The 13 best parks and gardens in Tartu

Tartu’s town square is the heart of the city, lined with pastel-colored, renovated buildings that reflect its rich history. Cobblestone streets add charm, while statues and playful fountains bring the area to life. The “Kissing Students” fountain stands out as a popular photo spot and symbol of the town’s youthful spirit. It’s a perfect place to stroll, sit on a bench, or relax at a café terrace. We really loved this place! 😍😍😍

It’s a beautiful plat, cool eating place outside, one can walk around, generally not crowded too much. Also ha tourist information centre located here. Kissing fountain is the place to take some pictures. Walking distance from the bus station.

Tricky to review a square unless it's unusual or spectacular. The Town Hall Square is wide and long, with a gentle slope and a pretty fountain in front of the Town Hall. It's cobbled and quite unspoilt. There is a small coffee shop with outdoor tables at the top right, near the fountain, but smokers should note that they don't allow smoking at the tables. There's also a good-sized pub about half-way up the square with reasonably-priced drinks, but it's an Irish Bar and, as an Irishman I try to avoid these when I'm travelling, so I can't review it. Rüütli Tn leads off the square, pretty much between the café and the pub, and has a large selection of restaurants in most price brackets

Must-visit spot in Tartu! There are many restaurants, cafes, and cool architecture. I visited during #Tartu2024, which was beautiful, and many events happened.

Such a lovely cobbled square with lots of cafes.

Town Hall is an amazing place, and the vibe is extraordinary. Lots of nice cafés and restaurants around. One can visit in the evenings to enjoy the surroundings. Some upgradation work is going on as the city has been declared as the cultural capital of Europe, and there are 300+ events lined up in 2024. Town Hall Square is the centre of all tge events and activities.

Amazing center place. Has many activities during the year. It serves as a main passing point with a lot of restaurants, clubs and stores on the side streets. There is also a park and shopping center nearby. It get busy on weekends/party days and it's a beautiful place overall

Its worth one visit and to know the history associated to it if you're a history buff. You don't need more that 20 mins at the spot. But from the ruins, you can walk down to the city sqyluare, have a hot chocolate at Pierre and laze around the river at some cozy restaurants.

Until the early 13th century, one of the strongest fortresses of the pagan Estonians stood on Toomemägi (Cathedral Hill). In 1224, this fortress was conquered and destroyed by the Knights of the Brothers of the Sword, who subsequently built a bishop's castle (which was destroyed by fire in 1667) and a Brick Gothic church on this site. This cathedral, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, was the seat of the Dorpat diocese and one of the largest churches in Eastern Europe. The church was finally completed at the end of the 15th century. Its two massive towers were 66 meters high. In 1525, the Reformation reached Dorpat, and during an iconoclasm on January 10 of that year, the cathedral was severely damaged. In 1558, the Catholic Church officially abandoned the cathedral. Plans by the Catholic Polish rulers were abandoned due to unforeseen circumstances, and the Swedish rulers were uninterested in restoring the church, causing its decline to continue. In 1760, the towers were partially demolished, reaching a height of 22 meters. After the University of Dorpat reopened in 1802, architect Johann Wilhelm Krause was commissioned to build a university library amid the ruins of the cathedral. After the university library moved into new premises in 1981, the University Museum was established in the old library. Ruin or not, the cathedral is and remains impressive!

Great sight to see and refresh yourself in the nature while exploring these ruins. The museum also worth a try if you are there!

Without even visiting museum, were disappointed at evening there was some construction going on for some event, in the upcoming morning there were trucks and dismantling of sort of tent took place. So this is all we were able to see :(

It's a beautiful place for those who love to see what used to be, whst it is and wonde rhow would stand in the years to come. They do ceremonies here, weddings or celebrations. Surrounded by forest and close by to other more beautiful sights.

We visited the Tartu Cathedral as a family and really enjoyed the beautiful architecture and historic atmosphere. It’s a peaceful and fascinating place to explore, and we spent a lovely time learning about its history. What could be improved: It would be helpful to have clearer signs or information panels, so visitors know more about the different areas and history. Some areas could use a little maintenance to make the visit even more comfortable. We really enjoyed our visit! However, because of the small issues mentioned above, we would love to give 4.5 stars, but unfortunately, it’s only possible to rate 4.

Interesting ruins, museum closed on Mondays.

Beautiful and huge place that is not marketed enough! If you really want to see everything I would recommend reserving at least 3h for the whole place inside and out ( the outside area is huge). We came here by chance. Come here even if you are not that big plant/flower person.

A large botanical garden with numerous paths and helpful descriptions. You only need a ticket to enter the glass house. The garden is open in the evening, making it a lovely place for a stroll at the end of a busy day

This is one of the true gems of Tartu. The grounds of the university botanical garden are truly magical. They offer a wonderful place to while away time and explore their natural beauty

Despite its small size (3 hectares), this smaller botanical garden boasts a wide variety of flowers, shrubs, and trees. It's a wonderful place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Botanical garden is free to enter but there is paid (couple euro) indoor area with tropical plants. Everything is well maintained and labelled. Good for relaxation and education.

Lovely garden with an interesting greenhouse. We visited in August and there were still plenty of flowers.

I've been here twice now. It's been beautiful both times, but I would say it was more beautiful in the spring when the trees are in bloom. It's really warm indoors, so if you're a really keen botanist, I recommend going inside too. The beautiful flowers outside are enough for me. The area is very large.

The main building of the oldest estonian university is remarkable.

This is the beautiful main building of Estonia's oldest university.

Great university for doing bachelors degree. Personally, I've graduated Business Administration program here. The University has great professors, who are willing to help you anytime, modern equipment, many different faculties all around the city. Current faculty of business is newly constructed innovative building - Delta Center

I am doing my 3rd Masters. Thus far of all the institution I have come across, this is the best higher learning institution

The best university in Estonia. Also great in the way the buildings are structured, classes are easy to find.

