Tartu Observatory Visitor Centre

The multi-layered Onion Route near Lake Peipus is waiting for you!The Onion Route offers many adventures in the winter: *A tour at the Alatskivi Castle with the castle damsel; making a bag with the traditional woodblock printing technique at the castle's workshop, and tasting the local foods in the castle's restaurant;*Going on a journey of discovery on a local vehicle (karakat) meant for driving on ice on Lake Peipus or the swamps of Emajõe Suursoo, and having a picnic in the nature;*Going to a sauna tent or a plasticsauna, whichever you like, on Lake Peipus or the yard of Mesi Tare Home Accommocation at Varnja village.The price includes a guide and a day programme, prepared in accordance with your wishes.Wear warm clothes, bring your friends, and come discover the Onion Route!

Contact Konstantin, the owner of Kostja Onion Farm, when the onions are starting to ripen. You can buy any variety and quantity of onions and onion garlands from him. You can also buy mouth-watering onion pies, which must be ordered in advance. They are worth it! For those interested in onion cultivation, Kostja offers a guided tour (in Estonian, German, and Russian), during which he introduces the traditional onion-growing methods of the Old Believers and modern tips for growing onions in your garden. The farm also offers onion wreath weaving workshops.

Peipsiveere Samovar House is a small museum in the Old Believers' village of Varnja that introduces visitors to the world of samovars and tea culture along Lake Peipsi. The private collection, accumulated over decades, contains more than 200 diverse samovars. From simple tin samovars to rare ones with elaborate engravings, reflecting the skills and traditions of masters from different eras. The exhibition, located in an authentic Old Believers' house, offers visitors insight into why the samovar was more than just a kettle for centuries. Stories reveal the origins of samovars, manufacturing techniques, usage methods, different design types, and tea-drinking traditions in the communities along the lake. Every guest can taste genuine samovar tea and the famous Ivan chai, and try traditional boiled sugar with the tea, an integral part of Old Believers' tea culture. If desired, one can also explore handmade samovar accessories and hear stories from the hostess of Mesi Tare about preparing, serving, and respectfully preserving tea.

A canoe trip is an excellent opportunity to discover Estonia's beautiful rivers and experience the importance of teamwork. A joint adventure on a body of water helps you get to know your companions better and develop cooperation skills. During the drier summer period, we paddle down larger rivers, where the water flows more calmly. During spring and autumn's high water seasons, there is an opportunity to discover less frequently visited waterways, such as the floods in Soomaa National Park. It is possible to order campfire meals or a bushcraft workshop to go along with your canoe trip. There is also the possibility of going on multi-day trips. Come and enjoy an adventure in nature — a canoe trip is an experience to remember!

Karilatsi Open Air Museum is a unique open air museum in Southern Estonia which provides an overview of the life of Vana-Võromaa County about 100 years ago.On the 5-hectare territory of the museum, you can experience moments from the school life and farm work of that time and get to know everyday simple tools. Workshops and lessons on traditions and customs: smoke sauna customs, Võromaa wedding customs, celebrations, folk calendar year, and many other experience programmes (e.g. court session in Võru language, old school lesson). You can see a school, a court, and an almshouse with their smaller buildings, a granary, a barn-dwelling, a cottar farm, and a Dutch windmill. Agricultural machinery and vehicles are also on display. Ticket sales to the museum end one hour before closing.

Emajõe-Suursoo, located in the Peipsiveere Nature Reserve, is an exciting and wild place, a labyrinth of rivers and lakes. On the canoe trip, we move through the wetlands, rivers, and lakes, enjoying the peace and quiet. We will look for traces of birds and animals and may even meet them face-to-face. The trip is also suitable for beginners. We can organize the canoe trip at a time that suits you, even at sunrise or sunset. The trip lasts four hours and includes a small picnic on a bog island. On all trips, a guide will ensure the safety of your group.

Come and experience Estonia's vast natural landscapes in a primal way — by dogsled! Karusaare dogsled trips in Tartu County offer unforgettable experiences throughout the year in the forest landscape of Järvselja and the Peipsiveere Nature Reserve in Emajõe-Suursoo. From autumn to spring, we move on off-road carts and, in winter, when there is enough snow, on traditional sleds. You can choose a shorter trip or a longer journey. It is an appropriate activity for the whole family, including children over the age of 3. The hike begins and ends at the sled dog training center, where the instructor shares the necessary safety and driving instructions. On our journey, we take short breaks to water the dogs, and on longer journeys, we stop by the fire to enjoy a bit of heat, light, and warm food. If you wish, you can also order catering to make your trip even more memorable. Trips only take place when the air temperature is below +12 °C and there is no storm warning or wind gusting above 15 m/s.

Tartu City Museum invites you to explore the city's diverse history and cultural heritage. The permanent exhibition, "Our Tartu," introduces the districts of Tartu, telling stories about the people of Tartu, their lives, and everyday habits. The exhibition provides insight into what makes each district in Tartu special, as each district has its own personality, as shared by local people. Visitors can also enjoy temporary exhibitions that introduce new topics and artistic perspectives. These exhibitions reveal different facets of Tartu, ranging from the city's architecture and social life to contemporary cultural phenomena. The museum offers guided tours and city tours, during which guides take participants on exciting journeys through Tartu's districts. These excursions are suitable for both local enthusiasts and visitors who wish to learn more about Tartu. The museum's premises can also be rented for various events. Come experience the story of Tartu through its people, places, and memories.