Tartu

Tartu (formerly known as Dorpat or Yuryev) is the second largest city in Estonia with a population of 100,000.

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 WWII, 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 south-east 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.

• Tourist Information Centre, Raekoja plats (part of the town hall building, +372 744 21 11. Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 10:00-16:00.. Located in the ground floor of Tartu Town Hall.

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.

Tourist Information Centre, Raekoja plats (part of the town hall building, +372 744 21 11. Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 10:00-16:00.. Located in the ground floor of Tartu Town Hall.

• Main building of the University of Tartu.
• Town Hall Square. The kissing students fountain is a symbol of Tartu.
• Statue of Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde.
• Soup Neighbourhood. Neighbourhood where all of the streets are named after soup ingredients. Features charming old wooden houses.
• Former Soviet Airfield.

• Estonian National Museum (ERM), Muuseumi tee 2. 10AM to 6PM, closed on Mondays. The new building of the Estonian National Museum (Eesti Rahvamuuseum, ERM) is located north of the city centre near the Raadi mansion. It 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). €14.
• KGB Museum, Riia 15b, +372 7461717. This nondescript building was known as the Gray House and 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.
• Tartu Art Museum, Raekoja plats 18. W, F–Su 11–18:00 / Th 11–21:00.
• 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.
• Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum, Rüütli 15. M-Su 11-19. The Baltics biggest museum designated to sports, with several interactive exhibits. Please note that the winter sports exhibition is at another site, in Otepää town, which is about 45km from Tartu. 6 Euro, concession 5 Euro, family 15 Euro.

Estonian National Museum (ERM), Muuseumi tee 2. 10AM to 6PM, closed on Mondays. The new building of the Estonian National Museum (Eesti Rahvamuuseum, ERM) is located north of the city centre near the Raadi mansion. It 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). €14.

KGB Museum, Riia 15b, +372 7461717. This nondescript building was known as the Gray House and 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.

Tartu Art Museum, Raekoja plats 18. W, F–Su 11–18:00 / Th 11–21:00.

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.

Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum, Rüütli 15. M-Su 11-19. The Baltics biggest museum designated to sports, with several interactive exhibits. Please note that the winter sports exhibition is at another site, in Otepää town, which is about 45km from Tartu. 6 Euro, concession 5 Euro, family 15 Euro.

• Botanic Garden of the University of Tartu, 38/40 Lai.
• Toome Hill. Many monuments, statues and historical buildings
• Raadi Park.
• Barclay Park.

Botanic Garden of the University of Tartu, 38/40 Lai.

Toome Hill. Many monuments, statues and historical buildings

Raadi Park.

Barclay Park.

• St. John's Church. 14th century church is famous for its thousands of medieval terracotta figures.
• Cathedral ruins. 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.
• St. Paul's Church, Riia. An outstanding redbrick Finnish National Romanticist style building by the famous Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen.
• St. Peter's Church, 104 Narva St. A Neogothic Lutheran church from 1903, is built on the grounds of the first general Estonian song festival which took place in 1869.
• Roman Catholic Church, 1 Veski St. A beautiful neo-Historical redbrick building from 1899.
• 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.
• Uspensky Orthodox Church, 1 Magasini St. An early classical church built in 1783 with typical Russian classical elements. It's located on the same place as the St. Mary Magdalene Church of a Dominican cloister founded before 1300.

St. John's Church. 14th century church is famous for its thousands of medieval terracotta figures.

Cathedral ruins. 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.

St. Paul's Church, Riia. An outstanding redbrick Finnish National Romanticist style building by the famous Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen.

St. Peter's Church, 104 Narva St. A Neogothic Lutheran church from 1903, is built on the grounds of the first general Estonian song festival which took place in 1869.

Roman Catholic Church, 1 Veski St. A beautiful neo-Historical redbrick building from 1899.

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.

Uspensky Orthodox Church, 1 Magasini St. An early classical church built in 1783 with typical Russian classical elements. It's located on the same place as the St. Mary Magdalene Church of a Dominican cloister founded before 1300.

