Top 10 Things To Do In Tartu, Estonia

1. Discover the nation's history at the Estonian National Museum

Every nation has a sanctuary where tourists can get a glimpse of its rich past. For Estonia, their national museum sits in the heart of Tartu. The museum first opened in 1922 at what was then Raadi Manor, but a grave moment in Estonia’s history caused the museum to close during the Soviet era as the compound turned into a bomber airfield base. In 2006, the museum reopened on the same site, but now in a more modern design. It houses several historic Estonian artifacts and has two permanent exhibits, Encounters and Echo of the Urals.

Estonian National Museum

Address: Muuseumi tee 2, 60532 Tartu, Estonia

Website: Estonian National Museum

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Price: From 6 USD

2. Explore the University of Tartu Botanical Garden

Established in the beginning of the 19th century, the University of Tartu Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Baltic Sea region. It is home to over 10,000 species of plants and flora. The main garden is open to the public, but there are four greenhouses, where you will need to purchase a ticket to enter. These include succulents room, palm house, subtropical house, and tropical house. The facility aims to promote the diversity and protection of these plants, which makes it an ideal place to take your kids as there is also a playground on site.

University of Tartu Botanical Garden

Address: Lai 38, 51005 Tartu, Estonia

Website: University of Tartu Botanical Garden

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

Price: From 4 USD

3. Discover and learn new things at AHHAA Science Centre

Whether you’re a student, a parent accompanying their child, or a plain science geek, AHHAA Science Center is something you will surely enjoy. First opened in 1997, the Center is an innovation of the University of Tartu and has added exciting features through the years. One of the highlights of the Center is the Planetarium, which is a hybrid kind, wherein there are multiple projectors used to make the experience realistic. There are also several permanent exhibitions, and most of the activities are hands-on, which allows you to try the activities yourself.

AHHAA Science Centre

Address: Sadama 1, 51004 Tartu, Estonia

Website: AHHAA Science Centre

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 10am - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 8pm

Price: Adult: 18 USD / Student: 13 USD / Family: 41 USD

4. Make your own notebook at Estonian Print & Paper Museum

For a unique museum experience, check out TYPA, the only museum in the Baltic Region dedicated to the history of printing and everything related to it. It’s a real treat for writers, calligraphy nerds, and the likes. Formerly known as the Estonian Print & Paper Museum, TYPA aims to share the history of printing through the preserved machines, gallery exhibitions, and workshops offered. Visitors should take note that each of the workshops requires an additional charge. You can choose from Make Your Own Notebook, Handmade Paper, and Linocut.

Estonian Print & Paper Museum

Address: Kastani 48f, 50410 Tartu, Estonia

Website: Estonian Print & Paper Museum

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 12pm to 6pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Price: Adult: 9 USD / Children, seniors & students: 5 USD

5. Watch the stars at the Old Observatory

If you’re a lover of the stars and are interested in astronomy, don’t miss the Old Observatory, which is a part of the University of Tartu Museum. Built in 1810, the Observatory became an important center for research in Estonia in the years that followed. You will get to learn more about astronomy like constellations, moon phases, meteors, and more through its exhibits and workshops. You can also find the world’s best telescope at the Old Observatory, and its Struve Geodetic Arc became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

Old Observatory

Address: Tartu Ülikool, Uppsala 8, 51003, 51003 Tartu, Estonia

Website: Old Observatory

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 11am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

Price: From 4 USD

6. Check out the iconic The Kissing Students sculpture

Tartu is best known to have a majority of students and young people among its population. One testament to this is the presence of the iconic The Kissing Students sculpture right in the middle of the town center, Raekoja plats. The sculpture itself was erected in 1998 by Mati Karmin, but the fountain in which it stands dates as far back as 1948. Before the presence of The Kissing Students, newlyweds and couples would visit the fountain for good luck. Today, it stands as one of the most recognized symbols of the city.

The Kissing Students

Address: Raekoja plats 1a, 51003 Tartu, Estonia

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

7. Make a splash at Aura Water Park

If you’re looking for something a little more exciting and athletically fun, check out Aura Water Park, the premier water park facility in town. The water park offers three main attractions, namely, the water park, a health club, and a swimming pool, so there is something for everyone of all ages. The crowd favorite is the 55-meter (180-ft) and the 38-meter (125-ft) water slides at the water park. People also enjoy the health club, where there are saunas and hot tub. You can even take laps in their full-length swimming pool.

Aura Water Park

Address: Turu 10, 51013 Tartu, Estonia

Website: Aura Water Park

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 10pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 10pm

Price: From 8 USD (see website for complete price list)

8. Marvel at the Devil's Bridge

Also known locally as Kuradislid, Devil’s Bridge is a concrete structure sitting on Toome Hill. Devil’s Bridge is a unique structure because it is one of the last remaining examples of its kind constructed in the beginning of 1900s. The bridge served as a tribute to the 300th anniversary of the Romanov empire’s rule in 1913. The name “Devil’s Bridge” may have gotten its identity from complementing Angel’s Bridge, another iconic bridge in Tartu. Devil’s Bridge is a sight to see in the daytime but becomes magical by nightfall.

Devil's Bridge

Address: Lossi 36a, 51005 Tartu, Estonia

9. Get your pizza and pasta fix at La Dolce Vita

For delectable and authentic Italian fare, you should head over to La Dolce Vita. Founded in 2003, it is owned and run by Italian nationals. It is the only Italian restaurant in Tartu that uses a wood oven to create their bestselling pizzas, and they use the finest ingredients to make their stellar pasta dishes. Whether you’re dining in for lunch or are in a quick grab-and-go kind of mood, La Dolce Vita will serve you with the best service and food.

La Dolce Vita

Address: Kompanii 10, 51007 Tartu, Estonia

Website: La Dolce Vita

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 12am; Sun: 12pm - 11pm

10. Learn a new hobby at Tartu Dendro Disc Golf Course

Disc golf is a unique and fun activity for you, your family, and friends. You’ve probably never even heard of this sport, but it’s quite similar to actual golf, except that instead of balls, you use frisbee-like discs. You can try this unique sport at Tartu Dendro Disc Golf Course. It’s usually open to the public all year round, and is an ideal place to learn and start practicing. Learning the sport may be difficult at first, but if you keep practicing at this huge disc golf course, you’ll master it in no time.

Tartu Dendro Disc Golf Course

Address: 60507 Tartu, Estonia

Website: Tartu Dendro Disc Golf Course

Learn and try new things in Tartu

One cannot deny the educational culture that Tartu has, but its youthful ambiance must also not be sidelined. In a historic country such as Estonia, Tartu’s modernity stands out, and with a lot of activities, it will attract many more tourists in the coming years, for sure.