← Paavo Nurmi Marathon·Day trip

Naantali: A Harbour Town 16 km from Turku

A frequent local bus from Turku to a small harbour town with a wooden old town, a convent church and the Moomin World theme park.

DurationDay trip
TransitLocal bus 6 or 6A from Turku, 16 km
DepartsTurku

After the Paavo Nurmi Marathon: Naantali

The Route: Turku → Naantali → Turku Logistics: Local bus 6 or 6A in both directions. Naantali is 16 km from Turku, and the buses run frequently. Marathon Month: August Duration: Day trip

Turku bus station ──(bus 6 or 6A)──> Naantali ──(bus 6 or 6A)──> Turku

Naantali is the easiest day out from Turku and the least demanding on tired legs. The town's own website says that buses 6 and 6A run frequently between the two, and that the journey is 16 km. It does not give a journey time, so check the timetable and fares at foli.fi before you go. There is no direct bus from the railway station, so board at the bus station or in the city centre.

August in Naantali: daytime highs in the region average about 20°C, with around 15 rainy days across the month. Late summer is the tail end of the season here, and some attractions shorten their hours as August goes on. Check each one before building the day around it.

The harbour and the old town

Naantali is a small harbour town, and the walk from the bus stop to the water is short. The old town is the main reason to come, and the streets are flat enough for a gentle shuffle. Wooden houses line the lanes near the harbour, and a slow loop of the centre takes less time than lunch. A flat, short walk is the right scale of exercise the day after 42 km.

The convent church, one of the town's best-known buildings, stands in the old town. Opening times and any entry charge are not confirmed, so ask at the tourist office or check visitnaantali.com.

Moomin World

Moomin World sits on an island next to the old town, and visitor information is at moominworld.fi. It is a seasonal theme park, and it is designed for families. If you are travelling with children, it is the obvious plan. If you are not, a quiet walk in the old town is more restful. Check the opening days for late August before you commit to the trip, because the park's season is short.

Getting back

Take bus 6 or 6A back to Turku. If your flight leaves from Turku Airport (TKU), Föli lines 1 and 1A link the city centre and the airport, but the timetable changes in summer, so check it for the week you travel.