Tartu
Tartu (formerly known as Dorpat or Yuryev) is the second largest city in Estonia with a population of 94,000 (2019).
Understand
Tartu is a Hanseatic city and a university town. It is the oldest city in Estonia, dating back to 1030. Its ancient name of 'Tarbatu' was shortened to 'Tartu' in Estonian and to 'Dorpat' in German. Although large parts of the town were destroyed in World War II, Tartu still has a charming old town surrounded by large parks (some of which used to be fully built-up neighbourhoods before the war).
Tartu is 185 km southeast of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. The Emajõgi River, which connects the two largest lakes of Estonia, flows for 10 km within the city limits.
- 1 Tourist Information Centre, Raekoja plats (ground floor of Tartu town hall building), ☏ +372 744 21 11, fax: +372 744 21 11, tartu@visitestonia.com. Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 10:00-16:00.
Talk
Since Tartu is a student town, English is widely understood. As usual, the older people are more likely to only speak Estonian and Russian; however most can understand English if you speak clearly.
Get in
By plane
- If arriving on a commercial flight, your main option is Tallinn, which is only 180 km away with buses and trains to Tartu running directly from the airport.
- Alternatively, Riga (250 km from Tartu) may be an option as well - buses from the Riga Bus Station to Tartu are operated by Lux Express.
- 1 Tartu Airport (TAY IATA) (10 km south of the city centre). No longer served by commercial flights, so you'll need to charter a plane or fly your own. The airport is little more than an embarkation/disembarkation point. To rent a car, book in advance. Don't expect any food at the airport.
- Airport Shuttle. Bus operating between the airport and the city. Free.
By bus
Buses arrive at the small 2 Tartu Bus Station at Turu 2, which is across the street from the Kaubamaja department store, 5-10 min walk from the central square of Tartu. The tiny building hosts a ticket office, luggage room, decent cafeteria, and R-kiosk. If you need more, head to the nearby shopping mall. When arriving from Tallinn, you can also get off the bus at one of the stops in the city centre.
Buses from Tallinn depart several times an hour between 05:00 and midnight, and stop at the Tallinn airport. The journey takes 2.5 to 3 hours and costs €2-10, before a discount available with an ISIC card. Some buses have free wireless internet and free drinks available. Note that Friday afternoon departures from Tartu to Tallinn (and Sunday night Tallinn-to-Tartu) are usually crowded during the school year as lots of students go home for the weekend.
Regular buses also run between Tartu and Narva (3 hr), Viljandi (1 hr), Pärnu (2½ hr), and Kuressaare (6 hr).
Tartu is a stop of international buses running between Saint Petersburg (8 hr) and Riga (4 hr). These buses typically run overnight, which makes their schedule from Tartu somewhat inconvenient. Another international route is from Tartu to Pskov in Russia (4 hr, websites and timetables use the Estonian name Pihkva).
Bus and train schedules within Estonia are easily available online – read more under Estonia#Get around.
By train
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- 3 Tartu railway station (Tartu raudteejaam), Vaksali 6 (Tartu railway station is located only 1 km from the city center (end of J. Kuperjanovi street), but it is not in the city centre, and it is not well signposted either. The easiest way to find the train station is to follow Riia street uphill until you see the railway, and turn right along the tracks.). The station building amply adorned with wooden carvings is a nice example of Estonian architecture. Inside, you won't find more than a kiosk (not even an R-kiosk!) and a ticket machine.
Elron operates several daily trains between Tartu and Tallinn via Tapa. The journey takes 2 hr (express train) to 2½ hr (regular train) and costs €11 for 2nd class and €14 for 1st class on an express train, or €10 for 2nd class and €12 for 1st class on a regular train. Tickets are 10% cheaper online. There is free Wi-Fi and tables with electric outlets on trains. 1st class passengers get more comfortable seats and may book a specific seat online.
Trains also run between Tartu and Valga on the Latvian border, with one daily connection further to Riga (5 hr). Railway tracks likewise go in the direction of Russia, but you can only reach the small station of Koidula on the Russian border. This station is less than 1 km from the 24/7 checkpoint, which is open for pedestrians. Once you are on the Russian side, catch a taxi or walk to the bus station of Pechory (2 km from the border), and continue to Pskov by bus.
By car
An excellent day trip is to drive from Tallinn to Tartu. Outside of Tallinn, it is a two-lane paved road with some construction ongoing to upgrade it. It takes two to two and a half hours. There are few sights of interest along the way. The terrain is flat and most of the road is bracketed by a birch trees and a few pines. Sam's Grill (about halfway between Tallinn and Tartu) or a bit fancier Põhjaka Mõis are recommended as a place to stop. There is a gas station (Statoil) some km away.
