the exhibition is arranged on three levels representing under the water, on the water and above it. The star of the show is the real 1930s submarine Lembit, the only surviving vessel of Estonia's pre-WWII fleet, which you can step inside to see how its crew once lived. You'll also see a replica of the Short 184 seaplane, the remains of the oldest shipwreck found in Estonian waters, and outside in the harbour, the century-old steam icebreaker Suur Tõll. Flight simulators, naval uniforms to try on, and plenty of hands-on displays make the visit fun for all ages. If you love history, the sea or simply great museums, this optional excursion is a must during your guided tour.