Tartu Ülikooli loodusmuuseum
Estonia’s oldest museum, on Vanemuise Street in Tartu: a natural history museum for everyone who wants to see animals, minerals, rocks and fossils.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Tartu Ülikooli loodusmuuseum (Natural History Museum of the University of Tartu) is Estonia’s oldest museum; it was founded in 1802. The museum is a unit of the University of Tartu and operates together with the botanical garden under the name “Tartu Ülikooli loodusmuuseum ja botaanikaaed”.
The aim of the unit is to preserve the nature of Estonia and of the world for future generations, to support research, to teach people about nature and in this way to help preserve biodiversity. The museum is also open to families: in the exhibition you can come face to face with a lion and explore sparkling minerals, rocks and fossils.
The museum is on Vanemuise Street; for wheelchair users there is a ramp and a lift at the front of the building, and there is an accessible toilet.
Highlights
- Estonia’s oldest museum (founded 1802)
- Animals, minerals, rocks and fossils
- Guided tours in Estonian, English and Russian
- Joint annual pass with the botanical garden
Permanent exhibition
- Loodusmuuseumi ekspositsioon – Animals, sparkling minerals, rocks and fossils from the natural world of Estonia and the world.
- Founded
- 1802
- Operated by
- Tartu Ülikool
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7Pupils, students, pensioners, holders of ISIC and ITIC cards and of the UYTC youth card, and conscripts |
| Children & teens | €7free up to age 8 · Children up to 8 years of age enter free. |
| Seniors | €7 |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · A child with a disability up to 16 years of age and an accompanying person, and a person with a severe disability aged 17 and over and an accompanying person, enter free. |
| Students & apprentices | €7 |
| Groups | –Guiding service for pupils (up to 24 people) €40 per hour, for adults €50 per hour; tickets are added. Guided tours in Estonian, English and Russian; usually up to one hour. |
| Families | €25Up to two adults and all children under 18 years of age |
| Annual pass (valid at the natural history museum and in the botanical garden) | €30 |
The museum card is valid at the natural history museum and in the botanical garden. Free admission also for University of Tartu staff and students, staff of Estonian museums, ICOM members, victims of repression and citizens of Ukraine.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There is a ramp in front of the building; the museum has a lift, and all public areas are wheelchair accessible. The accessible car park is on the left-hand side of the museum building, next to the barrier on the side of the Eesti Kirjandusmuuseum (Estonian Literary Museum).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 8 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €25 · Up to two adults and all children under 18 years of age |
- Family tours & workshops
The museum is open to families too; there are educational programmes for children and schools.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Pauluse
The nearest city bus stops are Pauluse (buses 1, 2, 8, 10, 11 and 12) and Pepleri (buses 3 and 25).
By car
Paid parking
Parking in front of the museum on Vanemuise Street is paid in zone B on weekdays 8:00–19:00: €1.50 per hour, with 90 minutes free from the marked start time. Parking is free on Sundays and public holidays. The nearest parking meters are in front of Vanemuise 48 and at the corner of Vanemuise and Pepleri.
- Accessible parking
Bicycle racks are in front of the museum; the Tartu Smart Bike station is at the corner of Vanemuise park.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours are offered in Estonian, English and Russian; there are educational programmes for children and schools. |
