The permanent exhibition Earth. Life. Story. includes nearly 8,000 scientific exhibit items, which tell the development story of planet Earth from the beginning of the universe until the modern day. At the exhibition, you can explore the traces of life from millions of years ago, admire shiny minerals, watch the so-called night airport of butterflies, or track the movement of the placoderm fish from the Devonian era. You can look the first jackal caught in Estonia in the eye and experience the human body through the eyes of a reptile. Visitors will be glad to see the favourites of several generations: the elk, bison, and giraffe. We also have live animals, such as the Python Regius, a turtle, a green iguana, and many other small exotic animals. See you at the Natural History Museum!
The Saatse Museum's main building was originally a residential building, then a school building, and now it's a museum. What makes Saatse Museum special are the texts painted on the wall and the opportunity to watch old film clips about the history and religion of Setomaa. The former classroom on the upper floor is set up in the style of the Soviet era. The museum has a spacious outdoor area and a small stage, so it's a nice place to have a picnic. A small hiking trail runs along the border and starts and ends at the museum — it can be walked even when the museum is closed.
The Estonian Road Museum showcases the development of roads and traffic in Estonia, from the horse era to the present day. Exciting thematic events are organized here, educational guided tours are offered, and rooms are rented for seminars and celebrations. The heart of the museum is the historic Varbuse horse post station, which, together with the outdoor exhibition environment Teeaeg, forms a unique look at history. The Machine Hall is the museum's technical park and interactive traffic education center. It also houses a rotating car and the Estonian Road Museum's traffic safety simulator, which offers an immersive experience and a clear understanding of how seat belts save lives. The standout features of the outdoor areas are the historic road room, where you can seemingly travel back in time, and the recreation area with a traffic city, which offers activities for the whole family, especially during the summer season. Temporary exhibitions are held in the main building of the post station, and the second floor houses a children's museum created specifically for younger visitors.
The University of Tartu Art Museum is located in the historical University Main Building and has Pompeian-style interior. The museum’s permanent exhibition consists of sculptures, mostly from the antiquity – original size plaster cast copies of the best works of Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic Greece. The Art Museum also displays many ancient originals: coins, vases, clay lamps, and cuneiform tablets. There is also the mysterious mummy chamber, where you can find a genuine Egyptian mummy. You can also visit the beautiful Assembly Hall of the university and the student lock-up in the attic.
Discover the gems of South Estonia: Taevaskoja and Põlva! If you wish to spend a day filled with the beauty of nature, local flavors, and inspiring encounters, try the Babelhouse day trip starting from Tartu to Southern Estonia. One of the highlights of the tour is a walk on the famous Taevaskoja hiking trail, where mighty sandstone cliffs, mysterious caves, and the flowing Ahja River create a stunning landscape. After exploring nature, the small town of Põlva awaits, surprising you with its charm. There, you'll have the opportunity to meet local small business owners and hear their stories. Transportation from Tartu and back is included in the tour price. Babelhouse tours are flexible and tailored to meet the group's wishes and time constraints. During the tour, you can purchase local souvenirs. The Taevaskoja and Põlva tour is ideal for culture enthusiasts, foreign guests, and groups of friends who wish to experience the beauty of nature together, as well as for pre- and post-conference programs. Book the trip and spend a wonderful day in Southern Estonia!
The Mõniste Museum is the oldest open-air museum in Estonia; here you can light a fire in a Stone Age tepee or practice archery, slinging or lassoing. You can also learn how to make bone and earthenware objects, weave fishing nets and fabric, grind grain or bake a loaf of Stone Age bread. The threshing barn dating back to Czarist times features the interior of the 19th century building, tools, household utensils and clothing. The farmhouse from the times of the first Republic of Estonia exhibits the tools that blacksmiths used, horse necessaries, handicraft tools, national costumes, folk music instruments, etc. You can also try what farm works felt like at that time.
Kogo Gallery is an internationally operating contemporary art gallery located in Tartu's Aparaaditehas. The gallery focuses on a younger generation of artists and supports their international visibility by introducing their work to a wider audience. Kogo's mission is to foster free creation, interdisciplinary thinking, imagination, and novel ideas, and to initiate and maintain creative relationships by bringing together creative individuals and art enthusiasts. The gallery's diverse exhibition program features both solo projects by artists and curator-created exhibitions. In addition to exhibitions, Kogo organizes a variety of public programs at the gallery. The gallery also involves experts from different fields in its activities to develop dialogue on important societal issues. Kogo Gallery offers visitors numerous art experiences, including exhibitions and art sales, art rental for special events, gallery tours for groups, gallery space rental for special events, and curating and advising art collectors.
Supilinn is Tartu's most bohemian district, where 18th-century wooden houses, courtyards awash in urban greenery, and the banks of the Emajõgi River create an unparalleled atmosphere. It combines the best of city living with a natural environment, where you can feel the community spirit and local creativity. Go for a walk in Supilinn on the beautiful promenade along the Emajõgi River, where century-old trees and a tranquil frog pond give the city a breath of fresh air. Street art, colorful courtyards, and wooden houses tell Supilinn's story, which is best experienced during the spring Supilinn Days, when courtyards and gardens open to guests and the entire district turns into a large festival. The best way to explore Supilin is on foot or by bike, so you can notice hidden corners, shutter patterns, and backyard gardens. A walk with a local guide can reveal hidden layers of the district and highlight its bohemian spirit. More information about guided tours can be found on the Tartu Guides page.