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.
UNESCO-listed ancient smoke sauna experience that deepens your connection with nature and heritage.
Traditional herbal tea ceremony with onion pies, offering a taste of Old Believers’ samovar traditions by Lake Peipus.
Arrive at Estonia’s vibrant capital of culture with a visit to Estonian National Museum, a modern trove of history and heritage.
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
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
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 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
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
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 40-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
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 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
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
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
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
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, a beloved green escape in Tartu, features a historic cathedral, the University of Tartu Museum, and panoramic tower views.
Aparaaditehas is a vibrant cultural space in an old factory complex, home to creative entrepreneurs, artists, designers, as well as restaurants and bakeries.
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.
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.
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!
