Toompea Hill has two main viewing terraces that offer the classic Tallinn views: Kohtuotsa and Patkuli. Both look down over the terra-cotta rooftops of the lower Old Town toward the port and the sea beyond, with St. Olaf's spire rising above the medieval roofline and the glass towers of the business district visible to the left.
Kohtuotsa is the more popular and busier of the two, right behind the parliament building. Patkuli is accessed via a staircase down the hill's west face and has a more intimate feel. Both are free and open at all hours. The crowds peak in the morning when tour groups arrive from the port; come in the late afternoon for a quieter experience. In winter, when the roofs are dusted with snow, the view is especially good.