"Oh Tartu Town!" Top 5 Page for this destination Tartu by King_Golo

Tartu Travel Guide: 186 reviews and 500 photos

Oh Tartu town!
What a wonderful place this is: a precious gem located in the south of Eestimaa! Tartu, Estonia's second biggest town (about 100,000 inhabitants) is about 180 km southeast of Tallinn. Its centre is full of fine classicist houses gathered around Raekoja Plats (the townhall square). Close by is River Emajogi, and at its banks you can have a nice hike or (if courageous enough) even a swim.

Toomemagi

Tartu is a town full of history and home to one of the Baltic's oldest universities. Many famous Estonians are from Tartu. But to me, it's far more than that: I've lived in Tartu for half a year and I do not exaggerate by saying that this was the best time of my life. I remember dazzling white snow freshly fallen between the old trees on Toomemägi... the smell of bonfires sending sparks into the sky at Emajogi beach... the bustling atmosphere of a young town full of students... my short but intensive career as a choir singer in Tartu Muusikakool and the concerts our choir gave... the spooky atmosphere of the snow-covered graveyard we went to on Estonia's national holiday to honour Estonia's heroes... the blossoms of thousands of lilac bushes... the friendliness of Estonians... attempting to learn their beautiful language which has created words with as many as seven vowels in a row: Hauaööoudused!

Supilinn

Everything makes me want to come back as soon as possible! Hopefully, I'll be able to re-visit Eesti soon.

Pros and Cons

Pros:lovely atmosphere, young people, open-minded town
Cons:the late winter climate
In a nutshell:The gem of Estonia

Last visit to Tartu: Apr 2006
Intro Updated Oct 14, 2012
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Reviews (21)

Wilde and Vilde Restaurants (6)

Wilde and Vilde were writers - the former Oscar Wilde was Irish, the latter Eduard Vilde was Estonian. For whatever... more travel advice

The only cafe on Dome Hill Restaurants (6)

Rotund is the only cafe on Dome Hill and that is basically everything that makes it special. It's a small place with... more travel advice

Toome Kirik Things to Do (9)

Toomemägi is home to a number of (smaller) sights - statues, lookout places, the park. The most interesting among all of... more travel advice

The Kissing Students Things to Do (9)

It's only a fountain, but one of the most beautiful I know: The "Kissing Students", built in 1999, in front of Tartu's... more travel advice

Local Customs (2)
See All Student Days
Nightlife (3)
See All Weird!

Shopping (1)
Inside the grottoes of Rüütli
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Travelogues (2)

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Comments (13)

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Mikebond May 31, 2009 at 10:05 AM

Ich habe nur ein paar Tipps gelesen, muss nächstes Mal weiterlesen. Gute Arbeit bis jetzt...
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GracesTrips Apr 3, 2009 at 2:14 PM

Hello Golo! How are things? Where is your next adventure taking you? I'm off to Montreal, Canada in a few weeks! I'm looking forward to the French cuisine! Take care!
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jumpingnorman Feb 1, 2009 at 1:07 PM

Love that leaning house that's about to crash...Tartu seems to be a small town with a lot of character! Thanks for sharing, King Golo! Norman :)
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timada Nov 11, 2008 at 1:16 AM

Nice town Tartu ! Your photos are wonderful!
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b1bob Jun 18, 2007 at 1:40 PM

Nice job!
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Maurizioago Apr 5, 2007 at 2:27 AM

I wouldn't pass throught that bridge! Ciao!
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Nemorino Feb 1, 2007 at 1:46 AM

Nice tips and travelogues about Tartu and the Emajogi, and the Suudlevad Tudengid. Tartu sounds like one of the best student towns in the whole Maailm.
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Raimix Dec 3, 2006 at 11:43 AM

Seems you enjoyed Tartu! I would like to visit this city someday, to make a daytrip from, lets say, Tallinn.
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SapineKuu Aug 11, 2006 at 3:33 PM

Hi Golo, Thanks for your comments on my Tallinn page. Enjoyed your Tartu page so much I will be adding it to my list of places to visit:)
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Diana75 Apr 25, 2006 at 6:12 AM

Interesting information about a place I don't know at all. I'd love to spend a little time in that bookshop. Thanks for your visit. Greetings, Diana