porvoo tourist information

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Credits: Visit Porvoo

Porvoo is the second oldest town in Finland located within less than a one-hour drive from Helsinki.

Welcome to porvoo.

Porvoo is the second oldest town in Finland located within less than a one-hour drive from Helsinki city center and Helsinki-Vantaa airport. Porvoo offers your event or congress a unique setting either in the urban city center with all services close by or in the beautiful Porvoo archipelago with high-class sustainably certified manor and spa venue.

Idyllic Old Porvoo with its cobblestone streets, unique, small boutiques, cafes and restaurants serving mouth-watering delicacies entice you to linger.​ The red ochre painted riverside warehouses are one of the most photographed national landscapes in Finland and a steady favorite among travelers. Here you can admire the colorful wooden houses and stroll the winding streets - as if in a children’s story book.​

Where in Finland?

Population: 51 000

Distance from Helsinki: – Car approx. 55 minutes – Buses every hour – 40 minute drive from the Helsinki Airport

Porvoo Tourist Information

Läntinen Aleksanterinkatu 1, Porvoo 

Tel. +358 40 489 9801 

Email: [email protected]

The city of charming moments

Being the second oldest city in Finland, much of historic Porvoo's appeal is in the section known as Old Porvoo, stretching from its iconic red ochre warehouses on the waterfront, up mediaeval cobbled streets lined with wooden houses, boutiques and cozy cafés, to ancient Porvoo Cathedral.

Porvoo offers visitors a choice of high-class accommodation, top quality dining, art and events, fascinating sights and museums, together with a wide range of outdoors activities to suit all. Everything you need for your event, whether big or small, can be found within short distances and your guests will surely enjoy their time here.

Excellent food is a corner stone for a successful event and Porvoo is a dream come true for food lovers. Local kitchens conjure up traditional Finnish and Scandinavian delicacies as well as international flavors that are served with carefully selected wines and beers.

Visit an art exhibition, museum or church. See and experience in Porvoo at least J.L. Runeberg’s Home Museum and the stunning scenery from Porvoo Cathedral. Or enjoy the outdoor art sprinkled around the west bank of Porvoo available for all.

Nature and Activities

Visitors will find a wide range of experiences and activities available in Porvoo and the surrounding nature all year round. There are cruises along the river to the nearby archipelago or you can choose to explore the waters in a canoe, kayak or on a SUP board. There are numerous guides providing fishing tours. Porvoo also has an abundance of parks, with numerous nature trails to follow, either on foot or with bikes.

Porvoo travel guide

Porvoo is a city in southern Finland , just 50 kilometres from Helsinki. It is a bilingual city since almost 33% of its population has Swedish as its mother tongue.

The city of Porvoo is the second oldest in the country , only behind Turku . Its old town dates from the Middle Ages and a large part of its buildings have been preserved, so the vast majority are made of wood.

Things to see and do in Porvoo

The city, founded almost 800 years ago, retains much of the charm of the time, so strolling through the picturesque streets of its historic centre will transport you to another century.

Many artists have used Porvoo as a source of inspiration for their work and the city is home to some of the works of famous Finnish artists.

Porvoo Old Town

Porvoo’s Old Town boasts its famous red wooden warehouses, one of the most photographed landscapes in Finland and one of the must-see stops for any tourist visiting the city.

The colourful wooden houses are found throughout the historic centre of Porvoo and strolling alongside them along the narrow cobbled paths is an experience not to be missed.

The old town also has many cafes, restaurants and various shops and chocolate shops. Many of them are inside the colourful buildings and have period decorations, so we recommend you take a look inside.

Porvoo Cathedral

Porvoo Cathedral dates back to the 13th century and has undergone numerous changes and renovations throughout history. The church has also been affected by different fires that, luckily, did not seriously deteriorate it and it could be renovated, thanks to which tourists from all over the world can continue to access it.

The Cathedral, despite not being notable for its large size, has hosted some of the most important religious events and celebrations in the history of the country, so it is a place that you should not miss during your trip to Porvoo.

Runeberg museum

The poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg is considered the most important in the history of Finland and one of the most prominent in all of Scandinavia. The poet is such an important figure for the Finns that on February 5, the day of his birth, a great party is held throughout the country in his honour and a typical cake is eaten that bears his name.

Runeberg lived part of his life in the city of Porvoo with his family and today it is possible to visit what was his home . The house, now adapted as a museum, allows us to visit all the rooms and the decoration, just as his family left it.

The Bishop’s house of the Diocese of Borgå

The house of the Bishop of Porvoo is also the seat of the Diocese of Borgå, the religious group of Swedish-speaking Finns. The see was established in Porvoo in 1923 and, five years later, the bishop’s house was completed.

The interior of the impressive building of intense yellow colour cannot be visited, but it is still advisable to approach and enjoy its exterior.

Linnamäki or the Castle Hills is an extensive nature park located very close to the old town of Porvoo. In it, we can find various interesting points to go through.

On Iso Linnamäki (Great Castle Hill) was one of the largest ancient fortresses in all of Finland. Here a huge castle began to be built, but the project was not very successful and ended up being abandoned. Today, it is still possible to see some dry moats and the wooden bridges that cross them.

Pikku Linnamäki or Lesser Castle Hill has an Iron Age cemetery , which was discovered in 1965. At the foot of the hills is Maari Park , a popular park among Porvoo residents for picnics and walks.

Holm House is located in the historic city centre and was built in 1763, making it one of the oldest buildings in Finland. Inside we find a museum where you can discover the way of life of wealthy merchant families at the end of the 18th century. Throughout the year it is also possible to enjoy different temporary exhibitions

Porvoo Doll and Toy Museum

Porvoo’s Doll and Toy Museum is one of the most comprehensive in the country. His collection, of more than a thousand pieces, includes dolls or other toys, such as teddy bears or toy cars.

All the dolls and toys on display were used in the past, so it is possible to appreciate their wear and tear and that they are not in perfect condition. Thus, not only will children enjoy the museum, but parents and grandparents will also have a great time remembering the toys of their childhood.

How to get to Porvoo from Helsinki

Porvoo is located just 50 kilometres east of Helsinki . The short journey allows you to visit the city in a single day without having to worry about accommodation.

To get to Porvoo, you can choose to take the bus or the boat from Helsinki. The first option is undoubtedly the most recommended since the journey does not take more than an hour and the price of the round trip ticket is about 15 euros .

The bus is taken from Helsinki central bus station, located in the heart of Helsinki, and takes you to Porvoo station, very close to the old city.

If you travel in summer, you can choose to take the boat trip . This alternative is less recommended than the bus since the duration of the journey and the price of the ticket is higher. The trip takes about 3 hours and the ticket costs about 30 euros.

How to get around the city

The city of Porvoo is not very big and all the important tourist spots are located in the centre of the city, very close to each other. For this reason, you will not need any type of transport to move around the city.

The bus station is also just a few minutes from the centre. Thus, it will not be necessary to hire a taxi or other type of transport when you get off the bus that brings you from Helsinki.

Where to stay in Porvoo

As we have already told you, it is possible to take a day trip to Porvoo from Helsinki, so it would not be necessary to look for accommodation in the city.

However, you may want to enjoy Porvoo more calmly or take the opportunity to visit other towns or natural parks in the area. In that case, looking for accommodation in the city is a highly recommended option, since there are quite a few alternatives that suit all budgets.

Where to eat in Porvoo

Porvoo has a large number of cafes and restaurants where you can stop to eat and rest. For this reason, there are options for all tastes.

However, it is important to know that the price in most establishments is high and should be taken into account when choosing the restaurant in which to eat.

We recommend that you take advantage of the visit to try the Runebergintorttu or Runeberg torte , the typical Finnish dessert with almonds that is named after the famous Finnish poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg.

We hope you enjoy your visit to the medieval town of Porvoo . We invite you to use the comments section to answer your questions about the trip or to give your opinion about Porvoo if you have already visited the city.

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• 1 Understand
• 2.2 By train
• 2.3 By boat
• 2.5 By bicycle
• 3.2 By bike
• 3.3 By ferry
• 3.4 By taxi
• 5.1 Festivals
• 6.1 Supermarkets and grocery stores
• 8.2 Bars and nightclubs
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge
• 10.1 Internet
• 11 Stay safe

Porvoo (Swedish: Borgå ) is a scenic small town 50 km east of Helsinki , Finland . One of the most popular day trips from Helsinki, its picturesque city centre of wooden houses is a proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Understand [ edit ]

Porvoo is one of the six medieval towns in Finland (with Naantali , Rauma , Turku , Ulvila and Vyborg ). As Finland's second oldest city after Turku, Porvoo has been around since the 13th century, although most of the present buildings date to the 19th century. In 1809, the Finnish members of the Swedish parliament assembled at the Diet of Porvoo to affirm the country's conquest by Russia.

Today, tourists flock to pad about the cobbled narrow lanes of Old Porvoo ( Vanha Porvoo ), which has survived the sprawl of the modern city around it remarkably intact. The place is particularly popular in summer.

Get in [ edit ]

By bus [ edit ].

There are buses from Helsinki 's Central Bus Station to Porvoo every 15–30 minutes. Standard/express services between 55 and 70 minutes – the expresses just stop in Porvoo on their way to points further east. Tickets can be bought on Matkahuolto from €9, however the price for a ticket bought on the bus can go up to €18.

Services from Saint Petersburg are operated by Lux Express and Transgold . Minibuses from Vyborg run by Skandynaviia TK will drop you at the 60.39002 25.6456 1 McDonald's around 1 km west of the town centre.

60.39319 25.66411 2 Porvoo bus station ( Porvoon linja-autoasema ). Ticket office has moved from the building in the middle of the square to across the road on Rauhankatu. An electronic board with upcoming departures is also located there. ( updated Jan 2020 )

By train [ edit ]

There is no regular passenger train service to Porvoo, but the Porvoo Museum Railways run a vintage 1955 Lättähattu ("Flat Hat") Dm7 from Helsinki via Kerava to Porvoo and back occasionally. The trip takes 1½ hours and costs €40/80 one-way/return for adults, half price for children, no reservations, cash only. As of 2021, the train leaves Helsinki at 09:50 and sets off back from Porvoo at 14:10.

By boat [ edit ]

M/S J.L. Runeberg cruises from Helsinki to Porvoo between May and September 3–5 times a week, departing at 10:00 and returning from Porvoo at 16:00. The trip takes 3½ hours one way and costs €25/36 one-way/return, half price for children. On Saturdays in the summer, you can also opt to take the boat one way and the train back (check hours). The boat leaves from Linnalaituri on Helsinki's Market Square, in front of the President's palace.

By car [ edit ]

Porvoo is easily accessed via the E18 motorway east from Helsinki towards Kotka and the Russian border. The other option is the old Porvoo road, Highway 170, but it's considerably slower and not particularly scenic.

By bicycle [ edit ]

Bike fans may want to consider pedalling the 78 km along the scenic King's Road from Helsinki to Porvoo, or 50 km along the more direct Highway 170 (part of EuroVelo route 10).

Get around [ edit ]

Porvoo is best explored on foot: the pedestrianized Old Town is compact and all main attractions can be easily reached from the bus, ferry or train stations. Parents will, however, probably want to leave the baby carriage at their lodging: the Old Town's streets are cobblestone and often hilly.

Information about local buses can be found here [dead link] . There is a route planner for local transport trips. You can also use route planner [dead link] to find some routes which are part of Greater Helsinki transportation system but are useful also for travelling local trips.

There is a dial-a-ride service for especially northern and eastern countryside villages of Porvoo, named Kyläkyyti . It can be ordered using Matkahuolto Trip Planner and Tickets mobile app. The village ride is open on weekday evenings from 17:15 to 21:00 and on Saturdays from 09:00 to 15:00. The passenger can pick up the ride for immediate need or for up to five days. The passenger can check availability at any time, and secure the ride as well as the seat only by ordering transportation. The price of the ride is €2.50-8.60, depending on the length of the trip, and the app always shows the final binding price before confirming the order.

By bike [ edit ]

Since 2019, there is a bike sharing system with 20 stations. Bikes can be rented with the Donkey Republic app. Fare €1.50/30 min, €5/4 hr, €12/one day, €20/2 days. For longer stays becoming a member is cheaper: €9 or €18/month covers all trips of less than 1 hr respectively 12 hr, also in other towns using Donkey Republic – but you need to register as member in the country of your card (available: most countries in western Europe and USA). Customer service [email protected] , ☏ +358 44 716 0644 daily 09:00–21:00. Several towns in south-east Finland use the same system, which is in use also elsewhere in Finland and abroad. Year round function is being considered.

By ferry [ edit ]

About 30 km south-east of the centre of Porvoo is the archipelago around 60.2194 25.8793 1 Pellinki , which is a popular tourist destination. There is a 60.2463 25.8993 3 ferry connection between the village of Tirmo, which belongs to the mainland, and Sundö, which belongs to the archipelago. See timetable at Finnferries .

