Tourist Attractions in Tartu

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Tartu

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Tartu

Tartu is a classic Northern European city with its architectural traditions and interesting history, an important cultural centre of Estonia. Since the 17th century, one of the oldest universities in the region has existed here, which in the 20th century was considered one of the best institutions of higher education in the USSR, and today continues to maintain high standards of European education.

The city architecture is represented by Gothic, classical style and modernism. The monumental ruins of the once grandiose St Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Town Hall, the medieval Jaan Church, and the vast complex of university buildings are just a partial list of sights that every visitor to Tartu should see.

Top-25 Tourist Attractions in Tartu

Town Hall Square

 4.8/5

2929 reviews

Town Hall Square is the centre of the historical part of Tartu. It is popular with tourists and locals alike. The architectural appearance of the square has changed several times. In the second half of the 18th century, it was built up with classical mansions. Tartu Town Hall was erected in 1786. Not only the city authorities met in the building. The ground floor housed a prison and an asylum for the poor. Today, the building is home to a tourist information centre.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Skulptuur "Suudlevad tudengid" / 'The Kissing Students' sculpture and fountain

 4.8/5

268 reviews

The fountain is located in the centre of Town Hall Square. It was installed in the late 1990s. The sculptural composition depicts a young girl and a young man kissing passionately. The figures of the young people are full of happiness, lightness and expression. They seem ready to share their love with everyone. Tartu is a city of students, so the original fountain was immediately loved by the local youth.

Open time

Ruins of Tartu Cathedral

 4.7/5

673 reviews

Tartu’s Dome Cathedral was built on the ruins of a pagan fortress in the 13th century. In the 16th century, it was destroyed during the Livonian War. Plans to rebuild it were never realised, as a series of endless wars took too many resources from the country. In the 19th century, the Derpt University Library was built on the ruins, and the surviving tower of the cathedral was turned into a water tower.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

AHHAA Science Centre

 4.8/5

9016 reviews

The largest research and education centre in the Baltics, operating since 1997. Since 2011, its head office has been located in Tartu. The complex includes a planetarium, a science theatre and exhibition halls. The centre hosts exhibitions and lectures and actively cooperates with leading educational institutions. The AHHAA building is constructed in the style of modern architecture with the use of innovative construction technologies.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

University of Tartu

 4.7/5

894 reviews

The university was founded in the 17th century by the Swedish monarch Gustav II Adolf. After the lands of Estonia (Estland) came under the rule of the Russian Empire in the 18th century, the educational institution ceased to exist. In 1802, the University of Dorpat was opened on its basis, which became the prototype of the modern University of Tartu. Many famous scientists were educated here at different times.

Open time

Tartu Observatory

 5/5

41 reviews

The observatory was built within Toomemägi Park in 1808 on the site of the former bishop’s castle. The architect J. W. Krause worked on the project. The shape of the observatories located in Uppsala and Göttingen was taken as a basis. The building was reconstructed in 1825. Many important scientific discoveries were made here. From 1818 to 1839, the scientist Friedrich Struve worked in the observatory. Today the building is open not only for scientific research but also for excursions.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Tartu Old Anatomical Theatre

 4.1/5

7 reviews

The Anatomikum in Tartu is a place where doctors and scientists in the field of medicine and pharmacology worked. The building was erected at the beginning of the 19th century to the design of J. V. Krause. It is a laconic classical style mansion decorated with columns and balconies. From 1901 to 1918 N. N. Burdenko, a famous Russian (later Soviet) surgeon and the founder of Soviet neurosurgery, worked in the anatomikum.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Vanemuine Theater

 4.8/5

2775 reviews

The theatre scene was founded in 1865 on the initiative of the Estonian poet and leader of the national movement J. V. Jansen. Vanemuine is famous for being the first place where plays in Estonian were staged. The historic building burned down in 1944. Until 1967, when a new building called the “big house” was built, the company was housed in the former German Theatre. Today, the latter is a branch of Vanemuine and is called the “small house”.

Open time

Tagurpidi Maja (Peapeal OÜ)

 4.6/5

3367 reviews

The building was built in the late 18th century for the Barclay de Tolly family. Due to miscalculations in the design, the house began to tilt towards the surface over time, but thanks to reconstruction, this “fall” was stopped. Since 1940, the house has been a branch of the Tartu Art Museum. The house hosts temporary exhibitions and informative lectures. There is also a bookshop with art literature.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Estonian National Museum

 4.7/5

5289 reviews

The new museum building was opened in 2016. Delegations from neighbouring Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as the Estonian Minister of Culture, attended the opening ceremony. The building is located in the Raadi neighbourhood. It is designed in the tradition of modern architecture using modern forms and materials. In addition to exhibition spaces, there is a cinema hall, a theatre and a spacious conference hall.

