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Naantali
The Sunshine Town of Finland Archipelago
The town of Naantali is around 580 years old making it one of the oldest towns in Finland. The magnificent church tower, the colourful old town, president’s summer residence and Moomin island, Kailo, are the characteristics that define Naantali silhouette.
Archipelago nature is very special even for Finnish standards. The ice age and the heavy ice masses used to press the ground down and even though the ice retreated over 10 000 years ago, there are still marks of that time in the nature. Finnish nature is known for its pureness and studies have been made that already 15 minutes in the forest will work as a powerful stress relief. Nature is soothing, it heals and it listens to you. Finland is about nature, so do not miss your chance of exploring the unique arctic archipelago while your visit to South-West Finland!
Naantali offers a mixture of archipelago nature and city life. The unique archipelago has thousands of islands; sea, forest, rocks all combined with quietness. The idyllic old wooden town gives you a magical atmosphere with restaurants and cafés around, lovely guest harbour, where locals and visiting people wander around. Presidential Garden Kultaranta offers unique possibilities to see how presidents of Finland have spent their summers in Naantali. The surrounding archipelago villages offer a chance to experience local food and hospitality!
Take guided canoeing trips, that are organized to marvel the pretty seaside of Naantali town every Friday. The guide will instruct you how to handle your canoe and take you to a memorable trip to admire the pretty seaside of Naantali.
A great way to experience the healing and exhilarating feeling of Finnish archipelago nature is to take a hike with an experienced guide. Visit Naantali arranges a variety of guided walks in the nature. Make your choice among guided Blueberry safari, energizing morning walk or experience the Finnish white night - something that is very special for Finland. And nothing tastes better than delicious, juicy wild blueberries picked at the forest!
Local way of living is visible in many places by cafés and restaurants that are run by locals. In Naantali there are many biking routes from shorter to longer once. Moominworld is the best-known attraction in Naantali and it is perfect place for families to spend time in for a few days. For families and children there are many other activities available too, like fishing or guided old town tours with Sleepyhead theme. Sleepyhead day at the end of July is the biggest event of the summer in Naantali, gathering locals and visitors together to celebrate the tradition. The festival starts in the morning by throwing one person, who has made Naantali well-known, into the sea.
Getting to Naantali, the sunshine town of Finland, is easy, only 2 hours drive from Helsinki or 15 minutes from Turku, alternatively 30minutes by bus. Day trips are also suggested, but highly recommended to stay overnight. In Naantali it is easy to be outside of masses. Versatile accommodation options, restaurants, cafés, and activity providers offer experiences in safe surroundings for small groups and individuals. Fresh and pure sea air surely leaves You with no stress. We highly recommend taking your own or rental bike and explore the archipelago on your own pace. The further You go the easier it is finding places where no one else have been. Archipelago offers beautiful surrounding for island hopping by bike or car. Small villages and ferries gives You unforgettable experiences when exploring the nature among thousands of islands.
In co-operation with Visit Naantali, we welcome You to Naantali!
Archipelago nature is very special even for Finnish standards. The ice age and the heavy ice masses used to press the ground down and even though the ice retreated over 10 000 years ago, there are still marks of that time in the nature. Finnish nature is known for its pureness and studies have been made that already 15 minutes in the forest will work as a powerful stress relief. Nature is soothing, it heals and it listens to you. Finland is about nature, so do not miss your chance of exploring the unique arctic archipelago while your visit to South-West Finland!
Naantali offers a mixture of archipelago nature and city life. The unique archipelago has thousands of islands; sea, forest, rocks all combined with quietness. The idyllic old wooden town gives you a magical atmosphere with restaurants and cafés around, lovely guest harbour, where locals and visiting people wander around. Presidential Garden Kultaranta offers unique possibilities to see how presidents of Finland have spent their summers in Naantali. The surrounding archipelago villages offer a chance to experience local food and hospitality!
Take guided canoeing trips, that are organized to marvel the pretty seaside of Naantali town every Friday. The guide will instruct you how to handle your canoe and take you to a memorable trip to admire the pretty seaside of Naantali.
A great way to experience the healing and exhilarating feeling of Finnish archipelago nature is to take a hike with an experienced guide. Visit Naantali arranges a variety of guided walks in the nature. Make your choice among guided Blueberry safari, energizing morning walk or experience the Finnish white night - something that is very special for Finland. And nothing tastes better than delicious, juicy wild blueberries picked at the forest!
Local way of living is visible in many places by cafés and restaurants that are run by locals. In Naantali there are many biking routes from shorter to longer once. Moominworld is the best-known attraction in Naantali and it is perfect place for families to spend time in for a few days. For families and children there are many other activities available too, like fishing or guided old town tours with Sleepyhead theme. Sleepyhead day at the end of July is the biggest event of the summer in Naantali, gathering locals and visitors together to celebrate the tradition. The festival starts in the morning by throwing one person, who has made Naantali well-known, into the sea.