By boat
There are also ferry services between Tartu and Lake Peipus and Lake Lämmijärv. Check with the Tourist Information Centre, or inquire at the river directly.
Get around
On foot
Tartu can be easily explored by walking. It's only a 20-minute walk from the train station to the old town, and a beautiful 30-min walk from old town to the Estonian National Museum.
By bus
Tartu has a network of 14 intracity bus lines and 2 night bus lines. See online information about local buses.
Load a Pilet.ee mobile app to buy tickets. For longer stays, buy a bus card for €2 at one of these places (cards from elsewhere in Estonia can also be used), then load money to card at the same place or online. You can also buy tickets with contactless card on bus. You will get automatically 1-hour ticket or 1-day ticket, if you're using it for 3rd time that day. QR-tickets can only be bought for 1-hour. All tickets have to be scanned on bus.
| 1 hour | 1 hour | 1 day | 10 days | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price for adults | €0.83 | €2 | €2.11 (must have at least €2.75 on card) | €7.03 |
| Validity | Buses | Buses | Buses | Buses and city bikes |
| Information | If bought using bus card, QR-ticket or contactless card | If bought from driver | Must buy with bus card or contactless card | Must buy online with bus card |
Bus network details (times and lines) see here: http://tartu.peatus.ee/#city/eng%5Bdead+link%5D
Important lines are:
- 9 and 9A circle around town, 9 goes clockwise and 9A anticlockwise
- 7 to ERM
- 25 to Tartu Railway Station according to train schedule
- Bus line 69 is free, and runs between the bus station and the Lõunakeskus shopping center on the edge of town. As this is a sponsored line, its buses do not have the red-and-white color scheme of regular municipal buses.
- E1 to/from airport
By taxi
Read more under Estonia#By taxi.
By bicycle
Tartu can be easily seen by bike, because of its small size. Tartu has 750 city bikes, and 500 of them are electric. Electric bikes can be recognized by a lightning bolt and missing gears. There are 69 bike docks in Tartu. If the bike dock is full, you can lock the bike near the dock using lock in basket.
Prices are €5 for 1 day, €10 for a week and €30 for a year. 10 day bus tickets can also be used. Bikes can be used for 60 minutes after which you have to bring them back to dock, where you can get another 60 minutes. If you don't bring the bike to dock in 60 minutes you have to pay €1 for every hour you're late. If you don't bring the bike back in 5 hours, you have to pay €80.
For unlocking bikes you need to download Tartu Smart Bike app or use bus card. Available bikes can be seen online.
See
- 1 Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats). The kissing students fountain is a symbol of Tartu.
- 2 Main building of the University of Tartu.
- 3 Statue of Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde (Kirjanike Oscar Wilde ja Eduard Vilde mälestusmärk).
- 4 Soup Neighbourhood (Supilinn). Neighbourhood where all of the streets are named after soup ingredients. Features charming old wooden houses.
- 5 Former Soviet Airfield (Raadi) (In Raadi, north of Tartu).
Museums
- 6 Estonian National Museum (Eesti Rahvamuuseum, ERM), Muuseumi tee 2 (north of the city centre near the Raadi mansion). 10:00-18:00, closed on Mondays. The new building of the Estonian National Museum features a permanent exhibition on Estonian and Finno-Ugric culture, language, and traditions, as well as various temporary installations. The museum can be easily reached from the city center on foot by following the newly constructed walkway along Roosi street (ca. 2 km total distance). The main exhibition is free until at least the end of 2021.
- Tartu University Museum, Toome Hill. Summer: Tu-Su 10–18. €6 or €12 with Observatory and Art Museum
- 7 KGB Museum (the Gray House), Riia 15b, ☏ +372 7461717. This nondescript building was the headquarters of the Estonian KGB. It tells the story of how the prisoners were treated there, and some stories about the Estonian resistance heroes, the Forest Brothers. The museum is small and does not have a very big sign, so look carefully.
- 8 Tartu Art Museum, Raekoja plats 18. W, F–Su 11–18:00 / Th 11–21:00.
- 9 Tartu City Museum, Narva 23. Classicist style structure was built as a town palace in 1790. The building is popularly called Catherine's House. The legend has it that Empress Catherine II made a short stay there. It is not true, though. The permanent exhibition provides a good insight into Tartu's long history up to 1920.
- 10 Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum, Rüütli 15. M-Su 11-19. The Baltics' biggest museum designated to sports, with several interactive exhibits. There's a winter sports exhibition in Otepää town, about 45 km from Tartu. €6, concession €5, family €15.