Awesome building with a wonderful Museum of Arts inside.

It’s huge, and you can enjoy walking around this university! There’re academic statues!

Good place that I was visiting every week, but suddenly decided to close at 8 PM today (because seems like they had a private event afterward?). Was not informed at reception desk and did not see any sign about it anywhere. Do they expect regular visitors to check the closing time on google maps at every visit?

Hot tub was cold and is a bit expensive. Parking also costs after free 1.5h limit, so keep in mind

3 classical Saunas, 1 Aroma-S., 1 Steam-S., 1 cold room, 1 whirlpool, 1 jap. Tub, cold shower, rest area, kiosk, 3 slides, family area, lazy river, swimming pool; Very family friendly (incl the saunas) and a good destination for a rainy or cold day in Tartu.

Very good, Aqua park in Tartu and if you pay extra you can access the whole complex with saunas, water park and a swimming pool. Highly recommend if you're planning to go to Tartu

Very nice place for our family of five. Kids 13, 11 and 9 enjoyed activities, there were three bigger slides and for example current road for swimming.

Good swimming pool for practice. 80 euro monthly pass is good .

The place is made up of three parts, a 50m swimming pool (almost always divided into 25m lanes only), a water slide park and a sauna-spa centre. The swimming pool is glorious, with tons of natural light, friendly lifeguards, well organised and clean. The water park is mediocre, hasn’t changed much in two decades but does the trick for little kids. The spa centre unfortunately is barely worth the expense. Yes they have renovated and expanded the space and sure there are a variety of saunas available (Finnish ones of different temperatures, steam, aroma…) but generally the place feels like an after thought and cramped into available space. It also feels like it was styled and built in the 1990s. The minuscule shower room and cramped changing room especially are awkward and might impress military planners who need to save space and not care about user comfort. There are also no extra or amenities like disinfectant for feet, sandals or dressing gowns for rent, salt for scrubbing etc etc etc In town only VSpa was built from scratch as a spa center, not as an add-on, so if that’s what you’re after, head there. Otherwise for a swim workout, this is your place!

Peaceful and very well-kept park. It has a lot of tributes to Estonian personalities.

Great place to learn about some of the fascinating information and early history of Tartu city with some relaxing places to walk and see the beauty of nature in the local park. One of the highest places to look over this beautiful city !! I really enjoy my stroll up the hill and I know you will too. Check it out !!

Peaceful place, beautiful view from the top of the hill. A cafe with good coffee and biscuits 👍

Great park with great views. My first experience of off-road longboarding was here (picture included), had great fun. After exploring this park a little bit more, I saw an off-road cycling opportunity too. Outdoor pingpong table available as well. Definitely worth checking out for travellers: two bridges - Angel's and Devil's, if I remember it right, old castle-like building and more. In case you are worried, nothing was broken after that fall.

The park was awesome in this Christmas evening. It was like we were in a magic or in some kind tale. The lights and shadows are so beautiful. Snow gives another wonderful dimension to this magic. There are many places for skiing and sliding with kelks. It would be nice to take some warm drink with you.

Nice park around the museum.

Biggest and best park in Tartu

It is a nice area with fields and a lake. It is a very good place for walking and for running for children. There is every year the Jäänipäev celebtration with music, street food and dances. And also the fire of course as a culmination and the symbol of the day. For kids there are many attractions there in this day.

Gorgeous park at the outskirts of Tartu. Great for a picnic, a walk with a furry friend or just a stroll after work.

Beautiful place for walking and enjoying fresh air. Hope that one day the main building will be restored too

Nice park. A bit out of the way but relatively quiet and not high traffic. There is no organized parking so just park wherever.

Wonderful museum, nice exposition! You have to reserve all day for visit. Better two :-)

Beautiful and calm place for walks and spending free time, highly recommend to drop in if you ever find yourself in Tartu.

Idyllic area that is suitable for walks. In summer there are also some events happening.

Nice pleasant river to walk or ride by. Sometimes interesting things float by…

A very good river. Lots of water. Free fish!

Nice river with wild banks. Slow waters, not so deep.

Cope.

(Translated by Google) My favorite place for both fishing and relaxation. (Original) Mana favorītupe gan makšķerēšanas, gan relaks vieta.

(Translated by Google) Mother's water. Once the largest trade route between Russia and the West. Tartu was rich and powerful before the Northern War😌 (Original) Emavesi. Kunagine suurim kaubatee Venemaa ja lääne vahel. Tartu oli enne Põhjasõda rikas ja võimas😌

(Translated by Google) Very nice place, there is water and no n1gg3re 👍 (Original) Väga kena koht, seal on vett ja pole n1gg3reid 👍

(Translated by Google) The sunniest place in the city center ☀️ Japanese cherry blossoms bloom in spring 🌸 (Original) Kõige päikeselisem koht kesklinnas ☀️ Kevadel õitsevad Jaapani kirsiõied 🌸

(Translated by Google) A beautiful park by the river. (Original) Ein schöner Park am Fluss.

(Translated by Google) Nice little triangular case (Original) Kena pisike kolmnurkne kaasik

I really liked the place. It had a nice atmosphere. What I didn't like was how the many animals were held, with not enough space at all or an imitation of their natural habitat. Also you should never have chinchillas on their one. I really hope they change that. Otherwise a great place for educating children.

Nice place, here you can be more close to nature

Good educational place for children and not only

Beautiful place with friendly people!

A good place for children.

Great place and great people!

(Translated by Google) Almost like Pärnu Nature House. (Original) Melkein kuin Pärnun Luontotalo.