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3-star hotels in Tartu
A shortlist of 3-star hotels in Tartu, from Old Town addresses to lakeside houses outside the city. It is for travellers who want a comfortable, well-rated base for sightseeing, university visits or business in southern Estonia.
Staying in Tartu
Tartu is a university city with a rich cultural scene: museums, theatres and a growing food and drink offering. The old town mixes medieval, Baroque and 19th-century architecture, including the ruins of the Gothic St. John's Church and the neoclassical Town Hall, while Toome Hill offers green space and views over the city. The city is also a gateway to southern Estonia, and the compact, walkable centre makes it a comfortable base whether you come for study, business or leisure.
The 3-star hotels on this list sit mostly in and around that centre. Several stand in the Old Town or beside it: Barclay Hotel on Ülikooli, Art Hotel Pallas on Riia, Hotel Soho on Rüütli, Draakon Hotel on Raekoja Plats and Tampere Maja on Jaani. Others, such as Dorpat Hotel and Tartu Hotel on Soola and Hugo Apartment Hotel on Raatuse, are in the Ülejõe district across the river, a short walk from the old town. A few lie further out, among them Hotel Sophia, Raadimõisa Hotel and Aleksandri Hotell, and Truu Holiday Houses and Kääriku Hotel are well outside the city. The mix suits couples on a short break, families and business travellers.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Hugo Apartment Hotel
23 Raatuse, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Parking
- Breakfast
- Fitness Center
Why stay hereHugo Apartment Hotel sits 0.7 km from the centre of Tartu, and guests rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 365 reviews. Rooms come with a kitchenette and air conditioning, and the hotel also has a fitness centre and a terrace. Breakfast can be brought to your room, and pets are allowed. Families have family rooms to choose from. A strong pick for guests who want to cook for themselves while staying close to the middle of town.
See Hugo Apartment HotelHotel Sophia by Tartuhotels
Lääneringtee 39, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Sauna
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereHotel Sophia by Tartuhotels is 3.3 km from the centre and holds a 4.7 out of 5 guest rating from 963 reviews. It has a sauna, a restaurant and a fitness centre, plus free car parking and a shuttle service. A 24-hour front desk, a bar and luggage storage round out the offering. A good fit for guests arriving by car who want a sauna and an on-site restaurant, and for families booking family rooms.
See Hotel Sophia by TartuhotelsTampere Maja
Jaani 4, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Sauna
- Free car parking
- Lounge
Why stay hereTampere Maja stands on Jaani, 0.5 km from the centre, with a guest rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 181 reviews. The hotel has a garden and a sauna, and rooms include a kitchenette. Free car parking is available. Couples and small groups who want a quiet stay with their own cooking facilities will find it suits them, and family rooms are offered too.
See Tampere MajaHansa Hotel
Turu 27A, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Sauna
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
Why stay hereHansa Hotel lies 1.3 km from the centre and scores 4.5 out of 5 from 602 reviews. Guests have a sauna, a restaurant and a fitness centre, with free car parking on site. Rooms come with a minibar and a balcony, and room service is available. It suits guests who want to eat in the hotel and unwind in the sauna, and the wheelchair accessible facilities help guests with limited mobility.
See Hansa HotelTruu Holiday Houses
Ivaste Küla Tartumaa, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Sauna
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereTruu Holiday Houses sits 27.6 km from Tartu, in Ivaste Küla, and earns 4.8 out of 5 from 50 reviews. Houses have a kitchen, a fireplace and a sauna, with a garden and a terrace outside. Free car parking is provided, and pets are allowed. Badminton, darts and water sports are on offer. Ideal for guests who want a countryside stay with a sauna and outdoor activities rather than a city location.
See Truu Holiday HousesDorpat Hotel
Soola 6, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Spa
- Parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereDorpat Hotel on Soola is 0.7 km from the centre and has 2366 reviews giving it 4.4 out of 5. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar and a fitness centre, and it sits by the river. Massage and room service are available, and the hotel includes a sauna. Breakfast can be served in your room. Suits guests who want a large hotel with dining and wellness facilities within easy reach of the centre.
See Dorpat HotelTartu Hotel
Soola 3, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Sauna
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereTartu Hotel on Soola is 0.7 km from the centre and rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1759 reviews. It offers a spa and a sauna, a restaurant and a bar, plus a fitness centre. Free car parking is available, and there is a 24-hour front desk. Guests who want spa and massage treatments alongside a central location are well served here, and family rooms are available.
See Tartu HotelArt Hotel Pallas by Tartuhotels
Riia 4, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Pool bar
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereArt Hotel Pallas by Tartuhotels is 0.4 km from the centre and scores 4.4 out of 5 from 799 reviews. It has a sauna, a restaurant and a bar, with free car parking and a games room. Rooms are air conditioned and breakfast is served. The location close to the centre suits guests who want to walk to Tartu's sights, and the 24-hour front desk helps late arrivals.