Parks and squares
Churches
- 15 St. John's Church (Tartu Jaani Church). 14th century church is famous for its thousands of medieval terracotta figures.
- 16 Cathedral ruins (on top of the Dome Hill). From the 13th century and were dedicated to apostles St. Peter and Paul. Today the choir part houses the Tartu University History Museum, and the towers are reconstructed to sightseeing platforms.
- 17 St. Paul's Church, Riia. An outstanding redbrick Finnish National Romanticist style building by the famous Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen.
- 18 St. Peter's Church, 104 Narva St. A Neogothic Lutheran church from 1903, built on the grounds of the first general Estonian song festival, which took place in 1869.
- 19 Roman Catholic Church, 1 Veski St. A beautiful revivalist redbrick building from 1899.
- 20 St. Alexander's Orthodox Church, 19a Sõbra St. A two-story church, designed by architect V. Lunski, with cupolas inspired by the Old Russian church architecture. It was deconsecrated 40 years ago but reconsecrated in summer 2003.
- 21 Uspensky Orthodox Church, 1 Magasini St. An early classical church, built in 1783 with typical Russian classical elements, on the same place where the Dominican cloister of St. Mary Magdalene Church, founded before 1300, formerly stood.
Other buildings
- 22 Gunpowder Cellar. Dug into the side of the hill in 1767 as part of the complex of the bishop's citadel. It was used as a gunpowder cellar until 1809. Until 1982, it served as a storage room for many different enterprises, and was later developed into a eating place. Today, the building hosts a bar/restaurant of the same name.
- 23 National Court, Lossi 17 (Dome Hill). In 1763, a military barracks was erected in this place. Onto its ruins was built the university hospital in 1808, which functioned until 1990. Since 1993, the national court is again in Tartu, which is Estonia's supreme judiciary court.
- 24 Old Observatory, Lossi 40 (on the old castle ruins on the Dome Hill). The observatory, designed by university architect J.W. Krause, was built at the beginning of the 19th century. Working place of many famous astronomers including Struve; indeed the observatory is a point on the world heritage listed Struve Geodetic Arc spanning from the Arctic Sea to the Black Sea.
- 25 Old Anatomical Theatre, Lossi 38 (On the Dome Hill). One of the first buildings of the re-opened Tartu University, built in 1803-1805 according to the drawings of university architect J. Krause. Today the visitors are offered an exhibition of the history of medicine with preparates.
- 26 Barclay House, Raekoja 18. Late 18th century building. Duchess Barclay bought the house in 1819 after the death of her husband, Barclay de Tolly. The riverside wall of the building is actually a reused part of the old town wall, while the other side was built on a new foundation. This is why the house is now askew and is popularly called the Tower of Pisa.
- 27 Tartu Centre for Creative Industries, Kalevi 13, 15, 17 (Kalevi St is the continuation of Ülikooli St after Riia St). Congregates several creative enterprises and creates therefore a creative atmosphere. The three buildings of the centre were built between 1830 and 1913 and represent different architectural styles: historicism and Art Nouveau.
- 28 Remains of the Town Wall.
Bridges
- 29 Angel's Bridge (Toome hill). Built in the 19th century and spans Lossi Street.
- 30 Devil's Bridge. Built in 1913 in honour of the 300th jubilee of tsarist Russia's Romanov Dynasty, which is memorialised on the bridge by the dates 1613-1913.
- 31 Arched Bridge (from the main square, look towards the river). Stands on the site of the original stone bridge of Tartu which was built in 1784 and blown up by the Soviets in WWII. This new bridge is only for pedestrians and allows you to do one of the most loved cultural activities of Tartu, walk over the top of the arch after a big night in the club. Just don't let the cops catch you.
Modern architecture
During the last decade, Tartu has seen several interesting pieces of modern architecture being built. They are well worth a visit and give an insight of how people in modern Tartu think and live, in addition to traditionally history-driven image of the city. Some of them are right in the city-centre. See the yellow markers on the official Tartu Modern Architecture map. The map is in Estonian only, but selected images speak louder than words.
Do
- 1 Toy Museum and Theater House, Lutsu 2. W-Su 11:00-18:00.
- 2 Tartu New Theatre (Tartu Uus Teater), Lai 37.
- 3 Vanemuine Theatre, Vanemuise 6.
- 4 Harbour Theatre (Sadamateater), Soola 5B.
- 5 AHHAA Science Center, Sadama 1, ☏ +372 745 6789, ahhaa@ahhaa.ee. Su-Th 10-19:00, F-Sa 10-20:00. Interactive and entertaining science center. €15, students and seniors €11, family €35.
