Porvoo, Finland: The Perfect Day Trip From Helsinki

Helsinki has more than enough to keep you entertained for a week, but the Finnish capital also has several interesting spots worth exploring nearby. Porvoo is arguably the easiest day trip from Helsinki, and this charming town has it all: A rich history, great food, and abundant shopping opportunities.

Many visitors only stick to the Old Town, which—as beautiful as it is—is not the only thing you can do in Porvoo. Like most urban areas in Finland, you’re never too far away from nature in the country’s second-oldest city. And if you love being active, you’ve got plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy as well.

Today, you’ll discover everything you need to know about visiting Porvoo on a day trip from Helsinki. And if you want to stay for a night or two, this guide will also give you some pointers when planning your itinerary and researching different activities.

Quick Facts 🤓

• Population: 50,000
• Official languages: Finnish 🇫🇮, Swedish 🇸🇪
• Currency: Euro 💶
• Can I visit with a Schengen Visa 🇪🇺?: Yes

The History of Porvoo 🇫🇮

Porvoo (Borgå in Swedish) is Finland’s second-oldest town behind Turku (which, as a side note, is also worth visiting). Thanks to its position on the banks of the Porvoonjoki River, Porvoo has historically been important for trading—hence all the red warehouses along the waterfront. 

Besides being essential for helping Finland trade internationally, Porvoo was also the location for one of the key chapters in Finland becoming the independent nation that it is today. The Diet of Porvoo in 1809 meant that the country was officially a nation—though it was under Swedish rule until the Treaty of Fredrikshamn until the end of the Finnish War, when Sweden gave Russia its Finnish territories. Finland only gained independence from both Sweden and Russia in 1917, but the Diet of Porvoo was an important early cornerstone towards that reality.

Porvoo has also seen its fair share of important people in Finnish history over the years. Ex-footballer Sami Hyypiä, who made over 300 appearances for Liverpool, was born here—though he grew up in another part of Finland. Celebrated Finnish poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg, who wrote all of his work in Swedish, spent most of his life in Porvoo. You’ll see his influence as you walk around town, including with the local Runeberg Cake delicacy.

Things to Do in Porvoo 🥾

Porvoo is quite small, but you’ll still find a good range of activities. While you can enjoy some of these year-round, others are only possible at certain times during the year. So, it’s worth keeping them in mind when you plan your visit.

Vanha Porvoo 🏡

Wandering around Porvoo’s Old Town is one of the best things to do in Porvoo, if not the absolute best. The entire area is effectively an open-air museum, with cute wooden houses of all colors that are typical throughout Finland. Here is also where you’ll find the intriguing Porvoo Cathedral, which is where the Diet of Porvoo was signed.

Porvoo’s Old Town is also home to a broad range of independent shops and various cafés, along with restaurants serving traditional Finnish food and more. While much of the Old Town can be quite crowded (especially during the summer), you can escape most of the crowds by heading up the hills and past the cathedral. Much of this area is residential, but the streets are still worth exploring.

Hiking and Foraging 🫐

Porvoo is effectively Finland in a nutshell, and its close proximity to luscious forests is the perfect example of this. If you cross the bridge to the other side of the river, you can enjoy some hiking with a superb view of the Old Town. 

In addition to the hiking and photography opportunities, you can also go foraging for berries. I personally wouldn’t have done this on my own, as I have no idea what’s poisonous and what isn’t… but luckily, my girlfriend grew up in a relatively rural part of Finland. So, she knows a bit more about foraging than the average Londoner (i.e. me). I am not responsible if you eat something poisonous, so you should probably only forage if you know what you’re doing 🙂.

One word of warning: If you’re prone to getting bitten by mosquitoes, take some repellent if you plan to visit during the summer. To say that there are quite a lot of them around this area would be an understatement.

Cycling 🚲

Getting around Porvoo and its surrounding areas by bike is quite easy. Cycling along the waterfront is, a particularly good idea.

If you’re going to rent a bike, it’s better to do so in the summer when there isn’t snow or ice on the ground. Porvoo is part of a backpacking route for cyclists that includes lots of pretty nature—so if you’re planning an extended trip through Finland, you might want to consider that. 

While many parts of Porvoo behind the cathedral are quite hilly, it’s pretty flat when you get closer to the river.

The Waterfront ⚓

Porvoo’s waterfront is a great spot to hang out during the summer. The town really grows into a holiday mood, with plenty of food stands and some decent places for ice cream (more on that later). You’ll also find forms of amusement if you have children, such as bouncy castles.

The opposite side of the river from the Old Town also has a good range of seating areas if you simply want to sit on a bench and people-watch. Closer to Vanha Porvoo, you’ll find various seasonal restaurants with a pleasant view of the river.

