How to spend 24 hours in Naantali, Finland
After years away, we finally returned to Finland — the country our roots run through — and began exploring places where we might one day set up our retreat. Our first stop was Naantali, a small town on the southwest coast that surprised us with its charm, quiet magic, and potential. As we build our vision for Wild Nordic Roots — a future retreat space grounded in nature, creativity, and connection — we’re soaking in every place that speaks to us. This one did.
Here are our top things to do in Naantali when you’re short on time:
1. Stroll the Old Town by the Water
We arrived on a weekend morning and were surprised to find the streets nearly empty. (When did Finns become such late risers?)
With the cobbled paths and peaceful waterfront almost to ourselves, we soaked in the quiet beauty of the historic wooden houses, boats rocking in the harbor, and the slow rhythm of the town waking up. It felt like stepping into a postcard.
2. Coffee + Pannukakku at Eriskummallinen Kahvila & Teehuone
This Moomin-themed café is as whimsical as the name suggests. We arrived just before 10 a.m. and had the place almost entirely to ourselves. The coffee was great, and the pannukakku (Finnish oven pancake) was the perfect soft, sweet start to the day.
Bonus: they have an incredible wall of Moomin mugs — serious collectors will want to linger.
3. Find Hidden Gems
We didn’t have tons of time to shop in Naantali, but we did pop into a few local stores and that turned out to be one of the unexpected highlights. The joy of exploring smaller towns is stumbling across those quirky, memorable finds.
For example, Helen discovered a pair of beautiful handmade wool socks — in a plumbing and bathroom shop, of all places! Proof that hidden treasures often turn up where you least expect them. They were the perfect Nordic souvenir to bring a little warmth (and story) back to the UK.
4. Dinner at Pizzeria 450°C
Located right by the water, this was hands down the best pizza we’ve had in Finland. The ingredients are fresh and there are plenty of vegetarian options. No surprise that this place has such great reviews — it’s delicious.
We left Naantali feeling full (of food and gratitude), and already dreaming about returning — maybe next time for longer. We’d love to find a cabin or retreat space somewhere nearby. There’s something quietly magical about this part of Finland, and we’re not quite done with it yet.
Thinking of visiting?
Naantali is just a 20-minute drive from Turku, and makes a perfect short escape if you’re craving slow mornings, beautiful views, and a plenty of Nordic charm.
