Nauvo & Seili day trip: How to get there & what to see in Finland’s Archipelago
So, you’re planning a day trip to Nauvo (Nagu)?
That’s exciting and honestly, I don’t think there’s anywhere quite like the Finnish Archipelago.
With its little islands, winding roads, ferries and sea views, getting there is part of the experience itself. And if you’re wondering what a day in Nauvo actually looks like, how to get there, what to see and how to make the most of your time, let me take you along.
Because there’s a little more to planning a Nauvo day trip than simply putting “Nauvo” into Google Maps.
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I did a day trip to Nauvo this summer and combined it with stops in Parainen (Pargas) and Seili, (Själö) turning the whole day into a little island-hopping adventure. And don’t worry, I’m going to tell you all about it and how you can do a similar route yourself.
Nauvo is honestly one of my favorite summer destinations in Finland. Obviously, I haven’t been everywhere in Finland or visited all of its islands… yet. But for now, Nauvo has definitely made its way to the top of my list.
What surprised me most was how much more lively and bigger it was than I had imagined. In my head, I had pictured a tiny harbour with maybe one restaurant, a little shop and a café. But it was honestly so much more than that.
I could have easily spent a few hours just wandering around the harbour, watching the boats come and go and enjoying a coffee on one of the terraces. There’s a really lovely summer atmosphere here that I wasn’t expecting.
So before you plan your day and hop on the ferry, this Nauvo & Seili day trip from Turku guide takes you through everything you need to know about Nauvo: what to expect, where to go, what to do, how to get there, and how you can combine it with other stops in the archipelago.
NAUVO AT A GLANCE:
📍 Where: Southwest Finland, in the Turku Archipelago.
🚗 From Turku: About 1–1.5 hours by car, depending on the route and ferry connections.
⛴️ Getting there: Drive from Turku via Parainen and take the free ferry to Nauvo.
⏰ How long to stay: A few hours is enough to see the main harbour area, but you can easily spend a full day exploring.
☀️ Best time to visit: Summer, when the harbour and archipelago are at their liveliest.
💰 Cost: Getting to Nauvo by car and ferry is free; you’ll mainly spend money on food, cafés and activities.
⭐ My verdict: Definitely worth adding to a Finnish summer itinerary.
So, let’s get into it.
How to get to Nauvo from Turku
Turku is often called the gateway to the Finnish Archipelago, and it’s easy to see why. From the city, you can be on your way into the islands surprisingly quickly, making it a great starting point for an island-hopping adventure.
Nauvo is one of the larger and more popular destinations in the Turku Archipelago, and the best part is that you don’t have to spend hours and hours travelling to get there.
From Turku, you can reach Nauvo in under two hours, depending on traffic, ferry connections and how long you have to wait for the ferries.
When I visited in summer, we didn’t have to wait in line at all and got onto the ferry really quickly. I’ll get into the ferry connections in more detail later in this Nauvo and Seili day trip guide, including what you need to know before you go and how to plan your journey around them.
And that’s one of the things I love about visiting the Finnish Archipelago: the journey is part of the experience. You’re not just driving from Turku to Nauvo, you’re crossing bridges, travelling through the islands and taking a ferry across the Archipelago Sea.
There are a few different ways you can make your way to Nauvo:
🚗 By car: Driving is a great option if you want to make Nauvo part of a longer archipelago road trip. You can drive from Turku through Parainen to Nauvo, and from Nauvo continue onwards to Korppoo and Houtskär by car ferry. This gives you much more flexibility to explore several islands and make your own route.
💡 Just remember: having a car doesn’t mean you can take it on every ferry around the archipelago. Some routes use smaller connecting vessels, so always check the specific route before planning your journey.
🚌 By bus: You can also visit Nauvo without a car, which is a great option if you’re mainly interested in spending time around the village and harbour rather than exploring further into the archipelago. The Archipelago Bus (Saaristobussi) runs from Turku to Paraisinen and from there via Nauvo and Korppoo to Houtskari. There are several bus services daily, more detailed schedules can be found on the Matkahuolto website.