Skiing ⛷️

Are you planning to visit Porvoo in the winter? While it’ll probably be quite cold, that doesn’t mean that you need to stay indoors the whole time. Skiing is very popular in Finland, and you’ll find numerous resorts close to the town. For example, you can visit Kokkoniemi—which has five ski slopes for you to enjoy.

Both cross-country and downhill skiing are possible in Porvoo.

Where to Eat in Porvoo 😋

If you’re still wondering whether Porvoo is worth visiting, making the trip is a good idea if you only come for the food alone. Below are three of my favorite choices that I can also recommend to you.

Helmi Tea & Coffee House ☕

Helmi is perhaps the best place in Porvoo to try the famed Runeberg cake, which features almonds and either rum or arrack as a flavoring. You’ll get the complete authentic experience if you eat the cake close to Runeberg’s birthday on 5th February, but Helmi serves the delicacy throughout the year.

Naturally, as this is Finland, you will find great coffee here—along with several other cakes and pastries. If you visit during the summer, try and grab an outdoor seat in the cosy courtyard.

Oh yeah, they also welcome dogs. Which, on its own, is good enough of a reason to visit.

Address: Välikatu 7, 06100 Porvoo

Website: https://teehelmi.fi/en/tea-and-coffeeroom-helmi/ 

Vanhan Porvoon Jäätelötehdas 🍦

Ice cream is popular in Finland during the warmer months (or perhaps weeks, depending on the year). When you visit Porvoo, your best option in this respect is Vanhan Porvoon Jäätelötehdas.

The menu changes each year, but you’ll have plenty of interesting flavors to choose from regardless of when you go. If you want the true Finnish experience, consider getting licorice ice cream.

Address: Kirkkotori 7, 06100 Porvoo

Website (in Finnish): https://vanhanporvoonjaatelotehdas.fi/ 

Fryysarinranta 🍽️ 

If you’re in the mood for a more substantial meal, you can always try Fryysarinranta. This restaurant offers a picturesque view of the river, in addition to numerous classic meals—such as burgers. You’ll also find vegetarian and vegan options, along with an á la carte menu.

The restaurant is only open during the summer, so it’s worth keeping that in mind when you visit Porvoo.

Address: Jokikatu 20, 06100 Porvoo, Finland

Website (in Finnish): https://fryysarinranta.fi/ 

How to Get to Porvoo 🚗

Porvoo is 50-60 minutes from Helsinki. Although you can join a guided tour from Helsinki to Porvoo, getting here on your own is also quite easy. 

If you want to drive, head eastwards from Helsinki via the E18 motorway. The journey should take around 50 minutes.

Getting to Porvoo by bus is also very simple, and you can take a direct bus from the Kamppi bus terminal in the Finnish capital. You’ll get transported to just outside the Old Town. I would personally recommend Onnibus for an affordable option; tickets will often cost you less than €25 return.

Related Reading:

• Helsinki, Finland: Travel Guide
• Helsinki: A Summer Photography Guide

Practical Tips for Visitors 🗣️

When’s the Best Time to Visit Porvoo?

Porvoo’s Old Town is worth visiting year-round, but summer is the best time to visit if you want to explore all of the restaurants and also enjoy activities like cycling. However, if you like skiing and can handle colder weather, wintertime is a great time to go to Porvoo—and you’ll have a fraction of the summer crowds.

Porvoo, like all of Finland, has short summers with long days and mild temperatures—plus long winters with short days and temperatures that are often below freezing. 

Currency and Payment Methods

Finland is the only Nordic country that uses the Euro. In most cases, you won’t need to withdraw cash; pretty much everywhere in Porvoo (and Finland as an extension) is cashless. Visa and Mastercard are both widely accepted. If you’re a Finnish resident, you might be able to use MobilePay to purchase goods.

Language and Communication

The main language in Porvoo is Finnish, which is the native language for around 67% of the locals (suomi.fi). However, the town has a significant Swedish-speaking population as well—with roughly 30% of residents speaking Swedish instead. Other languages account for about 3% of people living in Porvoo.

Despite Finnish and Swedish being the two main languages, most people in Porvoo speak decent English. So, you shouldn’t have any problems communicating.

Porvoo Is Probably Finland’s Cutest Town

Finland’s second-oldest town is arguably its most picturesque, with traditional architecture and colorful warehouses lining the riverfront. You can also get into nature without needing to step too far out of town, with foraging and hiking both possible on the other side of the water. And if you’re planning to stay a little longer, you might wish to explore the Porvoo Archipelago as well.

Getting to Porvoo from Helsinki is a breeze, with frequent and affordable bus connections. On top of that, you can also drive in a short amount of time if you’ve rented a car for your Finnish adventure. Hopefully, you now feel more ready to visit having read this guide—and of course, you can always stay overnight if you want to explore at an even more relaxed pace.