When the massive hangar of the Seaplane Harbour appears on the horizon, I always feel the same awe. You stand before a huge grey dome and think: How was this even built in 1916? It still stands — a monumental testament to both ambition and time.

Outside the hangar is a broad, silent courtyard. The wind passes over stone surfaces; the sea lies right behind you, and the hangar looms large — not attempting to impress, but quietly existing, like an old soldier that has seen many storms.

And then I step inside.

Submarine Narrow Corridors — Where History Breathes

The first time stepping into the historic submarine EML Lembit always strikes me deeply. This isn’t just a display. It’s a real world with real people who worked, lived, feared, and persevered beneath waves.

The metal walls are scratched and worn — exactly as a real vessel should be. Walking down its narrow corridors, you feel the weight of history. Visitors often fall silent. No exhibits, no glamor: just raw reality.

People ask quietly: “Were these torpedoes real?” “Did they really go underwater without GPS?” Yes. Everything here once lived. And here, you feel it — history in metal, tight spaces, and haunting silence.

The Hangar — A Space for Many Stories

Inside the hangar, you don’t just see exhibits.
You step into multiple worlds:

• the world of submarines

• the world of seaplanes and naval aviation

• the world of icebreakers and working ships

• the world of mines, torpedoes and naval warfare

• the world of sea-life aquariums, interactive simulators

• the world of children’s curiosity and family adventure

It’s one huge space, but inside it pulses countless stories — of bravery, technology, exploration, and the sea’s eternal pull.

The hangar isn’t sterile — it smells of metal and salt, light filters through vast windows, children laugh near simulators, elders study rusted relics, and the echo of footsteps reverberates softly across concrete. This place lives.

The Icebreaker’s Silence — Walking on Deck of Memory

Outside, moored by the quay, sits the century-old icebreaker Suur Tõll. On windy days, standing on deck makes you feel the cold sea spray, the creaking steel — as if at any moment the engines could roar to life again.

Some visitors ask: “What was it like to break ice with this ship?”
I tell them: “Go step inside. Listen.”
You don’t need many words — the ship speaks its own story.

Why Seaplane Harbour is for Everyone

This place isn’t just for history buffs. It’s for anyone who wants to feel something real:

• Families — children exploring simulators, aquariums, dressing in navy uniforms; adults walking among relics

• Adventurers — those curious about submarines, sea technology, old steel and forgotten engineering

• Quiet seekers — who come to feel the echo of history, the scent of salt and metal, the weight of time

• Memory keepers — who want to connect with a past that shaped Estonia’s coastline and sea heritage

Whether you come alone, with friends or family — the Harbour offers something different for everyone.

Practical Info

Location: Vesilennuki 6, Tallinn
Recommended visit time: 2–3 hours
Opening hours:

Oct–Apr: Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00
May–Sep: Mon–Sun 10:00–19:00

Tickets: Available online or at the venue; combined Harbour + ships ticket ~ €20 for adults, discounts available.
Access: Bus No. 73 (stop “Seaplane Harbour”); parking available on site. 
Suitable for: families, couples, history lovers, maritime enthusiasts — all ages and backgrounds

About the Author

Guide Stassi is a Tallinn guide, passionate about revealing layers of history hidden beneath city’s modern facade. She believes places like Seaplane Harbour aren’t just for looking — they are for feeling.

If you want to book a private tour, ask questions, or build a special day plan combining sea-heritage and Tallinn’s unique corners then:

Tallinn Guide