Unveil the top 14 must-visit tourist attractions in Tartu (Estonia) with our curated list. Immerse yourself in 14 best tourist attractions or discover hidden treasures with 14 must-visit tourist attractions. Don’t miss 14 top-rated tourist attractions to experience Tartu (Estonia) ‘s best.
The city of Tartu is considered the intellectual center of Estonia as it is home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe, the University of Tartu, and it also has a wealth of diverse museums; Notably, it is the oldest city in Estonia and other Baltic countries, and being the second largest city in Estonia and a great site for creative and scientific culture, there are always plenty of theatrical performances, concerts and festivals.
Don’t waste your time sifting through endless reviews and recommendations – let our team do the work for you. Our list of the best tourist attractions in Tartu (Estonia) is carefully crafted to include only the most highly-rated and well-regarded options based on visitor feedback.
Town Hall Square – If you’re standing on Town Hall Square, you’ve come to the heart of Tartu. Since the 13th century, this spot has served as a market and cultural gathering point. Aside from the City Hall, the most obvious feature is the Student Hugging Fountain. A relatively recent addition designed by Mati Karmin and installed in 1998, this square is a great place to stroll and hang out with friends and loved ones.
Place address: Raekoja plats, 51003 Tartu, Estonia
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VR Tartu 1913 – You can read about historical events from books or by looking at old pictures and movies or listening to stories, but have you had a chance to delve into history by feeling part of these events and worlds? Experience going back in time and living history with virtual reality glasses from the same point where you stand, through these glasses you will feel unparalleled enthusiasm and excitement.
Place address: Kaarsild, Vabaduse pst, 51004 Tartu, Estonia
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Monument of Barclay de Tolly – Prince Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly was a Russian military leader and field commander who came from a family of Baltic nobility. As a Russian military commander, Barclay showed talent and courage in many battles, thanks to which he was awarded 14 medals, in addition to the Order of St. George (First Class), the title of Count, the rank of Captain General, and the title of Prince.
Place address: Ülikooli 1, 51003 Tartu, Estonia
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Angel’s Bridge – When walking to Tommy Hill in the city of Tartu, you will definitely notice the Angel Bridge, which was built in 1838 based on the design of the architect Johann Wilhelm Krause (JW Krause). Created in the English style. Many legends are associated with the bridge. For example, it is said that when you hold your breath while running across the bridge, your wish will come true.
Place address: Lossi 34, 51003 Tartu, Estonia
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The Kissing Students – The Hugging Students Sculpture and Fountain is one of Tartu’s most recognizable symbols. The fountain has remained in the same place since 1948 when newlyweds and their guests visited it for good luck, and people took a dip in it too. The sculpture was created by Mati Karmin and completed in 1998; Since 2006, the fountain has been surrounded by tiles bearing the names of Tartu’s sister cities, such as Baerum, Deventer, Ferrara and many others.
Place address: Raekoja plats 1a, 51003 Tartu, Estonia
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Arch bridge – The Arch Bridge is a pedestrian bridge and was built between 1957-1959 to replace the former Kivisseld Bridge. Before the bridge was completed, a long rowing boat was used to transport people regularly up the river in the 1950s. The bridge was renovated in 2017; When looking at it at night in the dark, you will be able to see the distinctive illumination of the bridge, as well as the ability to enjoy musical acts accompanied by a light show synchronized with the ringing of the bell in the city hall; The sound and light design project is unique in Estonia.
Place address: Kaarsild, 51013 Tartu, Estonia
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Kalevipoeg – War of Independence Monument – Kalevipoeg is the Estonian national epic about the adventures of the hero named Kalevipoeg. The memorial was dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives in the War of Independence and was taken down in 1950 by the occupying forces. Discussions about restoring the monument had been held since 1988, but when the exhibition “Calfepweg through Sculpture” was held in 2002, the restoration process proper began.
Place address: Vabaduse pst 5, 51003 Tartu, Estonia
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Kissing Hill – The artificial hill at Tommy Hill is called the Embrace Hill by locals and was built in the 19th century as part of the park’s romantic design. Nowadays stairs lead up this hill, and at the top there is a viewing platform with benches; You will also notice locks attached to the bars at the top, which are part of a Russian tradition for newlyweds, as these locks symbolize the bonds of marriage.
Place address: Toomemägi, 51005 Tartu, Estonia
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Tartu City Government – Tartu City Hall was built in the Middle Ages, but the current building is the third on the same site; With the long history of this city, its buildings are relatively new, so you can rarely see buildings dating back to before the last quarter of the eighteenth century, which resulted from many wars and fires. The Town Hall was built just as early classicism was reaching the Nordic countries, including Estonia, replacing the earlier styles of Baroque and Rococo.
Place address: Raekoja plats 1a, 51003 Tartu, Estonia
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Upside Down House – An inverted house is literally an upside down house, where the upper floor is the lower floor and the lower floor is the upper floor. Couches, kitchen cabinets, and everything else is on the floor in normal homes, but in the upside-down house, it’s on the ceiling; Also, the house is slightly sloped, which tests your balance, all of this creates confusion and makes you laugh and have fun and exciting times with your friends.
Place address: Roosi 86, 51009 Tartu, Estonia
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Tartu Observatory – Once one of the most important centers of astronomy in the world, the Tartu Observatory is a gem of Estonian scientific history. At the observatory you can explore a versatile permanent exhibition of astronomy and space exploration, as well as the best telescope in the world, see shooting meteors and learn about constellations. The observatory hosts planetarium shows, lectures, sky observations, and other events.
Place address: Uppsala 8, 51003, 51003 Tartu, Estonia
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Barclay Square – Barclay Square, located in Tartu, is a public square and park; Named after Michael Andreas Barclay, the Russian captain and minister of war during Napoleon’s invasion in 1812, there is a large monument in the park to honor him; You can visit this square to spend fun times with the family, to look at this monument and take distinctive pictures next to it.
Place address: Küüni, 51003 Tartu, Estonia
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Sculpture Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde – The Oscar Wilde and Edward Vilde sculpture in front of Café Wilde is an interesting speculation about literary history. The English writer and the Estonian share the same last name, belong to the same generation, and sit on a bench together, but it is doubtful that they have ever met. Artist Tiiu Kirsipuu, who designed the statues based on photographs of the two writers, noted that the year she had in mind when she created the statue was 1890, when the two writers could meet for a witty conversation.
Place address: 51003 Tartu, Estonia
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Jakob Hurda monument – Jakob Hurda was an Estonian folklorist and linguist who studied theology at the University of Tartu (candidate of theology since 1865) and in 1886 received a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Helsinki. He took a leading part in the main events of the Estonian national movement. The Jacob Horda Memorial was completed in 1994, so when you pass near it, do not forget to take memorial photos next to it.
Place address: Vanemuise 45b, 50410 Tartu, Estonia
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As your journey through Tartu (Estonia) comes to an end, we hope you take with you unforgettable memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. This amazing region is home to diverse landscapes, ancient cultures, and welcoming communities that have something special to offer every traveler. Our guide has provided you with the top destinations and hidden gems that make Tartu (Estonia) such a unique and special place. But, we encourage you to continue to explore this region on your own and uncover new adventures and treasures along the way. As you journey back home, don’t forget to reflect on the moments that made your trip so special and share your experiences with others. Remember to keep the spirit of adventure and curiosity alive in your everyday life and continue to seek out new experiences. We hope our guide has been a valuable resource in planning your trip, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels and until next time!