See Art Hotel Pallas by TartuhotelsHotel Soho
9 Rüütli, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Families · Pool and spa
- Sauna
- Breakfast
- Fitness Center
Why stay hereHotel Soho on Rüütli is 0.4 km from the centre and rated 4.4 out of 5 from 345 reviews. It has a spa, a sauna and a steam room, plus a gymnasium and a fitness centre. A bar and breakfast are on site, and pets are allowed. Guests who want spa and steam facilities in a central spot will find it fits, and special diets can be catered for.
See Hotel SohoRaadimõisa Hotel
1 Mõisavärava Street, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Sauna
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereRaadimõisa Hotel is 2.6 km from the centre and holds a 4.3 out of 5 rating from 437 reviews. It has a sauna and a terrace, free car parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Rooms include a balcony and air conditioning, and family rooms are available. A practical choice for guests with a car who want a sauna and a quieter spot outside the centre.
See Raadimõisa HotelKääriku Hotel
Valgamaa Otepää Vald Kääriku Küla Kääriku 67301 Valga Maakond Estonia, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Pool bar
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereKääriku Hotel is in Kääriku Küla near Otepää, and guests rate it 4.6 out of 5 from 32 reviews. It has a sauna and a spa, plus tennis courts, table tennis and badminton. There is a beach nearby, and fishing and skiing are possible. Free car parking is provided. It suits guests who want sports and outdoor activities, with family rooms for those travelling together.
See Kääriku HotelAleksandri Hotell
Aleksandri 51004 Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Sauna
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereAleksandri Hotell is 1.2 km from the centre and rated 4.2 out of 5 from 686 reviews. It offers a sauna and a terrace, free car parking and rooms with a kitchenette and balcony. Pets are allowed and family rooms are available. Suits guests who want to prepare simple meals in their room and park for free, with a sauna to relax in afterwards.
See Aleksandri HotellDraakon Hotel
Raekoja Plats 4, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Pool bar
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereDraakon Hotel is 0.3 km from the centre, on Raekoja Plats, and scores 3.8 out of 5 from 334 reviews. It has a restaurant and a bar, a sauna, and a business centre, plus a cafe and bicycle hire. Free car parking is available. Guests who want to stay on the main square and hire a bicycle to get around will find it convenient, and there is meeting space for work trips.
See Draakon HotelBarclay Hotel
Ülikooli 8, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Families · Pool and spa
- Sauna
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereBarclay Hotel on Ülikooli is 0.2 km from the centre, the closest of these hotels, and rated 3.7 out of 5 from 298 reviews. It has a sauna and a bar, room service, and free wifi, with a 24-hour front desk. Rooms come with a balcony and air conditioning. Guests who want to be right in the middle of Tartu and use a sauna in the evening are the best fit.
See Barclay HotelVilla Margaretha Boutique Hotell
Tähe 11 13, Tartu, Estonia
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Sauna
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereVilla Margaretha Boutique Hotell is 0.7 km from the centre and offers a garden, a terrace and a sauna. Rooms include a balcony, and some have a DVD player and CD player. Free car parking is provided, and pets are allowed. It suits guests who want a smaller hotel with a garden and outdoor space, a short distance from the centre of Tartu.
See Villa Margaretha Boutique Hotell
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Guest rating | Reviews | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hugo Apartment Hotel | ★★★ | 4.8 | 365 | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | 0.7 km |
| Hotel Sophia by Tartuhotels | ★★★ | 4.7 | 963 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3.3 km |
| Tampere Maja | ★★★ | 4.7 | 181 | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | 0.5 km |
| Hansa Hotel | ★★★ | 4.5 | 602 | Yes | – | Yes | – | 1.3 km |
| Truu Holiday Houses | ★★★ | 4.8 | 50 | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | 27.6 km |
| Dorpat Hotel | ★★★ | 4.4 | 2,366 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 0.7 km |
| Tartu Hotel | ★★★ | 4.4 | 1,759 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 0.7 km |
| Art Hotel Pallas by Tartuhotels | ★★★ | 4.4 | 799 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 0.4 km |
| Hotel Soho | ★★★ | 4.4 | 345 | – | Yes | Yes | Yes | 0.4 km |
| Raadimõisa Hotel | ★★★ | 4.3 | 437 | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | 2.6 km |
| Kääriku Hotel | ★★★ | 4.6 | 32 | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | – |
| Aleksandri Hotell | ★★★ | 4.2 | 686 | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | 1.2 km |
| Draakon Hotel | ★★★ | 3.8 | 334 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 0.3 km |
| Barclay Hotel | ★★★ | 3.7 | 298 | – | – | Yes | Yes | 0.2 km |
| Villa Margaretha Boutique Hotell | ★★★ | – | – | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | 0.7 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
Closest to the centre
Barclay Hotel lies 0.2 km from the centre, Draakon Hotel 0.3 km, Art Hotel Pallas and Hotel Soho 0.4 km, and Tampere Maja 0.5 km. All five stand in or beside the Old Town, putting Raekoja plats, the university and the main sights within an easy walk for a short break.