- 6 Aura Waterpark (Aura Veekeskus), Turu 10, ☏ +372 7300 280. Pool: M-F 06:30-22:00, Sa-Su 9-22:00. Swimming pool, water park, fitness center Pool: €4-5; Water park: €6-7.
- Lodi River Cruises, Emajõe 3, ☏ +372 551 8386. Offers various cruises for up to 30 people along River Emajõgi.
- Estonian National museum (ERM), Muuseumi tee 2. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00.
- Football: JK Tammeka play soccer in Meistriliiga, Estonia's top tier. Their home ground Tamme Stadium (capacity 1600) is 500 m south of the railway station. The playing season is March-Nov.
Festivals
- Hanseatic Days. Third week of July, exact dates vary from year to year. Medieval festival featuring fairs, festivities, exhibitions, concerts, dances, merchants and tradesmen. Most events are free.
- tARTuFF. Film festival in August. Themes include love and tolerance.
- PÖFF - Black Nights Film Festival. Film festival at the end of November.
Learn
- Tartu University, Ülikooli 18. Established in 1632, it's one of the oldest universities in Europe. The main building was built in 1804-1809 according to university architect Johann Wilhelm Krause's plans in classical architecture. It includes the historic lock-up on the attic, Assembly Hall and the Tartu University Art Museum which displays ancient art.
- Estonian University of Life Sciences, Ülikooli 18.
Buy
- Kvartal. Shopping centre next to Kaubamaja. Has a spa. Opened in 2016.
- Lõunakeskus (take bus no. 69 from the city centre.). Features a wide range of small boutiques, as well as a big department store Maksimarket. Has a cinema and indoors adventure park
- Tasku. Shopping centre near the bus station.
- Loov Gallery, Kalevi 13. M-F 12:00–18:00. Loov Gallery sells souvenirs produced by young Estonian artists, ranging from jewelry and accessories to paintings.
- Tartu Kaubamaja (100 metres from the Bus Station). Department store with several floors full of fascinating things to buy. "Kaubamaja" belongs to Kaubamaja consortium.
Eat
Budget
- 1 Opera Pizza, Vanemuise 26, ☏ +372 742 0795.
- Pappa Pizza, Riia 7, ☏ +372 7427933. M–Sa 11:00–22:00, Su 12:00–22:00. pizzeria
- [formerly dead link] Ruunipizza, Rüütli 2, ☏ +372 7433575, +372 51929211, info@ruunipizza.ee. M–Th 08:15–22:00, F–Sa 08:15–23:00, Su 09:15–22:00. Different pizza and pancake dishes (both as desserts and as main courses), soups, rice dishes, etc. Mostly €4–6.
- Taverna Restaurant/Pizzeria, Raekoja plats 20.
- Spargel, Kalevi 13. M 11:00-21:00, Tu–Su 11:00-23:00.
- Kebab Master, Riia 2 (Kvartal 1. Floor). 10:00-21:00. €.
Mid-range
- Asian Chef, Võru 2, ☏ +372 7 355 029, +372 53 300 464. Su-Th 11:00–23:00, F-Sa 11:00–01:00. Authentic Asian cuisine, good price soups and meals of the day.
- Pizzeria La Dolce Vita, Kompanii 10.
- Püssirohukelder. Built inside an ancient gunpowder cellar.
- Suudlevad tudengid, Raekoja plats 10, ☏ +372 730 1893.
- [dead link] Yakuza Sushi Bar, Turu 2, Tasku Shopping Center. Japanese food.
- Werner restaurant. Cosy restaurant with good food in a relaxed environment.
Drink
1 Pirogov Park (located just "behind" the city hall). small park where consuming light (<6%) alcohol is allowed between 15 March and 15 October (as it's a designated picnic area). It's the only public place in the city where drinking is legal so in the evenings it's full of students and homeless.
Cafes
- 2 Café Crepp. French-themed, serves delicious pancakes
- 3 Café Werner (Kohvik-restoran Werner). Excellent café since 1895.
- 4 Café Krempel, Rüütli 12, ☏ +372 445 1510, krempelkohvik@gmail.com. M-F 08:00-18:00, Sa Su 09:00-18:00. A cosy café which also offers vegan dishes (breakfast only on Sunday) in which you can apparently get in touch with strangers.
Bars
In a typical pub, a 0.5 l beer usually costs €3.50-5. Almost all popular beers are near or more than 5% alcohol content.
- 5 NAIIV. Culture and bar.
