Hotel Viru opened in 1972 as Estonia’s first high-rise and the hotel where foreign visitors to Soviet Tallinn were expected to stay. The KGB kept a listening centre on the 23rd floor, now a museum visited on guided tours that must be booked ahead through the hotel. Today it is a large modern hotel of over five hundred rooms run by the Finnish Sokos chain, with a choice of standard and upgraded rooms, many on high floors with views over the Old Town and the bay. It connects directly to the Viru Keskus shopping centre, with its supermarket, shops and the main city bus terminal below, and the Viru Gate into the Old Town is a few minutes’ walk.
Who it suits: travellers who want a central, practical base with history on site. Families like the space and convenience; ferry passengers like the short taxi ride from the port.
Tips: ask for a high floor for the view. Book the KGB museum tour when you book the room, as it has limited slots and is guide-only. The hotel is big and busy with groups, so the lobby can be crowded at peak times.
Why stay here
- ✓KGB museum tours on the 23rd floor
- ✓Direct access to Viru Keskus mall
- ✓High-floor Old Town and sea views
- ✓Restaurant and bar
- ✓Over 500 rooms
- ✓Upgraded room categories
- ✓Short walk to the Viru Gate
- ✓City bus terminal below
Good questions
Can I visit the KGB museum at Hotel Viru?+
Yes, by guided tour only, booked in advance through the hotel. Non-guests can join too.
How far is Hotel Viru from the Old Town?+
The Viru Gate is a few minutes’ walk away.
Is Hotel Viru connected to a shopping mall?+
Yes, it links directly to the Viru Keskus shopping centre.