By taxi [ edit ]

See also Uusimaa#By taxi .

• Taksi Itä-Uusimaa , ☏ +358 100 0700 . Also bookable by 0100 0700 app. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app. Flag fall M–Sa 05:00–21:00: €3.90, other times and holidays: €6.90; 1–4 persons €0.99/km+0.99/min (July 2020) . ( updated Jul 2020 )
• Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi

See [ edit ]

The town is famed for its many wooden buildings, picturesquely perched by the Porvoo River (Finnish Porvoonjoki , Swedish Borgå å ). These are concentrated in the old city (Finnish: Vanha Porvoo , Swedish Gamla Borgå ), a few hundred metres north-west of the modern city centre, and on a fine summer day a stroll around them is very delightful indeed. For the best view of the iconic red warehouses , cross the river and walk along the park on the other side. Perhaps surprisingly (for buildings decorating almost all tourist brochures of a city), you can only view them from the riverside; they are private property, in use as homes or otherwise.

Overall, just walking the streets of the old city with its wooden houses and popping into the shops and cafés is really Porvoo's top attraction.

• 60.3972 25.658 1 Porvoo Cathedral ( Borgå domkyrka ). A heavy, squat, white stone building, this church wins no awards for architectural innovation, but it's among the oldest and largest in Finland, with parts dating back to the 11th century. Predating the Reformation, it was built as a Catholic church, but was somewhat crudely converted into a Protestant one later on by removing icons and painting over murals. The building burned four times between 1300 and 1700, and took a direct hit from a bomb in 1914 – miraculously, the bomb fell through the roof, but did not explode. The roof was burned by an arsonist in 2006, but the damage was repaired and it's now open again, with some of the Catholic-era murals restored in the process. The diocese of Porvoo comprises the Swedish-speaking parishes of Finland.  
• 60.3887 25.6562 2 Art Factory ( Taidetehdas ), Läntinen Aleksanterinkatu 1 ( in west side of the Porvoo River ), ☏ +358 10-231-8200 , [email protected] . A culture and congres centre, where you can get to know the milieu of the old factory, visit the art hall and participate in various events. ( updated Jun 2023 )
• 60.3946 25.6578 3 Porvoo Doll and Toy Museum ( Lelumuseo ), Jokikatu 14 . M–Sa 11:00–15:30, Su 12:00–15:30 . Contains over 1000 dolls and hundreds of toys dating from 1800 to 1990. Open from June 1st to August 10th only. €2/1 .  
• 60.3952 25.6581 4 Porvoo Museum ( Porvoon museo ), Raatihuoneenkatu 21 , ☏ +358 19 574-7500 . May–Aug: daily 10:01–16:00, Sep–Apr: W–Su 12:00–16:00 . History and art museum in the heart of the Old Town, housed in the former City Hall (1760). The Diet of Porvoo – where the Russian emperor promised to let Finland keep its Swedish law, language and religion under Russian rule – was held here, and today it showcases artefacts from peasant life and a collection of old photographs. €5 .  
• 60.39 25.664 5 Home of J.L. Runeberg , Alexandergatan 3 , ☏ +358 40-489-9900 . May–Aug: daily 10:00–16:00, Sep–Apr: W–Su 10:00–16:00 . Home of national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804–1877), more or less as it was when he lived here with his family in the 1860s, including the garden where there also is play site for children. €8/6/- (children under 18 free) . ( updated Sep 2017 )
• 60.3464 25.6202 6 Albert Edelfelt Ateljè Museum ( Albert Edelfeltin Ateljeemuseo ), Edelfeltinpolku 3 ( in Haikkoo ), ☏ +358 50-553-3290 , [email protected] . A museum dedicated to the Finnish artist Albert Edelfelt (1854–1905). ( updated Jun 2023 )
• 60.393717 25.667239 7 Statue of Johannes Linnankoski ( Johannes Linnankosken patsas ), Kaivokatu 28 . The memorial statue of Johannes Linnankoski (1869–1913), one of the famous authors of Finland, best known for his 1905 novel The Song of the Blood-Red Flower . ( updated Oct 2022 )
• 60.508856 25.768326 8 Kungsbacka Zoo ( Kungsbackan kotieläinpiha ), Sikiläntie 609 ( bus stop "Venjärvi th Sikiläntie" ), ☏ +358 40-507-1215 , [email protected] . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 60.396494 25.648072 9 Porvoo Old Railway Station ( Porvoon vanha rautatieasema ), Vanha Hämeenlinnantie 11 ( along the Porvoo River ). A historical landmark. ( updated Jun 2023 )
• 60.4012 25.662 10 Porvoo Water Tower ( Porvoon vesitorni ), Roviovuorenkatu 12 . ( updated Sep 2023 )

Do [ edit ]

Kayaking and canoeing on the Porvoo River and in the nearby archipelago is a popular summer pastime. It's even possible to make your way down all the way from Lahti , 90 km away. The stream is gentle and it's quite suitable for beginners. In the archipelago, don't venture away from sheltered waters unless you know what you're doing.

Tove Jansson had her summer cottage in the Porvoo archipelago, first on Pellinge, later in the outer archipelago.

• 60.3835 25.6599 2 Ski ( Kokonniemi ) ( South of the city centre ). A few slopes on a small hill just outside town ( updated Jan 2020 )

Festivals [ edit ]

• Tirmo Blues : . A blues festival in the Tirmo Archipelago Center in Porvoo.  (date needs fixing)

Buy [ edit ]

In the old part of Porvoo there are lots of lovely little shops where you can buy anything from dollhouses to hand made jewelry. Many are, however, open only in the summer.

• 60.39458 25.6592 1 Brunberg , Välikatu 4 , ☏ +358 19 548-4235 . M–F 10:00–18:00, Sa 09:00–16:00 . One of Finland's most famous confectioners, this family-run business was founded in 1871 and is best known for their Pusu ("Kisses"), or giant puffs of flavored whipped cream encased in a thin chocolate shell. Brunberg's liquorice ( lakritsi ) is another local favorite, and don't miss the chocolate truffles either. Most products are made in a factory in the outskirts of the town, which also has a shop (Teollisuustie 19 B, M–F 09:00–17:00, Sa 09:00–15:00), but their always-crowded Old Town shop is a bit more convenient. Though on a summer Saturday afternoon, expect equally long lines at the factory shop.  
• 60.39532 25.66275 2 Kellarikirppis ( Källarloppis ), Rihkamakatu 12 , ☏ +358 44-777-0660 , [email protected] . A flea market.  
• 60.39519 25.65769 3 Shop Sadunhenki , Jokikatu 20 , ☏ +358 50-524-2957 , [email protected] . A souvenir store.  

Supermarkets and grocery stores [ edit ]

• 60.39364 25.66089 4 K-Citymarket Porvoo , Runeberginkatu 33 . A large hypermarket.  
• 60.39949 25.68624 5 K-Supermarket Tarmola , Asentajantie 1 . A mid-sized supermarket.  
• 60.38704 25.65148 6 S-Market Näsi , Aleksanterinkaari 1 . A mid-sized supermarket.  
• 60.39334 25.67681 7 K-Market Aleksanterinkatu , Aleksanterinkatu 29 . A small grocery store.  
• 60.40843 25.66894 8 Sale Huhtinen , Kesätuulentie 2 . A small grocery store.  

Eat [ edit ]

• 60.38779 25.65018 1 Alexander Grill House , Pormestarinkatu 14 , ☏ +358 40-197-9777 , [email protected] . A grill restaurant serving food made on a charcoal grill. A bar service also included.  
• 60.39293 25.66324 2 Cafe Cabriole , Piispankatu 30 ( by the bus station ), ☏ +358 19 523-2800 , [email protected] . M–F 08:30–18:00, Sa 08:30–17:00 . A lunch restaurant, café and bakery. Also catering service, many different kind of cakes and different menus to order. lunch €8, with a soup €10 .  
• Glückauf . Sailing ship turned into restaurant. Pizza, burgers, wings etc. Meals €14–20, children €7–8 . ( updated Jun 2023 )
• 60.3903 25.6112 3 Ravintola Tähti , Ruiskumestarinkatu 4 ( at Kuninkaanportti; next to the intersection of Highway 7 (E18) and Highway 55 ), ☏ +358 45 187 0750 , [email protected] .  
• 60.389107 25.657979 4 Sinne Porvoo ( Bistro Sinne ), Läntinen Aleksanterinkatu 1 ( at the Art Factory ), ☏ +358 10-322-8140 , [email protected] . A dinner and brunch restaurant serving Nordic food from local ingredients.  
• 60.393583 25.665292 5 Smiley's Döner , Lundinkatu 9 ( near the Lundi shopping centre ), ☏ +358 44-238-7476 , info@smileysdöner.fi . 10:00–20:00, lunch 10:30–14:00 . A kebab pizzeria.  
• 60.39503 25.65856 6 Timbaali , Välikatu 8 , ☏ +358 19 523-1020 . Daily 11:00–23:00 . Famous restaurant that specializes in snails, a rather un-Finnish delicacy. Lovely indoor terrace in summer. Snails from €10 per half dozen, mains (not all of which involve snails) from €20. .  
• 60.39615 25.66362 7 Vår ( Restaurant Vår ), Papinkatu 17 , ☏ +358 41-319-8252 , [email protected] . W–F 17:00–23:00, Sa 14:00–23:00 . A restaurant awarded a Michelin star in 2023 . Menu €89–129, beverage pairings €59–89 .  
• 60.394646 25.664151 8 Via Armonia , Rauhankatu 33 , ☏ +358 44-974-7538 , [email protected] . 10:00–20:00, lunch 10:30–14:00 . A pizzeria serving in the Neapolitan style.  
• 60.39643 25.65819 9 [dead link] Wanha Laamanni , Vuorikatu 17 ( opp Porvoo Cathedral ), ☏ +358 20-752-8355 . Classy restaurant in a building dating back to 1790, now serving up modern fare with a Finnish twist: try the deer carpaccio or tar-flavoured salmon. €50 .  

Drink [ edit ]

Cafés [ edit ].

• 60.39582 25.65788 1 Cafe Fanny , Välikatu 13 ( opp Porvoo Museum ). Pleasant cafe right on the old market square in the heart of old town, with indoor and outdoor seating. The homemade cakes are excellent.  
• 60.39381 25.65821 2 Porvoo Coffee Roastery , Mannerheiminkatu 2, 06100 Porvoo ( on the waterfront by the main bridge ), ☏ +358 19 617-040 . Licensed bar and café in a converted brick warehouse by the river. Riverside and floating terrace tables available.  

Bars and nightclubs [ edit ]

• 60.38688 25.63961 3 Näsin Terapia , Partiomiehentie 5 , ☏ +358 40-528-6255 . A bar.  

Sleep [ edit ]

Budget [ edit ].

• 60.3961 25.6375 1 Budget Hotel Easystay , Johannisbergintie 31 ( a fifteen-minute walk from Porvoo Old Town ), ☏ +358 40-124-5200 (09:00–18:00) , [email protected] .  
• 60.3952 25.6734 2 Gasthaus Werneri , Adlercreutzinkatu 29 , ☏ +358 400-494-876 . 10:00–22:00 . Basic guesthouse, 400 m from the bus station. No breakfast, but free use of kitchen facilities. Bedclothes included, towels €1. €62/70 single/double, also apartments .  
• 60.3792 25.6652 3 Porvoo Camping Kokonniemi , Uddaksentie 17 ( 1.5 km from city centre ), ☏ +358 19 581-967 . June–August only . Camping and caravan ground plus 10 cabins for up to four people. Showers, sauna, kiosk, BBQ shelter, playground. Cabins €58–67, camping €2/space plus €4/person .  
• 60.38906 25.6739 4 Porvoo Hostel ( Porvoon retkeilymaja ), Linnankoskenkatu 1 , ☏ +358 19 523-0012 . HI-affiliated hostel in a Porvoo-style red wooden building. 33 beds in 10 rooms. Single/double €29/38, €2.50 discount for HI members .  

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 60.3923 25.6644 5 Seurahovi , Rauhankatu 27 , ☏ +358 19 547-61 . Has a popular restaurant. €80 .  
• 60.3941 25.6621 6 Sparre , Piispankatu 34 ( near bus station ), ☏ +358 19 584-455 . Pleasant, centrally located business hotel. Breakfast and sauna (weekdays only) included. €85/100 single/double .  

