Old Võromaa Smoke Sauna, Old Believers’ Tea Ceremony, Culture Capital Tartu
✰ Traveler’s Choice 2025
Experience South Estonia's Top Rated Culture Retreat
Take part in ancient customs like the Samovar Tea Ceremony and Old Smoke Sauna Ritual and access the deep wisdom of cultures that have stood the test of time.
Explore the key subcultures that have shaped South Estonia’s identity: the Setos, Võros, and Old Believers, finishing your tour in the buzzing cultural capital of Tartu.
Flexible planning: Start anywhere, swap days as you like, and book each stop separately. Stay along the route or base yourself in Tartu – everything’s within a 2-hour drive.
The UNESCO-recognized Võro Smoke Sauna Ritual at Mooska Farm is a must-try cultural experience, offering a sacred, cleansing journey that fosters a deep connection to nature.
What you get:
✓ Guided traditional smoke sauna ritual
✓ Refreshing dip in the nearby pond
✓ Boughs, handmade soaps, sauna honey, and herbal tea
✓ Optional extras: juniper bough, sauna accessories, homemade beer
Duration: 3 hours Price: 340 € for up to 8 people (42.50 € per person)
Obinitsa Museum showcases the unique culture of Setomaa, featuring Seto women’s handicrafts from local villages. Visitors can dress in traditional Seto clothing and discover the rich history behind it.
32 min drive from Mooska Smoke Sauna
Värska Farm Museum
Explore a replica of a wealthy 1920s Seto fortification, featuring a smokehouse, residential building, gardens, animal lounge, hay barn, and pot factory, offering a complete view of Seto architecture.
58 min drive from Mooska Smoke Sauna
Café Seto Tsäimaja
Next to Värska Farm Museum, you can eat delicious Seto food from handmade earthenware and listen to Seto songs and musical instruments. You can also practice Seto dialect by reading from the menu.
58 min drive from Mooska Smoke Sauna
Meenikunno Hiking Trail
Meenikunno Bog is a haven for nature lovers with hiking cabins, an observation tower, and convenient boardwalk. Local bog plants like leather leaf and peat moss highlight the area’s unique natural heritage.
48 min drive from Mooska Smoke Sauna
Old Jüri's Soap Chamber
These handcrafted soaps make some of the best gifts to take home from the region. Each soap is infused with local Setomaa nature such as tar, bog plants or rare sacred water from Pechory Monastery.
59 min drive from Mooska Smoke Sauna
Day 2: Old Believers' Samovar Tea Ceremony
The Samovar Tea Ceremony at Samovar House, located by the serene shores of Lake Peipus, offers a unique cultural experience, immersing you in the rich traditions of the Old Believers.
What you get:
✓ Herbal tea ceremony with boiled sugar
✓ Traditional onion pies
✓ Beeswax candle workshop
✓ A guided tour of the history of samovars
✓ Stories from Old Believers’ folklore
✓ Optional: Bring your own samovar for a personal tutorial
Duration: 1 hour Price: 15 € per person (minimum price 100 €)
The 25-kilometre route along Lake Peipus showcases all three cultures of the Onion Route with stops at the historic villages of Kolkja, Kasepää, and Varnja.
15 min drive from Samovar House
Kolkja Museum
The Kolkja Museum of Old Believers in Kolkja village explores and shares the story of the Old Believers by Lake Peipus, including how they arrived in Estonia.
8 min drive from Samovar House
Turgi Handicraft Farm
Turgi Handicraft Farm aims to promote the textile heritage of Kodavere village and teach guests how to weave ancestral patterns and their modernized looms.
22 min drive from Samovar House
Gallery Voronja
Located in an Old Believer’s village, Voronja is a gallery of contemporary art in an old fisherman’s boat shed which hosts a new exhibition every summer.
1 min drive from Samovar House
Alatskivi Castle
A magical castle on Estonia’s eastern border, offering a glimpse into aristocratic life and history, with a great restaurant and historical reenactments.
16 min drive from Samovar House
Fish & Onion Restaurant
Small, authentic restaurant offering traditional Old Believer dishes from local onions and fresh fish from Lake Peipus. Be sure to try their smoked fish and onion soup.
8 min drive from Samovar House
Day 3: Tartu & Estonian National Museum
Conclude your journey in Tartu, Estonia’s vibrant cultural capital, with a visit to the Estonian National Museum. This modern and interactive museum brings Estonia’s rich history and folklore to life through cutting-edge exhibitions.
What you get in the museum:
✓ A journey through Estonian and Finno-Ugric past
✓ Immersive virtual reality experiences of historical moments
✓ A deep dive into Estonian folklore and national costumes
✓ Hands-on workshops in traditional crafts like weaving and pottery
✓ A modern venue with a gallery, cinema, restaurant, and café
Duration: around 2 hours Price: 15 € per person (family and group tickets available)
Tartu’s cultural heart includes beautiful Town Hall Square, Tartu Art Museum, Tartu University, charming cafés, and historic architecture.
Toome Hill Park
Toome Hill Park, a beloved green escape in Tartu, features a historic cathedral, the University of Tartu Museum, and panoramic tower views.
Aparaaditehas
Aparaaditehas is a vibrant cultural space in an old factory complex, home to creative entrepreneurs, artists, designers, as well as restaurants and bakeries.
Botanical Gardens
The University of Tartu Botanical Garden offers more than 10,000 species and varieties of plants in the garden, including a wide variety of rare protected plants.
Emajõe Promenade
The promenade along the Emajõgi River is a favorite of locals and tourists alike. Enjoy cafés, bars and restaurants brimming with fun atmosphere, delicious food and music.
Roots: A Journey into Yourself
The Roots tour is designed to deepen your connection with nature and heritage. And South Estonia will surely win your heart with fascinating subcultures, serene nature, and warm hospitability.
By immersing yourself in these mindful traditions, we hope you will rediscover a greater sense of belonging. Over the course of three days, you’ll learn to slow down and return home with a renewed sense of calm.
Start planning your trip today!
- Linnea -
Roots was such a meaningful experience that helped me slow down and recharge. The indigenous people and their customs were truly special.
- Riikka -
South Estonia offered so much culture and everyone was incredibly kind. Samovar ceremony was my highlight, highly recommend.
- Michael -
The smoke sauna was something else, deeply calming and unforgettable. We stayed in Lydia hotel in the heart of Tartu.
- Devi -
This tour is great for a small group of friends. So many hands-on activities and the final day in Tartu was the perfect touch.