🚲 By bike: Cycling is another popular way to experience the archipelago during the summer. If you’re more interested in making the journey itself part of the adventure, this can be a really fun option. There are also dedicated archipelago cycling routes, including the Small Archipelago Trail, which connects several destinations and islands and can be travelled by bike or car.
🚤 By boat: If you’d rather skip the driving and ferry connections altogether, there are also boat tours from Turku’s Aura River that take you directly to Nauvo. This could be a really fun option if you want the journey itself to be part of the experience.
WHICH OPTION SHOULD YOU CHOOSE:
🚌 Just visiting Nauvo: The bus can work really well if you don’t have a car and mainly want to explore the harbour area.
🚗 Nauvo + other places by car: A car gives you the most flexibility, especially if you want to continue your journey beyond Nauvo and explore more of the archipelago.
🚲 Want the journey to be part of the adventure: Cycling is a fun summer option if you’re up for it. Just keep in mind that you’ll still need to use the ferry between Parainen and Nauvo.
🚤 Want to skip the roads and ferries: A boat trip from Turku’s Aura River straight to Nauvo is another option. This could be a great choice if you want the journey itself to be part of the experience rather than just a way of getting there.
The ferry to Nauvo: everything you need to know
And now we get into the juicy practical stuff: where the ferry leaves from, how the crossing works, whether you need to book, what the queues are like, and what to expect during the busy summer months.
First of all, here’s something pretty great about visiting Nauvo that I haven’t mentioned yet: The ferry from Parainen to Nauvo is completely free. 🎉
Yep, you heard me right. There is no ticket to buy and no reservation needed for the regular crossing. You simply drive to the ferry landing, wait for your turn, drive onto the ferry and enjoy the short journey across the archipelago.
How often does the ferry run?
The Parainen–Nauvo ferry runs very frequently, so don’t panic if you arrive just as one is leaving. During the summer, departures are generally around every 15 minutes, although the exact schedule can vary.
The winter timetable is different, so if you’re visiting outside the summer season, always check the current schedule before you leave. The good news is that there are still frequent departures in winter, you just shouldn’t assume the summer timetable applies.
And honestly, don’t think of the ferry as an inconvenience. It’s part of the whole Nauvo experience. Grab your camera, step outside, enjoy the sea views and watch the Finnish Archipelago pass by
What about the queues?
This is probably the part you actually want to know about if you’re visiting in summer.
The ferry landing has separate lanes for regular traffic and priority traffic, and the loading system is controlled with traffic lights.
Some vehicles have priority when boarding, including emergency vehicles and certain vehicles carrying people who need urgent medical or professional assistance.
There is also a special priority arrangement for permanent residents of certain archipelago islands, including Nauvo, Korppoo, Houtskär and Iniö. This is there to make everyday travel possible for people who live on the islands year-round.
So if you’re arriving as a visitor and see another lane moving before yours, don’t worry, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve missed something. The ferry staff and traffic lights control the loading order.
💡And if you’re travelling by bus, this is worth knowing: scheduled buses can have priority when boarding, so don’t be surprised if a bus gets loaded ahead of the regular car queue.
Visiting in summer?
Summer is when the archipelago really comes alive, but it’s also when more people are travelling, especially around Midsummer and during the Finnish summer holiday season.
When we visited, we were actually lucky and didn’t have to wait in line at all. We arrived at the ferry and got across really quickly. But I wouldn’t plan your day assuming you’ll always drive straight onto the next ferry, especially during the busiest weeks of summer.
If you have some flexibility with your trip, I’d personally recommend visiting later in the summer, after Midsummer and once Finnish schools have started again. The busiest summer period is then over, and there tend to be fewer people heading out to their summer cottages.
What is the ferry ride actually like?
The actual crossing is really short, around 10 minutes, so it’s a very easy part of the journey.