• 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.
• National Court, Lossi 17 (Dome Hill. Construction of the building began in 1763 as military barracks. 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.
• 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.
• Old Anatomical Theatre, Lossi 38 (On the Dome Hill. One of the first buildings of the re-opened Tartu University which was 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.
• 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 longitudinal wall of the building toward the river was built on the basis 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.
• 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.
• Remains of the Town Wall.

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.

National Court, Lossi 17 (Dome Hill. Construction of the building began in 1763 as military barracks. 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.

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 list]]ed [[Struve Geodetic Arc]] spanning from the Arctic Sea to the Black Sea.

Old Anatomical Theatre, Lossi 38 (On the Dome Hill. One of the first buildings of the re-opened Tartu University which was 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.

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 longitudinal wall of the building toward the river was built on the basis 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.

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.

Remains of the Town Wall.

• Angel's Bridge. Built in the 19th century and spans Lossi Street.
• 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.
• Arched Bridge. 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.

Angel's Bridge. Built in the 19th century and spans Lossi Street.

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.

Arched Bridge. 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.

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.

Main building of the University of Tartu.

Town Hall Square. The kissing students fountain is a symbol of Tartu.

Statue of Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde.

Soup Neighbourhood. Neighbourhood where all of the streets are named after soup ingredients. Features charming old wooden houses.

Former Soviet Airfield.

• Cinamon. The biggest movie theatre in Tartu.
• Ekraan. A popular movie theatre. It has two movie screens and first-rate Dolby SR/DTS sound system.
• Toy Museum and Theater House, Lutsu 2. W-Su 11-18:00.
• Tartu New Theatre, Lai 37.
• Athena - Conference and Incentive Centre, Küütri 1.
• Vanemuine Theatre, Vanemuise 6.
• Harbour Theatre, Soola 5B.
• AHHAA Science Center, Sadama 1, +372 745 6789. Su-Th 10-19:00, F-Sa 10-20:00. Interactive and entertaining science center. €12, discounts for students, families, etc.
• Aura Waterpark, 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.

• 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.

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.

Cinamon. The biggest movie theatre in Tartu.

Ekraan. A popular movie theatre. It has two movie screens and first-rate Dolby SR/DTS sound system.

Toy Museum and Theater House, Lutsu 2. W-Su 11-18:00.

Tartu New Theatre, Lai 37.

Athena - Conference and Incentive Centre, Küütri 1.

Vanemuine Theatre, Vanemuise 6.

Harbour Theatre, Soola 5B.

AHHAA Science Center, Sadama 1, +372 745 6789. Su-Th 10-19:00, F-Sa 10-20:00. Interactive and entertaining science center. €12, discounts for students, families, etc.

Aura Waterpark, 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.

• Tartu Kaubamaja. Department store with several floors full of fascinating things to buy. "Kaubamaja" belongs to Kaubamaja consortium.
• Lõunakeskus. Features a wide range of small boutiques, as well as a big department store Maksimarket.
• Annelinna keskus. There is a Selver (big department store), as well as clothes shop, lots of small boutiques and other small shops.
• Eeden.
• Selver.
• Loov Gallery, Kalevi 13. M-F 12–18:00. Loov Gallery sells souvenirs produced by young Estonian artists, ranging from jewelry and accessories to paintings.
• Kvartal. Shopping centre next to Kaubamaja. Opened in 2016
• Tasku. Shopping centre near the bus station.

Tartu Kaubamaja. Department store with several floors full of fascinating things to buy. "Kaubamaja" belongs to Kaubamaja consortium.

Lõunakeskus. Features a wide range of small boutiques, as well as a big department store Maksimarket.

Annelinna keskus. There is a Selver (big department store), as well as clothes shop, lots of small boutiques and other small shops.

Eeden.

Selver.

Loov Gallery, Kalevi 13. M-F 12–18:00. Loov Gallery sells souvenirs produced by young Estonian artists, ranging from jewelry and accessories to paintings.

