Hotel Viru and KGB Museum
There once was a hotel that came to be named the Viru.
The year was 1972, and there were still two decades or so until the fall of Communism and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Any hotel that was appropriate for foreign visitors also had to be appropriate for the KGB...
This museum tells the story of more than just one hotel and the KGB: it is a treasure trove of stories of two different worlds - one which existed mostly on paper, of happy Soviet citizens living in friendship and never wanting for anything, led by a wise, all-powerful group of men in a place where there were never any accidents or catastrophes; and the other real world, which was a very different and a much tougher place to live in.
Please book in advance to visit the museum.
TripAdvisor® Traveler Reviews
tripadvisor rating 4.1 of 5
based on 1289 reviews
1-hour Informative Tour
tripadvisor rating 4 of 5Our tour guide Mart was excellent. He described life in Tallinn in the early 70’s and shared the secrets contained within the walls of the hotel. Quite interesting. The remnants from the KGB period... Read more comments
A fantastic and unique tour
tripadvisor rating 5 of 5This was an excellent tour - our guide was knowledgeable and engaging. The history of the hotel, Tallinn, Estonia and the wider region were covered brilliantly. Would fully recommend for anyone... Read more comments
Spend your money elsewhere - there's a reason you don't see this recommended
tripadvisor rating 1 of 5This tour had too many people for the two small rooms we were funneled into. unfortunately our guide wasn't keen on making sure everyone rotated through to see what he was talking about... Read more comments
