Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è pasta... E pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Tripe is fried to a crisp.
L’Osteria della Trippa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
23 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
24 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
25 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
26 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All Estonia Tartu

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Tartu

8 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Tartu, Estonia

Updated October 1, 2019

Email
Attractions
Food & Drink
Map
Leaderboards
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Tartu

Museum of KGB Cells

Tartu, Estonia

Museum of KGB Cells

The secret cells in the basement of the KGB's Estonian "Grey House" have been preserved as a grim Cold War museum.
Noora, the new main building of the National Archives of Estonia.

Tartu, Estonia

Noora

The labyrinthine home of the National Archives of Estonia is an experimental blend of architecture, art, and history.

Tartu, Estonia

Supilinn - The Soup Town

Historic slum of Tartu.

Tartu, Estonia

Old Observatory in Tartu

First point in the Struve Geodetic Arc, a 19th century undertaking to measure the Earth's size and shape.
The Tartu Old Observatory

Tartu, Estonia

The Struve Geodetic Arc

A historic scientific breakthrough that crosses nine borders.
The lock-up.

Tartu, Estonia

Tartu Student Lock-Up

Troublesome students were detained in this tiny graffiti-covered university jail.
World’s largest Hoberman Sphere in Estonia.

Tartu, Estonia

World’s Largest Hoberman Sphere

The enormous isokinetic structure hangs within a science center in Estonia.
The champagne shower.

Tartu, Estonia

Karl Ernst von Baer Statue

Once a year, local students "clean" this statue with a champagne shower.

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Tartu

Tartu, Estonia

Supilinn - The Soup Town

Historic slum of Tartu.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Tartu, Estonia

8
Observatories 2

Tartu Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. ahvenas
    3
  2. stanestane
    2
  3. hrnick
    1
  4. Tony Dunnell
    1
  5. Will Mawhood
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Tartu.

Places Edited

  1. ahvenas
    4
  2. stanestane
    2
  3. nbj914
    1
  4. Martin
    1
  5. hrnick
    1
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. marianmitt
    8
  2. vikginborg
    8
  3. ahvenas
    8
  4. KyivanMoose
    8
  5. peeter6
    7
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Tartu.

Recent Tartu Activity

  • annagentner87

    wants to go to Tartu Student Lock-Up

    8 days ago
  • maxhebert

    wants to go to Old Observatory in Tartu

    2 days ago
  • maxhebert

    wants to go to The Struve Geodetic Arc

    2 days ago
  • jossiejaeken

    has been to Old Observatory in Tartu

    1 day ago
  • jossiejaeken

    has been to The Struve Geodetic Arc

    1 day ago

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.