Splurge [ edit ]

• 60.3518 25.6244 7 Haikko Manor ( Haikon kartano ), Haikkoontie 114 ( 6 km from city ), ☏ +358 19 576-01 . Old feudal manor turned luxury spa and hotel by the seaside, popular with Finnish honeymooners. Features a Japanese-style Yorokobi bath section. €200 in new wing, €280 in manor wing .  
• 60.39735 25.65948 8 Onni , Kirkkotori 3 ( next to Cathedral ). The name means "happiness", and this charming small hotel in the heart of old Porvoo (the building was built in 1840) was boutique before they invented the word. Four rooms decorated in various retro styles from Functional (as in the 1920s architectural movement) to Manor . Breakfast included. €180 .  
• 60.39567 25.65746 9 Pariisin Ville , Jokikatu 43 , ☏ +358 19 580-131 . Another quirky small hotel in the heart of Old Porvoo. Ten rooms named and individually decorated after merchants and artisans who once worked in the building, ranging from tar merchants to glass blowers.  
• 60.394626 25.660031 10 Runo Hotel , Rihkamakatu 4 , ☏ +358 29-319-1200 , [email protected] . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 112:00 . Basic hotel, 300 m from the bus station, also a car park next to hotel. Breakfast is included in the price, also free Wi-Fi connection. €198 single/double, also apartments .  

Connect [ edit ]

Internet [ edit ].

Many places of business may have Wi-Fi for customers (although it's usually called "WLAN"); ask the staff for details.

For free Wi-Fi and internet terminals, check 60.39717 25.66694 2 Porvoo City Library .

Stay safe [ edit ]

• 60.37758 25.69711 3 Porvoo Hospital ( Porvoon sairaala ), Sairaalantie 1 , ☏ +358 19 548 21 (M–F 07:00–16:30) . 24/7 . A city hospital.  

In emergencies, ☏ 112 (free from all phones) . This includes social services, although for non-urgent matters you could contact the social services directly.

Go next [ edit ]

• West to Sipoo , Vantaa and Helsinki
• East to Loviisa and on to Kotka and Hamina in Kymenlaakso or
• North to Askola and Lahti

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Tourist Attractions in Porvoo

photo © Visit Finland / Juho Kuva

Porvoo is most famous for its delightful cathedral, and for the picturesque Old Town with its numerous sloping cobbled streets and lovely town square dominated by the Old Town Hall. The square and surrounding streets are filled with charming speciality stores selling handicrafts and works by local artisans. Porvoo was the birthplace of Albert Edelfelt, and although he spent most of his career in Paris he would return to Porvoo in the summer and immortalise the surrounding landscapes in his paintings. Today his works are exhibited in the Haikko Manor Hotel and Porvoo Museum.

Museums in Porvoo

Buildings & monuments in porvoo, galleries in porvoo, manors in porvoo, other tourist attractions in porvoo.

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Top 10 Things to do in Porvoo (Finland)

If you’re traveling to Finland, I highly suggest visiting Porvoo – it is one of my favorite cities in Finland, and not only is it stunning, but there are also a plethora of things to do that you can easily do in half a day! One of my favorite things in Porvoo is walking around its lovely streets, checking out second-hand stores, and sipping coffee in one of its few cutesy cafes! And while at it, get one of the city’s famous Finnish desserts – Runeberg cake!

A charming city located in the Uusimaa region of Finland and situated on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. With its picturesque old town filled with colorful wooden houses, quaint cobbled streets, and beautiful harbor views, Porvoo is a perfect destination for those looking to experience a truly unique cultural experience.

As you wander through the ancient city walls and narrow lanes of Porvoo, you can get lost in its history by visiting some of the medieval buildings that remain. Visit the Old Town Hall, built in 1764, and explore its large galleries full of artifacts from centuries past. Stop by Porvoo Cathedral, constructed during the 14th century, or take a leisurely stroll along the main street and take in all the delightful sights – from merchants plying their wares to churches boasting impressive spires.

What’s more, if you’re looking for something to do outside of sightseeing, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained, such as fishing trips out into the bay or exploring one of many nature trails around Porvoo. You could even visit some museums that focus on local culture or make your way over to Aulanko Park, where visitors can find eco-friendly wildlife habitats and a range of other attractions like golf courses and cafes.

Overall, whether you’re looking for an enlightening day trip or an exciting week-long vacation , there’s something for everyone in this charming northern city! So experience Porvoo’s rich heritage and discover its captivating beauty first-hand!

Where to stay in Porvoo? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here !

Find great tours and book unforgettable experiences here.

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Table of Contents

What to do in Porvoo? Here ‘s a cool tour from Helsinki to save time!

Where to stay in porvoo.

I personally would suggest you book a hotel in Helsinki and do a day tour of Porvoo from Helsinki as it is what most people would do and what I have done in the past. However, if you want to see Porvoo to its fullest, staying there for a night or two is the way to go.

Here are my top three hotel recommendations for your stay in Porvoo (and in Helsinki):

• RUNO Hotel Porvoo (Porvoo) is a quaint hotel with a beautiful interior only 300m from the Porvoobus station. A full Finnish breakfast is included in your stay as an opportunity to experience a real Finnish sauna!
• Hotel Klaus K (Helsinki) – the Finnish capital is just about an hour away from Porvoo, making it an amazing spot to stay for the night. Klaus K is a stylish boutique hotel located in the heart of Helsinki that gives you access to some of the top sights of the city and as well not far off from the train and bus station, which is convenient if you want to visit Porvoo.
• Lapland Hotels Bulevardi (Helsinki) – A highly rated hotel in the heart of Helsinki boasting a stunning interior, superb service, and delicious Finnish breakfast. Lapland Hotel is just a few strides from the bus station, making it an excellent hotel if you want to make a day trip to Porvoo!

How do you Get To Porvoo from Helsinki by Bus?

The most convenient way to get around Porvoo is probably by bus . The Helsinki to Porvoo bus takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes and charges up to €10 – €14. The Bus network is pretty good and reliable here. Be sure to check bus schedules and timetables online. Also, opt for Finland Bus Pass if you are about to take plenty of bus rides in Finland .

Getting around by other means

By Boat – You can take a steamboat to Porvoo from Helsinki . The cruise is available every day. Steamboats sail in the morning from Helsinki and return by the afternoon. It takes around 3 hours for the one-way trip. You can also book your boat ride online.

By Bicycle – For some scenery and workout, cycle along the route of King’s Road and get to Porvoo from Helsinki. One-way distance is around 39 miles (62 km). On this historical route, keep cycling to Russia for a week.

By train – Porvoo has a train station but lacks regularly scheduled trains. However, classic trains are used on train trips in summer to accommodate tourists. Check the current train timing at Porvoo Railway Museum.

Experiences and top things to do in Porvoo

Explore the old porvoo.

Old Porvoo should be the first in your itinerary for Porvoo sightseeing. It is one of the most beautiful small towns in the country, and a walk along its Old Town is one of the best things to do on a Porvoo day trip.

If you are visiting Porvoo in winter , the weather usually remains cloudy. The town is quite compact, and the Porvoo Old Town area is even smaller. Therefore, you can easily cover it on foot as a self-guided tour.

Pick a free map and brochures at the Porvoo City Tourist office or visit their official website to download them. You can also go on a guided walking tour if you want to learn more about the history of sites in Old Town before you explore yourself.

Guided group tours start in the summer every afternoon, but you can also book non-summer and private tours in advance by booking your tickets online.

Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!

I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!

• Booking.com  – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
• Airbnb  – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
• Skyscanner  – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
• SafetyWing  – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
• GetYourGuide  – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
• My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon)  – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
• Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon)  – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.

Visit Organic Farm

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bosgård organic farm (@bosgard_charolais)

Bosgård organic farm and manor are located around 14km east of Porvoo. Here you can be introduced to the traditional Finnish farm, which has been working along the extensive nature trails of the manor (i.e., 400m, 1.5 km, and 4 km). The tracks have detailed information boards written in Finnish, but translation booklets are available in English, Swedish, and Russian.

Some topics covered here are Charolais organic cattle, the manor’s preservation of non-clear forestry, and traditional heritage landscapes. The nature trails remain open all the year-round and are free. If the manor shop is closed, the mailbox has a map in English. You can find two picnic tables on nature walks.

The main manor house is a serene yellow building offering meetup facilities, and you can book in advance if you are coming in groups. The organic farm breeds Charolais beef on tranquil wild pastures. The farm has a café, grill, store, and three nature walks, allowing visitors to tour Bosgard independently and explore the beef cattle and its functions.

The farm also hosts concerts, parties, and weddings on-premises, and their catering is purely based on their produce and local ingredients. The cows here graze wild pastures, which help secure endangered habitats and biodiversity. There is also a restaurant and deli outside.

Bosgård organic farm and manor information

• Address: Bosgårdintie 68, 06200, Porvoo
• Website: https://bosgard.com/
• Opening hours: Wed to Sat 11-18 and Su 11-16
• Admission: You have to fill out th eir inquiry form regarding the number of attendees. They’ll come back to you with prices

Visit Haikko Manor

It is a historic manor house and spa hotel located by the sea. The hotel is located just 6 km from the heart of Porvoo. This pristine manor house has 24 well-finished romantic rooms. The spa hotel houses 199 modern and cozy suites. Breakfast is included in the accommodation and the entrance to the manor house and spa section.

The Haikko Manor has been awarded as the best conference hotel in Finland 10 times for offering the best quality selection of meeting premises and function venues for different needs.

Haikko has grand social events, small family occasions, and everything. You can arrange your birthday party or wedding at the seaside manor. The Manor Park of nightingales and an eclectic archipelago villa has 20 meeting rooms in the conference center for 10 to 400 people. The saunas, spa, and gym are available for guests to use after the meeting.

Interested to stay at Haikko Manor? You can book your stay here !

What are my favorite travel must-haves?

As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!

• Warm packable jacket  – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
• Transparent toiletry bag  – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
• Kindle Paperwhite  – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
• Powerbank  – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
• Travel Adapter  – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.

Visit Iso Linnamäki Fortress

Located north of Old Porvoo town, you will find some hills, which serve as valuable ancient archeological attractions and clear viewpoints. The Great Castle Hill (Iso Linnamäki) is the larger hill, which houses one of the largest medieval fortresses in the country, and the smaller hill, Lesser Castle Hill (Pikku Linnamäki) houses a burial site dating back from Iron Age.

You can also take different paths to get here while crossing former moats and wooden bridges. It is a great short hike and an ideal place to get a great view of the river and Old Porvoo Town. This view would also be depicted in the painting ‘Porvoo: Seen from Linnamäki’ by a local painter Albert Edelfelt.

It is the best way to capture the natural surroundings, and the view is very captivating to feast your eyes.

Iso Linnanmäki Fortress tourist information:

• Address: Pappilankuja 2, 06100 Porvoo
• Opening hours: 24/7
• Admission fee: FREE
• How to get here? By walking, Iso Linnanmäki is 1km from Porvoo’s bus station!

Go on a boat tour around the archipelago

One thing that would surprise you is that you can find almost every activity in Porvoo, from skiing to kayaking, according to the season. You can enjoy cycling and hiking all year round as you can download many maps of well-marked routes or get them from the Porvoo City tourist office.

You can enjoy biking, hiking , or getting along the river at the National Urban Park, which starts in the Porvoo city center. During the summer and late spring , you can enjoy kayaking, boat rides, stand-up paddleboarding, and canoeing in the area, and these are also the best thing to do in Porvoo.

You can check about the town’s kayak, bike, and paddleboard rentals, which are usually available in summer only. In winter, you could see ski slopes facing Porvoo. You can enjoy cross-country, downhill skiing, and ski lessons at the Kokoniemi Ski Centre.

You may also witness the locals skiing , skating, ice fishing, and even walking on the river when it is frozen in winter. You can find many winter activities but check ice conditions before. If you have some more time, it is advised to visit Pillinki Archipelago to enjoy a lot of cultural and adventure activities.

Hike the Ekudden Nature Trail

The Ekudden nature trail is a 1.5 km long stretch placed well in a nature reserve just around 2 km south of the town center. The nature trail starts from Tarkkinen playfield. It revolves around the field to the area of serene lime and oak trees.

The trail passes through mixed woods and a covered grove between the rocky tracks and shore. You will also see notice boards along the path giving information on wildlife and vegetation.

You can also view reed and meadow birds on a bird-watching tower. The notice boards are available in English, Finnish, and Swedish.

The terrain is straightforward along the path. There are wooden plank walkways in the damper areas so you can easily cross the trail. The conservation regulations laws protect the protected regions here.

Ekudden Nature Trail tourist information:

• Address: Tarkkistentie 155, 06200 Porvoo
• Trail distance: 1.5km
• How to get here? Ekudden is 3km from the southern part of Porvoo. You can take bus 1 from Piispankatu and go down to Aurinkomäentie L. The trail entrance is about 12 mins walk from this bus stop. The whole journey takes about 25mins. Alternatively, you can walk that 3km since the trail is pretty short.

Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?

Remember this:  anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!

The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with  SafetyWing  was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.

I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.

Read my post about  why you should get travel insurance  for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from  SafetyWing  – they’re the best, in my opinion.

Treat yourself to a nice meal at one of Porvoo’s local restaurants

Over the years, it is believed that people traveled to visit the cafes and restaurants in Porvoo from Helsinki. Also, it is agreeable. If you want to have some delicious meals, Zum Beispiel is the best place. It is one of the best restaurants at the edge of Old Town. Its relaxed ambiance and fresh ingredients make you go crazy and never leave.

