Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Tartu?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Tartu?

Many travelers spend one to three days in Tartu during their visit. After all, the student-oriented university town has plenty to explore such as the historic old town, the nightlife scene, and the gorgeous scenery.

Located in eastern Estonia, Tartu is a beautiful university town with a lively old town and many neoclassical buildings. The city is filled with bustling streets, colorful squares, and an active student population.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Tartu? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is 3 days enough time in Tartu?

Three days provides ample opportunity to explore the university area of Tartu at your own pace to experience the historic old town, the nightlife scene, and the gorgeous scenery. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.

How to spend 3 days in Tartu

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

A few tour suggestions include:

Charming Viljandi Walking Tour for Couples ($150)
Spectacular Christmas Walking Tour in Viljandi ($212)

This university town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

Tartu is a very walkable city. With only a day in the university town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

After you've explored most of Tartu, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

Tartu is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It's a beautiful city with a long history and a number of unique historical buildings.

A few tour suggestions include:

Charming Viljandi Walking Tour for Couples ($150)
Spectacular Christmas Walking Tour in Viljandi ($212)

Public transit in Tartu is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the university town quite easily. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Tartu. Plenty of amazing options are available.

Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.

Is 4 days enough time in Tartu?

With four days, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Tartu has to offer, including the historic old town, the nightlife scene, and the gorgeous scenery. With the extra time, you can take in the vibe of the university town and use Tartu as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the historic old town, the nightlife scene, and the gorgeous scenery at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.

How to spend 4 days in Tartu

With 4 days in Tartu, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the university town has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time exploring the historic town, hopping around the bars and clubs, taking in the beautiful scenery, dining at local restaurants, and browsing the shops. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this university town looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.

Is 5 days enough time in Tartu?

Five days is more than enough for a trip to Tartu, as it would let you explore the university and the historic old town, the nightlife scene, and the gorgeous scenery on your own schedule. Then, relax in the restaurants, go shopping, or use Tartu as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.

How to spend 5 days in Tartu

With 5 days in Tartu, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the university town has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time exploring the historic town, hopping around the bars and clubs, taking in the beautiful scenery, dining at local restaurants, and browsing the shops. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this university town looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Tartu, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.