Tartu & Southern Estonia

Southern Estonia is the cultural and intellectual heart of the country, anchored by the university city of Tartu. For families, the primary draw is the AHHAA Science Centre. It is an all-day destination where kids can ride a bicycle across a high wire, watch chicks hatch in an incubator, and play with water cannons. Just a short drive away lies the Upside Down House, a disorienting attraction where furniture hangs from the ceiling, providing hilarious photo opportunities. The immense Estonian National Museum (ERM) is also located here, situated on an old runway; its high-tech displays make history accessible even to younger visitors.

Leaving the city, the landscape changes to the rolling hills of Otepää. In winter, this is the snow capital of Estonia, offering family-friendly skiing, snowboarding, and tubing hills. In summer, the area transforms into a network of hiking trails and adventure parks with climbing courses. Further south, the town of Viljandi offers huge castle ruins overlooking a lake, with a suspension bridge that bounces when you walk on it—a simple thrill for children.

For a deep dive into folklore, the Setomaa region near the border preserves unique singing traditions and costumes. Families can visit open-air farms to see how people lived centuries ago. Nature lovers should head to the Taevaskoda hiking trail, famous for its sandstone outcrops and river views. The trail is well-maintained and manageable for families, featuring a legendary "Mother's Spring" and plenty of folklore stories about river spirits and hidden caves.