After having delightful meals, be sure to walk along with the local café. You can find a lot of quaint cafes here, which are hard to rate 5-star anyone.

No matter which café you pick, order the famous Runeberg torte, Porvoo’s specialty. It is a Finnish pastry flavored with almonds and rum. According to legend, the torte is named after Johan Ludvig Runeberg, who loved the torte for breakfast.

Check out Porvoo Cathedral

This Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral was built in the 15th century, and some parts date back to the 13th century. So, the Porvoo Cathedral is undoubtedly one of the oldest Finnish churches. On this site, another church has been there since the 11th century and serves as the seat of the Swedish-speaking diocese in Finland, the Diocese of Borga.

The Diet of Porvoo was also signed here in 1809 when Finland was declared a Grand Principality of Russia instead of being ruled by Sweden .

It was a significant event on the way to Finnish independence, which took place in 1917. Many activities have damaged or threatened the church over the years, and a case of arson was the most recent disaster in 2006, when the entire roof was destroyed and burned. However, the church is still alive and is free to visit.

Porvoo Cathedral tourist information:

• Address: Kirkkotori 1, 06100 Porvoo
• Opening hours: Mon closed, Tues to Fri 10 am-2 pm and Sat to Sun 2 pm-16 pm
• Admission fee: €8 for adults and €6 for seniors, students, and the unemployed. Free admission for anyone under 18 years of age.

If you visit in the summer, rent a kayak or go paddleboarding!

Stand-up paddling is among the rapidly growing sports worldwide. It is a fun and easy way to exercise. It is a prevalent form of workout to stay fit as it improves core stability. Even better, it is a fun and exciting activity for everyone.

You can go for paddleboarding as Erimover arranges paddleboarding courses, yoga, paddling excursions, and sessions. You can even order a group SUP yoga course or paddling trip. During summers , you can rent equipment from Jokikatu 35 b.

For kayaking, Bikepark/Kokonniemi Ski Center is the best place to rent a kayak. Explore the city from a different angle with a kayak. The equipment also comes in handy on board. You can access the kayak rental by checking to time.

If you’re visiting in winter, explore the neighboring towns by cross-country skiing!

Porvoo has lighted ski trails, which stretch around 32 km, including Humla (7 km), Kokonniemi (5 km), Haikkoo (2 km), and Joonaammaki (3 km). There are five illuminated slopes at the Kokonniemi ski center. There is a 55m height difference, and 400m is the longest slope. There is also a street/half pipe, five ski lifts, a kids’ slope, a restaurant, a skiing school, and a ski track for enjoying cross-country skiing.

Located next to Porvoo downtown (around 50km from Helsinki), Kokonniemi is a ski center to start. There are six slopes in the ski area and a ski rental where you can rent skis and snowboards and buy ski passes for lifts.

You can also visit Holmopupu restaurant next to the ski rental, where you can relax with hot chocolate or dine. If you love cross-country skiing, you can find many tracks around the downhill area and rent packages if you don’t have your gear.

Do you need help planning your trip to Finland? Here are my top tips!

• The Best Finland Travel Guide  – My Finland overview, you’ll find everything you’d need to know about Finland.
• When is the best time to visit Finland for northern lights  
• When is the best time to visit Finland – Monthly breakdown
• BEST Places to Visit in Finland  and  Best Cities in Finland  – Cities, and towns you must not miss!
• Things to do in Finland ,  Finland Holidays to Experience ,  Tourist Attractions in Finland  – Touristy stuff, but still worth reading! Finland, in general, offers pretty cool experiences regardless of how “hyped” it is.
• If you’re staying in Helsinki, you can book your  hotel stay in Helsinki  or  near Helsinki airport .
• Cities to visit during a short visit:   Helsinki ,  Porvoo ,  Tampere ,  Turku ,  Ålands , Hanko , and  Vaasa .
• When to visit?  Summer ,  Autumn ,  Spring , and  Winter  – Decide when to come and then base your activities on that!
• How to dress for winter in Finland  – Always dress according to the weather. It will make your experience much better!
• Top tips and important info:   Supermarkets in Finland ,  Budgeting tips for Finland ,  Tipping in Finland ,  What to wear in Sauna ,  Sauna etiquette ,  Public Saunas in Helsinki
• Finnish culture introductions:   How to say hello ,  Finnish food and cuisine ,  Facts about Finland ,  Finnish Breakfast Guide , Finnish drinks

Where to stay in Porvoo

Tours to do in porvoo, are you on pinterest pin these for a later read.

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Evan Kristine a.k.a Pretty Wild World is a professional travel blogger with over 10 years of experience in content creation. Originally from the Philippines, she's been living in Finland for 15+ years working as a chef and entrepreneur in Tampere, Finland.

She's an expert in Finland travel and explores the country often sharing her insights and tips in this blog and social medias. She also splits her free time either going for weekend getaways in Europe or galavanting to different European destinations on her holidays. All her useful Europe travel guides are also in this blog!

Evan Kristine is also the food blogger behind at The Kitchen Abroad and on her free time, she enjoys decorating her 75m2 apartment and shares her experience over at Solía Avenue .

A true master of her own life and despite her busy schedule juggling life as a chef, blogger, and entrepreneur, she still finds time to read 50+ books a year and indulge in several hobbies like hiking, working out, yoga, and painting.

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Picture-perfect Porvoo beckons in southern Finland

It’s worth seeing what lies beyond Helsinki. Porvoo, the second-oldest town in Finland, charms visitors with its historical treasures, design shops, fashion and fine dining.

Porvoo is – though we hesitate to use the cliché word – "quaint". This charming town one hour from Helsinki has lots to offer all year round, from summer tourism to Christmas shopping.

Porvoo forms a jewel of a town and makes a great daytrip destination just an hour from Helsinki.

Even if you only have several days in Helsinki, it’s also worth seeing what lies beyond the city. Picturesque Porvoo, the second-oldest town in Finland, invites exploration and offers historical treasures, design shops, fashion and fine dining.

As you arrive in Porvoo, the town’s main landmark is visible: Saint Mary’s Cathedral, a building with origins in the late 13th century. It forms the ideal starting point for your tour.

The venerable church is rich in history, including coats of arms once used by the local nobility, not to mention medieval paintings and sculptures. This was where Tsar Alexander I convened the Diet when Finland was annexed to Russia as an autonomous grand duchy – an important step in Finland’s eventual progression to independence.

The aroma of tar hangs in the air in and around the cathedral, a reminder that it has been bombed, burgled and burned many a time – most recently in 2006 in an arson fire. It has been painstakingly restored to its former glory, and a new roof of tarred shingles has been installed.

Let there be pastry

The popular, poetic pastry of Porvoo was invented by Fredrika Runeberg, wife of writer J.L. Runeberg. Photo: Porvoo City Tourist Office

The cathedral is surrounded by a charming old town where some houses are several hundred years old and still standing strong, although there is hardly a right angle to be found. Two of Finland’s oldest streets, Jokikatu (River Street) and Välikatu (Between Street), run past the tradition-steeped Raatihuoneentori (Town Hall Square). Beside Town Hall, the Holm residence forms a museum where you can travel back in time to the Porvoo of centuries past.

Porvoo once held status as an important cultural centre, and many significant historical figures lived and worked in the town. One of the most central of these was the poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804–77), whose house on the southern edge of the Old Town has been made into a museum. Even if you don’t have time to explore that neighbourhood, built in the neoclassical style, you will surely be able to enjoy a Runeberg pastry at one of Porvoo’s many idyllic cafés. You’ll notice that the pastry, invented by the poet’s wife Fredrika (1807–79), is not the only thing in this town named after the Runebergs.

Porvoo artist Albert Edelfelt (1854–1905) has also achieved fame; his paintings now sell for hundreds of thousands of euros on the international market. A statue of Edelfelt gazes down from the same hill as the cathedral in the direction of his birthplace. His studio, several kilometres from the city centre, is open to the public.

Antiques, toys and chocolate

Jokikatu (River Street) and the neighbouring streets offer great shopping and old-time charm. Photo: Porvoo City Tourist Office

From Town Hall Square, you enter a neighbourhood of charming boutiques. Antique stores contain remnants of the old days, and the handicraft shops offer a more original and unique selection of crafts and design items than you’ll find on the Esplanade in Helsinki. The Old Town specialises in toys (both new and antique), handicrafts designed by local artisans, and interior decoration items.

Chocolate is another great Porvoo souvenir gift. Brunberg Chocolate Factory was founded in 1871 and still sells its renowned truffles in its shop (Välikatu 4). A competitor is located by the cathedral: Pieni Suklaatehdas (Little Chocolate Factory, Kirkkotori 2), true to its name, has a storefront that can hold only a few customers at a time. You can also view the master chocolatier hand-making a fresh batch of confection.

If you have time, you can enjoy the other tastes of Old Porvoo, as well as the hospitality of the neighbourhood’s small, welcoming hotels. By the banks of the river you’ll find a café run by Porvoo Coffee Roastery (Mannerheiminkatu 2), a great place to enjoy freshly brewed coffee made from freshly roasted beans.

Time stands still at Hotel Onni (Kirkkotori 3), where you can imagine you’ve travelled back a century or two. Only traditional wooden houses are visible from the windows – not a neon light in sight.

Getting there

Porvoo in photos.

All photos by Porvoo City Tourist Office

Rahling Lane is typical of the side streets you’ll find while exploring.

Välikatu (Between Street) is home to shops selling design items, antiques and toys.

The cobblestoned Town Hall Square forms a good starting place for exploring the Old Town.

Many people visit Porvoo to do Christmas shopping, as well.

Peaceful beauty descends on the town during the snowy season.

The red riverside houses look just a bit different in the light of summer.

The harbour glows in the summer twilight.

Two boats named after the Runebergs (one after poet Johann Ludvig and one after his wife, Fredrika) are among the vessels serving Porvoo Harbour.

Evening approaches in the archipelago outside Porvoo.

Linnamäki (Castle Hill) forms a favourite area for a walk in the woods.

Porvoo's cathedral has been burnt, bombed and burglarised over its 700-hundred-year history but still stands tall as a main landmark of the town.

The cathedral on the hill is as much a symbol of Porvoo as the red houses on the riverbanks.

By Salla Korpela, updated January 2022

• Porvoo Tourist Office
• Museum trains
• Steam trains
• Runeberg (ferry)
• Royal Line (ferry)

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Porvoo – The Little Fairy Tale Town in Finland

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Porvoo, the second oldest town (after Turku) in Finland, deserves to be seen, admired, and loved for not just one but many reasons.

Porvoo is not a town but an experience you should definitely not miss when in Finland.

There, I said it. Don’t believe my words? Well, visit this little stunning town to know if I’m right or wrong! or read on to find it out now!

55 mins breathtaking bus journey from Helsinki took us to one of the most beautiful and oldest coastal towns of Finland.

Once home to Finland’s national poet J. L. Runeberg, Porvoo (Borgå in Swedish) seems like a dollhouse city with its narrow cobblestone streets lined up with tiny cute museums, specialty shops, old colorful houses, and charming cafes.

I couldn’t believe it when a local told me that this tiny town was actually one of the largest towns in Finland around the 18th century.

The old town of Porvoo is one of the cutest towns in all of Finland. I mean, it’s hard to explain just how darn pretty it is!

That’s not all.

Apart from beauty, this little city is brimming with history and soul-stirring stories. Porvoo brings Finnish history and culture alive. You can feel the timeless vibes while strolling along its lanes.

From a winding mosaic of cobbled streets to the historic wooden houses that are placed on either side and riverside red wooden houses on the shore of Porvoonjoki , everything dates back to the Middle Ages making Porvoo one of the few remaining medieval towns in Finland.

Porvoonjoki (Porvoo River) connects Porvoo to the Gulf of Finland.

Read More: Best Things to do in Helsinki, Finland

A Little Bit of History

Porvoo’s history dates back to the pre-historic times when the river Porvoonjoki was an important trade route for Finnish tribes.

Swedes inhabited Porvoo around the 13th century, built the Porvoo Castle on the hill, and named the town Borgå which translates to the castle river. The settlement was given town rights in around 1380.

This Finnish town had to face a lot of damage because of the Russo-Swedish war during the 16th century. The town was burned to the ground and it rose like a Phoenix from the ashes.

Sweden surrendered Finland to Russia after the end of the Finnish war in 1809. The Diet of Porvoo became a milestone in the History of Finland when Tsar Alexander I, the Czar of Russia allowed Finland to keep its region along with its religion, its constitution dating from the Swedish era, and made Finland an autonomous Grand Duchy.

Nicholas I, the Czar of Russia during 1825-55 expanded the town of Porvoo to the south to build the Empire town in a Russian rectangular plan. The old town of Porvoo, however, wasn’t touched, and thus, it still retains the old-world charm.

In 1997, Porvoon maalaiskunta, a former rural municipality of Porvoo was consolidated with Porvoo creating a new municipality, the City of Porvoo. Carl Ludwig Engel designed the new Porvoo. The home of Johan Ludvig Runeberg, a Finnish national poet lies in the Empire town.