Kvartal. Shopping centre next to Kaubamaja. Opened in 2016

Tasku. Shopping centre near the bus station.

• Opera Pizza, Vanemuise 26.
• Pappa Pizza, Riia 7, +372 7427933. M–Sa 11–22:00, Su 12–22:00. pizzeria
• Ruunipizza, Rüütli 2, +372 7433575, +372 51929211. 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.

Opera Pizza, Vanemuise 26.

Pappa Pizza, Riia 7, +372 7427933. M–Sa 11–22:00, Su 12–22:00. pizzeria

Ruunipizza, Rüütli 2, +372 7433575, +372 51929211. 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.

• Asian Chef, Võru 2, +372 7 355 029, +372 53 300 464. Su-Th 11–23:00, F-Sa 11–01:00. 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.
• Yakuza Sushi Bar, Turu 2, Tasku Shopping Center. Japanese food.
• Werner restaurant. Cosy restaurant with good food in a relaxed environment.

Asian Chef, Võru 2, +372 7 355 029, +372 53 300 464. Su-Th 11–23:00, F-Sa 11–01:00. 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.

Yakuza Sushi Bar, Turu 2, Tasku Shopping Center. Japanese food.

Werner restaurant. Cosy restaurant with good food in a relaxed environment.

Pirogov Park. 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.

• Café Crepp. French-themed, serves delicious pancakes
• Café Werner. Excellent café since 1895.
• Café Krempel, Rüütli 12, +372 445 1510. M-F 8-18, Sa-Su 9-18. A cosy café which also offers vegan dishes (breakfast only on Sunday) in which you can apparently get in touch with strangers.

Café Crepp. French-themed, serves delicious pancakes

Café Werner. Excellent café since 1895.

Café Krempel, Rüütli 12, +372 445 1510. M-F 8-18, Sa-Su 9-18. A cosy café which also offers vegan dishes (breakfast only on Sunday) in which you can apparently get in touch with strangers.

In a typical pub, a 0.5 l beer usually costs €2-3. Almost all popular beers are near or more than 5 % alcohol content.

• NAIIV. Culture and bar.
• Barlova. Cosy and chilled.
• Illegaard, Ülikooli 5. Jazz Club. Many sporting events (mainly football) are broadcasted.
• Krooks, Jakobi 34. English style pub. Offers 40 % discounts on any alcoholic beverages after 20:00.
• Underground, Küütri 7.
• Zavood, Lai 30. Legendary meeting place for students and alternative fashion people. Popular among foreigners.
• Möku, Magasini 5, +372 740 4514. M-Sa 12-3, F-Sa until 4. a nice, somewhat (more) alternative-hipstery bar.

NAIIV. Culture and bar.

Barlova. Cosy and chilled.

Illegaard, Ülikooli 5. Jazz Club. Many sporting events (mainly football) are broadcasted.

Krooks, Jakobi 34. English style pub. Offers 40 % discounts on any alcoholic beverages after 20:00.

Underground, Küütri 7.

Zavood, Lai 30. Legendary meeting place for students and alternative fashion people. Popular among foreigners.

Möku, Magasini 5, +372 740 4514. M-Sa 12-3, F-Sa until 4. a nice, somewhat (more) alternative-hipstery bar.

• Genialistide klubi, Magasini 5 (Between Magasini 3 and Lai 37. An alternative club with concerts, theater performances, seminars, etc. Recently joined with the bar Möku which now resides on the ground floor. €2 per drink.
• Klubi Rock & Roll, Tiigi 76A.
• 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.
• Shooters. Drinking and party, as flat and fun as is it might sound.
• Night Club Maasikas.

Genialistide klubi, Magasini 5 (Between Magasini 3 and Lai 37. An alternative club with concerts, theater performances, seminars, etc. Recently joined with the bar Möku which now resides on the ground floor. €2 per drink.

Klubi Rock & Roll, Tiigi 76A.

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.

Shooters. Drinking and party, as flat and fun as is it might sound.

Night Club Maasikas.

Pirogov Park. 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.

• 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.