Urban Bicycle Tour in Tartu

3 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

Discover Tartu from a fresh perspective — on a bicycle, guided by a landscape architect!

This urban cycling tour offers a dynamic and inspiring way to explore the city. We'll ride at a comfortable pace, taking in picturesque streets, hidden gems, and thought-provoking urban spaces. The route includes modern architecture, vibrant street art, green areas, and glimpses into the past, present, and future of Tartu.

The tour lasts 2.5–3 hours with relaxed pauses, covering about 8–10 kilometers in total.

Bicycles required: You can bring your own or rent a public bike (2 or 5 euros). All you need is a smartphone with mobile internet and the Tartu Smart Bike app.

Take time to experience the city, learn something new, and enjoy great company.

Just pick a day and message me to agree on the time!

What's Included

Guidelines for using the public bike share and tips for safely navigating the city.
The fee for using the public bikes (5 euros for a day ticket). Please see the guidelines beforehand at: https://ratas.tartu.ee. Note: A smartphone with mobile internet is required. 1 phone = 1 bike.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

We’ll meet in front of Tartu University’s Library’ (square with fountains).

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 3 hours (approximately)
  • 1

    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.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2

    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.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3

    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.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4

    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.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5

    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.

    25 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 6

    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.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 7

    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.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 8

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

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 9

    (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.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 10

    (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.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • There is an additional fee for public bike usage. Please create an account and download the Tartu Smart Bike app before the tour.
Supplied by Aljona Galazan

Tags

Mountain Bike Tours
Half-day Tours
Private Sightseeing Tours
Architecture Tours
Art Tours
Street Art Tour
Bike Tours
E-Bike Tours
New Product
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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