Things to do in Porvoo

We were glad we added Porvoo to our Nordic itinerary. It was special to experience the quaint Finnish life. The town is unbelievably adorable. It definitely packs a punch for Instagrammers and photographers.

Stroll the Old Porvoo (Vanha Porvoo)

The best way to explore or rather feel the old town is by treading its streets, wandering between the pastel-colored houses, and strolling aimlessly.

Every turn lets you discover the little cute things that make your heart swell.

I loved the way Porvoo is unfussy and laid-back about where in the world it is. With the meticulously restored cute wooden houses and about 800 residents living in them, Old Town feels like a perfect place to be.

We visited in June. It wasn’t as crowded as it should be in summer because of the rain. The town looked magical after the spell of rain. You can imagine what it would be like on a clear sunny day.

Rightfully, nicknamed “The City of Charming Moments” – It retains the yesteryear charm.

Spend time at one of its Quaint Cafes

Please please leave enough time for hanging out at cute and cozy cafes in Porvoo.

Ah! The joy of sitting in a sidewalk cafe for hours while reading a book with a hot cup of coffee and your favorite slice of cake is inexplicable.

It’s here where you can experience these little joys of life provided kids are busy doing what they love to do 🙂

Porvoo has oodles of rustic coffee shops, trendy modern eateries, and restaurants that serve flavorsome traditional Finnish delicacies.

Taste Runeberg’s Torte

They say you haven’t really visited Porvoo without sampling Runeberg’s cake , a jam-filled pastry. Named after Finland’s national poet J.L. Runeberg, Runeberg’s wife baked this cake.

Otherwise available only in the month of February (J.L.Runeberg’s birth month) in the rest of Finland, this delicacy is available all through the year in the town.

Brunberg Candy Factory Shop

The most delicious chocolates I’ve ever eaten were at Brunberg. Yeah. A little sweets factory in a little town actually makes the world’s best chocolate.

You can taste as many chocolates as you want before you buy them. I mean really there’s no limit to the free samples. They are the sweetest like their chocolates 🙂

Their most popular sweets include Alku, Brunberg’s truffle, and Brunberg’s Kisses. We bought a Brunberg Blue Box that packs an assortment of Brunberg’s sweets.

We visited their shop at Välikatu in Old Town. You can also visit their factory at Teollisuustie to see the way they weave this magic. 

Petri’s Chocolate Room

Now this one’s another artisanal chocolate shop on another lovely street Jokikatu that you must visit when in Porvoo.

Porvoo Cathedral (Porvoon Tuomiokirkko)

Porvoo Cathedral, a Gothic-style 13th-century church was originally made of wood and rebuilt into a stone church in the 15th century. It became a cathedral in 1723.

Over the centuries, the cathedral was burnt, devastated, and rebuilt several times, to be precise 5 times including an arson attack in 2006 that damaged its roof. The cathedral was re-opened to the public in 2008.

Also, Porvoo Cathedral played a crucial role in Finland’s history as the opening site for the Diet of Porvoo in 1809.

The cathedral holds services in Finnish and Swedish on Sundays at 10 a.m. and 12 a.m. respectively.

There’s a 16th-century Little Church (pikkukirkko) next to the Porvoo Cathedral. Check that out!

Orthodox Church

Another old little church in the Old Town is the Orthodox church called Kristuksen kirkastumisen kirkko (Church of the Transfiguration) next to the Lutheran Cemetary.

Old Town Hall / Porvoo Museum

Constructed in 1764, it’s the oldest town hall in Finland. It houses the Porvoo Museum which exhibits local history and art.

Holm House / Porvoo Museum

A few meters from the Old Town Hall across the square is Holm House which also houses the Porvoo museum. Your ticket includes entry to both the Old Town Hall Museum and Holm House Museum.

Holm House, constructed in 1763 lets you see the life and times of a rich merchant family who lived here.

It’s a nice little museum though not much to do here for kids.

Shop at Lovely Boutiques

Porvoo boasts some of the most charming and adorable specialty shops, small boutiques, antique stores, and second-hand shops lined on its cobbled streets (Välikatu and Jokikatu being the main shopping streets ) that sell exquisite local handicrafts and antiques.

Wouldn’t you want to take one back home as memorabilia?

A market square by the bus station and Raatihuoneentori square (old town hall market square) are also good places to shop.

If our tastes are similar, you’d surely like our recommendations – Bohemia, Antique House, and Wanhan Aseman Makasiinipuoti (Old Station Warehouse).

Traditional Wooden Red Houses and Porvoo Old Bridge

One of the most photographed national landscapes in Finland, red-ochre-painted wooden houses by the shore define Old Porvoo.

Once used as warehouses, these riverside houses were painted in red ochre in honor of King Gustav IIII of Sweden in the late 18th century.

Today, they are used as private homes, shops, storage rooms, and restaurants.

The Old Bridge over the Porvoo River linked the city of Porvoo to Vyborg, a former Finnish town that belongs to Russia now.

For the best view of the town with its famed riverside red-ochre wooden houses and Porvoo Cathedral, cross the Old Bridge to the other side of the Porvoo river and capture your Instagram-worthy frame 🙂

Porvoo Doll and Toy Museum

One of the best toy museums in Finland, Porvoo Doll and Toy Museum is a must-visit for kids and kids at heart.

The museum is housed in a little cute pastel-colored wooden cottage with pretty windows and displays a personal collection of Evi Söderlund .

There are over 1,000 dolls and countless other toys on display, some even date back to the 18th century.

Experience the New Porvoo across the River

Most travelers are almost always interested in the Old Town yet the charm of modern Porvoo aka Empire-Porvoo can’t be denied.

Charming residential buildings, wide streets, spacious parks, cozy courtyards, and classic J.L.Runeberg’s Home – the Empire City Quarter is one of the biggest preserved wooden towns from the 19th century in all Nordic countries.

The Art Factory

Located on the west bank of Aleksanterinkatu Bridge , The Art Factory (Taidetehdas) is Porvoo’s culture and congress center.

Within the historic factory walls, you can find everything from exhibitions, concerts, movie theaters, cafes, restaurants, and a shopping street.

Pieni Suklaatehdas  (Little Chocolate Factory)

Located in the old part of Porvoo Art Factory at Läntinen Aleksanterinkatu 1 , Little Chocolate Factory is where the kids can see how they make handmade chocolates. The Chocolate Factory tour lets you see, and learn the art of making small-scale chocolates and even taste those freshly made chocolates at the end of the tour.

You can buy chocolates to take back home directly from the factory.

If you want to stretch your legs after a hectic sightseeing day, they have a Little Chocolate Café next door where you can relax while you relish their truffles and pralines.

J.L. Runeberg’s Home

The Finnish national poet, J. L. Runeberg (Johan Ludvig Runeberg), and his wife, Fredrika Runeberg lived in this yellow house from 1852 until his death in 1877.

Did you Know? J.L. Runeberg wrote the poem Vårt Land (Finnish National Anthem) in 1846 in his home in Porvoo.

Opened to the public in 1882, this is the oldest home museum in the country. The house still retains the same furnishings, paintings, and Fredrika’s garden the way they were in 1877 giving you a peek into their social and family life.

The museum staff narrates the story of the beloved Finnish poet in an interesting way.

Indulge in Outdoor Activities

The National Urban Park follows the Porvoo River to the archipelago and extends about 10 km towards the south and around 8 km towards the south.

You can take one or two of many routes in the Porvoo National Urban Park depending on the time. There are many walking as well as biking trails.

There are over 22 prominent sites both cultural and natural that tell the tales of Porvoo.

During the late spring and summer, you can indulge in SUP (stand-up paddling), boating, kayaking, and canoeing on the Porvoo River.

Come winter, you can enjoy skiing, sledding, ice fishing, walking, or skating on the frozen river. Kokonniemi Ski Centre offers ski lessons during the season.

Climb the Linnamäki (Castle Hills)

Castle Hills – Iso Linnamäki (Great Castle Hill) is a site for Linnamaki Fortress , one of the biggest ancient fortresses in Finland, and Pikku Linnamäki (Lesser Castle Hill), a site for Iron Age Burial , is located north of the Old Town.

The nature hike that’s well signposted not only lets you see the ancient monuments but awards you with breathtaking views of the town from a different perspective.

Spot the slope that has a great pine tree with its twisted roots and look down. The panorama that you see was depicted by Albert Edelfelt in his painting ‘Porvoo Seen from Linnamäki’ .

In fact, you can visit the Albert Edelfelt Studio Museum in Haikko , a few km away from the center of the town where he painted many of his eminent works.

Climb the Näsimäki

A trail from the forested area across the river from the Old Town leads to Näsimäki Hill . The vantage point Näsi stone aka the Magic Rocks offers a beautiful panorama over Porvoo.

Check out the Näsi Manor house and one of Finland’s oldest cemeteries on the Näsimäki Hill.

Söderskär Lighthouse

Located on the town’s outer archipelago, Söderskär Lighthouse stands on an isolated rock in the Gulf of Finland and can be visited on a boat trip from Kauppatori (Helsinki), Aurinkolahti (Vuosaari), or Sipoo from May through September.

Getting to Porvoo from Helsinki

Just an hour (50 km) away from Helsinki, Porvoo is an easy and perfect day trip destination.

There are quite a number of ways to reach Porvoo from Helsinki. The bus seems to be the best option as it runs in all the seasons and is cheap.

Helsinki to Porvoo by Bus

We chose to travel by Onnibus . It costs somewhere around  2 to 3 Euros per person. It’s better to book the ticket online in advance to get cheaper prices.

It can be purchased from the driver of the bus if the seat is available. The bus departs from Helsinki Bus Station located in the  Kamppi Shopping Centre .

Other local bus service providers in Helsinki like Savonlinja  and Koiviston Auto cost way higher than Onnibus. They charge somewhere around 5 to 9 Euros per person. The tickets are purchased online or from the ticket counter at the bus station.

Find all the bus routes and rides here .

Helsinki to Porvoo by Train

There’s a historic steam train that takes tourists from Helsinki to Porvoo but it’s a few times a year only.

Helsinki to Porvoo by Boat

A scenic cruise from Helsinki to Porvoo through the archipelago of Uusimaa is run by m/s J.L. Runeberg  and Royal Line’s m/s RoyalCat  almost daily during summer (May to September).

The ship starts from Helsinki in the morning at around 10 a.m. and takes about 3.5 hours to reach Porvoo. You are given around 2.5 hours to explore the Old Town before the ship starts a return journey.

Helsinki to Porvoo by Car

The best way to travel to Porvoo from Helsinki is by renting a car in Helsinki and driving to Porvoo through the E18 expressway or maybe King’s Road (Kuninkaantie) which stretches all the way to Russia.

Parking in Porvoo isn’t as troublesome as in Helsinki as it’s a small town. They have paid or metered as well as free parking areas.

Check the parking map of Porvoo to know about the parking areas.

Helsinki to Porvoo by Bicycle

If you love biking, follow the historic King’s Road from Helsinki to Porvoo. You can take Road 170 which takes less time though not as scenic as King’s Road.

Guided Tours in Porvoo

If travel planning is not your thing, you can always book a guided day trip from Helsinki to Porvoo.

Here are some recommendations you can use:

Good to Know : Helsinki Card offers 50% off on a guided half-day (4 hours) tour of Porvoo.

Getting Around Porvoo

Porvoo is a compact town with more charming pedestrian-only streets and is best explored on foot.

Grab a map from the city’s tourist office and discover the town on a self-guided tour.

The Porvoo Museum Railway runs steam train excursions for tourists during summer.

If you’re pressed for time, a hop-on-hop-off bus tour which is Totally Free is a good option. The bus runs every half an hour from Monday to Friday.

Beyond Porvoo – Pellinki, and Klovharun

“Life is short, the world is enormous.”

He speaks my language. Moominpappa – my favorite out of all the Moomins . If you’re wondering who Moomins are, they are the cute comic characters by a Finnish illustrator Tove Jansson .

I loved Tove Jansson’s Moomins so much that I couldn’t resist my urge to visit Klovharu (Moomin Island) during my visit to Finland.

Klovharu or Klovharun (Moomin Island) lies off the coast of Porvoo in the archipelago of Pellinki (Pellinge in Swedish) in the Gulf of Finland.

This is a place where Tove Jansson and her partner would spend their summers. The island just has one cottage which Tove donated in 1995 and now can be rented from the Pellinge Local History Society.

Porvoo to Pellinki

A mini-bus from Porvoo takes 30 mins to reach Tirmo . It’s a tiny archipelago with only one restaurant inside the Tirmo archipelago center .

Small boats or a cable ferry (if you’ve your own car) take you to Suur-Pellinki (Greater Pellinge).

Martin Tillman who’s a local fisherman in Pellinki organizes boat rides, seal safaris, cruises, and fishing trips. Tillman has a B&B with a restaurant where he arranges overnight accommodation too.

