There is a saying that it’s as if there is more time in Tartu – this is because the distances here are short and the connecting roads and pavements are in good condition. The stations for public transportation are close to the city centre: it’s a 5-minute walk along the shore path of Emajõgi River from the bus station to the Town Hall Square in Old Town, and from the train station the city centre is just a quarter-hour walk away.

 

Tartu Old Town together with Toome Hill (Toomemägi) are largely heritage conservation areas, and walks around Toome Hill Park or the historical streets provide an excellent opportunity to explore the architecture, culture, people who have lived here, urban nature as well as the current way of life. The walks are made even more memorable by different thematic tours that allow you to go on fun exploratory strolls on your own. The necessary guide maps Strolls in Tartu can be found here. The guides can also be picked up from Tartu Visitor Centre, where you can get city maps and many more interesting things as well. It is definitely worth enquiring information about the various exciting tours from the city guides.

 

In the culturally and historically valued neighbourhoods surrounding the city centre, Supilinn and Karlova, it is possible to explore the old wooden architecture as well as the unusual and unique street art, cozy cafes, shops and bars that adorn these areas. Providing an excellent opportunity to get a closer look at street art is the Stencibility street art map – it leads to exciting hidden street corners of different neighbourhoods where one might not end up otherwise. Raadi, the Estonian National Museum and the Upside Down House at the edge of the city, are just a 2-kilometer-long way from the city centre along the safe Roosi Street promenade. Nature lovers are greeted by plenty of greenery and parks, a botanical garden, and the shore paths and hiking trails of Emajõgi River, which lead to farther parts of the city by the riverside and also pass by Tartu`s bridges.