Naantali Things to Do

In this small town exists the home of famous Moomins. It is situated on an island, and you may visit there even in the winter time, although the Moomins are resting in winter sleep that time. The Moomin season is in summer, from June to August.

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Moomintroll was created long ago by the artist Tove Jansson. The Moomin stories soon became immensely popular, and Tove wrote another book about them...and then another...and then some cartoons and more books. In time, the adventures of the Moomins came to occupy not only Tove herself but also her younger brother Lars, who started drawing the cartoons while Tove concentrated on her writing. This is how a set of wonderful Moomin books as well as picture books and comics were created.

In Moominworld, you will of course become acquainted with the entire Finn Family Moomintroll and their friends. Moominmamma invites you to visit the blueberry-blue Moominhouse and explore Moomintroll´s attic and Moominmama´s jam cellar. Nearby are the yellow house of Hemulen and Moominpapa´s boat. It's a wilder ride on the nature path circling the valley. Along the path, you will even discover the secret of the Hattifatteners. You should reserve at least one whole day for the visit, allowing you the time to visit Snufkin's campsite, encounter the witch at her cabin, and see Theatre Emma's Moomin-plays.Theatre Emma shows seven plays a day, both in Finnish and Swedish.

Entrance prices:
one-day ticket 17 Euro
two-days ticket 26 Euro

Opening times:
10 June - 20 August
daily from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m.

Moomin World is what most people who go to Naantali in summer have come to see. Yet despite all families on the small Moomin island, it is surprisingly calm. It all has to do with being on an archipelago island in the north and the feeling that Moomins create around them seems to have almost spread to this world too. Nothing is done in a traditional "theme park way" but has been kept fairly low key as far as development is concerned. Still, there is the huge, blue Moomin house and all the characters walking around, with Stinky being my favourite doing mischievious things all over the island :))) See more in the travelogue.

Naantali old town is well preserved area of old wooden buildings that have been carefully renovated and are currently hosting several restaurants, cafés, art galleries and specialty shops. The official Moomin shop can be found here, too.

The old town is still small enough to be covered by foot.

Note that most of the restaurants and shops have limited hours outside summer months. The place will be heavily crowded on First of May, please reserve tables in advance.

Naantali church is an old monastery church built on 1462. The bell tower is built much later on 1794-1797. The church is located on a hill between the Naantali city and the sea. Views to both directions are magnificent. There is a small view tower on the cliff near the sea and you can see both Moomin World and presidential mansion from there.

The church is open seldomly, so you might not be able to check its interiors. They have been renovated in 60's, so there are no murals or anything spectacular.

The graveyard behind the church is also a fascinating place to visit.

Another view you can enjoy on Naantali.
Nature in Finland is really gorgeous, and wandering is a very pleasant thing to do in this country... You always discover peaceful places, everywhere. And taking the time to appreciate them is so great...

Naantali also homes the summer residence of the President of Finland. You can get a glimpse of it if you click the picture (in the distance on the left). But we didn’t walk that far, it was on the other side of Naantali’s shore. The gardens of this little granite castle, along with its statues, are said to be beautiful.
You can check if the President is there when the flag of Finland flies on top of the tower.

Surrounded by the sea, glittering under the shining autumn sun, the view that stretches in front of you is stunning. Nature is once again so beautiful and captivating… nothing left to do but sit on a bench and contemplate…
Such an idyllic place !