Naantali: Old Town, Coastal Paths and Cultural Heritage

Naantali brings together a seaside Old Town, coastal paths, medieval history and experiences across the wider municipality. Hundreds of historic wooden houses define the Old Town, complemented by cafés, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and a museum. Visitor facilities may change over time.

Old Town and Waterfront Paths

Aurinkopolku runs from Naantali Spa along the waterfront promenade to the heart of the Old Town. Along the 1.8-kilometre route, eight information boards with text and images tell the story of Naantali’s history. Rantaraitti offers a different perspective: this coastal path runs from Kuparivuori along the Old Town waterfront to Taimo Beach and is about 3.5 kilometres each way. The paths therefore differ both in length and route: Aurinkopolku links the spa and the Old Town with historical information, while Rantaraitti continues along the waterfront to the beach. Path surfaces and access conditions may change; check them when making specific plans.

Medieval Church and Music

Naantali Church was built between 1460 and 1480 as the church of a Catholic Bridgettine convent. It is Finland’s second-largest medieval stone church after Turku Cathedral and the convent’s only surviving building. Several concerts are held here each year; the church is also the main concert venue of the Naantali Music Festival. The festival begins in early June. Artists and ensembles perform in Naantali’s charming surroundings and in historic churches; dates and programme vary from year to year.

For a closer look at the city’s early history, the Humppi building of the Naantali Museum houses an archaeological exhibition on Naantali’s early history, as well as a scale model of the Bridgettine convent. Museum content may change over time.

Gardens and Fairytale Settings

Kultaranta Garden is a 56-hectare park with flowerbeds, roses, formal gardens, pergolas, pavilions and ornamental ponds. Seasonal guided tours offer a glimpse into life at Kultaranta and the summer traditions of Finnish presidents and their spouses in Naantali. Dates and booking arrangements may change.

At Moominworld, the Moominhouse, the Witch’s House, Snufkin’s Camp and Snork’s Inventor’s Park are among the attractions. The fairytale setting also features theatre performances and a beach for swimming. Attractions may be updated; the programme and facilities change seasonally. This gives families travelling together a different choice of theme from a stay focused mainly on Old Town history and coastal paths.

Paths and History Across the Wider Municipality

On Luonnonmaa near Särkänsalmi, the Aurinkukuru hiking trail follows wooded and rocky paths and offers views of the archipelago. The separate Jätkänpolku runs under the Särkänsalmi Bridge and along Porhonkalliontie towards a swimming and boat-landing beach. As trail conditions and access may change, it is worth checking the latest situation before setting out. Naantali is also part of the Archipelago Trail; the archipelago is a short distance from the Old Town. Check current ferry connections and route information when planning your trip.

The churches across the municipality also tell different stories. The present wooden church in Merimasku was completed in 1726 and is Finland’s sixth-oldest wooden church still in continuous use. Rymättylä Church was built in the Middle Ages on an isthmus between two sea bays. On Palva Island, the residents of Velkua built their wooden church in 1793.

In Röölä, Rymättylä, the Dikseli Herring Heritage Museum focuses on the history of herring fishing and the traditional production of salted herring. Röölä was the home port of the Saukko herring-fishing fleet; the exhibition shows the process from catching the fish to salting them. The Mill Museum is affiliated with the Dikseli Museum and reopened to visitors in 2016.

Another historical site awaits in Merimasku: Kollola Heritage House is a former crofter’s house on the Isotalo farm in the village of Järvensuu. In the 1920s, it was redeemed as a separate property. If Casa Haartman is relevant to your plans, note its accessibility: the house is not accessible to people with reduced mobility, has two storeys and no lift. If accessibility is important, check the latest information before travelling.

When looking for a holiday rental, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on: the Old Town, waterfront paths and cultural sites, or the garden, Moominworld and historic destinations across the wider municipality. Naantali offers several distinct themes to help shape your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Sauvo, Laitila, Raisio, Kustavi, Lieto, Uro, Dragsfjärd, Somero.

For the broader travel overview: Varsinais-Suomi.