Tartu
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Charming Tartu is historic cradle of Estonian scholarship. Located on the south-eastern Estonia, it has approx. 97,000 residents. It is well-known for its university, established in 1632 by the Swedish regime, and vivid student life.
First permanent settlement here is dated to the 5th century AD and Tartu is first mentioned in written source in 1030.
Shopping
Annelinna keskus (Kalda tee 43) is the complex of small boutiques with the big Selver department store. Here one can find beautiful clothes.
Loov Gallery (Kalevi 13) sells handmade souvenirs by young Estonian craftsmen, from jewelry to paintings.
Prices vary, but are relatively cheap compared to e.g. London.
What to see
Science Centre AHHAA
This amusing science centre is the biggest one in the Baltic states.
Its purpose is make science easily approached and show scientific details in everyday life, specially for children. Here is a planetarium, three exhibition halls and a science theater showing e.g. aspects of the laws of nature, physics and chemistry. Here is also workshops and 4D cinema with the bouncing seats.
Supilinn
”Soup town” is an old neighbourhood north of the city centre, on the right bank of the Emajogi River.
It used to be known as a slum inhabited by poor people, but nowadays is the remain of the charming wooden architecture.
Toomemägi Park
This beautiful green area at the heart of a town is splendid place to have a piquenique or walk in the nature. Area was a gift from Czar Paul I to the University of Tartu and in 19th century it was transformed in the park. Here is also classicals Angel’s Bridge (Inglisild) and Devil’s Bridge (Kuradisild) spanning nothing but thin air.
Old Town
Old Town is without a doubt the most classical part of the city with its narrow pedestrian streets, Neoclassical architecture as a replacement of the burnt medievel centre and the set of restaurants and pubs. Here is the Tartu’s equivalent for the Pisa’s Leaning Tower, the Leaning House, housing the art museum (Raekoja plats 18) and the beautiful St. John’s Church.
Emajogi river cruises
Seto Line offers boat trips to beautiful Emajogi River crossing through the city. This is a splendid way to get acquainted with the Estonian nature. Trips last about 90 minutes. Price info visible here
How to get in Tartu
Tartu has an international airport, but currently only Nordic Regular Airlines operates flights, route is from / to Helsinki. Tallinn Airport is second nearest and offers more airlines. Intercity bus line “Täistunniekspress” (English: “Hourly express”), operated by Lux Express, from Tartu arrives at Tallinn Airport hourly every day of the week from 9:20 to 22:20.
Bus schedules and fares within Estonia can be found here and here.
Bus journey between Tallinn and Tartu takes 2.5 to 3 hours and costs €8-11, before a discount available for youth and older persons. There is also bus connections from Viljandi, Pärnu and Narva. Lux Express operates 3 daily buses between Riga and Tartu.
Elron operates several daily trains between Tartu and Tallinn. The journey takes 2 hours and costs around €9 for second class, or €13 for first class. Trains have free internet access. There is also train connections from Valga, Rakvere, Narva and Koidula on the Russian border.
Top 5 in Tartu
- River cruises on Emajogi
- KGB Museum (Riia 15b)
- Science Centre AHHAA
- Old Town with its numerous bars
- Supilinn neigbourhood
Text: Timo Hellman
Photos: Visit Estonia / Jaak Nilson, EAS. Wikimedia Commons with the CC licence / Ehitaja, Geonarva[/fusion_text]
