The Top 9 Things To Do and See in Tartu

Estonian National Museum
Estonian National Museum | © Marco Verch/ Flickr
Kasparas Asmonaitis

Tartu, the capital of students and wisdom, is the second biggest city in Estonia, attracting many tourists and travelers every year. Depending on your taste and preferences, there are plenty of wonderful things that you can see and do in Tartu, starting with a historic journey in the Old Town and finishing with wild parties in the best nightclubs.

AHHAA Science Centre

Cinema

AHHAA Science Centre is the biggest technology center in Estonia and the entire Baltic States. Its main purpose is to promote science and show people how it can be both interactive and useful in everyday life. There are hundreds of different exhibits in AHHAA Science Centre, including a huge planetarium and 4d Adventure Cinema. If you only have time to visit one place in Tartu, it should probably be this.

Sadama 1, Tartu, Estonia +372 745 6789

The Old Town

Tartu is a very old city with a rich history, which you can learn by walking around the beautiful Tartu Old Town. It is definitely the most stunning part of Tartu to visit. Most of the attractions, including museums and restaurants, are located in the Old Town as well.

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GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Tartu Old Town

Tartu University Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden, University

Tartu University Botanical Garden is one of the finest gardens in the Baltic States, designed by true professional gardeners and biologists. There are an awful lot of different plants you can see while enjoying your peaceful walk around the garden. The entrance to the outside part of the garden is free and you only need to pay to visit exhibitions which are inside.

The Kissing Students fountain

The Kissing Students fountain is the most recognizable symbol in Tartu. It is a must for lovers who are in the city, to visit the statue of two kissing students under the umbrella as it is considered to be a sign of everlasting love! Most newlyweds also come to kiss under the fountain so you can expect to see traditional Estonian weddings as well!

Raekoja plats 1a, Tartu, Estonia

Tartu Toy Museum

Museum

Toy Museum
© Eesti.pl/ Flickr
If you come to Tartu with kids, you have to visit Tartu Toy Museum and see all the traditional Estonian toys from different eras. There are plenty of exhibits that you can play with! Also, this museum is worth visiting even without kids as it is one of those nostalgic places where adults can remember their childhood.

Luke Manor and Manor Park

Luke Manor and Manor Park is a little outside of Tartu, but it is definitely worth a visit for people who are interested in old manor houses with huge parks and ponds. This Neo-Baroque and Heimat manor house dates back to 1557 and it has been through a lot since then. Sadly, the main house was destroyed in 1941. The best time to visit this place is during the summer when the weather in Estonia is hot and sunny.

Traditional Estonian food

Estonians pay a lot of attention to the food they eat so the quality of restaurants in Tartu is very high. There are a lot of wonderful restaurants where you can try traditional Estonian food and understand a little more about the cuisine and culture.

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Estonian National Museum

Museum

Estonian National Museum is one of the top museums in the country and the best place to learn about Estonian history, including folk culture and weaponry. The museum was opened in 1909 in memory of Jakob Hurt, the most influential Estonian collector.

Churches

There are a lot of wonderful churches built all over Tartu. Some of the most popular are St Paul’s Church, Roman Catholic Church of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Tartu St Peter’s Church. You can learn all about Estonian architecture just by carefully studying the magnificent churches, which are still open for masses and other events.

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