Open time

Tartu Mänguasjamuuseum / Tartu Toy Museum

 4.8/5

1037 reviews

The exposition was founded in 1994 on the initiative of the city authorities. The museum is located in the building of the former Dorpat County School of Crafts. Thanks to careful restoration in 2002-2003, the building has regained its historical appearance. The collection consists of several thousand exhibits. The main exhibits are Estonian-style toys and crafts from Finno-Ugric tribes. There are also exhibits from other countries.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

KGB Cells Museum

 4.3/5

299 reviews

Almost all former member states of the OIA, as well as the republics of the USSR, have museums dedicated to the Soviet period. As a rule, this time is portrayed in a negative light and even referred to as the “Soviet occupation”. Tartu also has such an exposition. In the KGB Camera Museum, visitors will see documents, photographs, posters, letters and other evidence of the activities of the “regime”, and can also learn about the history of the Forest Brothers national liberation movement.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Õllemuuseum

 4.6/5

226 reviews

It is believed that it is in Tartu that the traditions of Estonian brewing originated. The local brewery A Le Coq was founded in 1803. Today it is one of the largest producers of foamy beverage in the country. Since 2003, a museum has been operating at the brewery. It is quite an impressive exposition located on six floors. The collection consists of antique equipment, crockery and awards won by the brewery at prestigious competitions. After the tour, visitors taste the beer.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Ice Age Centre

 4.6/5

2142 reviews

Natural History Museum, located near Tartu. It was opened in 2012. The location was not chosen by chance, as it is in the vicinity of the village of Eksi that traces of the Ice Age are still preserved. The museum exposition tells about the development of flora and fauna of our planet. Here the visitor can see moulages of long extinct animals, play educational games and watch interesting films.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Estonian Aviation Museum

 4.7/5

1275 reviews

The grandiose aircraft exhibition is located a few kilometres from the city. It consists of almost 400 models of aeroplanes and helicopters, most of which were produced in the European Union. There are also a couple of Soviet models. The Estonian Flying Days show is regularly held on the grounds of the complex, where you can watch skydiving, paraglider flights and drone manoeuvres.

Open time

St. John Church, Tartu

 4.6/5

545 reviews

A craftsman’s estate, which consists of workshops, dwellings and the guild’s administrative building. This association was first mentioned in the 15th century. The aim of the members of the organisation is to preserve and develop traditional Estonian crafts. Local craftsmen make pottery, sew costumes, toys, and also make products from leather, glass, porcelain and other materials. The farmstead often hosts themed events.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

St. John Church, Tartu

 4.6/5

545 reviews

The stone church was built in the XIV century. According to some sources, the wooden church and parish existed from the XII-XIII centuries. During the Great Northern War the building was badly damaged. During the Second World War the church was burnt down as a result of bombing. The church was rebuilt from 1989 to 2005. The historical building was characterised by rich decoration, which, unfortunately, has not survived to this day.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Peetri kirik

 4.7/5

365 reviews

The temple was erected in the early 20th century in the pseudo-Gothic (neo-Gothic) style. It is a majestic building of red brick with a high spire. The vast hall has a capacity for 3 thousand people. The interior is decorated with a 19th century organ. The attraction is located away from the main tourist routes, but thanks to the high tower it is quite easy to see it from the city centre.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Tartu St. Virgin Mary's Dormition cathedral

 4.5/5

76 reviews

The Orthodox Cathedral of Tartu, which was built on the site of the former Dominican monastery. The first church was built here in 1754 according to the project of P. Shpekle, but it burned down 20 years later. The church of the middle of the XIX century, which was designed according to the classical Byzantine tradition, has survived to our days. The Cathedral of the Assumption was the centre of Orthodoxy in Tartu. It was visited by many famous parishioners, among them the poets V. A. Zhukovsky and I. V. Lotarev, known as Igor Severyanin.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Sculpture "Father and Son"

 4.4/5

69 reviews

The sculpture was created by the master Yulo Eun in 1977. As such creations (nudity) were not welcomed at that time, the sculpture was not added to the city until 2004. The composition depicts the sculptor himself holding the hand of a one-and-a-half-year-old child. Both figures are the same size, symbolising the equal rights of adults and children. The sculpture is located on the pavement of Cuyni Street.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Sculpture "Pig"

 4.7/5

90 reviews

An original city monument in the form of a cheerful pig. It is installed near the city market and is actually a visual illustration of how a pig carcass should be cut up. All parts of the pig’s torso are numbered and labelled. Because of this meaning, the sculpture gives an ambiguous impression. On the one hand it is a carefree animal, on the other hand it is just food.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Tartu Angel's Bridge

 4.7/5

541 reviews

The bridge is located on Toomemägi Hill in the park of the same name. Popular tourist routes pass through this place. The structure was built at the end of the 19th century according to the project of J. V. Krause. This architect is the author of many historical monuments of Tartu. The main decoration of the bridge is the bas-relief of the University of Tartu, on which is written in Latin “Rest restores strength”.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Devil’s Bridge in Tartu

 4.5/5

171 reviews

At the beginning of the 19th century there was a wooden structure in place of the modern bridge. In 1913 it was replaced by a concrete structure designed by A. Eichhorn. The bridge was built in honour of the 300th anniversary of the House of Romanov. It is dedicated to Emperor Alexander I. The origin of the name “Devil’s Bridge” is unknown. Perhaps it was given as a contrast to the angelic bridge “Inglisild”.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Botanical Garden of the University of Tartu

 4.8/5

2920 reviews

The Botanical Garden was founded more than 200 years ago for research purposes. Today, it has become one of the city dwellers’ favourite places of recreation. Several thousand plants grow in the garden. Some exotic species are able to exist only in the artificial climate of greenhouses. The local palm trees are the oldest in Northern Europe, so they are treated with great care.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Alatskivi Castle

 4.7/5

1763 reviews

The building was erected in the 16th century on the shore of the lake of the same name. It was originally built in the Gothic style, but as a result of numerous reconstructions it acquired Baroque features. The last major renovation took place between 2005 and 2011. Several rooms on the ground floor are occupied by a museum dedicated to the composer E. Tubin. The rest of the territory is given over to conference halls, a restaurant and a hotel.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM