Kadriorg Palace is a Baroque palace on A. Weizenbergi in Tallinn's Kadriorg district, commissioned by Tsar Peter the Great after the Russian conquest of Estonia and designed by the Italian architect Niccolò Michetti, with the work continued by Mikhail Zemtsov. Today it houses the foreign art collection of the Art Museum of Estonia, with paintings, prints and decorative art from the 16th to 20th centuries, mostly Dutch, German, Italian and Russian. Visitors enter a sequence of restored period rooms, including the Great Hall with its ornate stucco ceiling, the Mirror Room and the former imperial apartments, before reaching galleries hung with works from the Western and Russian schools. The building itself is as much the exhibit as the art, with parquet floors, tiled stoves and gilded detail restored to their early eighteenth-century appearance. A visit usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Outside, the formal French-style garden to the rear of the palace and the wider Kadriorg Park offer a pleasant walk, with the Swan Pond, the Japanese Garden and the nearby presidential palace within easy strolling distance. The best photo angle for the palace facade is from the front courtyard on A. Weizenbergi, while the rear gardens make a good setting for the palace in its landscape. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays, with hours that change by season, so the museum's website should be checked before the trip. The adult ticket costs about 15 euros, with reduced rates for children and students, and a combined ticket with the neighbouring Kumu Art Museum is often available. Weekday mornings are the quietest, while weekends and sunny summer afternoons draw families into the park and more visitors into the galleries. The easiest way to arrive is tram 1 or 3 to the Kadriorg terminus, about 12 minutes from the old town, followed by a five-minute walk. The palace is a natural first stop in a Kadriorg day that continues to Kumu and the Mikkel Museum, and is among the most rewarding indoor attractions in Tallinn, Harju County, for anyone interested in European art and architecture.
| Admission | Adult EUR 15 (approx $16) · Child Reduced rates for children and students |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tue-Sun approx 10:00-17:00, closed Mon; hours vary by season (kunstimuuseum.ekm.ee) |
| Typical visit | 1.5-2 hours |
| Best time | Weekday mornings; combine with a walk through Kadriorg Park |
| Getting there | Tram 1 or 3 to Kadriorg terminus (about 12 min from the old town), then walk 5 minutes |
| Address | A. Weizenbergi 37, 10127 Tallinn, Estonia |
Location
A. Weizenbergi 37, 10127 Tallinn, Estonia
59.4385, 24.7909 View on map
Highlights
- Baroque palace commissioned by Peter the Great, designed by Niccolò Michetti
- Restored period rooms including the Great Hall with stucco ceiling
- Foreign art collection spanning the 16th to 20th centuries
- Formal palace garden and Kadriorg Park, with the Swan Pond nearby
Tips for visiting
- The museum is closed on Mondays; check seasonal hours before the trip.
- Ask about a combined ticket with the nearby Kumu Art Museum.
- Tram 1 or 3 to the Kadriorg terminus, then a five-minute walk.
- Visit on weekday mornings for the quietest rooms.
- Allow extra time to walk through Kadriorg Park before or after the galleries.
When to visit
Weekday mornings for fewer visitors; late spring to early autumn for combining the museum with the park and gardens.
Accessibility
The palace is a historic building, so access is partly limited, though the museum provides assistance and routes for visitors with reduced mobility on request. The garden paths are mostly flat and surfaced.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Kadriorg Palace take?
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the galleries, plus extra time if walking through the palace garden and Kadriorg Park.
How much does a ticket cost?
The adult ticket costs about 15 euros, with reduced rates for children and students. Prices can change, so the museum website should be checked.
Is it worth visiting with children?
Older children interested in history or art may enjoy the rooms, while younger children often prefer the park, playgrounds and Swan Pond outside.
Is photography allowed?
Photography policies for interiors vary by exhibition, so visitors should check signage and ask staff. The exterior and gardens can be photographed freely.