Põlva Central Square

The longest Devonian sandstone outcrop in Estonia is located in Kallaste. The measurements done in 2001 show that the outcrop is about 930 metres long. The maximum height of the outcrop is 8 metres. Starting from the south side of the town and moving towards the central square, you can see 11 outcrops. When the water level rises during high waters, the waves chip away the outcrop, creating many caves in the sandstone. The largest of these are more than 1.5 m high and up to 6 m deep.The southernmost and highest outcrop has been under protection since 1959.According to legends, an ancient and magical smith used to live in the caves.

The upper reaches of the Võhandu River, otherwise known as the Pühajõgi River, are ideal for canoeing if the water is a little higher than the summer average. The natural environment in the area is diverse and interesting, sometimes offering expansive views, other times hemmed in on both sides by trees and forests. There are parts of the river that are rockier and more like rapids, reminiscent of the Ahja River. Here and there you might come across beavers and kingfishers.The trip can be extended by starting from the village of Vidrike and crossing the 11 lakes that make up the Kooraste chain. If you choose this option you can make your hike a two-day one, camping overnight on the shore of Lake Suurjärv.

Located in the manor park of the same name, the Helme caves, are an unrivalled sight in Estonia. Situated to the north of castle ruins, the caves have a white Burtniek layer of sandstone walls standing 3 m high. Unfortunately for cave lovers though, some of the better known caves have already collapsed. Once comprised of seven interlinked chambers, the biggest of which was known as the Church of Moses. Peppered with springs, the caves have a long history; and over the years they have been dug out and used as shelters when needed. Did you know...?: In ancient times the Helme caves were also known locally as the gateway to Hell.Kivialune (under the rocks) was a shelter for Old Estonians during the wars.

Tamme Outcrop hiking track is located on the eastern shore of Lake Võrtsjärv between the villages of Tamme and Neemisküla in Elva municipality. The area is rich in Devon sandstone outcrops from the Aruküla layer. Tamme Outcrop, which is located on the track, is an area where placoderms have been found and where valuable paleontological material has been collected since the second half of the 19th century.Ten information boards have been set up along the hiking track, which is almost 2 km long. They provide interesting information about the local natural environment. If you walk 1 km north on the track, you can turn back and hike back along a field or on a forest trail on the outcrop.

August Teppo was a famous accordionist of Võru County. Today, his home farm has been turned into a museum. Visitors can see his workshop, as well as learn about the lifestyle typical of the era. In addition to the exhibition, the museum also organises trainings and cultural events.Good to know: the museum is only open to visitors upon booking during the summer months.

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.

Our four apartments on Ülikooli Street, right on the edge of Old Town, were created in collaboration with four different Tartu artists: Kairo, Maikro, Ralf Sannikov, and Viktoria Berezina. Each room bears the name of an artist and reflects the character of their creations. In collaboration with Mikrogalerii, we have created a vibrant art experience that extends beyond the apartment walls. You can encounter the works of these authors on the streets of Tartu and in the newly developed creative district Mikro-Venice. tARTu Apartments are an integral part of Tartu's modern art scene. All apartments have contemporary furnishings and are equipped with everything necessary, including WiFi, kitchen utensils, a French press, bed linen, and towels. The washing machine is shared. We offer contactless check-in and local recommendations to truly feel present in tARTu – not as a tourist, but as part of the culture. For us, art is a value, not a decoration. Therefore, we share 10% of our profits with the artists.

Tartu Toy Museum, situated in the Old Town of Tartu, takes adults back to the brighter days of their childhood and offers children plenty of interesting things to see and do.The permanent exhibition displays toys that Estonian children have played with throughout the years. Artist-made dolls, souvenir dolls of different nations, and Finno-Ugric traditional toys are also exhibited. Playrooms and workshops are also open. You can see puppets from Estonian puppet films and temporary exhibitions in the outbuilding. The museum also has a theatre building named ’Teatri kodu’ (The Home of Theatre) with a theatre hall, a museum of puppets, and a children’s studio.