Getting to Naantali, the sunshine town of Finland, is easy, only 2 hours drive from Helsinki or 15 minutes from Turku, alternatively 30minutes by bus. Day trips are also suggested, but highly recommended to stay overnight. In Naantali it is easy to be outside of masses. Versatile accommodation options, restaurants, cafés, and activity providers offer experiences in safe surroundings for small groups and individuals. Fresh and pure sea air surely leaves You with no stress. We highly recommend taking your own or rental bike and explore the archipelago on your own pace. The further You go the easier it is finding places where no one else have been. Archipelago offers beautiful surrounding for island hopping by bike or car. Small villages and ferries gives You unforgettable experiences when exploring the nature among thousands of islands.
In co-operation with Visit Naantali, we welcome You to Naantali!
Juuri sitä parasta
Kohokohtia
Old town of Naantali
History & Architecture
Naantali's special characteristic is its setting by the sea. The old town spreads next to the church and is cradled by the sea. A visit to the Naantali old town is like stepping back in time. Hundreds of old wooden houses tell stories of the lived history, everyone can imagine how the life was here some 300 years ago. Old town houses, many cafes, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and museum. Museum shows you how people used to live hundreds of years ago.
Kuparivuori Hill and Guest harbour area
Landscapes & Sceneries
The rocks and hills in Kuparivuori are a must visit when you are in Naantali! The best views over the Naantali bay, old town wooden houses, the convent church, Moominworld and Kultaranta Presidential Garden. Plus it is a beautiful place for picnic. Naantali’s guest harbour was chosen the best in Finland few years ago so the service is top level. This atmospheric ”boat” area creates ”the atmosphere” of Naantali together with old wooden houses and restaurants.
Moominworld
Arts & Culture
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful Island called Kailo opposite Naantali’s old convent. In 1993, a fairy-tale park was opened there, and ever since then the Moomin family has welcomed visitors every summer. You will have a chance to meet the whole Moomin family and their friends in Moominworld. For many children, hugging the well-known fairy-tale characters is the highpoint of the summer. We have plenty of activities to do together with all Moominworld characters.
Kultaranta Garden
Arts & Culture
Kultaranta castle was built as a summer villa for merchant alfred kordelin in 1916. The villa was designed by architect Lars Sonck. Today, this impressive granite manor, located by naantalinlahti bay, is undoubtedly Finland´s best-known summer residence. Tthus, Naantali is referred to as the summer capital of Finland. It is possible to visit the beautiful gardens that surround the granite castle.
Perhaps it is the most traditional road trip in Lapland, which heads along the E75 highway northwards from Rovaniemi towards the North Cape. This time the trip is taken entirely in Finland, from southern Lapland up to the rugged fell highlands of Utsjoki and the Tenojoki River. Saariselkä, Utsjoki and Inari are great destinations for staying overnight on the trip. In Rovaniemi at Arktikum and in Inari at Siida, visitors are taken on a journey to experience the culture of the northern regions and the indigenous Sámi.
From the capital of Rovaniemi to the northernmost area!
3 - 7 days
You will face the seaside nature and cultural encounters just by the water. Combining nature destinations and city experiences you will get most out of your journey. Every place you visit offers you options for local restaurants and cafés. In Turku and Rauma you can visit and learn about maritime culture and history in exhibitions.
Seaside experiences at the Finnish Archipelago
3 - 6 days
Shiny yellow car ferries and smaller blue and white passenger ferries, fantastic views from bridges and causeways, cute red wooden buildings, marinas brimming with sailing boats, these are all memories you will take home from The Archipelago Trail. The sea is never far away in one of the world’s most beautiful archipelagos. You will visit most of the major islands in the archipelago. Each island has its own special charm. The route meanders through historic villages where you can find plenty of things to do during the summer. (test)
Archipelago Trail route by bike
2 - 5 days
In co-operation with Hungry for Finland we have created a tasty trip to the South-West region of Finland and worlds largest archipelago. Start your culinary trip from Pori, explore the archipelago one town at the time and get try their best tastes. Turku and Naantali specially are known for being great places for foodies!
South-West culinary trip
2 - 4 days
The Small Archipelago Trail is a shorter option of the main Archipelago Trail. It turns off the large trail in Nagu where you take a ferry via the remarkable Seili Island directly to Hanka in Naantali. The Small Archipelago Trail is a roundtrip that is about 120 km. The route runs through five towns, fifteen permanently inhabited islands and some smaller uninhabited islands. By cycling around the Small Archipelago Trail by bike you get flexibile during the whole way you can enjoy unbelievable sceneries Availability until 29.08.2021
Small Archipelago Trail
2 - 5 days
