Excursions to the main sights of Narva from Tallinn with ArtSanTaxi
Narva is one of the most beautiful cities in Estonia. That is why many tourists go there from Tallinn. For them, ArtSanTaxi offers transfers Tallinn - Narva, which will help you comfortably spend two hours on the road and see the amazing sights of Narva. The company offers real tourist trips to selected sights. This can be either one or two sights, or a trip to the most beautiful and important places in Narva. By the way, you can also order a guide in any language. Such a tourist trip will help you discover the most amazing and beautiful things in the city of Narva.
Narva Hermann Castle: the heart of Narva and a bridge between eras
Narva Castle, known as Hermann Castle or “Hermann Castle” is the main historical and architectural pearl of eastern Estonia. Its history begins in the 13th century, when Danish knights erected the first wooden fortifications on the high bank of the Narva. Soon they were replaced by powerful stone walls and towers, and the castle itself became the residence of the Livonian Order. In the 14th–16th centuries, the fortress reached its peak: it served not only as a military base, but also as the administrative center of the region.
During its long history, the castle has survived many sieges and battles, including during the Great Northern War. It is believed that its walls remember the roar of cannons and the shine of knights' armor. Legends tell of underground passages that connected Narva Castle with the Ivangorod fortress on the other side of the river. According to one local story, the treasures of the order were kept in these dungeons, but they were never found.
Today, the castle is part of the Narva Museum and a modern cultural center. Its halls house permanent exhibitions telling about the life of the city in different eras, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The East Wing and the Long Hermann Tower with its impressive observation deck offering panoramic views of Narva and Russian Ivangorod are open to visitors. The Northern Yard houses craft workshops. You can see traditional blacksmithing, pottery and weaving techniques there. Historical festivals and fairs are often held here in the summer.
A huge plus of this attraction is that the castle can be visited all year round. In the summer, the museum doors are open almost every day, in the winter - from Tuesday to Sunday. Tours are held in different languages, including Russian, English and Estonian. The average viewing time is 1.5-2 hours, but anyone who wants to soak up the atmosphere can, of course, stay there until closing time.
The exhibition is open according to the following schedule:
Mon-Sun: from 10:00 to 18:00 (the ticket office closes at 17:00) in the summer;
Tue–Sun: 10:00–18:00 (ticket office closes at 17:00) in winter.
Entrance fee:
Adult ticket: about 16 €;
Concession: 10 €;
Family: 32 €.
There is also a combined ticket (castle + art gallery), which costs about 18 €.
The intercity taxi ArtSanTaxi takes tourists directly to the castle gates, the driver waits for passengers as long as necessary, and then takes them either to the next attraction in Narva or back to Tallinn. This transfer allows you to fully immerse yourself in the history of the city without worrying about routes and transport.
A visit to Narva Hermann Castle is a journey through time, where every stone holds history, and every legend comes to life among the majestic walls.
Narva River Promenade – the best place for a walk
After visiting the castle, you should definitely go to the city embankment. Narva River Promenade is a picturesque promenade about a kilometer long, located in the historical center of the city. On one side, it borders the Narva River, and on the other - the powerful walls of the bastions and the majestic Narva Castle. In the north, the promenade connects with the port, and in the south it turns into the Joaorg recreation area. Here, the beauty of nature, architectural monuments and modern recreation areas are ideally combined.
The promenade is divided into several thematic zones. The Swedish Terrace is a cozy place for walks with children, decorated with sculptures of lions. Dahlberg Stage is used for concerts and street performances, especially in the summer season. Sun Square pleases guests with a summer cafe, a fountain, a sundial and the opportunity to sit on benches, enjoying the view of the river.
This place is ideal for leisurely walks, photo sessions and family vacations. Particularly impressive is the panorama of Narva Castle and the fortifications of Ivangorod on the opposite bank - a kind of symbol of the meeting of two cultures. In summer, festivals, fairs, master classes are often held on the promenade, turning the embankment into the center of city life.
View of Ivangorod - a window into another country and history
And also, from the Narva Embankment there is a breathtaking view of Ivangorod - a Russian city located on the opposite bank of the Narva River. The main attraction of Ivangorod is its fortress, built in the 14th century, which together with the Narva Fortress formeda powerful defensive complex was erected on the border of two states.
These two fortresses, standing opposite each other, were not just fortifications – they symbolized eternal rivalry and, at the same time, close ties between peoples. Their walls seem to conduct a dialogue through the centuries, telling stories about battles, truces and changes of power in this strategic territory.
Today, the fortresses serve not only as a historical monument, but also as an important tourist attraction, attracting travelers who want to feel the spirit of past eras and see how history is reflected in architecture and landscape.
The view of Ivangorod from the Narva embankment is not just a picturesque landscape, but an opportunity to look beyond the borders, feel the difference in cultures and understand how close and at the same time distant these two cities are.
