One of the oldest cities in the Baltic countries, Tartu offers plenty of historical attractions to be admired. In addition to that, this lively Estonian university town is rich also with cultural life and possibilities for entertainment. If you are interested in outdoor sports, the most famous Estonian ski resort Otepää is located nearby, and summer season of Tartu is also filled with possibilities to enjoy active pursuits.
tartu university main building
tartu university main building
Tartu, Estonian university town with cultural and historical attractions
Lively university town and the second largest city in Estonia, Tartu offers much to see for visitors. Much of the charm of Tartu comes from its historical background as one of the oldest cities of the Baltic countries. Particularly interesting is the old part of town where you can find several churches and historical monuments from different eras to be explored. One of the main sights of Tartu is the Toome Hill, on top of which nature and historical buildings form an interesting combination. Thanks to its strategic position in the middle of the city, Toome Hill has formerly been used for military purposes, but today the area is a public park with museums and monuments of national importance.
A fountain in the city center of Tartu
Culture and sports.Apart from being a historically interesting city, Tartu offers interesting attractions also from cultural point of view. You could visit a local theater of enjoy the lively nightlife in Tartu. The city is also rich with special events such as sport contests, cultural festivals, and concerts. If you are looking for outdoor sports, skiing near Tartu is popular, and your possibilities for biking near Tartu are just as good as facilities offered for kayaking in Tartu. You might want to enjoy also the popular university botanical gardens of Tartu, or try shopping in Tartu’s malls and markets. If you want to do some walking in the area of the city, you will probably enjoy also the lovely wooden architecture of Tartu, which brings special atmosphere into the city.
Downhill skier in Otepaa
Downhill skier in Otepaa
Practical information for your trip to Tartu
Tartu is located in the southern part of Estonia, some 170 km / 100 miles south from the capital of Estonia, Tallinn. If you want other alternatives for flights and travelling to Tartu, also Helsinki or Riga could be worth considering. Moving around in the city is easy with buses and taxis, and car rental in Tartu is the easiest way to move around in the surroundings of the city, where you will find for instance the winter sport resort of Otepää.
A streetscene from Tartu, with Christmas lights
Climate in Tartu is continental with four seasons and variable weather. Average monthly high temperatures during the summer of Tartu are around 20 -22⁰C, and winter temperatures are around zero degrees Celsius. Overall, Tartu is best between May and September, unless you come for winter sports, which are best available in Tartu between December and March. For special events, check the calendar of the local tourist board.
Tartu town hall
Visitor services. Tartu is a lively town with 100,000 inhabitants and with a calendar year full of touristic events such as music festivals and sport events. Therefore, the city has good resources of alternatives for hotels in Tartu and is rich also with restaurants in Tartu. As for nightlife and shopping, there are plenty of interesting choices available in this safe South Estonian university town. English is commonly spoken in Tartu by the younger generations. Many locals also speak German or Russian.
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