Come to Tartu – here, you can truly enjoy a relaxing getaway
This year, it’s worth planning your vacation in Tartu, because here you can experience something extraordinary. Tartu, along with all of Southern Estonia, is the European Capital of Culture for 2024! This summer is packed with events worthy of this prestigious title, and you’re invited to join the celebration. Bring your family or friends along, because special moments and emotions are always more enjoyable when shared together.
Come and experience the thrilling Simple Session street sports event, which is returning to its hometown this year. Don’t miss the FIA European Rally Championship stage, ERC Delfi Rally Estonia, taking place on the roads of Tartu and Southern Estonia at the beginning of July. The rally’s start and finish podium, along with a diverse entertainment program, will once again be at its favorite spot, Tartu Town Hall Square.
And you know what? You deserve Tartu! We’re much closer than you think!
Song, dance and music
This summer, the Tartu Song and Dance Festival will bring an unprecedentedly grand festival week to the city – a remarkable number of dance groups, choirs, and musicians will gather on the dance lawn and under the song arch, offering plenty to cheer for.
The Tartu City Day will set a much more festive mood at Town Hall Square with its now traditional gala concert. In addition, we’ll be treated to various concerts, performances, tours, and surprises in honor of this special day. You can also enjoy music at the Inland Waters Festival, where the beautiful landscapes of Lake Võrtsjärv, Lake Peipus, and the Emajõgi River will be enhanced by 12 days of free concerts by Estonian artists and an exciting cultural program. In the city, summer life and bustle will be brought to life by the month-long Car-Free Avenue, with one of its highlight events being the grand Tartu 2024 summer party in August. For music lovers and dance enthusiasts, Elva SuveStriim will offer memorable moments on summer evenings.
Delicious food
Food enthusiasts already know that Tartu is the place to be when you’re craving something truly exceptional. Along with its cozy cafés and highly-rated restaurants, Tartu also hosts a variety of beloved food events. The Tartu Food and Wine Festival, renowned for its quality, delights everyone who attends. The two-day “Peipsi Food Street 175 km,” which runs along the shores of Lake Peipus, offers the best local flavors from the lake, forests, bogs, and marshes at pop-up restaurants. A cool new event you might discover is BARTU, a city festival dedicated to bar culture and creative spaces.
A pleasant vibe
Tartu is undoubtedly the street art capital of Estonia—come and see how new works are being created as part of the international Stencibility festival. The city of Tartu itself feels like one big, fascinating street art piece, but that’s not all. The August Love Film Festival, Tartuff, transforms our Town Hall Square into one of the largest open-air cinemas in the Baltics, offering unique perspectives on different facets of love, sometimes from very unexpected angles. The vibrant LGBT+ cultural festival, Tartu 2024 Pride, will also raise important topics. In Elva, the Estonian Movement and Well-being Festival invites you to participate in a variety of activities, including the Independent Dance Marathon.
New discoveries
Even the well-known spots in Tartu offer something new and exciting this summer. Did you know that the Upside Down House recently underwent a fresh exterior makeover? Inside, you’ll still find its dizzying, thrilling experiences. A touch of childhood nostalgia can be found at the Tartu Toy Museum’s latest exhibition, “Europe Plays,” which celebrates its 30th anniversary. The ruins of Tartu Cathedral have been brought to life with a new light and sound installation titled “Life Saver.”
On Sibulatee, you’ll find several new exhibitions this summer, including those at the beloved Voronja Gallery and the Liivi Museum, which showcases traditional Estonian rural life. One of the locations on Sibulatee has undergone a complete transformation and now features more interactive content – the Kolkja Old Believers’ Museum has recently reopened.
The exhibition “From Beet to Washing Machine,” a collaborative project of the Estonian Agricultural Museum, Tartu City Museum, and Estonian Road Museum, focuses on invention, ingenuity, and recycling. Additional engaging exhibitions can be found at the Estonian National Museum, Tartu city history museums, Tartu University museums, and various other city and county institutions.
Relaxation in nature
In contrast to the urban bustle, Tartu offers tranquility and peace right in the city center, not to mention the captivating countryside. In the heart of the city, you can find the historic Toomemäe Park, the beautiful Tartu University Botanical Garden, and the charming Emajõgi River promenade. In addition to various riverboats, the historic barge Jõmmu continues its summer trips along the Emajõgi River and surrounding lakes. Did you know that a brand-new barge is also being built at the lodja house this summer? If you want to enjoy a longer water experience, consider taking a boat trip to the unique Piirissaar Island.
The stunning Saadjärv and Võrtsjärv lakes await you for a boat ride, while the historic spa town of Elva charms with its lakes. By Lake Peipus, you can admire the Kallaste Cliff. Across the region, there are numerous bodies of water where you can enjoy swimming, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and other exciting water adventures. By the way, at Elva Adventure Park, you can combine beautiful natural views with thrilling excitement, as the aerial ride over Lake Verevi offers 800 meters of free-falling between water and sky. No matter which direction you choose in Tartu or Tartu County, you’re sure to find beautiful natural spots.
Fun with kids
If you’re planning a vacation with kids, Tartu is definitely the right destination, as it offers plenty of family-friendly options. At the coolest outdoor water park in Estonia, Vudila, there’s fun for the whole day, no matter the weather. The AHHAA Science Centre is exciting! Along with its interactive exhibits, this summer AHHAA promises the most thrilling and exhilarating experiences. The Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum is also a great stop – it’s an experiential museum where the “Hall of Grapplers” exhibition on martial arts is a current highlight. At the Ice Age Centre, you can take a photo against a backdrop of mammoths and dive into history that spans back 13.7 billion years.
At the Järvemuuseum by Lake Võrtsjärv, instead of traditional display cases, the main attractions are living freshwater fish native to Estonia. If your family vacation includes adventures, you can find them at the Lange Moto Center and various adventure parks, which offer exciting challenges along with trails designed for younger children.