Guidebook for Tartu
Food Scene
A lovely little family run café in Karlova district not far from the center.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
Anna Edasi OÜ
20 TäheA lovely little family run café in Karlova district not far from the center.
A popular bohemian type restaurant in a unique setting (old factory building), good food (incl. vegan) and great atmosphere.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Restoran Aparaat
42 KastaniA popular bohemian type restaurant in a unique setting (old factory building), good food (incl. vegan) and great atmosphere.
Krempel Kohvik
12 RüütliNice atmosphere, open kitchen with seasonal food.
Good food, delicious cakes and handmade truffles. Situated on the main square, so not so budget friendly, but romantic and nice.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Pierre Chocolaterie
12 Raekoja platsGood food, delicious cakes and handmade truffles. Situated on the main square, so not so budget friendly, but romantic and nice.
inside Out Cafe
3 GildiThe only vegan restaurant in Tartu so far.
A lovely little café on Veski Str, near the Dome Hill park, on the edge of Tähtvere district. Offers delicious cakes made from organic ingredients.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Koogipood Mandel
5a VeskiA lovely little café on Veski Str, near the Dome Hill park, on the edge of Tähtvere district. Offers delicious cakes made from organic ingredients.
Drinks & Nightlife
Wine and Vine
8 RüütliMost of the popular bars, cafés and clubs are all on the same street – Rüütli pedestrian street in the very heart of Tartu.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Rüütli
RüütliMost of the popular bars, cafés and clubs are all on the same street – Rüütli pedestrian street in the very heart of Tartu.
Sightseeing
Raekoja plats
Raekoja plats The old market and Townhall Square is the heart of Tartu.
The historical green part of town scattered with university buildings such as the Old Anatomic Theater, Old Observatory, Dome cathedral and romantic bridges.
31 Einheimische empfehlen
Toomemägi
The historical green part of town scattered with university buildings such as the Old Anatomic Theater, Old Observatory, Dome cathedral and romantic bridges.
If you want to take a deeper look into what Tartu is about, then take a stroll to the historical Karlova district with nostalgic wooden architecture from the 1900s. On Salme Street there is the Karlova manor house (now privately owned) that once was the starting point of a new town district. Karlova is gaining popularity as a residential area and is the favourite place to live for many young people.
Karlova Manor
2b SalmeIf you want to take a deeper look into what Tartu is about, then take a stroll to the historical Karlova district with nostalgic wooden architecture from the 1900s. On Salme Street there is the Karlova manor house (now privately owned) that once was the starting point of a new town district. Karlova is gaining popularity as a residential area and is the favourite place to live for many young people.
Alatskivi is 42 km from Tartu and well worth a visit, if you travel by car. The Alatskivi castle is modelled after the Balmoral castle in Scotland which is a royal residence in the UK. There is a museum, a restaurant and a nature center and beautiful surroundings. They offer accommodation as well.
Alatskivi
Alatskivi is 42 km from Tartu and well worth a visit, if you travel by car. The Alatskivi castle is modelled after the Balmoral castle in Scotland which is a royal residence in the UK. There is a museum, a restaurant and a nature center and beautiful surroundings. They offer accommodation as well.
Parks & Nature
The oldest botanical garden in Europe. Small, but very well maintained and structured.
29 Einheimische empfehlen
Botanischer Garten der Universität Tartu
38 LaiThe oldest botanical garden in Europe. Small, but very well maintained and structured.
A nice walk along the riverside from the city center towards the public beach leads you to a fascinating place where historical wooden river barges and viking ships are built.
You can even have a ride on either the river barge or the viking ship. For information see www.lodi.ee.
Also, there is one of the first community gardens of Tartu.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
Emajõe Lodjakoda
98 UjulaA nice walk along the riverside from the city center towards the public beach leads you to a fascinating place where historical wooden river barges and viking ships are built.
You can even have a ride on either the river barge or the viking ship. For information see www.lodi.ee.
Also, there is one of the first community gardens of Tartu.
The park of the old Raadi manor house that used to be a spectacular architectural pearl (now in ruins), but the side buildings are currently used by the Estonian National Museum. The park with a lovely lake is open for public daily from 7 am to 10 pm. The water tower holds a small photo exhibition about the Raadi area (Tue–Sun 7 am to 10 pm, during winter season upon request). Take your lunchbox with you and have a nice romantic walk and snack at the lakeside, or enjoy your morning run!