The Dark Garden is an ideal place for rest and relaxation
The next stop during the excursion can and should be made in the Dark Garden - one of the most atmospheric and quiet corners of Narva. This park is located on the high bank of the river, at the foot of the bastions, and is part of the ancient fortress system of the city. It got its name from the dense trees and bushes that create dense shade even on sunny days. Once upon a time, there were fortifications, watch posts and bastions guarding the approaches to the castle. Over time, the military significance was lost, and the place turned into a cozy park for walks.
Today, the Dark Garden is well-kept alleys, shady benches, viewing platforms and paths leading to the embankment. From here, there are also magnificent views of the Narva River and the Russian bank with the Ivangorod Fortress. In summer, it is especially pleasant to hide from the heat in the cool foliage; in autumn, the park becomes richly golden and incredibly warm and cozy. In winter, it has a truly fairytale atmosphere - snow lies on the branches of the trees, and lanterns softly illuminate the paths.
The Dark Garden is open to visitors all year round and around the clock, admission is free. Sometimes small cultural events are held there - chamber concerts, street exhibitions, historical reconstructions. The place is popular among locals for morning jogging and evening walks, but tourists are especially interested in its history and the special atmosphere of ancient medieval Narva.
Narva Town Hall - the heart of the city
Narva Town Hall is one of those places that is definitely worth visiting if you want to feel the spirit of the city and its history. It is considered a symbol of old Narva and the real heart of the city. Its silhouette with a high tower and clock is familiar to many from old postcards, and the recent reconstruction has returned the building to the grandeur it had during the Renaissance heyday of urban development in Narva. Today, the Town Hall once again pleases residents and tourists with its appearance. Its façade has been restored, decorative elements have been restored, the clock and interior spaces have been updated, and modern halls for exhibitions and cultural events have been equipped.
The history of the Narva Town Hall goes back to the 17th century, when the city was under Swedish rule and was experiencing a period of prosperity. The building was erected in the Northern Renaissance style and served as the center of the city administration. The magistrate sat here, important decisions were made, trade was conducted and deals were concluded. The Town Hall tower not only decorated the city, but also played the role of an observation point - from it, guards watched the streets and surrounding areas.
The Town Hall has experienced many trials in different eras. During the Northern War, the building was damaged by shelling, later it was restored, but it suffered especially badly during the Second World War, when Narva was almost completely destroyed. For many years, the Town Hall stood in a dilapidated state, and only in recent decades has it been carefully restored.
By the way, ancient legends have not bypassed this place. One of them says that chests with silver and gold, taken from Narva before the siege, are allegedly hidden in the basements of the Town Hall. Another tells of the ghost of a former city guard, who still walks the corridors and checks whether everything is in order in the main building of the city.
Today, inside the Narva Town Hall, you can visit halls with historical exhibitions dedicated to the past of the city, as well as temporary art exhibitions. Cultural evenings, chamber music concerts, lectures and meetings with historians are held here. The interiors are decorated in a style that combines restored elements of ancient decoration with modern amenities, making the visit especially comfortable.
The Town Hall Square, where the building stands, is itself a picturesque place where it is pleasant to stroll, take photos and enjoy the atmosphere of the Old Town. In the summer, city fairs and festivals are held here, and in the winter, a Christmas tree is installed and Christmas events are held.
A sightseeing trip with ArtSanTaxi allows you to leisurely explore the Town Hall, enjoy a walk around the square and, if desired, visit the interior exhibitions.
Advantages of an excursion to Narva from Tallinn with ArtSanTaxi transfer
ExcursionArtSanTaxi trips combine comfort, flexible schedule and individual approach. Instead of fixed bus tours with a rigid schedule, travelers get the opportunity to build a route according to their interests and pace. The company's cars are delivered to any convenient point in Tallinn, delivered directly to the attraction, and the driver waits as long as it takes to see it. If clients arrive at the airport, bus or train station, drivers can meet them with a sign and take them on an excursion. To do this, just provide their name, date of arrival and flight number. It is worth noting that the company works around the clock, so the driver can pick up passengers at any convenient time.
The fleet of vehicles includes various options: Nissan for 1-3 people, transfers for up to 8 passengers and buses with a capacity of up to 16 people. All cars are equipped with air conditioning, child car seats, drinking water and wet wipes for additional comfort. During the trips, drivers regularly make technical stops, ensuring maximum comfort. They also guarantee sufficient speed and safety during the trip.
The entire fleet of vehicles undergoes regular technical inspection, and the drivers are highly qualified, know the roads of the region very well and follow the rules of safe driving.
Payment is possible in cash, by card, PayPal or through a corporate account - especially convenient for group orders from companies. Thanks to this approach, excursions become not just a transfer, but a personalized tour with care for each passenger.