Essential Tartu Travel Guide: What to See & Do

Tartu is Estonia’s intellectual and cultural heart—a compact city where historic streets, student energy, and imaginative modern design come together. Located in southern Estonia along the Emajõgi River, Tartu has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, with pastel façades, leafy public spaces, flower-filled streets, and cafés suited to an unhurried pace.

Explore Town Hall Square

Town Hall Square is at the centre of city life and has served as a traditional gathering place for centuries. Its elegant town hall combines Baroque influences with early Classicism after being rebuilt following the devastating fire of 1775.

Nearby, the famous Kissing Students fountain adds a playful symbol of Tartu’s youthful character. The statue is closely connected to the square’s long-standing role as a meeting place, particularly for students of the University of Tartu.

Experience Tartu’s University Spirit

Founded in 1632, the University of Tartu remains central to the city’s identity. Its presence gives Tartu a lively, open-minded character and helps explain the city’s reputation as Estonia’s centre of free thought.

For travelers looking for things to do in Tartu, the university quarter, historic architecture, museums, galleries, and riverside spaces provide a rich introduction to local life.

Visit the Estonian National Museum

The Estonian National Museum is one of the most distinctive places to visit in Tartu. It is housed in a striking contemporary building on the site of the former Raadi airfield, which has a complex history connected to early aviation, wartime destruction, and its secret Soviet-era military role.

Today, the museum presents Estonia’s heritage through a bold cultural lens, offering another perspective on the country and its history.

Why Visit Tartu?

Creative, historic, and quietly distinctive, Tartu is a rewarding destination for anyone wondering what to see in Estonia beyond Tallinn. Its university atmosphere, historic centre, cultural institutions, and riverside setting make it a memorable city to explore.