A boat trip to Klovharun Island is utterly beautiful. The quaint rocky island with just one cottage near the ocean…ah!

The smell of the sea, the sound of the waves, and the wind caressing my face. Words really can’t do justice to the beauty of the place.

Best Time to Visit Porvoo

With a population of just 50,000, Porvoo roughly receives 1.6 million visitors every year. Travel off-season to have the Finnish wonderland all to yourself. Busy in summer (June and July), the city has a relaxed and magical mood in winter (December and January).

Best Places to Eat in Porvoo

Ani’s Cafe, Café Postres, Helmi Tea & Coffee House (Tee- ja kahvihuone Helmi), and Cafe Fanny are cozy artisan cafes to have a cup of tea or coffee with cake or pastry. Try the famous Runeberg torte at Cafe Fanny or Helmi Tea & Coffee House .

Zum Beispiel , Sinne , and SicaPelle are nice places to enjoy your breakfast, lunch, or dinner with wine or beer. Try avocado pasta at Zum Beispiel.

Brasserie L’Amour is for those who love Pizzas.

Meat District is a steakhouse for beef lovers. They are famous for their fresh organic local produce.

Porvoon Paahtimo Bar & Café is a historic riverside warehouse converted into a modern brewery bistro. We stopped by for a quick coffee break and loved their panoramic terrace.

Try the best handmade ice cream in the city by Vanhan Porvoon Jaatelotehdas (Old Porvoo Ice Cream Factory) at one of their ice cream kiosks or ice cream carts. They are open during the summer season from April through September.

I and hubby tried and loved vegan walnut maple syrup ice cream while mini-me relished strawberry ice cream.

Best Places to Stay in Porvoo

We did a day trip from Helsinki to Porvoo and how I wished we had planned at least a night’s stay in this magical little town.

Alas! I’d strongly recommend staying in Porvoo for a few days to experience the Finnish culture and life up close.

Oh! And I can imagine the bliss of staying in one of those historic wooden houses in the Old Town like this one .

Hotels in Porvoo

Hotelli Onni is a luxurious and elegant boutique hotel located in the heart of Old Town just across from the famous landmark, Porvoo Cathedral. It has been rated highly by travelers for its location, tastefully and individually decorated rooms, and scrumptious breakfast menu.

Pariisin Ville is another beautiful hotel in the Old Town that’s rated the best for families with kids.

Apartments in Porvoo

Porvoo City Apartments and Apartments in Porvoo are two of the best apartment options in Porvoo.

Holiday Homes, Guest Houses, and Inns in Porvoo

Guests loved and rated Holiday Home Stranda Porvoo Center and a Small historic wooden house in Porvoo Old Town for their perfect location and family-friendly atmosphere.

Guest House Ilola Porvoo , Old Town B&B Ida-Maria , and Sikosaaren Aitta are other top-rated properties in Porvoo.

Read what other travelers have to say, compare prices, and find the best hotel deals on TripAdvisor.

Don’t miss Porvoo when in Finland! If you love quaint, stunning, and off-center sights like us then the tiny town of Porvoo in Finland is your thing.

If this post helped you in any way please be a doll and share it with the world.

Recommended Reading:

• Renting a Car in Europe
• Schengen Visa for Europe
• How to Plan a Trip to Europe
• A First Timer’s Guide to Visiting Helsinki, Finland
• Best Things to do in Helsinki, Finland
• Trip to Finnish Lapland in Summer
• Where to Stay in Rovaniemi, Finland
• Nordics Itinerary

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Porvoo Travel Essentials

Ideal duration: A day trip

Best Time: June - August, December - February

Planning a Trip? Ask Your Question

"Historic Delights in Porvoo"

Porvoo tourism.

Porvoo, a picturesque town in Finland's Uusimaa region, is a must-visit on any traveler's itinerary. Boasting a rich history, Porvoo is a beautiful and peaceful town located by the Baltic Sea, 40 kilometers east from Helsinki. It is known for its cobblestone streets, wooden houses and the colorful old town.

The main attraction in Porvoo is the Old Town, which is a well-preserved 18th century trading center. It is also home to the Porvoo Cathedral, the oldest in Finland. Other highlights include the Porvoo Museum, the Porvoo Art Museum, and the Porvoo Town Hall. For those looking for an active holiday, Porvoo has plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. From a leisurely stroll through the cobbled streets of the old town to kayaking and fishing in the nearby river, there are many options to explore. Visitors can also enjoy cycling, horse-riding, and sailing. In addition to the many attractions, there are also plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops in the area. It is a great place to sample some of the local cuisine and pick up some souvenirs. It is essential to keep in mind that the city gets a lot of snow in the winter months, so be sure to bring appropriate clothing. Moreover, while most of the attractions are open year-round, some may have seasonal opening hours or be closed during public holidays.

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Savvy Travel Advice

Porvoo Finland: An Easy Day Trip From Helsinki

Last updated: December 18, 2023 - Written by Jessica Norah 23 Comments

Last winter Laurence and I stayed in Helsinki for several days and took a day trip to Porvoo Finland. Settled in the Middle Ages, Porvoo is the second oldest town in Finland and is well-known for its historic Old Town and colorful riverside warehouses.

The town is also notable for its local artists, including Finland’s national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg whose home can still be visited today. It is also a popular destination for shopping, dining, river cruises, cycling, and pleasant scenic strolls along the river. For nature and outdoor activities, you can easily explore the nearby Pellinki archipelago from Porvoo.

It is a perfect Helsinki day trip as it is located about an hour away and is a town that is easy to explore on foot. We’ll share tips on how you can also visit Porvoo on a day trip from Helsinki as well as some of our favorite things to do in this historical Finnish town!

Table of Contents:

Visiting Porvoo Finland from Helsinki

First we’ll go over all the information you need to get to Porvoo and how to get around once you are there.

Getting from Porvoo to Helsinki

There are several ways to get to Porvoo from Helsinki or wherever you may be in Finland. The easiest for most visitors is to take the local bus or take a guided day tour. But you can also get here in a number of other ways, although some are seasonal and weather-dependent.

If you have a Helsinki Card , which is a discount card for a number of attractions and museums in Helsinki, it includes city travel in Helsinki but not travel to outside areas such as Porvoo.

Bus to Porvoo

The bus is probably the most convenient way to get around. It takes about 1 hour to  1 hour and 15 minutes to get to Porvoo from Helsinki and costs around €20 – €30 for round-trip bus tickets.

The bus network is quite good and reliable in Finland from our experience. You can check bus timetables and schedules online , and if you are going to be taking a lot of bus rides in Finland you might want to check out the Finland Bus Pass. 

Driving to Porvoo

If you have a car, you can drive here in about 45 to 50 minutes from central Helsinki using the main highways. However, if you are looking for scenery or want to follow a historic route, you might consider driving a portion of the so-called  Kuninkaantie (Old King’s Road) or Great Mail Route which is a route used in medieval times for the king’s messengers and the postal service which extends all the way to Russia. 

Driving is pretty convenient (although check road conditions during winter) and there is parking available in Porvoo, including free, time-limited, and metered. Note that some lots require you to use a parking disc. See parking areas and regulations for Porvoo  if you are planning to drive and park here. Free parking areas are available for motorcyclists. 

Guided Day Trip

You can also book a guided bus day trip from Helsinki to Porvoo if you don’t want to organize transport on your own. It also means that you will have a guide to help give you background on the town and show you the main highlights. 

Here are some options: 

• This well-rated 4 hour guided group option includes a guide who will accompany you to Porvoo and back by bus. Guide will meet you in Helsinki;
• This private half day tour includes local guide and private transport to and from Helsinki or Vantaa. Option for hotel pick-up.

Take a Boat to Porvoo

If you happen to be visiting in summer, you also have the option to take a slower but more scenic river route. Both the m/s J.L. Runeberg and the Royal Line’s m/s RoyalCat offer almost daily cruises between Helsinki and Porvoo between May and September.

Bicycle to Porvoo

For those who want some exercise and scenery, consider cycling along the King’s Road route to get from Helsinki to Porvoo. It is about 39 miles or 62 kilometers each way. You can keep cycling all the way to Russia on this historical route if you have a week!

Train to Porvoo

There is a train station in Porvoo but it does not currently have a regularly scheduled service although train trips using classic trains are often arranged in the summer for tourists; you can check the current schedule provided by the Porvoo Railway Museum.

Accommodation in Porvoo

If you decide to stay overnight (recommended if you really want to explore the town or spend time in the archipelago), there are a lot of Porvoo lodging options available.

You can also check on Vrbo options if you prefer an apartment.

Find More Information on Visiting Porvoo?

You can check out the Visit Porvoo official tourism website for more things to do. You can also stop by the Porvoo City Tourist Office located at Läntinen Aleksanterinkatu 1 06100 Porvoo, call them at +358 40 489 980,1 or email them at [email protected]

For more Finland travel information, we also recommend checking our our other articles on Finland including our guide to visiting Finland in winter , things to do in Helsinki , Helsinki Card review ,  things to do in Oulu , summer activities in Finland , husky sledding from Rovaniemi , and our Finland winter packing list .

For guidebooks, we recommend the latest edition of this Lonely Planet Finland guidebook .

Things to do in Porvoo Finland on a Day Trip

The first thing to do is to decide how you are getting to Porvoo and how much time you plan to have in the town. Your time may be limited by a bus or boat schedule, or if you are driving yourself you can linger as long as you wish. 

Walk Around the Historical Old Town

Porvoo is considered one of the most picturesque small towns in Finland and a stroll through its historic Old Town is the one must-do on a day trip here. We visited in January on a cloudy winter day, but even so you can see that Porvoo is still quite pretty. We can only imagine what it would like on a clear sunny day!

Porvoo is quite compact, especially the Old Town area, so this is easy to do on your own as a self-guided tour. You can pick up a free map and some brochures from the Porvoo City Tourist Office or print or download them on their website.

You can also do a guided walking tour of Porvoo as we did to learn more about the history of the Old Town sites before exploring on your own. If you are visiting as part of a day tours, such as this one , then you will have a guide with you. But if not, you can hire a guide for Porvoo. When we visited the Tourist Office was leading daily walking tours (check with the Porvoo City Tourist Office to see if they are doing this when you visit).

Here are a few of the highlights from our walking tour: 

Porvoo Cathedral

The Porvoo Cathedral is an Evangelical Lutheran Church built in the 15th century, with some parts dating back to the 13th century making it one of the oldest churches in Finland. There has been a church on this site since the 11th century.

This church serves as the  seat of the Diocese of B orgå, Finland’s Swedish-speaking diocese. It was here that the Diet of Porvoo was signed in 1809, which was when Finland became a Grand Principality of Russia, rather than being ruled by Sweden. This was a key event on the road to Finnish independence, which finally happened in 1917.

There have been a number of events that have threatened or damaged the church over the year, with the most recent disaster being a case of arson in 2006, when the entire roof was burned and destroyed. The church is still active and it is free to visit when open.

The Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall, in the heart of the old town, is a colorful two-story building with a mansard roof and a wooden clock tower. Finished in 1764, the building housed Porvoo’s administrative court, the council, and the constabulary. In 1809, the Diet of Porvoo mentioned earlier was convened here.

The building continued to serve as the Town Hall until the end of the 19th century, and then was turned into a museum which saved the building (which has some structural issues) from being demolished. Today you can can still visit the Old Town Hall museum , which houses local history and art exhibitions.

The Red Warehouse Buildings

Probably the most photographed landmark in Porvoo , these riverside red wooden buildings once served as storage areas for the river trade. They served as warehouses to protect fruits, wines, coffee, tobacco, wood, spices, and other goods shipped along the river.

These shore houses were painted with red ochre in the late 18th century in honor of a visit by Swedish King Gustav III to make them look more beautiful. They are still very pretty to look at, with the best views from the road-bridge across the Porvoo River or from the park on the opposite bank.

Today, most of the these former river warehouses are used as private homes, storage places, or restaurants.

Do a Bit of Shopping

As you are walking around the Old Town, you are bound to notice a lot of little shops in the historical buildings. Many of the boutiques and shops are located on Jokikatu and Välikatu Streets and around the church, but you’ll also find them tucked here and there in the Old Town.

The Art Factory building on the west side of the river also contains a few shops as well. Laurence and I have to keep our shopping to a minimum given our travel lifestyle, but we took a bit of time to nose around some shops and do some window shopping.

As we were wandering around, we spotted small boutiques, antique stores, craft stores, second-hand stores, and souvenir shops offering everything from postcards to Christmas decorations to antiques. I’d recommend just popping into shops as you see them!

Have a Meal and Try Some Sweet Treats

Porvoo is a great place to try some Nordic cooking with many places specializing in Finnish cuisine, although you can also find Nepalese, American, Italian, pub fare, and more in Porvoo. You can check out this list of places to eat and drink in Porvoo.

