Open House Tartu 2026: over 200 free tours of buildings that are usually inaccessible

19.–20. septembril 2026 avab Open House Tartu uksi paikadesse, mida tavalisel linnakülastusel näha ei saa. Kahe päeva jooksul toimub enam kui 200 tasuta giidituuri 21 hoones ning lisaks neli erilist tänavatuuri.

The programme includes well-known landmark buildings in Tartu, research and educational buildings, former industrial complexes, churches, office buildings and residential buildings. During the festival, some familiar buildings provide access to spaces that are usually closed to visitors—for example, the attics of Tartu raekoda and Tartu Ülikooli peahoone.

What is Open House Tartu?

Open House Tartu is an architecture and urban space festival that lets visitors see the city from a completely different perspective. Visitors do not merely see a building's façade; with a guide, they learn why it was built the way it was, how it was used in the past, how it has changed over time and which architectural details are worth noticing.

In 2026, Open House Tartu will be held for the second time. The festival takes place over one weekend, and all Open House Tartu guided tours are free for visitors.

The programme includes both historic buildings and examples of contemporary Estonian architecture. Visitors can also enter places where employees, researchers or officials work on a daily basis and which are not normally open to the general public.

21 buildings across Tartu—what can you see this year?

The festival does not focus solely on central Tartu. Tours take place in different districts, and the programme brings together buildings with widely varying backgrounds and uses.

In Kesklinn, you can visit, for example, Tartu Town Hall, the University of Tartu main building, Lydia Hotel and St. Paul's Church.

On Toomemägi and in the surrounding area, the programme includes, among others, Tartu Ülikooli muuseum ja toomkiriku varemed, Riigikohtu hoone, Maarja kirik, Püha Luuka kirik and Struve 2.

In Maarjamõisa, you can visit the University of Tartu Physicum, Tartu Health Care College and the National Archives' Noora building.

In Ülejõe, visitors can explore Tartu Ülikooli Delta keskus, Pärmivabriku kvartal and Staadioni 83. The programme also includes Eesti Rahva Muuseum, villa Tammekann, RMK Tartu kontor and Raadi Põhikooli lasteaed in Tartu Parish.

Tartu raekoda: from the stairways to the attic

Everyone who has visited Raekoja plats at least once knows Tartu raekoda. During Open House, however, visitors can also see the part of the building that is not visible from the square or during a regular visit to the town hall.

The guided tour passes through corridors, meeting rooms and the hall, eventually reaching the town hall attic.

The Raekoda tour lasts about 45–60 minutes, and each group can accommodate up to 15 people. Advance registration is not required for this tour—participants are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Be prepared to climb many stairs; the building has no lift.

View information about the Tartu raekoda tour →

Tartu Ülikooli peahoone also reveals its hidden spaces

The festival's official programme also highlights one special example: the Tartu Ülikooli peahoone attic.

Completed in 1809, the university's main building is one of the best-known buildings in Tartu, but most people are familiar with it primarily from the outside, the foyer or the assembly hall. Open House provides an opportunity to see the building from a different perspective than usual and to access spaces that are not normally open to the public.

Pärmivabriku kvartal: a chance to see the place before major changes

One of the most interesting places in the 2026 programme may be the Pärmivabriku kvartal at Pikk 58.

Yeast was produced at Tartu pärmivabrik from 1883 until the end of 1997—a total of 114 years. Later, from 2008–2010, the buildings housed Tartu Kultuuritehas, which can be considered one of the predecessors of today's Aparaaditehas creative campus.

The quarter is now once again on the verge of major change. In 2026, a building permit was issued for the site, and there are plans to transform it into a large residential and commercial district in the coming years. More than one hundred new homes are planned.

This is why this year's Open House is a great opportunity to see the old industrial environment before it undergoes a thorough transformation.

The Pärmivabrik tour lasts approximately 45–60 minutes, groups can include up to 20 people, and advance registration is required for the tour.

View information about Pärmivabriku kvartal →

At Physicum, the tour finally reaches the rooftop

If modern architecture and science are more appealing than historic buildings, the Tartu Ülikooli Physicum is worth visiting.

The building of the Institute of Physics, opened in 2014, houses laboratories, auditoriums, classrooms, offices and other infrastructure required for research.

The Open House tour introduces visitors to the auditoriums, library, classrooms and recreation areas, with the most interesting part waiting at the end—visitors go up to the roof of the building, where a weather observation is conducted.

The tour lasts about 45–60 minutes, and each group can include up to 20 people. Advance registration is not required, and the group is formed on site on a first-come, first-served basis.

View information about the Physicum tour →

The medieval passageways in the Toomkirik ruins are open to visitors

The programme once again includes one of Tartu's most historically distinctive places – Toomkiriku varemed.

