Urban Bicycle Tour in Tartu

We'll meet at the front door of the University of Tartu Library.

The guide will introduce how to use the public bikes and go over riding safety guidelines.

NB: Please arrive about 10 minutes early if you've never used the city's public bikes before.

Vaksali is a cozy, low-rise neighborhood between the city center and the railway. We’ll see the renovated railway station and square, the Vaksali bridge and tunnels (one of the most Instagrammed spots in Tartu), and a few award-winning public spaces.

The Widget Factory is Tartu’s local creative city hub, where art, creative businesses, street events, urban nature, and cozy restaurants meet around a human-scale courtyard. We'll stop here to explore the area. You’ll also have a chance to visit small galleries or the bookstore.

We’ll cycle through Karlova — a charming, artistic neighborhood full of early 20th-century timber buildings. The area features a mix of old and new architecture, expressive street art, an art school, the legendary rebel bar Barlova, a former urban manor, and peaceful everyday life on narrow streets.

From Karlova, we’ll ride to Ülejõe — a newer part of the city with planned modern developments. We'll cross the river twice and pause at Ülejõe and Kesklinna parks to explore urban biodiversity experiments. We’ll rest by the new riverbank platforms and enjoy the view of the city center’s vibrant life.

Supilinn (Soup Town) is a picturesque neighborhood of small wooden houses and gardens dating back to the 18th century. Located along the right bank of the river, it has a cozy, artistic countryside feel and is a historically rebellious, yet safe suburb. It is a protected heritage area.

Toomemägi (Toome Hill) is the historical heart of Tartu. We'll cycle around the hill, admire its stunning views, and visit secret spots you won’t find in tourist guidebooks. It's where the story of Tartu began.

Tartu's Old Town is small but full of charm. We’ll cycle through its unique corners and discover its historical essence.

(Flexible ending). Depending on the group's energy and interest, we can either extend the tour a bit further or relax at a local café to rest our legs and chat about cities, people, nature, and the urban future.

(Return). If needed, we’ll return to the Library. It’s just a few minutes by bike or a 5-minute walk from the Old Town.