Tartu Old Town

Tartu is Estonia’s university city, smaller and younger in atmosphere than Tallinn. The Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) with its leaning houses, the hilltop Toome Park with cathedral ruins, and the university buildings are all free to walk. The Estonian National Museum (paid, modest, spectacular modern building) is on the outskirts. Budget travelers take the cheap bus from Tallinn (2.5 hours) and discover a city where students set the pace and everything is within walking distance.