- 6 Barlova. Cosy and chilled.
- 7 Illegaard, Ülikooli 5. Jazz Club. Many sporting events (mainly football) are broadcasted.
- 8 Underground, Küütri 7.
- 9 Möku, Magasini 5, ☏ +372 740 4514. M-Sa 12:00-03:00, F-Sa until 04:00. A nice, somewhat (more) alternative-hipstery bar.
Clubs
- 10 Genialistide klubi, Magasini 5 (Between Magasini 3 and Lai 37). An alternative club with concerts, theater performances, seminars, etc. The bar Möku resides on the ground floor.
- 11 Klubi Rock & Roll, Tiigi 76A.
- 12 Illusion. According to girls more into Genialistide klubi, Illusion is where people get drunk and start fights, and the music is bad. So, the latter basically means main stream music.
- 13 Shooters. Drinking and party, as flat and fun as is it might sound.
- 14 Night Club Maasikas (Strawberry).
Sleep
Budget
- 1 Hostel Looming, Kastani 38, ☏ +372 56994398, info@loominghostel.ee. An eco-friendly boutique hostel. Dorm from €12.
- 2 TerviseksBBB, Raekoja Plats 10, ☏ +372 5655382, terviseksbbb@gmail.com. English speaking, overlooking the Town Square, Excellent kitchen and bathrooms. 4 bed dorm: €15. Private room (1 person): €22.
- 3 Hostel Tartu Student Villa, Tähtvere 48. Self-service accommodation in apartments with all comforts. €20/night.
- 4 Hotell Tartu, Soola 3 (right across from the bus station). 3-bed dorm bed: €20.
- [dead link] Tartu Student Village, 3 different locations: Raatuse 22, Narva mnt. 27 and Pepleri 14. Best rooms go quickly so book ahead.
- 5 Rainbow Guest House (Vikerkaare Külalistemaja), Vikerkaare 40 (10 minute walk from downtown.).
- 6 Kastani B&B, Kastani 3 (on the other side of the cathedral hill). Small guest house. The lady who runs it speaks a little English but she is delightful and you can communicate without too much hassle. Best to email ahead. Single: €25.
Mid-range
- 7 Hotel Starest, Mõisavahe 21, ☏ +372 7400 674, +372 56 203 823, info@starest.ee. In the Annelinn suburb, is a quality budget hotel. All rooms are equipped with Sat-TV and an internet connection. Located just few minutes by car from Tartu Town Hall square, with frequent bus service from right in front of the hotel. Single: €29, double room €36.
- 8 Domus Dorpatensis Guest Apartments, Raekoja plats 1. Apartments are located in a historical house on the main square. They offer spacious and clean apartments with all the equipment and privacy needed. €35.
- 9 Barclay Hotell, Ülikooli 8, ☏ +372 7 447 100, barclay@barclay.ee. 49 rooms including 2 suites with saunas. Amenities include safe-box, hairdryer, cable TV, mini-bar, phone and complimentary wireless internet. Restaurant serves authentic Estonian food. From €50.
- 10 Hotel Dorpat, Soola 6 (on the banks of the Emajõgi River, near the bus station). 200 standard rooms and 5 business class rooms. Double: €100, breakfast included.
- 11 Draakon, Raekoja plats 2 (In Town Square), ☏ +372 7 442045, draakon@draakon.ee. BBC TV. Wheelchair accessible. Single: €65; Double: €100, breakfast included.
- London Hotel, Rüütli 9, ☏ +372 7 305 555, london@londonhotel.ee. Single: From €60, Double: From €70.
Go next
- Tallinn – The financial and cosmopolitan centre of Estonia. Beautiful and expensive.
- Soomaa National Park – About 60 km south of Tallinn and second largest national park in Estonia, known for its swamps and bogs (Soomaa means "land of bogs" in Estonian), and its "fifth season". Surprisingly, swimming is popular there and is said to rejuvenate the skin.
- Põltsamaa – The centre of Estonian winery and wine production just a dozens of km northwest.
- Viljandi – A beautiful, ancient and hilly city, known for its annual Viljandi Folk Music Festival, beautiful old town and overwhelming and picturesque park around the old castle.
- Otepää – A small town set in the hills of south Estonia and best known winter sports centre in the Baltics, and the Winter Capital of Estonia. Surrounded by lakes, hills and ski jump towers.
- Zwiebelberg – A region at Lake Peipsi, popular for its numerous onion sellers along the stretch between Kolkja and Varnja.
- Mustvee – Almost halfway to Narva, the border city with Russia famous for the Hermann castle, is this small and relaxing fishing village.