Donegal Castle is a fascinating 15th-century castle with a later Jacobean wing. Built by the--almost legendary--historical figure Red Hugh O'Donnell in 1474, this castle was one of the strongest fortresses in Ireland. When the O'Donnell clan fled in 1607 (a period known as "The Flight of the Earls"), the castle came under British control and a Jacobean wing was added. Today, the castle has been almost fully restored and is the site of regular Gaelic culture events.

With its romantic grounds, Sofiero Palace makes for a popular destination. The grounds are perhaps best known for their unparalleled rhododendrons, with an incredible 5,000 bushes bursting into flower in the spring. The fairytale of Sofiero began in 1864, when Crown Prince Oskar and his wife Sophia had their summer residence built here. In 1905, Oskar — by now King Oskar ll — gave the palace to his grandson Prince Gustav Adolf and his bride Princess Margareta as a wedding present. This is when the gardens literally flourished. Princess Margareta was a keen and creative gardener, and it was she who first laid out the grounds that we can enjoy to this day. She arranged flower beds and gardens, had paving laid and wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Every summer, the Crown Prince couple travelled from Stockholm with their four young princes and Princess Ingrid, who eventually became Queen of Denmark. When Margareta died in 1920, Gustaf Adolf carried on the work in the garden, particularly with the rhododendrons. The palace was the summer residence of the Swedish royal family up until 1973, when it was given to the town of Helsingborg. This small palace, which lies like a jewel amid the extensive lawns, is home to a restaurant where the food is prepared by some of Sweden’s finest chefs. There’s also a café with views of the Öresund Sound and Denmark.

Once the most famous prison in the world, having housed criminals like Al Capone, Eastern State Penitentiary is now a hauntingly immersive museum. Visitors can explore its eerie, abandoned hallways and learn about its revolutionary design and chilling history through guided or self-guided audio tours. During Halloween, the penitentiary hosts the famous "Terror Behind the Walls" event, where visitors may experience interactive scares.

On the east corner of Toompea hill sits quite a spacious viewing platform with unforgettable views to the medieval neighbourhood against the backdrop of its more modern district. From here you can see most of the Tallinn's spires, even the highest of them, the Tallinn TV Tower in the distance. During the summer season outdoor cafe and dance evenings take over the space.