Tartu

Tartu, in Tartu County, is Estonia's university city and its second-largest urban centre, about 190 km south-east of Tallinn. The intercity bus from Tallinn Bus Station to Tartu Bus Station on Turu street takes about 2 hours 25 minutes each way. Lux Express and other operators run roughly hourly services, with fares of about EUR 12-15 (about USD 13.80-17.25) one way by aggregator ranges. Driving takes about 2 hours 15 minutes, so the day is dominated by the journey, and an early start is important to leave enough time in the city.

The University of Tartu, founded in 1632, shapes the character of the city. Its neoclassical main building sits close to the old town, and the student population gives the centre a lively, youthful feel with many cafes, bookshops and bars. Toome Hill, a wooded park rising above the town centre, holds the ruins of a medieval cathedral and an astronomical observatory and offers pleasant walking paths. The town hall square, with its leaning house and the Kissing Students fountain, is the traditional focal point, and the surrounding streets are compact enough to explore on foot. The Estonian National Museum, a large modern building on the former Raadi airfield, covers Estonian culture and history with extensive exhibits and is the main afternoon destination; it lies a short ride or walk from the centre, and entry is charged.

A suggested day takes an early bus so as to arrive around 10:00, spends the morning on the old town, the university and Toome Hill, then breaks for lunch at one of the many cafes near the town hall square. The museum fills the afternoon, and an evening bus returns to Tallinn. Visitors should confirm the last departure time, since the long ride makes a missed bus costly. Food options are plentiful and varied, reflecting the student population.

Tartu can be visited all year, but May to September is best for walking Toome Hill and the riverside. The terrain is mostly flat apart from the hill, and the walking load is moderate across the day. The long transfer is the main reason the outing counts as moderate; some visitors prefer to stay overnight to see more.