You’ll generally stay in your car during the crossing. The cars are parked quite close together, and there isn’t really space to walk around or an outdoor deck where you can go and enjoy the views. There are no toilets onboard either, but since the crossing is so short, that’s not really an issue.
Honestly, you just drive on, enjoy the little ferry ride across the archipelago, and before you know it, you’re driving off and arriving in Nauvo. And I actually think the ferry itself is part of the fun of visiting the Finnish Archipelago.
🗺️ My route: Turku → Parainen → Nauvo → Seili → back to Turku
Now let’s get into the actual route we did, in case you want to do something similar yourself.
I wanted to see a little bit of everything during this trip rather than spend the whole day in one place, so we combined Parainen, Nauvo and Seili into one archipelago day trip. And honestly, it turned out to be such a fun way to experience the area.
We did the whole route in one day, and while it was definitely a pretty full day, I never felt like we were spending the entire time rushing around. We got to see different islands, take a few ferries, explore Nauvo, visit Seili and still have time to actually enjoy being there.
That said, would I do it differently if I went back? Absolutely.
I’d love to return to Nauvo and actually spend more time there, maybe stay overnight, slow down and explore more of the island instead of fitting it into one busy day. And if I had more time, I’d also love to continue further into the archipelago and see what else is out there.
But that’s exactly why I think this route is such a good option if it’s your first time visiting the Finnish Archipelago or you don’t have several days to spare. You can get a little taste of several different places without needing to plan an entire week around it.
So here’s exactly how our day went and how you can do it too.
First stop: Parainen
We left Turku around 9:30 AM, and it took us about 30 minutes to drive to Parainen.
Coming back to Parainen always feels nostalgic to me. I spent many summers here as a child, when we stayed at my grandma’s summer cottage nearby, so I still recognize some of the streets and little shopping alleys from those days.
Of course, a lot has changed in the 20+ years since then, and the town looks quite different today from how I remember it. One thing I especially noticed this time was how much quieter it feels now compared to when I was a kid.
Parainen is quite a small town and, in my opinion, it’s more of a nice stop along your archipelago journey than somewhere I’d plan to stay for several days. You can explore the main town fairly quickly, so I think a few hours is plenty if you’re combining it with Nauvo and other places.
And obviously, we had to stop for a quick coffee before continuing our journey. Because of course you need a third morning coffee. We’re in Finland, after all.
We found the cutest little café right in the centre, Café Hallonblad that wasn’t there when I was a kid, so that was a really happy surprise. It’s inside an old building with a beautiful outdoor terrace, and the interior is full of old details. It honestly felt a little like stepping into your grandma’s house, in the best possible way.
I would definitely come back to Parainen just for this café.
🍕 Last spring when I visited Parainen, we ended up eating at Pargas Pizza House. They have pizza, pasta, steaks, you name it. It was such a cozy little place with really great customer service. We had a lovely experience there, and I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for somewhere to eat in Parainen.
Second stop: Nauvo
And now we’re getting to the actual main destination of the day.
From Parainen centre, we drove around about 15–20 minutes to the free ferry crossing to Nauvo. We were lucky because the ferry was already there when we arrived, so we got on board pretty quickly.
The crossing itself takes around 10 minutes, and before we knew it, we had arrived in Nauvo.
Once you drive off the ferry, it’s another short drive to the Nauvo harbour.. If you’re arriving by car, there are several parking options around the harbour. We found a parking area where you could park for 24 hours for free, which was perfect for us.
Nauvo surprised me
But now let’s get into how much Nauvo actually surprised me.
Before coming here, I had pictured a tiny harbour with one restaurant, one café and maybe a small tourist shop. I don’t know why, but in my head Nauvo was going to be really small.
And yes, it’s not some huge place, but it was so much more than I expected.
There were more cute little shops, cafés, ice cream spots, restaurants and just more to see and wander around than I had imagined. I could have easily spent a few hours here just walking around the harbour, looking at the boats and stopping for a coffee.
