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See and experience, Activities, responsible travel, trip
Mannerheiminkatu forms the ageless heart of the Old Town. Starting at the guest harbour, this pedestrian street has a variety of boutiques, gift shops, galleries and cafés to explore in your free time. The street is home to several beautiful wooden buildings, many of which have played an important role in the town’s history. Many houses are mentioned in texts as early as the 16th century. The oldest surviving buildings date from the 18th century, although many of them were given their current appearance in the 19th century.
From Mannerheiminkatu, turn onto Tullikatu and you’ll find yourself in Naantali’s modern centre. This is where you’ll find banks, the post office, library and pharmacy, several small shops and well-stocked food shops and other modern conveniences. The market square has been restored.
From the centre, turn back towards the sea. Puistotie is a green avenue that takes you across town, from the market square to the central park and the Convent Church. It is pretty in summer and winter alike.
The tower gives a fine view out to the sea inlet, the President’s summer residence (Kultaranta) on the opposite shore and the Moomins’ home island Kailo as well as the shoreline directly below, which used to house the famous Naantali spa. The observation tower is one of three surviving buildings of the old spa, in addition to Merisali (from 1899) and Kaivohuone (from 1868). The tower was built over the spa’s water tank.