As daytrippers, we stopped in for a coffee at the cozy Gamle Stefan recommended by our guide to get us started, and then later we stopped for a great Finnish homestyle lunch at centrally-located  Ruokapaikka Hanna-Maria which serves food cafeteria-style during lunch with budget-oriented meal options ranging from 8 to 14 euros. We had a very tasty and typical meal of reindeer meatballs, mashed potatoes, and lingonberries. This hearty meal with coffee was great on a winter day to get us warmed up and ready for some more exploring.

If you like sweets, I would also recommend you try the local specialty called Runeberg’s cake. These were first made by a Porvoo baker who made them after a cake that the poet J.L. Runeberg is said to have eaten for breakfast. You can find them today at many of Porvoo cafés and eateries.

You may also want to try some chocolates while in Porvoo from local chocolate and confectionery maker Brunberg which has been around since 1871. You can see the sweets being made at the Brunberg chocolate factory which is a 30-minute walk from the center of Old Town or you can just stop at their shop located in the Old Town. 

Check out Some Museums 

Unfortunately, most of these museums were closed during our visit as most museums are open seasonally or have reduced hours in the autumn and winter months.

For history lovers, you might want to check out the Porvoo Museum which includes both the Holm House and the Old Town Hall, where you’ll find exhibits on art, history, and objects and furniture from the 18th century in two historical buildings (entrance tickets are good for entrance into both buildings).

If you like dolls and toys or are traveling with children who do, then you should consider a visit to the Doll and Toy Museum , which has over 1,000 dolls and hundreds of toys on display, some over which are over two hundred years old.

Perhaps the best known attraction in Porvoo is the former yellow painted home of national Finnish poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg , his home is now a the J. L. Runeberg home museum (has been since 1882 making it the oldest home museum in Finland!). You can also visit the sculpture garden nearby of his eldest son, Walter Runeberg (entry is included to both sites when you buy an entrance ticket).

Another local artist was Albert Edelfelt (1854-1905) whose studio can be visited which includes exhibits of his drawings, photographs, and paintings. A car, bike, or taxi is needed to visit the Albert Edelfelt Studio Museum from the center of Porvoo as it is 4.2 miles (or 7 km) from the town center.

Also don’t miss the The Art Factory which is highlighted below.

Cross the River to Experience Modern Porvoo

The Old Town is the highlight for most visitors, but if you want to see a more modern side of Porvoo you can cross the river to see modern apartment buildings and businesses on the west bank. Most of the local people are not all living and working in wooden medieval buildings!

Perhaps the most interesting place for both visitors and locals is  The Art Factory  l ocated on the west bank of the river by the Aleksanterinkatu Bridge. The Art Factory has a long history of serving as a building for a number of industrial uses, including making plywood and horse shoes, until it was later converted to rented artist studio and finally into a cultural center.

It opened in spring 2012, and now houses art exhibitions, a concert venue, cinema, boutiques, and  Bistro Sinne which serves local food . You’ll also find the Porvoo City Tourist Office located here.

This is quite an exciting place for the local people who now have more access to cultural exhibitions and events. We visited a free contemporary art exhibition here and while we had already eaten, the bistro had a very appealing menu!

Get Active Outdoors 

We were surprised to learn during our visit that everything from skiing to kayaking is possible in Porvoo, depending on the season of course. Hiking and cycling are very popular year round with a number of maps of well-marked routes are available online or via the Porvoo City Tourist Office.

The National Urban Park begins in the Porvoo city center and is a great area to hike, bike, or get on the river. During the late Spring and Summer, boat rides, kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding are popular in the area. Check in town about bike, kayak, and paddleboard rentals, generally available in the summer months only.

We visited in winter and we could see the ski slopes in the distance which overlook Porvoo. Both downhill and cross-country skiing, including ski lessons, are possible at the Kokonniemi Ski Centre . When the river is frozen, you may also see locals skating, skiing, ice fishing, and walking on the river; great winter activities but do be sure to check ice conditions before trying this yourself!

For those with more time visiting in the warmer months, I’d advise a trip to the Pellinki Archipelago  where you can engage in a number of outdoor and cultural activities.

Climb the Ancient Iso Linnamäki Fortress Hill for Nature and a Great View

North of the Old Town of Porvoo, you’ll notice some hills that are important ancient archeological sites and great viewing points. The larger hill called Iso Linnamäki (Great Castle Hill) is the site of one of the largest ancient fortresses in Finland, while the smaller hill called Pikku Linnamäki (Lesser Castle Hill) is contains an Iron Age burial site.

There are a number of paths you can take to get up here, crossing over wooden bridges and former moats. It is a nice short hike and a great place to get another view of the river and the Old Town of Porvoo. It was this view that would be depicted by local artist Albert Edelfelt in his painting P orvoo seen from Linnamäki .

It is a great way to see a bit of the natural surroundings and we loved the view on the way up!

There are of course other things to do in Porvoo Finland, but the above are our hand-picked highlights for a day trip from Helsinki or elsewhere. We were told by a guide that most visitors come to Porvoo only for a few hours or a day, but there is more to do in the area if you want to stay longer!

If you are planning a trip to Finland, be sure to check out our other posts covering top winter activities in Finland , things to do in Helsinki , outdoor summer activities , exploring the UNESCO town of Rauma , and more!

What would you do if you had a day in Porvoo Finland? If you have been to Porvoo, feel free to share any additional tips or share your own experiences. As always, feel free to ask us any questions about our trip to Porvoo or any other questions about our time in Finland. 

**Disclosure: The majority of our food, lodging, attraction fees, and transportation in Finland was provided by the Visit Finland tourism board as part of a press trip; however, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. **

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Niko Post author

May 25, 2018 at 3:36 am

We did a similar day trip to Porvoo from Helsinki during summertime!

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

May 25, 2018 at 3:46 am

Hi Niko, Thanks for taking the time to comment. Yes, most of the places we mention are open year-round so great places to visit in summer or winter! Just a different atmosphere depending on when you travel there and some services such as the train and boat are only available in summer. Glad you had a great day trip to Porvoo and hope our article helped! Best, Jessica

Julie Vikmanis Post author

April 15, 2018 at 6:55 am

Thank you so much for such great information on Porvoo. I have been failing about trying to find somewhere to go on a day trip from Helsinki and this was so very helpful.

April 15, 2018 at 7:27 am

Hi Julie, Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, and so happy that you found our article helpful. Porvoo makes a great day trip from Helsinki. Wishing you a wonderful trip to Finland! Best, Jessica

Archie Post author

May 24, 2017 at 2:17 am

We r couple from India & on a tour to Finland. Now wanting to visit porvoo, by the help of your blog we r planning to do so. Well thanks for the details. Will get bk to u once bk.

May 25, 2017 at 3:39 am

Hi Archie, Glad that our article inspired you to go to Porvoo and helped you plan your trip there! Hope you have a great time in Finland and do let us know if you have any questions. Best, Jessica

Tatjana Post author

April 19, 2017 at 8:15 pm

cindy Post author

April 1, 2017 at 8:29 pm

Oh wow! I need to get to Porvoo the next time I am in Finland. I might need to rethink a winter vacation here – your photos are gorgeous!

April 2, 2017 at 3:15 am

Hi Cindy, Porvoo is an easy day trip from Helsinki. It is even better if you stay over at least one night so you have more time to explore the museums, shops, and take a trip to the archipelago. We had gray skies during our visit as you can see, but on a sunny day this place is gorgeous! Great any time of the year as in the Spring/Summer you can sit out along the river and do more hiking. Also the train runs during the summer which would be a fun way to arrive. Best, Jessica

Gordon Sims Post author

March 20, 2017 at 9:32 pm

Many of the links on this page are not working about Porvoo.

March 22, 2017 at 2:46 pm

Hi Gordon, Thanks so much for pointing this out. All the broken links were to the Visit Porvoo website which appears to have been recently updated! I think all are fixed, but please let me know if you find any more that are not working and feel free to reach out with any specific questions if you are planning at trip to Porvoo! Happy travels, Jessica

Katherine Post author

September 26, 2016 at 8:33 am

Hi! I am visiting Helsinki in a couple weeks and this looks like it would definitely be a great day trip- do you have any idea if I should book bus tickets beforehand or will I probably be able to just buy them that day? I just don’t know how long I will want to stay there, and at the same time I don’t want to limit myself to only a few hours. Thanks!

travelcats Post author

September 26, 2016 at 6:34 pm

Hi Katherine, I think you should have no issue booking the tickets the day of or day before you want to leave. I would just wait until you get to Helsinki so you can decide when you want to go to Porvoo based on the bus schedule, weather, how much time you have, etc. The bus station is centrally located so it is easy to get there. Have a great trip to Finland! ~ Jessica

October 2, 2016 at 1:31 pm

great! that’s exactly what i was hoping to hear haha. thanks!

Maarit Liljendahl Post author

October 14, 2016 at 1:24 pm

Hi Katherine, Yes, it’s easy to get a bus from Kamppi bus station in Helsinki to Porvoo. Several departures per day.

April 4, 2016 at 5:36 am

Porvoo is fantastic and even more so, if you have a local guide to tell you about it and show you all the highlights. Please contact me on Facebook , if you’d like me to arrange a private day trip from Helsinki. See you in Finland! Helsinki Guide Maarit

April 4, 2016 at 9:16 am

Hi Maarit, Thanks for sharing that you provided guided tours of Porvoo Finland. Anyone interested can click on Maarit’s FB link.

We personally did a guided tour of Porvoo with someone from the local tourism board and found it very useful to orient ourselves to the town and its history. Although given the small size of Porvoo and the fact that it is a very walkable city, you can easily explore it on your own as well. ~ Jessica

Corinne Post author

November 14, 2015 at 12:28 am

What a great name! I might have to go to Porvoo just so I can say I’ve been…love it!

November 25, 2015 at 7:12 am

Haha, yes Porvoo is a great town name:)

Ruth Post author

November 7, 2015 at 7:37 pm

I love to do day trips using a big city as a base. This place looks gorgeous. Makes me want to visit Finland and explore its beautiful cities and towns.

November 25, 2015 at 7:14 am

I didn’t know much about Finland before I went, but there are many pretty and historical towns to explore – great country if you love winter activities!

Tanja Post author

November 7, 2015 at 6:25 am

I’ve never heard of this city and it’s so cute!!:)

November 25, 2015 at 7:15 am

Yes, Porvoo makes for a great day trip from Helsinki. Easy bus connections or a relatively short drive!

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One Day in Porvoo, Finland: An Easy Day Trip from Helsinki

During our trip to Finland, Spencer and I decided to take a day trip from Helsinki to Porvoo – a small coastal town. While many people decide to go to Estonia for a day, we knew we wanted to see more of Finland . Porvoo was a perfect place to get out of the city and see small world charm!

Porvoo was settled during the Middle Ages and is the second-oldest town in Finland! It’s most well known for its charming Old Town and brick-red riverside warehouses. Its claim to fame, though, is being home to national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg. His home, now a museum, can be visited today. Porvoo, while small in size, has plenty to offer visitors. 

It’s one of the best Helsinki day trips, located about an hour away and easily navigable by foot (yes – even in winter in the snow!) Here’s how to spend one day in Porvoo, Finland! 

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All About Porvoo

How old is porvoo, finland .

Porvoo was founded in 1248, making it one of the oldest cities in Finland. The city has a population of about 50,000 people, which makes it the 15th largest city in Finland.

Where is Porvoo, Finland?

Porvoo Finland is located in the north of Finland. The city has a population of about 50,000 people.

Getting to Porvoo from Helsinki

The first thing to do is decide how you’re getting to Porvoo and how much time you want to spend there.

There are a number of ways to get to Porvoo from Helsinki (or elsewhere in Finland). Public transportation in Finland is reliable, safe, and affordable! The easiest is to take the local bus or a guided day tour. Be mindful of the weather. 

Bus to Porvoo from Helsinki

There are a few buses that run from Helsinki city center to Porvoo. The length ranges from 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes depending on the line and how many stops it makes. The 848 bus, which runs most frequently from Kamppi bus station, takes about 1 hour 10 minutes with a few stops, and costs around €15 – €25 for a round-trip ticket. You can buy tickets at any of the ticket stations in Kamppi terminal. You can check out the bus schedule for timetables and fares . 

We opted for the slightly cheaper (and faster) Onni Bus. It took us about 50 minutes and cost €9 – €10 for a round-trip ticket. Tickets cannot be purchased at the station, but online . 

 If buses are going to be your main mode of transportation, be sure to check out the Finland Bus Pass . 

Driving to Porvoo

If you have a car while in Finland, you can easily drive to Porvoo on your own. Most of the roads are main highways. However, in the winter the roads are often snow-covered, so be sure to check the car for studded tires and check the weather before leaving. 

If you prefer to have a scenic drive, check out the Kuninkaantie (Old King’s Road) or Great mail Route. This route extends all the way to Russia and was used during medieval times for the king’s messages! 

Parking in Porvoo is available for free, time-limited, and metered. Be sure to read all the parking regulations to avoid any fines. 

