Experience in Tartu, Estonia by Artur

What is it like to live in Tartu? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I live in Tartu my whole life. It's a pretty small town in southern Estonia, where about 20% of population are students of the Universities. If you are coming from Western Europe you would experience many new things beginning from food and low (for Western Europe) prices and finishing strange (for some people) habits of local people.

The city is very compact and well-organized, you can reach every point of it by bike in less than 30 minutes.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Tartu?

Erasmus students are famous for partying everywhere, but in Estonia especially, because its cheap, available for everybody. People mostly live in dorms, and go out for the parties every week for a few times.

How much does it cost to live in Tartu?

Not so much. Normal price for bed in dorm is 80-130 euro per month.

Local transport if you really need it for students is 0. 51 euro.

Beer in the shop - from 60 cents to 1. 1 euro. Beer in the bar - from 1. 9 euro till 4. 5 euro (super expensive)

What places would you recommend visiting in Tartu?

You should try to drink a beer in Püssirohukelder, it's a bar and they have their own special red beer. If you like parks then you should go to Toomemägi or Raadi. Also walking by the river is very nice.

Is it good to eat out in Tartu? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes, it's good. On the central square it might be expensive but if you go behind the corner its much cheaper. From Monday till Friday in almost every restaurant you can take the dish of the day for 3 euro.

For pizza in my opinion the best place is Taverna on the central square or Ruuni Pizza.

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Is the nightlife good in Tartu? Where is good to go?

For partying there is mostly one street - Rüütli, where most of the bars located.

Also there are several clubs around the center. Mostly clubs have free entrance until Midnight. Students favorite parties are Europarty in Club Tallinn (usually on Wednesdays and all the drinks in the club cost 1-2 euro! ) and also Retro party in club Illusion.

What advice would you give future students heading to Tartu?

Take your stuff and move to Tartu! All the Erasmus students told me it's one of the best places for Erasmus!