If there’s one iconic, over-the-top, must-see tourist attraction in Tartu, it’s this super-modern facility where you can learn about ordinary people living in Estonia. So massive that they had to find an old airfield to fit it on, the ERM, as the locals call it, comes with 6,000 square metres of exhibition space, a library, a restaurant, and a museum shop. One permanent exhibition,  ‘Encounters’, walks you through the entirety of Estonian history. Step back in time from the present to the past! There one can also find fascinating side rooms that delve into topics like language and cuisine. Downstairs, ‘Echo of the Urals’ tells the story of the Finno-Ugric peoples. A guided tour will race you through both exhibits in 1.5 hours, otherwise plan to spend 3 to 6 hours exploring at your own leisurely pace.

Temporary exhibitions:
March 22 - October 12, 2025 Olev Subbi: Striving for Perfection
April 25 - end of 2026 'Do you know this story? 500 years of Estonian books'
May 25, 2025 – June 28, 2026 'Rannarootslased. Estlandssvenskar. Estonia-Swedes'
April, 2024 - August 2026 From a Fire-stick to the Spotlight

Getting there: It's a 20-minute walk from the centre, but you can take bus N°7 from 'Soola' stop next to Tasku shopping mall or 'Vabaduse' stop next to the Market hall to the 'ERM' stop. And especially handy if you're coming from the train station, bus N°25 also goes to ERM while stopping in the city centre at 'Kesklinn', 'Turu' and 'Soola' stops.