Nauvo is also often called “the St. Tropez of Finland,” and I can kind of see where that comes from. Obviously, I’ve never been to St. Tropez myself, so I can’t exactly compare the two, but there was something about walking around Nauvo that made me feel like I had suddenly stepped somewhere completely different.
The harbour, all the boats, the little shops and cafés and people enjoying the summer day. For a moment, it didn’t even feel like Finland anymore.
Our time in Nauvo
There is one important thing you should know about our visit, though: we didn’t actually have much time to explore Nauvo.
When we arrived, we realized that our boat to Seili was leaving in less than 30 minutes. And because the boats to Seili don’t run nearly as frequently as the Parainen–Nauvo ferry, we really didn’t want to miss it.
So we basically had just enough time to arrive, park and get ourselves to the boat before heading off to Seili.
If you’re planning to combine Nauvo with Seili like we did, make sure you check the Seili boat schedule BEFORE planning the rest of your day. Those departures are much less frequent, so this is one connection you don’t want to miss.
And honestly, this is the one thing I’d do differently next time: I’d give myself much more time in Nauvo.
I already know I want to come back, slow down and actually explore more of the island instead of just getting a little taste of it.
If you have more time than we did, I actually think staying overnight in Nauvo would be a great idea. I’d definitely do this next time because there was so much more I wanted to explore, and I think spending a night here would let you experience the archipelago at a much slower pace.
🛏️ Check out accommodation options in Nauvo →
🎟️ Also, remember to book in advance: Summer is Finland’s busiest travel season, so book your accommodation early for the best selection.
What I want to come back for
I didn’t have time to do these on this trip, so I’m saving them for next time…
🛍️ Go through all the little shops around the marina. No matter how touristy they might be, I still think it’s fun to wander around, see what’s on offer and maybe find a little souvenir to take home.
🍲 Eat at Båthuset Nagu and sit on their beautiful outdoor terrace. I spotted salmon soup with archipelago bread on the menu, and you know how much I love salmon soup. Well… at least now you do.
⛵ Sit by the marina and watch the boats go by. Because honestly, is there anything better than slowing down by the sea on a summer day?
⛪ Explore Nagu Church properly. I walked around the church grounds and took a few photos, but I’d love to actually go inside and spend a little more time there next time.
🩱 Pack my swimsuit and go for a swim. Finnish summer weather can be unpredictable, and when we visited in mid-August, it was sunny but unfortunately not warm enough for me to want to get into the water. And to be fair, we wouldn’t have had time for a swim anyway… but also, I hate cold water, so there’s that.
🏕️ Try glamping in the area. I’ve seen some really interesting glamping options around Nauvo, and I think staying overnight would be such a fun way to experience the archipelago instead of just visiting for the day. I found Naawa Nature Camp, a gorgeous Aurora Hut, and Brännskär Cottages & Glamping, which is quite a well-known option in the archipelago and a place I’ve had my eye on for a while now.
So clearly, I have a few reasons to come back. And honestly, I think that’s a good thing. I left Nauvo feeling like I had only scratched the surface, which makes me even more excited to return and spend a little longer here next time.
Third stop: Seili
Then it was time for our third destination of the day: Seili Island.
Like I mentioned earlier, we left Nauvo in a bit of a hurry because we realized the boat to Seili was leaving earlier than we had originally thought. We hopped on board around 12 PM, because the next boat wasn’t until around 3 PM and, for us, that would have made the day way too late.
The boat ride took around 15–20 minutes, and obviously we headed straight to the upper deck because we wanted to see the views.
And honestly, the journey itself was already worth it. You get to admire all these little islands, summer cottages and beautiful archipelago scenery along the way, and I can’t even tell you how many photos and videos I took during that 15-minute boat ride.
It was one of those moments where I just kept thinking, “Okay, this is why I love the Finnish Archipelago.”
