Reducing the ecological footprint
One of the most important goals of the city of Tartu is to reduce the ecological footprint by encouraging nature-friendly behaviours among residents, tapping into renewable energy and embracing modern technology. Tartu breathes environmentalism, evident in every aspect of life – in the activities of local businesses, in the thoughtful planning of various events, and even in the cityscape.
In Tartu, an array of sustainable options awaits exploration. Discover the city’s charm while engaging with environmentally conscious practices and enjoying local experiences. We are delighted to share a lineup of activities for an exciting day in Tartu.
If you’re interested in booking any of the services mentioned, we kindly ask that you reach out to them directly.
Arriving in Tartu
Getting to Tartu is easy, thanks to the convenient train and bus connections that make reaching us from various parts of Estonia quite effortless. Both of the public transport options have several amenities, including free Wi-Fi. You may find suitable bus times from www.tpilet.ee. Train schedules are also online: www.elron.ee.
Read more our transportation page.
Where to go in Tartu?
Tartu Environmental Education Centre
The mission of Tartu Environmental Education Centre is to encourage people to value the nature around them and to behave environmentally friendly. It is not just an educational centre or a hobby centre – visiting this place helps you realise that the story and values of a nature-friendly way of life are also conveyed by the house itself. Additional information: www.tartuloodusmaja.ee.
University of Tartu Botanical Garden
The University of Tartu Botanical Garden, the oldest botanical garden in the Baltic States, offers educational programs and tours for visitors of all ages. The garden hosts over 10,000 species and varieties of plants from around the world. Inside the greenhouses, you can see plants from rainforests and deserts. The garden was designed under the guidance of renowned botanists, Professors Ledebour and Bunge. While visiting the greenhouses requires a ticket, the garden itself is open for free enjoyment. There is also a pleasant playground for children.
Biodiversity in Tartu
The city of Tartu is participating in the “Biodiversity Green Ring” project, which aims to increase biodiversity in Tartu. Along with project partners, a network of biodiverse green areas will be created, connecting existing green spaces and establishing new green corridors. The project will enhance the species diversity of Tartu’s green areas and improve the functionality of green corridors, increase the accessibility of nature-rich habitats through better visitor infrastructure and signage, and develop good practices for urban landscaping maintenance, among other things.
Bike tour in the unique districts of Tartu
Thanks to Tartu’s compact size, exploring a lot in a short time is easily achievable by cycling. For those preferring a bicycle tour on their own, Tartu offers a convenient and eco-friendly bike-sharing system tailored just for that purpose. More information on Tartu Smart Bike Share: ratas.tartu.ee.
Guided tours (both on foot and by bicycle) are offered, for example, by PseudoTours, whose most popular tours lead you to discover the street art and its stories in the districts of Tartu. Additional information: www.pseudotours.com.
Lodjakoda (Barge Chamber) and sailing on river Emajõgi
Lodjakoda is a unique theme park for building historical ships in the whole Baltic region. Here, you will find out how a historic ship – a 24 m long two-masted Emajõgi-Peipsi barge – is being built. Also, the Barge Chamber operates as a museum, conference centre, and exhibition space with a café, Viking and barge tours, and a harbour. Trips on the historical barge Jõmmu can be booked for groups for a range of events. Depending on the season, you may take part of the thematic trip on the barge. Additional information: www.lodi.ee.