Experience in Tartu, Estonia by Kadri

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

Tartu is a place to be when you are a student or old because Tartu has a very cool student life. The distances are short between home and the city centre and the university. Basically, whole Tartu is one big Campus. A lot of young people live there and all of them speak good English.

Source

What is the student lifestyle like in Tartu?

Most of the students are very hard working. They tend to go out on Fridays, but normally the parties will take place at Rüütli street, which is located just in the centre of the city and very easy to find. But you can have a lot of other activities with friends. In Tartu there are 2 cinemas, a ticket costs around 5 euro. There are 3 beaches plus a lot of beaches, lakes and rivers out of town where the bus can take you. The ticket costs max 1, 5 euro.

How much does it cost to live in Tartu?

The food costs like everywhere else in European Union countries. Accommodation for students is very cheap.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Tartu? Is there any advice you can give?

The best is to find a facebook group of Narva mnt and post you need a place to stay and if anyone can help. If you have contacts in Tartu, of course, you can also ask them to help you...

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Food is very simple, potatoes and salad, with fried meat on the side, borš, pea soup, sour cabbage soup, seljanka, tomato soup. But also you can have everything else.. like lasagne, pasta, Asian food etc. There are very cheap Asian places in the city centre that have good food. There is also one more exclusive Asian restaurant, but I would not recommend it, I didn't like the food (Tsink Plekk Pang). But more or less it's not expensive to eat out.

Source

What places would you recommend visiting in Tartu?

The river Emajõgi, Lodjakoda, do some tree-climbing, Swamps, forest lakes near Tartu, Rüütli street, Kaarsild, Town Hall, Toome hill, Karlova and Supilinn. There are a lot of houses under the protection of cultural heritage. They are not far from the city centre.

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

My favourite spots are Asian food places like Kung Fu and Panda. Panda is cheaper. The sandwich bar Metro that is located near the Nightclubs is good as well. In the central square the best places are: Suudlevad tudengid, Kapriis, Taverna (Italian food restaurant).

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

Nightlife in Tartu takes place at the Town Hall square and the Rüütli street, that's basically it.

What advice would you give future students heading to Tartu?

Talk a lot and force the Estonians to speak in English. Don't get worried out, the regular Estonian is really shy.

Source