💡Weather tip: Don’t let the fact that it’s summer fool you, it can get surprisingly windy and chilly out on the water. We were sitting on the upper deck and the wind was blowing really hard at times, so it got pretty chilly even though it was a sunny summer day. I’d definitely bring a light jacket or hoodie with you, even if it feels warm when you leave Turku or Nauvo. You can always take it off if you don’t need it, but you’ll be very happy to have it when you’re sitting on the boat getting blasted by the wind
My first reaction when we arrived in Seili was basically: wow, there’s a lot of beautiful nature here.
One thing to know about Seili is that it’s quite a small island, and there isn’t actually a huge amount to explore in the way you might expect from some of the other archipelago islands. There aren’t little shops, cafés or lots of places to wander between.
Seili is really more about its history and atmosphere, and that’s also why people come here and why there are guided tours available. I’ll get into that properly in a bit.
Since the island is small, there aren’t many buildings either. There is, however, Ravintola Seili, where you can stop for lunch, including buffet lunch options. That’s exactly where we were heading because, somehow, we had made it all the way to lunchtime without eating anything.
From the boat, you need to walk a little to get to the restaurant. It’s not right next to the pier, but honestly, that’s part of the experience. You walk along these little scenic roads surrounded by nature, which makes the arrival feel really peaceful.
Lunch at Ravintola Seili
I have to say, I completely fell in love with the outdoor area of the restaurant.
It was so pretty and cozy, with tables underneath the trees, and it was just such a lovely place to sit down and finally have lunch after spending the morning travelling around the archipelago.
After being on the boat and walking around in the summer sunshine, sitting down under the trees with a proper lunch felt so good.
We went for the buffet lunch, which had a few different salad options, creamy potatoes, a minced meat patty and quite a few different breads to choose from, because obviously, what’s a Finnish lunch without bread?
If you’re visiting Seili, I’d definitely plan some time for lunch here rather than treating the island as somewhere you just jump off the boat, walk around for a bit and leave again.
💡 Good to know: Ravintola Seili is only open during the summer season. If you’re visiting Seili outside summer, make sure you plan ahead and bring your own food or check what other options are available before you go.
What else can you do in Seili?
Although Seili is a small island, there are a few things that make it worth visiting. And as I mentioned earlier, the main reason people come here isn’t really shopping, cafés or a busy harbour, it’s the history and the unique atmosphere of the island.
Visit the old church and the cemetory
After lunch, we walked another 200 metres or so to see the old church and cemetery, which are definitely among the main sights on Seili.
The church wasn’t open when we visited, but if you visit when it’s open, you can step inside and admire its simple yet beautiful architecture and historical details. There’s a small entrance fee of €4.50 for adults.
This beautiful wooden church was built in 1733, after the previous church had fallen into disrepair. It is one of the few surviving buildings from Seili’s historic hospital era.
💡 Good to know: The museum church is open to visitors during the summer season, but opening times can vary, and guided visits are also available. So if seeing the inside of the church is important to you, I’d check the current opening times before your visit.
Right behind the church is the cemetery, which is also worth taking a look at. It’s a quiet and atmospheric spot, and being there gives you a little glimpse into the island’s past.
Join a guided tour
If you want to understand more about what happened here, there are guided tours available.
If I came back, I’d definitely take a guided tour. I think it’s one of the best ways to really experience Seili, because otherwise you can walk around the island without fully understanding the stories behind what you’re seeing.
👉 This is the guided tour I’d choose if I came back to Seili, which is very likely 😊
Learn about Seili’s history
Okay, now we need to talk about the history of Seili. Because honestly… this is fascinating. And also pretty dark.
You might not know this, but Seili has a long and rather heartbreaking history as a place where people with leprosy and later people with mental illnesses were sent away from the rest of society.
The island’s famous hospital was established in 1619, when the first patients with leprosy were brought to Seili. The location was deliberately chosen because the island was far enough away from the mainland to keep people isolated from the rest of society.
And the really chilling part? Once people were sent to Seili, they weren’t expected to leave.
Over the following 150 years, at least 663 people with leprosy or suspected leprosy were sent to the island. Many spent the rest of their lives here, and the cemetery surrounding the church is a reminder of the people who never made it back home.