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Raadi manor
The park of the old Raadi manor house that used to be a spectacular architectural pearl (now in ruins), but the side buildings are currently used by the Estonian National Museum. The park with a lovely lake is open for public daily from 7 am to 10 pm. The water tower holds a small photo exhibition about the Raadi area (Tue–Sun 7 am to 10 pm, during winter season upon request). Take your lunchbox with you and have a nice romantic walk and snack at the lakeside, or enjoy your morning run!
Not far from Tartu there is an animal park that was originally created as a rescue center for wounded wild animals. Now the park has grown bigger as the original inhabitants have had off-spring of their own.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Tierpark Elistvere
Not far from Tartu there is an animal park that was originally created as a rescue center for wounded wild animals. Now the park has grown bigger as the original inhabitants have had off-spring of their own.
If you travel by car and look for a nice romantic getaway for a few hours somewhere near the city, then I recommend the Luke manor park. It's a beautiful well maintained park with a cute little café that looks like a gingerbread house (the former gardener's house). You can also take your own haversack with you and have a lovely picnic on the lawn. :)
http://lukemois.ee/388-2/
Luke Manor
If you travel by car and look for a nice romantic getaway for a few hours somewhere near the city, then I recommend the Luke manor park. It's a beautiful well maintained park with a cute little café that looks like a gingerbread house (the former gardener's house). You can also take your own haversack with you and have a lovely picnic on the lawn. :)
http://lukemois.ee/388-2/
Shopping
Tasku keskuse Oomipood
2 TuruTartu Kaubamaja
1 RiiaKvartal
2 RiiaTartu avaturg
10 SoolaOpen market for fresh groceries. Near the bus station.
Ujula Konsum
2 UjulaThe closest supermarket right across the river.
Arts & Culture
Tartu Linnamuuseum
23 Narva mntThe University Museum is located in a former cathedral on the Dome Hill. It has a viewing platform for a great view over the town.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
University of Tartu Art Museum
18 ÜlikooliThe University Museum is located in a former cathedral on the Dome Hill. It has a viewing platform for a great view over the town.
Tartu Toy Museum
8 LutsuA lovely museum that's not just for kids.
Antoniuse Gild
A secluded lovely place in the old town with lots of craftsmen's shops.
The Tartu Art Museum on the Town Hall Square is firstly notable for its position – it is leaning to one side, much like the famous Pisa tower in Italy. The museum hosts a nice collection of Estonian art.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Tartu Art Museum
23 RüütliThe Tartu Art Museum on the Town Hall Square is firstly notable for its position – it is leaning to one side, much like the famous Pisa tower in Italy. The museum hosts a nice collection of Estonian art.
The colossal new building of the Estonian National Museum (ERM) is 10 minutes from our house. Make sure you visit it as soon as it opens its doors on the 1st of October 2016! The ultramodern building of the museum is built on the premises of the former Soviet military airfield that was once the largest in Europe.
42 Einheimische empfehlen
Estnisches Nationalmuseum
2 Muuseumi teeThe colossal new building of the Estonian National Museum (ERM) is 10 minutes from our house. Make sure you visit it as soon as it opens its doors on the 1st of October 2016! The ultramodern building of the museum is built on the premises of the former Soviet military airfield that was once the largest in Europe.
Tartu Elektriteater
1 JakobiA small movie theatre for non-mainstream films and plays.
Entertainment & Activities
Looking for having some fun with the kids? Go to AHHAA!
52 Einheimische empfehlen
AHHAA Wissenschaftszentrum
1 Sadama Looking for having some fun with the kids? Go to AHHAA!
The Raadi Adventure Park is a former sandpit that is now turned into an exciting adventure park, where you can test your tarzanian skills. In winter there is also a skating rink with skates for rent. Excellent place, if you travel with kids!
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Tartu Adventure Park Ltd.
126b Narva mntThe Raadi Adventure Park is a former sandpit that is now turned into an exciting adventure park, where you can test your tarzanian skills. In winter there is also a skating rink with skates for rent. Excellent place, if you travel with kids!
The Ice Age Center on the shores of Lake Saadjärv is about 20 minute drive from Tartu. It is a relatively new museum with lots to see and do for the whole family. Reserve at least 2-3 hours.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Jääaja Keskus
20 SaadjärveThe Ice Age Center on the shores of Lake Saadjärv is about 20 minute drive from Tartu. It is a relatively new museum with lots to see and do for the whole family. Reserve at least 2-3 hours.