A great vacation doesn't always have to come with a big price tag
In Tartu, you can have an amazing time for almost no cost – just turn up!*
Here, you have more time to truly unwind, as the city is delightfully compact. This means there’s no need to waste time or money on transport – you can easily move from one experience to the next on foot or by bike.
Enjoy the culture
Broaden your horizons in the midst of art
The Pallas Gallery introduces contemporary art to all interested parties, created by students, lecturers, and other creatives associated with the Pallas University of Applied Sciences. Each year, it hosts more than 15 completely free exhibitions. The cosy HAKI Gallery aims to show the more playful side of art to the public. It strives to make entering the gallery as organic and natural as entering a grocery store, without requiring any courage from passersby.
Other venues offering the joy of free art exhibitions include Tartu Art House, TYPA Gallery, Tampere House, Guild Gallery, various buildings of the University of Tartu (such as Omicum and Physicum), and local libraries (like the Tartu City Library and its branches, as well as the University of Tartu Library). Additionally, the Tartu City Information Centre, located on the first floor of the Town Hall, which also houses tourist information, features a corridor gallery where you can explore new and interesting monthly exhibitions.
Explore street art
In fact, the entire city of Tartu can be seen as a free art gallery of its own – Tartu is even called the street art capital of Estonia. There is a wealth of cool street art in the Supilinn and Karlova districts, as well as in the old town and along the Emajõgi River. A unique sight in the cityscape is the colourful Släp! sticker bus, which operates as city bus number 25 between Tartu Railway Station and the Estonian National Museum. If you want to see the exhibition of 25,000 stickers on the exterior of this bus, you can find the bus number 25 schedule HERE (since it’s a city bus, you will need to purchase a ticket if you wish to ride it). You can also spot stickers created by artists on traffic lights, streetlight posts, and other places around the city.
Notice the landmarks
The city is home to monuments that we can no longer imagine Tartu without, such as the sculptures “Kissing Students,” “Father and Son,” and “Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde.” There are also numerous historical memorials, each carrying its own significant story and attracting people every year to celebrate, remember, or commemorate on specific dates. For instance, students have a tradition of washing the head of the Karl Ernst von Baer monument with champagne every Walpurgis Night. One of the most photographed spots in recent years is the large red Tartu 2024 landmark. Its home is on Town Hall Square, but it occasionally travels around Tartu and beyond.
At the Emajõgi river end of Town Hall Square, you’ll find the National Geographic “yellow” frame, which has been strikingly painted pink for the European Capital of Culture year. It’s a great spot for taking fun photos – you can rotate the frame to any direction you like!
All these important city symbols delight visitors on the streets of Tartu completely free of charge.
Discover architecture
Take a walk through any district and let the unique architecture captivate you! Tartu features the splendid Town Hall Square with its historic old town and beautiful Toome Hill. You can admire the Town Hall view from the slopes of Toome Hill, near the Tähetorn observation tower – stairs beside Hotel Lydia lead up to the viewpoint.
The Karlova district enchants with its wooden architecture, where some houses even seem decorated with lace. In Supilinn, you’ll find very distinctive wooden houses, with the most colorful probably located at the corner of Kroonuaia and Oa Streets. An added bonus is the playful kitchen and fruit-inspired street names in Supilinn. Can you find your favorite soup ingredients among the street signs?
Annelinn offers a completely different atmosphere. It’s a fascinating area of Soviet-era five- and nine-story panel buildings. Tammelinn is characterized by large plots and impressive residential architecture, mainly by prominent architects from the 1920s. Various districts also host lively free neighborhood days. Each Tartu district has its own story to tell.
Notable architectural gems that offer a visual experience even without stepping inside include the Estonian National Museum, Tartu Cathedral, the University of Tartu, the Snail Tower (Tigutorn), the Leaning House on Town Hall Square, the Delta Centre, the Upside-Down House, and St. John’s Church, among others. Bridges crossing the Emajõgi River also attract attention, particularly the arch bridge, but Toome Hill features famous bridges as well: the English Bridge and the Devil’s Bridge. The recently completed Vaksali Bridge, with its unique construction technology and striking appearance, is sure to impress architecture and photography enthusiasts alike.
Another impressive building is the Gunpowder Cellar (Püssirohukelder), a restaurant with vaults that are over 300 years old and stand 10.2 meters high.
Spend time outdoors
The city’s natural spaces create a pleasant environment for locals and visitors alike – and it’s all completely free. You can stroll along the beautiful Emajõgi River with a loved one, or explore Toome Hill Park and the outdoor area of the Botanical Garden with your family. The latter is a favorite spot for photo sessions. During warmer months, you can cool off in the refreshing waters of the Emajõgi. Walk along the Ülejõe promenade to Lodjakoja, where you’ll also find the Emajõgi city swimming area. Besides the swimming spot, there are other fun attractions here. The Anne Canal Beach, with its popular playground, is also a great place for a swim.
For family fun, you can visit the playground next to Tartu Kaubamaja shopping centre. Toome Hill and the Botanical Garden also feature fun playgrounds. The spacious children’s and youth park in Tähtvere Recreation Park offers a wide range of attractions for ages 2-16.
Or, grab a blanket and a basket of goodies and enjoy a picnic by the Emajõgi River, around the Tartu Nature House, or at another beautiful green space. The city is full of parks and greenery – find inspiration HERE. If you’d like to enjoy a moderately cooling drink with friends on a hot summer evening, note that Pirogov Park behind the Town Hall is the only public place in Tartu where consuming low-alcohol beverages (up to 6%) is permitted from March 15 to October 15.
For sports enthusiasts, you can train outdoors at the city’s outdoor gyms or try disc golf at one of the courses. One of the most popular disc golf courses is in Tähtvere Dendropark. You can find hiking and wellness trails in the area HERE.
In addition to parks and wellness trails, Tartu boasts over a hundred different fields where you can play sports, spend time with children and families, or train dogs. For a comprehensive overview of various fields, check HERE.
Walk along a trail that will keep Tartu beating in your heart for a long time
If you’re short on time but want to experience as much of Tartu’s as possible, head to the tourism information centre at the Town Hall. Here, you can find, among other interesting brochures, a walking map that will guide you through a few enriching and enjoyable hours in Tartu. This free map leads you to both well-known and lesser-known spots in Tartu that hold a special place in the hearts of locals. Besides the tourism information centre, the walking map is also available online.
If you post moments from Tartu city or county on your social media, share them with us as well. Tag your posts with @visittartu so we can also experience your local adventures and emotions. For inspiration on things to do in Tartu, keep an eye on our social media channels on Instagram and Facebook.
*Why almost no cost? We still recommend treating yourself to something delightful from Tartu’s cafes and restaurants. This way, you can enjoy a delicious meal and experience the charm of the local café culture.