But Seili’s story didn’t end with leprosy.
After the last person with leprosy died here in 1785, the island continued to be used as a place of isolation, this time as a psychiatric hospital. And this part of the history is particularly disturbing: women who were considered mentally ill or socially unacceptable could be sent to Seili, and some spent the rest of their lives on the island.
The psychiatric hospital continued operating for women until 1962. Today, the island is home to the University of Turku’s Archipelago Research Institute, and visitors come here to explore the church, historic buildings, nature and the island’s remarkable history.
And knowing all of this completely changes the way you experience Seili.
When you’re walking around this peaceful island, surrounded by beautiful nature, it’s easy to forget how much darkness is hidden underneath the idyllic landscape.
I think that’s what made Seili so fascinating to me. It’s beautiful and peaceful, but once you know what happened here, you start looking at the island in a completely different way.
How much time do you need in Seili?
We only had a little over an hour in Seili before we had to catch the boat back to Nauvo. The next boat would have been much later, and that would have meant getting back home way too late for us.
So yes, our time in Seili was really short. But honestly, for what we wanted to see, we still managed to experience the main things. We had lunch, walked around, saw the church and cemetery, and got to take in the beautiful nature and atmosphere of the island.
Obviously, I’d recommend staying longer if you really want to take your time exploring, join a guided tour, learn more about the history or even pack a picnic and spend some time in nature.
And I think that’s actually one of the things I’d do differently next time. If I ever come back, I’d love to have more time and not constantly be thinking about when the next boat leaves. Seili feels like the kind of place where you just want to slow down and take it all in.
For me, Seili was definitely worth adding to our day, but I think the experience would be completely different if I came back with more time and wasn’t watching the clock for the next boat.
So if you’re planning your own trip, don’t use our one-hour visit as your recommended Seili itinerary 😂 We were working with the boat schedule!
I’d personally allow at least 2–3 hours if you want to properly explore the island, and longer if you want to join a tour and really dive into the history.
Back to Nauvo
After spending a little over an hour in Seili, we hopped back on the boat and headed to Nauvo.
This time, we actually had a little more time to walk around and explore, so we wandered around the marina and looked through some of the little shops I had noticed earlier.
And that’s when we found Wallmo, a little store selling unique art, ceramics, glassware and gift items. Most of the products are locally made, which I absolutely loved. The lady working there even told us that it’s quite hard to find anything in the shop that isn’t locally made and honestly, I love hearing that. Supporting local artists and small businesses is one of my favourite things to do when travelling.
They had so many beautiful mugs, ceramics and even clothes, which unfortunately we didn’t have time to properly look through or try on. Maybe next time!
I did, however, buy a little souvenir: a beautiful hand-painted mug, which felt like the perfect thing to bring home from our archipelago day. Something local that I’ll actually use, rather than another random souvenir that ends up sitting in a cupboard.
So if you’re in Nauvo, make sure to check out this little shop, but fair warning: I don’t think you’re going to leave empty-handed.
Nauvo & Seili: Questions you might still have
Would I do this trip Nauvo and Seili day trip again?
Absolutely.
This little archipelago day trip ended up being so much more fun than I expected. We packed quite a lot into one day, and while it was definitely a little rushed at times, I loved getting to experience three completely different places: Parainen, Nauvo and Seili.
If I did it again, I’d slow things down. I’d spend more time in Nauvo, stay overnight and give Seili more time too. But for a first taste of the Finnish Archipelago, I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better day.
So if you’ve been thinking about exploring the Finnish Archipelago but don’t have several days to spare, save this route. You can see a lot in just one day and trust me, you’ll probably leave already planning your next trip.
Keep planning your Finland trip:
- 5-Day Southwest Finland Itinerary: Turku, Naantali, Uusikaupunki & Rauma
- One of the most unique places to stay in the Finnish Archipelago
- Ultimate Turku Summer Guide: What to Do, See & Eat