The Open House tour offers an opportunity to take a closer look at the monumental building and follow its medieval passages up to the observation tower.

This is a good example of how Open House is not just about closed office doors – the festival also reveals layers of familiar attractions that ordinary visitors may not even know about.

Visitors can also access the museum's back rooms at ERM

A special tour will also take place at the Eesti Rahva Muuseum. Here, the tour is not limited to the usual exhibition halls.

Tours of the museum and its behind-the-scenes areas are led by ERM's own employees—a conservator, a collection manager and the head of technical exhibition production. This provides an opportunity to see how a large museum operates in areas usually hidden from visitors.

ERM's Open House tours take place only on 19 September and require advance registration.

Four special street tours

Open House Tartu is not limited to buildings. The programme includes four street tours led by specialists in architecture, urban space, history and cultural history.

On Saturday, 19 September, the following will take place:

• at 12.00 – cultural history tour of the streets of Karlova, guide Kaspar Jassa;
• at 14.00 – Veski tänav architecture tour, guided by Leele Välja.

On Sunday, 20 September, the following will take place:

• at 14.00 – Puiestee Street history tour, guide Ants Siim;
• at 16.00 – Elva street architecture tour, guide Egle Tamm.

The street tours last up to an hour and a half, take place entirely outdoors, and each street tour is held only once during the festival.

Advance registration is required for all four street tours.

Which Open House Tartu tours require registration?

Most festival tours can be joined without advance registration, but some tours require advance booking due to limited availability or the specific characteristics of the building.

Advance registration is required for eight tours:

• Riigikohtu hoone;
• Pärmivabriku kvartal;
• The garage dwelling on Filosoofi tänav;
• Eesti Rahva Muuseum;
• Karlova cultural history walking tour;
• Veski Street architecture tour;
• Puiestee Street history tour;
• Elva tänav architecture tour.

No advance registration is required for the remaining 17 building tours. Places in these groups are allocated on site on a first-come, first-served basis.

For tours without registration, the organisers recommend arriving at the meeting point about 15 minutes before the tour starts.

Advance registration opened on 29 August. As places are limited, it is worth checking the official programme before going to see whether there are still places available on the desired tour.

View the full Open House Tartu 2026 programme and registration details →

Is Open House Tartu free?

Yes. All guided tours at the Open House Tartu festival are free.

For a tour requiring advance registration, registering does not mean purchasing a paid ticket—it is simply intended to help plan groups with limited availability in advance.

In 20 of the buildings in the programme, one or two tours in English will be offered in addition to the Estonian-language tours, making the festival well suited to international visitors to Tartu.

What should you consider before going to Open House Tartu?

Since the programme includes over 200 tours, it is not practical to try to see everything in one day. It is much better to choose three to five of the most interesting buildings in advance and plan your route around them.

It is also worth bearing in mind that historic and industrial buildings may have many stairs, and not all routes are fully accessible by wheelchair or mobility aid. Accessibility information is provided separately for each building.

Visitors joining the Riigikohus tour should expect a security check, and the organiser asks them not to bring large bags.

Who is Open House Tartu suitable for?

Although this is an architecture festival, you do not need to be an architecture expert to participate.

Open House Tartu may be especially interesting for those who:

• want to see Tartu from a different perspective than usual;
• are curious about old houses and hidden spaces;
• are interested in history, architecture or urban space;
• are looking for a free weekend activity in Tartu;
• want to visit places that normally cannot simply be entered.

It is precisely the opportunity to visit attics, workspaces, a former industrial complex, museum back rooms or the roof of a research building that makes Open House Tartu one of September’s more unusual free events.

Frequently asked questions

When will Open House Tartu 2026 take place?

Open House Tartu takes place on Saturday, 19 September and Sunday, 20 September 2026.

How many Open House Tartu tours will there be?

The programme includes 21 buildings, four street tours and more than 200 free guided tours in total.

Is Open House Tartu free?

Yes. All guided festival tours are free.

Do I need to register for the tours?

Mostly not. Advance registration is required for four street tours and for tours of Riigikohus, Pärmivabriku kvartal, Filosoofi tänava garaaželamu and Eesti Rahva Muuseum. The remaining 17 building tours operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Are tours also available in English?

Yes. According to information from the festival organiser, each building included in the 20 programme will host one or two tours in English.

Where can I find the detailed Open House Tartu programme?

Tour times, meeting points, accessibility information, and registration details are published in the festival's official programme.

Open House Tartu 2026 official programme →

Official information

Open House Tartu official website
Open House Tartu 2026 programme
Introduction to the 2026 programme
Pre-registration information

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Artificial intelligence was used to prepare the article. The information has been verified based on official sources from Open House Tartu. The organiser may change tour times, availability or other conditions, so please check the latest information in the official programme before your visit.