Barclay Hotel · Draakon Hotel · Art Hotel Pallas by Tartuhotels · Hotel Soho · Tampere Maja
Best for families
Hugo Apartment Hotel, Dorpat Hotel, Hotel Sophia by Tartuhotels and Tartu Hotel all list family rooms and cots. Hugo Apartment Hotel adds kitchens and kitchenettes, Dorpat Hotel a restaurant and room service, Hotel Sophia a sauna and shuttle service, and Tartu Hotel a spa, sauna and jacuzzi for downtime with children.
Hugo Apartment Hotel · Dorpat Hotel · Hotel Sophia by Tartuhotels · Tartu Hotel
For pets
Tampere Maja, Hansa Hotel, Dorpat Hotel and Hugo Apartment Hotel all welcome pets. Tampere Maja and Hansa Hotel have gardens, terraces or patios and free car parking, while Dorpat Hotel and Hugo Apartment Hotel are closer to the centre, at 0.7 km each, and both offer breakfast.
Tampere Maja · Hansa Hotel · Dorpat Hotel · Hugo Apartment Hotel
Top-rated picks
Guest ratings are led by Hugo Apartment Hotel and Truu Holiday Houses, both 4.8 out of 5, followed by Hotel Sophia by Tartuhotels and Tampere Maja at 4.7. The two leaders differ sharply: Hugo Apartment Hotel sits 0.7 km from the centre, while Truu Holiday Houses is 27.6 km out, with a lake, sauna and water sports.
Hugo Apartment Hotel · Truu Holiday Houses · Hotel Sophia by Tartuhotels · Tampere Maja
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Tartu is served by Tartu Airport, with limited flights, and by train and bus from Tallinn, a journey of about two to two and a half hours. Buses also connect Tartu with other cities in the region. The city centre is compact and walkable, with most attractions within a 20-minute walk, and the bus and train stations are both near the centre. Local buses serve outlying areas, taxis and ride-hailing are available, and cycling is popular, with rental bikes and dedicated paths. Driving is possible, but parking in the centre can be limited.
Things to do near Tartu
- Staying in Supilinn: Why Tartu’s Historic Core Beats the Suburbs
- Tartu area guide: where to book near the centre
- Tartu in the rain: an hour-by-hour indoor day
- A rainy day in Tartu, hour by hour
- Where to stay in Tartu: university city area guide
- Day trip to Tartu from Estonia
- Tartu Market Hall and Outdoor Market
- Tartu Old Town and Raekoja plats
Questions, answered
Which of these 3-star hotels is closest to the centre of Tartu?
Barclay Hotel on Ülikooli is 0.2 km from the centre, the shortest distance on this list. Draakon Hotel on Raekoja Plats is 0.3 km away, and Art Hotel Pallas and Hotel Soho are 0.4 km away, all in or beside the Old Town.
Which Tartu 3-star hotels have parking?
Hansa Hotel, Tampere Maja, Hotel Sophia by Tartuhotels, Tartu Hotel, Art Hotel Pallas, Raadimõisa Hotel, Kääriku Hotel, Aleksandri Hotell, Draakon Hotel and Villa Margaretha Boutique Hotell all list parking, and the great majority of them offer it free of charge.
Can I bring a pet to a 3-star hotel in Tartu?
Yes. Pets are allowed at Hugo Apartment Hotel, Hotel Sophia by Tartuhotels, Tampere Maja, Hansa Hotel, Dorpat Hotel, Raadimõisa Hotel, Kääriku Hotel, Aleksandri Hotell, Barclay Hotel and Villa Margaretha Boutique Hotell, so the choice is wide across the city.
Which hotels have a pool or spa?
Hotel Soho, Tartu Hotel and Kääriku Hotel list a spa, and Hotel Soho adds a steam room. Tartu Hotel also has a sauna and jacuzzi. Saunas appear widely, including at Hansa Hotel, Art Hotel Pallas, Draakon Hotel and Villa Margaretha Boutique Hotell.
Which hotels are best for families with children?
Hugo Apartment Hotel, Dorpat Hotel, Hotel Sophia by Tartuhotels, Tartu Hotel, Hansa Hotel and Aleksandri Hotell all list family rooms and cots. Hugo Apartment Hotel also has kitchenettes, while Tartu Hotel adds a spa and jacuzzi for family downtime.
Which is the highest-rated 3-star hotel in Tartu on this list?
Hugo Apartment Hotel and Truu Holiday Houses share the highest guest rating, 4.8 out of 5. Hugo Apartment Hotel has 365 reviews and lies 0.7 km from the centre; Truu Holiday Houses, with 50 reviews, is 27.6 km away near a lake.
Do these hotels serve breakfast?
Breakfast is listed at Hugo Apartment Hotel, Hotel Sophia by Tartuhotels, Dorpat Hotel, Tartu Hotel, Art Hotel Pallas, Hotel Soho and Draakon Hotel. Hugo Apartment Hotel, Dorpat Hotel, Hotel Soho and Art Hotel Pallas are all within 0.7 km of the centre.
Which 3-star hotels have a fitness centre?
A fitness centre is listed at Hugo Apartment Hotel, Hotel Sophia by Tartuhotels, Dorpat Hotel, Tartu Hotel, Hotel Soho and Kääriku Hotel. Hotel Soho also lists a gymnasium, and all of these except Kääriku Hotel are within about 3.3 km of the centre.