Guided Day Trips to Porvoo from Helsinki

Of course, when you’re on vacation, sometimes it’s easier to let others plan for you. It also gives you the added benefit of a guide to help give you background on Porvoo, it’s history, and show you the main highlights. 

Here’s a guided day trip with transportation that makes it easy to get around!

Take a Boat to Porvoo

Of course, we visited in winter, so this wasn’t an option. In the summer, though, you can take a scenic river cruise to Porvoo. There are almost daily cruises running from Helsinki to Porvoo with Royal Line or M.S. J.L. Runeberg (I told you they’re really proud of him!) 

Bike to Porvoo from Helsinki

This we definitely weren’t doing in winter, but it IS an option during the warmer months. You can safely cycle the King’s Road route. It’s 39 miles or 62 kilometers one way. Don’t worry – if you miss the stop for Porvoo you’ll end up in Russia in a week. 

Helsinki to Porvoo Train

There is currently not a direct train from Helsinki to Porvoo. In the warmer months, you can take a short classic train ride within Porvoo through the Porvoo Museum Railway . 

Why Take a Day Trip to Porvoo from Helsinki?

The short answer – why not? I know, that’s not really helpful, so I’ll give you a long answer. When we travel to capital cities or other larger cities we only get to see one side of the country. It’s a small piece of the puzzle. Traveling to a small town, like Porvoo, gives us another glimpse into the daily life of the local people. It opens our eyes to another way of living outside of the busy city. While many people take a day trip to Tallinn, Estonia (and we wanted to too), our day trip to Porvoo was shorter, more affordable, and showed us more of Finland. 

Best Things to do in Porvoo, Finland in One Day 

 I am not a “city person”, so I really enjoy taking a break from cities to explore smaller towns. It gives me a break from the hustle of the city to enjoy the scenery and see a different part of the country. Porvoo is very compact, making a self-guided tour pretty easy to do. However, if you prefer having a guided tour, you can do so with  You can pick up a free map and some brochures at the Porvoo City Tourist Office, or use this Google Map for reference. 

Walk around the Historical Old Town Porvoo

A stroll through Porvoo’s historic Old Town is an absolute must-do during your day trip (that’s why I listed it first!) The Old Town is compact, with small streets and locally-owned shops all around it. I loved the colorful buildings and the cozy atmosphere of the entire area. It snowed that morning, so everything was winter white! Be sure to wear boots that can handle snow and ice – I recommend these – because Finland doesn’t salt the snow, but rather compacts it down so it’s easier to walk on. 

Porvoo Cathedral

Porvoo Cathedral was originally constructed during the Middle Ages but has been rebuilt several times since then. It remains one of the oldest cathedrals in Finland today. There’s been a church on this site since the 11th century. Some parts of the current church, an Evangelical Lutheran Church, date back to the 13th century. 

Currently, Porvoo Cathedral is the seat of Finland’s Swedish-speaking diocese, the Diocese of Borgå. It was at this church where the Treaty of Porvoo (1809) was signed between Finland and Russia, making Finland part of the Russian Empire instead of being under the control of Sweden. It was an important milestone for Finland’s path towards becoming independent from Russia. Finland became independent in 1917.

Over the years there have been several incidents that have threatened or damaged the church. One of the most recent disasters occurred in 2006 when the whole roof was burnt down. It’s still active and visitors are welcome when it is open. 

Climb the Ancient Iso Linnamäki Fortress Hill

On the north side of Old Town, there are quite steep hills. These are important archeological sites with incredible views. The larger hill – Iso Linnamäki (Great Castle Hill) – was one of the largest ancient fortresses in Finland. The nearby smaller hill is Pikku Linnamäki (Lesser Castle Hill) is an Iron Age burial site.

You can choose to take a path to get up the hill. It crosses over wooden bridges and former moats. From the top, you can see all the colorful buildings of Porvoo. 

The Old Town Hall (or The Old Town Hall Museum) 

Right in the center of town is the colorful Old Town Hall, now the Old Town Hall Museum. It has a wooden clock tower and a mansard roof. Be careful walking in this area, it was a pure sheet of ice for us and I fell right in front of Cafe Fanny (may have yelled a loud curse word as well, so hopefully no one heard that). 

The building was completed in 1764 and housed the administrative council, court, and constabulary. The Diet of Porvoo was also convened here in 1809. It remained the town hall until the end of the 19th century when it was almost demolished because of structural issues. Today, it is the Old Town Hall Museum and is home to both art and history exhibitions. 

Explore Vuorikatu

This neighborhood is filled with colorful buildings and shops. Vuorikatu is where the Great Fire of Porvoo started back in 1760. Half of the town burned down because someone cooked fish soup in the early morning. After, the town was rebuilt on the original foundations. It’s an important part of Porvoo history, but people still live there, so be respectful

The Red Warehouse Buildings

Probably the most ‘instagrammable’ place in Porvoo – at least it’s one of the most photographed landmarks in Porvoo – the riverside red buildings can’t be missed. You can walk along the riverside to see them at eye level, or cross the bridges to see them from above. There are stairs near each bridge and a walking path. 

The wooden buildings served as storage areas for the river trade – they protected coffee, wines, fruits, tobacco, and other goods that were shipped along the river. 

In the late 18th century, Swedish King Gustav III visited Porvoo. In honor of his visit, the warehouses were painted a rich brick red to make them look beautiful. Today, most of these houses are private homes, so please be respectful of taking pictures. 

Enjoy a Runeburg torte (and a cinnamon bun)

Right next to the houses is the small cafe Porvoon Paahtimo Bar & Cafe. We stumbled on this cafe after walking the riverside for the warehouse buildings and desperately needed to warm up. With old beams in the ceilings and brick red walls, it felt cozy and comfortable. We opted for a seat on the covered dining right along the river. In the warmer months, there is a boat you can eat on. 

A Runeberg torte is found year-round in Porvoo, but only in January and February most other places in Finland. You’ll find similar pastries around Finland, but they weren’t the same as ours in Porvoo. It is a Finnish pastry with almonds and an arrack of rum. On top is raspberry jam encircled with frosting. 

Yes, the pastry is named after the poet J.L. Runeberg, but it’s his wife who made it famous. If you want to try to make it at home (which I will definitely do to remember my day trip to Porvoo) you can try this recipe . It was made by a local baker named L.H. Astenius. It’s said that Fredrika Runeberg would pick up the cakes and decorate them with apple jam (instead of raspberry jam) for her husband to eat for breakfast every day!

Cinnamon buns in Finland are not like American buns at all. They’re not dripping in frosting and honestly, not even THAT cinnamony (to be fair, I don’t believe there is a maximum amount of cinnamon a baked good could have). The white stuff on top is sugar! I had to ask what it was because it looked like the salt on soft pretzels. When she told me it was a cinnamon bun I HAD to have it! So worth it – and remember calories don’t count on vacation! 

Go Shopping

I’m not a huge shopper, and I don’t buy a ton of souvenirs anymore. I prefer local handmade goods and sweets – something that is hard to find in big cities like Helsinki. However, as you walk around Old Town, you’ll see a LOT of little shops in historical buildings. You’ll find boutiques, antique stores, craft stores, and souvenir shops. We stumbled across a small shop that handmade everything out of recycled products! 

Try some chocolate at Brunberg

Brunberg chocolate is a staple of Porvoo, dating back to 1871. If you have time, you can visit the Brunberg chocolate factory to see how the sweets are made and get a free tasting! The factory is located about 30 minutes away from Old Town. If you’re short on time, there is a shop right in the Old Town that has plenty of options. I would argue that chocolate is the best souvenir. 

Check out the Doll & Toy Museum

In full disclosure, I did not visit here – I have seen way too many horror films to go into the Doll & Toy Museum . However, if you like dolls or are traveling with kids that do (or are not a horror film fan) then visiting this museum could be for you. It’s home to over 1,000 dolls and toys – some over 200 years old! 

Visit the J.L Runeburg home museum

Unfortunately, this was closed when we visited, so we could only check it out from the outside. It’s a yellow home that looks pretty normal and not like a museum at all. This was once the home for the Finnish Poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg. It’s the oldest home museum in Finland, dating back to 1882. The cost for entrance to the museum is 8€ for adults and 6€ for seniors, students, unemployed, and groups of over 10 people. The entrance price includes admission to the nearby Walter Runeberg Sculpture Collection which is open in the summer. For more information and opening hours, check out the museum website .

Check out Albert Edelfelt Studio Museum

This one is a little outside Porvoo and would require a bike, taxi, or car. It’s worth mentioning for any art lovers. Albert Edelfelt was a local artist (1854-1905) and his studio can be visited today. Admission to the Albert Edelfelt Studio is 7€ for adults and 6€ for seniors and students.

Experience Modern Porvoo

Most of our time was spent in Old Porvoo, but right across the river you’ll find sleek and modern buildings. Most of the locals are not living and working in medieval buildings (I know, shocking!). I loved seeing the modern brick-red buildings – I don’t know if it’s intentional, but it felt like they were bringing the red brick warehouses to the modern-day here. 

Check out The Art Factory

Located near the Aleksanterinkatu Bridge, the Art Factory opened in 2012 and has been an essential part of Porvoo since. It is home to the Porvoo City Tourist Office, a concert venue, boutiques, and numerous art exhibitions. 

Enjoy the outdoors

There are plenty of outdoor activities to do in Porvoo – but they depend on the season. Since we visited in late January, most of the activities available involve snow. From skiing to ice fishing, to snow-shoeing, and walking on the frozen river – don’t be afraid of the cold! (Just be sure to wear layers!). We even saw people riding bikes on the snow-covered paths. To go skiing, head to the Kokonniemi Ski Centre which you can see overlooking Porvoo from a distance.

In the warmer months, the river isn’t frozen and is open for boating, kayaking, canoeing, and even stand-up paddleboarding. If you have more than one day in Porvoo, you can explore the Pellinki Archipelago for even more outdoor activities.

Map of Things to do in Porvoo, Finland

Click on the image below for access to Google Maps featuring everything mentioned in this post!

More Information on Visting Porvoo, Finland

You can check out Visit Porvoo’s official tourism website for up-to-date information, events, and covid-19 regulations. There’s also a tourist office located at Läntinen Aleksanterinkatu 1 06100 Porvoo. They’re also available via e-mail at [email protected] .

For a great guidebook, check out Lonely Planet’s guidebook for Finland . 

Pin “One Day in Porvoo, Finland” for later! 

Have you considered a day trip to Porvoo from Helsinki? Let me know if you have any questions.

If you’ve been to Porvoo, feel free to share any additional tips or share your experiences. I love adding reader suggestions to the post! 

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18 thoughts on “One Day in Porvoo, Finland: An Easy Day Trip from Helsinki”

Great post, thanks for sharing! 🙂

A cute city and a snowfall! This place looks so charming. Adding it to my travel list!

Finland is on the.. making! I would love to find out that small shop that handmade everything out of recycled products too!

I know I have a picture of the shop we went into I just can’t find it! So hopefully I’ll find it soon and add it to the post. That’s where we got our Christmas ornament souvenir!

I’m also not much of a city person, so Porvoo looks like it would be a great side trip to me when visiting Helsinki – thank you for sharing 🙂

Same here! cities are just really busy, so this was a great break from the ‘crowds’ of Helsinki (it wasn’t as crowded as I thought it would be, but still busy!)

Porvoo is so cute and has so much character! I really need to get to Finland. Thanks for putting this gem on my radar!

This place looks magical-jam cake, winter white snow, red houses, and historical center. Love it!

Poorvoo is going to be top of our list next time we’re in Finland. We didn’t have enough time in our schedule to visit when we went to Helsinki. Thanks for the fantastic tips!

Porvoo looks like a fun place to explore, and 1248?! What a long and interesting history – I’d love to learn more! I’d also love to visit here one day and see other parts of Finland too. Thanks for sharing your tips! Xx Sara

I have never visited Helsinki, but it’s on my list. Also, I hadn’t heard about Porvoo until I read your blog. It seems to be a lovely place. I would love to explore the old town and try the chocolate!

After reading your post, if I visit Helsinki, I’d like to make a point of visiting Porvoo too! I’d like to learn more about the town’s rich history.

I would love to see the Doll and Toy Museum. Places like that are creepy but surprisingly interesting when you hear the stories behind the dolls and toys they have. Seems like a great place for a day trip!

Haha to each their own! That’s why I include it even though I wasn’t brave enough 🙂

Calories don’t count on vacation! Ahah! I’ll remember that! I haven’t seen the snow for a while so your photos made me dream. Porvoo is so close to Helsinki; it will definitely be included in my Finland itinerary. Thanks for sharing 🙂

Such a charming town with an interesting piece of history! Thanks for presenting this untouched gem of Finland to the readers. Porvoo is definitely worth a visit.

Good article, helped me with planning my trip but Porvoo is absolutely not even close to being the second largest city in Finland 😀

Oops! You’re correct, it’s the 15th haha (for municipal area which includes the surrounding area). I think I was thinking second-oldest, but writing largest haha Thank you – I’ve updated the post. Hope you have an amazing time there!

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