University of Tartu Natural History Museum
Welcome to the oldest museum in Estonia – the University of Tartu Natural History Museum. With 220 years of history, the museum is full of fascinating stories and science. On this page we have compiled information for visitors: opening hours, ticket prices and accessibility. We hope you enjoy your visit!
Opening hours
We are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10-18.
2022
1. January – New Year
24. February – Independence Day
15. April – Good Friday
17. April – Easter Day
1. May – Spring Day
23. June – Victory Day
24. June – Midsummer Day
20. August – Day of Restoration of Independence
24. December – Christmas Eve
25. December – Christmas Day
26. December – Boxing Day
The museum closes three hours earlier on 23. February, 22. June, 23. December and 31. December.
Museum tickets
| Full ticket | €10 |
| Discount ticket | €5 |
| Family ticket: up to 2 adults and all children up to 18 years old | €20 |
Discount applies to schoolchildren, university students, seniors, holders of international student cards (ISIC Scholar, ISIC Student) or teacher cards (ITIC Teacher), UYTC Youth Travel Card holders and Estonian conscripts.
Free admission on presentation of a certificate:
| a child eight years old and younger |
| a child with a disability (up to and including the age of 16) and an accompanying person |
| a severely disabled person aged 17 and over and an accompanying person |
| student of Tartu Environmental Education Centre |
| teachers accompanying a group of pupils |
| one guide accompanying the tour group |
| employees of Estonian museums |
| holder of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) membership card and the Estonian Association of Museums |
| member of the Estonian Biology Teachers' Association (EBÜ) and the Estonian Geography Teachers' Association |
| repressed person |
| press officer |
| citizens of Ukraine |
| The University of Tartu employees and students |
Give the gift of time!
| Gift vouchers (valid both at the Natural History Museum and the Botanical Garden) | €3, €5 and €10 |
| Annual pass (valid at both the Natural History Museum and the Botanical Garden) | €30 |
Guided tours (in Estonian, English and Russian)
| Guided tours for students (up to 24 people, ticket prices will be added) | €35 |
| Guided tours for adults (up to 24 people, ticket prices will be added) | €40 |
Tickets are added to the price of the guided tour. The tour typically lasts up to 1 hour, but more extended tours can be booked on request.
Accessibility
The University of Tartu Natural History Museum is located at Vanemuise Street 46 in Tartu. See the location on map.
You can visit us:
- By car. Vanemuise street is two-way traffic, parking is available in front of the museum.
- By bicycle. You can lock your bike in the bike parking in front of the museum. You can also use Tartu Smart Bike. Tartu Smart Bike Share is a public, self-service bike share system for short trips. There is a station on the corner of Vanemuise Park, more information can be found on the Tartu Smart Bike website.
- By public transport. The nearest bus stops for the urban bus lines are Pauluse (bus lines 1, 2, 8, 10, 11 and 12) and Pepleri (bus lines 3 and 25). You can check bus timetables on the Peatus.ee website.
Parking in front of the Natural History Museum on Vanemuise Street is chargeable. Parking charges apply on working days from 8 to 19 and in Zone B.
Parking fee: 1,50 euros per 1 hour, free for 90 minutes from the marked start time. Parking is free on Sundays and public holidays.
The nearest parking machines are in front of Vanemuise Street 48 and at the corner of Vanemuise and Pepleri Street. There are car parks next to St. Paul’s Church (free parking for 120 minutes, address Riia Street 29), behind the Hektor Design hostel (free parking, address Riia 26a) and Vaksali Street by the railway (free parking with a time limitation, address Vaksali Street 2a and 12b).
Check out the parking information on the Tartu City website.
- The disabled parking space is located on the left side of the museum building, next to the barrier on the side of the Estonian Literature Museum;
- there is a ramp for wheelchair access to the building;
- the museum has an elevator for wheelchair users and all public spaces are wheelchair-friendly;
- the museum has an accessible toilet.
