One of the oldest towns in Finland, Naantali was founded around the medieval Brigittine convent Vallis gratiae (or Nådendal Abbey), the church of which still dominates its skyline.

In the 16th century, as Catholicism gave way to Protestantism as the official religion of Sweden (which Finland was part of at the time), the convent was closed, and the town plunged into a depression.

In 1922, the Kultaranta estate on Luonnonmaa was made the official summer residence for the President of the Republic, after Finland had gained its independence five years earlier.

[1] The proximity of both Turku, the region's administrative centre and largest city, and of the archipelago both contribute to the area's popularity with tourists.

Other points of interest in the city include Moomin World, a theme park on the island of Kailo, and Naantali’s medieval convent stone church.

The Port of Naantali is the third largest in Finland in terms of goods traffic, and the city is home to a power plant and an oil refinery owned by the government-controlled company Fortum and Neste.