Eesti Loodusmuuseum

About the museum

The natural science collections of the museum go back to the 19th century, when the Eestimaa Provintsiaalmuuseum (Estonian Provincial Museum), which grew out of the collections of the Eesti Kirjanduse Ühing (Estonian Literary Society), also began collecting natural objects. The most important early addition was a collection of stuffed birds; later animal skeletons and mounted specimens were added. In 1911 the museum received its own building on Toompea, on Kohtu Street, where a new permanent exhibition opened.

In 1941 the ENSV Riiklik Loodusteaduste Muuseum (State Museum of Natural Sciences of the Estonian SSR) was established, which took over the natural science collections of the Provincial Museum, nearly 90,000 specimens. The museum was placed in rooms on Lai Street. In 1942 a bomb hit destroyed more than a tenth of the collections. The surviving collection was moved to the building in the courtyard at Lai 29, built in 1880 as an apartment block, where the museum operated until the end of 2026.

In the Tallinn Old Town museum building there was a permanent exhibition on three floors: the geology and bog hall on the first floor and the forest hall on the second floor. The Old Town museum building is open to visitors for the last time on 31 October 2026, as the museum moves to the Noblessner harbour campus. The first exhibition in the new location will open in 2027, and the core exhibition “Kooselu kunst” (The Art of Living Together) and the museum as a whole in 2028.

Highlights

• Estonian geology hall: geological history of up to 2 billion years
• Bog hall on the origin and types of Estonian bogs
• Forest hall with mammals, birds and insects on display
• Web-based audio guide in Estonian, English, Finnish and Russian
• Aquariums by the staircase gallery
• Green inner courtyard with an outdoor display of plant communities

Permanent exhibition

• Püsinäitus – On the first floor is the Estonian geology and bog hall; on the second floor is the forest hall with mammals, birds and insects on display.

Founded

1941

Operated by

Eesti Loodusmuuseum

Admission & discounts

The Natural History Museum accepts the museum card. Holders of a European Youth Card up to 30 years of age pay the reduced price for a full ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The building was originally built as a residential house; its three exhibition floors are connected only by narrow staircases, and there is no lift or stairlift. The entrance is reached by a two-step staircase. The green inner courtyard is accessible by wheelchair and pushchair. The accessible toilet with a changing table is on the ground floor. The video exhibits have no sign-language translations and there is no induction loop. Visits with a trained guide dog are possible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum offers educational programmes for schools and kindergartens as well as children’s birthday parties. Pushchairs cannot be taken between the floors; they can be left in the museum courtyard. The accessible toilet has a changing table and a potty for small children.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Tallinn Old Town, in an inner courtyard on Lai Street, reached through a vaulted passage.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

On the ground floor there is a self-service cloakroom and a museum shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The seminar and birthday room can be rented; children’s birthday parties and Christmas parties are held in the museum.

Plan your visit