A gathering point for European astrobiology
BEACON brings together scientists, students, and space professionals and enthusiasts from across Europe and beyond for a programme of interdisciplinary research, collaboration, and inspiration — hosted this edition by the university city of Tartu, Estonia.
The lectures will take place at the Vanemuine Concert Hall, right in the middle of the city and within walking distance of all conference accommodation, with additional sessions 100 metres away at the Tartu University Library conference centre. Tartu's 18th-century Old Town, its restaurants, and its student nightlife are all a short walk from both venues.
Two lecture theatres, one hundred metres apart
Both venues are located in the heart of Tartu, within walking distance of every conference hotel and the Old Town with plenty of restaurants.
Vanemuine Concert Hall
Main lecture venue, equipped with modern display and sound systems, with ample room for coffee breaks and poster sessions — in the middle of the city, walkable from every hotel.
View the venue →Tartu University Library
Hosts a portion of the parallel sessions, just 100 metres from the concert hall — easy to move between during the day's programme.
View the venue →Tallinn in, Tartu onward
The small but modern Tallinn Airport (TLL) is Estonia's main international gateway, well connected to European cities at reasonable fares. From there, two easy options reach Tartu.
Fly into Tallinn (TLL)
A well-run airport (Lennart Meri Airport, IATA code: TLL) with frequent connections to cities across Europe at reasonable prices. There is an airport in Tartu, but only flights to and from Helsinki operate from there
From Tallinn airport or centre to Tartu with express coach
Wi-Fi-equipped very comfortable buses run every 30 minutes by day and frequently overnight from Tallin centre and Tallinn airport to Tartu (2h20 travelling time), stopping opposite the conference hotel.
Train connections and bus service to Riga
Modern, punctual trains link Tallinn and Tartu (however, the railway station is a bit outside the city centre); buses also run 2–3 times a day between Tartu and Riga.
From boutique hotel to modern budget hostel, all walkable
Tartu offers everything from upmarket boutique hotels to modern hostels. Block bookings for BEACON delegates open in autumn.
Hotel Dorpat ***
A modern hotel offering good breakfasts 400m from the conference venues and 500m from the Old Town.
dorpat.ee →Raatuse Hostel
Modern, well-equipped units of three bedrooms sharing a kitchen and bathroom with shower. Ideal for student groups.
studenthostel.campus.ee →
Four routes out of Tartu, one excursion day
Mid-conference, choose a direction: each route pairs a landscape with a nice place for lunches and dinners.
Go North
The Ice Age Centre, Lake Peipus and its cultural sights, coffee at the Peipsimaa Cultural Centre.
Guided tour and dinner at Alatskivi Manor, with local specialities in the castle restaurant.
Go West
Viljandi's charming old city and Teutonic Castle ruins. Therafter a visi to Tartu University Observatory at Tõravere.
Dinner at a local fish farm, with vegetarian and vegan options available.
Go South
Visit to Ilumetsa impact crater, Piusa sandstone caves, and Värska Open Air Museum, with lunch.
Vastseliina Bishop's Castle, then dinner at Suur Munamägi, Estonia's highest point.
Go East
Embark on a leisurely boat trip down the Emajõgi river and across Lake Peipus to the monastery island of Piirissaar.
Püssirohukelder
Enjoy a hearty Estonian dinner at the "restaurant with the highest ceiling," set in a converted 18th-century gunpowder cellar in the Old Town.
Five-day island &and coast after-conference outing
Visit the island of Saaremaa's with its picturesque capital Kuressaare, the Ordovician fossils, Kaali crater and Kuressaare castle, Hiiumaa's Kärdla crater, the 19th century fashionable seaside resort Haapsalu, and the Estonian Open-air museum and the medieval city of Tallinn. All in one travel!