Baroque palace and landscaped park begun for Peter the Great in 1718, now the Kadriorg Art Museum with Dutch, Flemish and Russian painting, set among gardens, ponds and the Japanese Garden.
Kadriorg Park and Kadriorg Palace lie at A. Weizenbergi 37 in the Kadriorg district of Tallinn, Estonia, about two kilometres east of the Old Town. Tsar Peter the Great ordered the palace built in 1718, shortly after the Russian conquest of Estonia, naming it for his wife Catherine, whose name in Estonian becomes Kadriorg, or Catherine's Valley. The Italian architect Nicola Michetti designed the Baroque palace, with Mikhail Zemtsov completing it. It now houses the Kadriorg Art Museum, a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia, displaying Dutch, Flemish, Italian and Russian paintings, sculpture and applied art from the 16th to 20th centuries in restored period rooms, including a grand white hall with stucco ceilings. Behind the palace, the formal French-style garden features symmetrical flowerbeds and fountains, while the wider park offers lawns, ponds with swans, shaded paths and the Japanese Garden, which is especially popular during cherry blossom season. Other sites lie a short walk away, including the Mikkel Museum, the Peter the Great House and the presidential palace, whose guard stands outside. A park stroll takes an hour, and adding the palace museum brings the total to two to three hours. Good photo angles include the palace facade across the formal garden, the swan pond with its small island pavilion and the Japanese Garden bridge. Crowds are highest on summer weekends and when events occupy the lawns; weekday mornings are calm. The park is free to enter at any hour, while the palace museum charges admission with reduced rates for children and combined tickets covering the Mikkel Museum. In winter the park is quiet and snowy, and the palace offers a warm indoor option.
| Admission | Adult Park free. Palace museum from approx €12 (~$13.80 USD); a Kadriorg plus Mikkel Museum combined ticket is listed at €13 (~$14.95 USD) · Child Reduced approx €9 (~$10.35 USD) |
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| Hours | Park open 24 hours. Palace museum Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday 10:00-18:00, Wednesday 10:00-20:00; Monday closed in winter (some listings show Monday opening May-September - confirm at kunstimuuseum.ekm.ee) |
| Typical visit | 2-3 hours with the park |
| Best time | Weekday mornings; May-September for the gardens in bloom |
| Getting there | Tram 1 or 3 from Viru Square to Kadriorg stop (about 10 minutes), then a 5-minute walk |
| Address | A. Weizenbergi 37, 10127 Tallinn, Estonia |
Location
A. Weizenbergi 37, 10127 Tallinn, Estonia
59.4384, 24.7905 View on map
Highlights
- Baroque palace begun for Peter the Great in 1718
- Dutch, Flemish and Russian paintings in restored period rooms
- Formal French-style garden with fountains and flowerbeds
- Japanese Garden and swan pond within the wider park
Tips for visiting
- Wander the park for free and buy a ticket only for the palace museum
- Look at the combined Kadriorg and Mikkel Museum ticket for savings
- Tram 1 or 3 from Viru Square reaches Kadriorg in about ten minutes
- Visit the Japanese Garden in late spring when blossom is out
- Check the palace hours, which vary by season and day
When to visit
May to September shows the gardens in bloom, and weekday mornings are calmest. Winter is quiet and the museum offers a warm alternative.
Accessibility
Park paths are mostly level and paved, which suits wheelchairs and strollers. The palace museum has some steps, so visitors with mobility needs should enquire about lift access before visiting.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
The park takes about an hour, and the palace museum adds around an hour or more. Allow two to three hours for both.
Is the park free?
Yes, Kadriorg Park is free and open at all times. Only the palace museum and other museums charge admission.
Is it worth it for kids?
The park suits children well, with swans, playgrounds and open lawns. The museum is better for older children interested in art.