This post was originally published on August 16, 2022 and was most recently updated on June 23, 2026.
You might not recognize the name, but you've probably seen the photos: Porvoo is one of the most photographed spots in Finland. Porvoo is a small town about 30 miles northeast of Helsinki, and the riverside Old Town is beloved for its colorful wooden buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, and romantic, low-key vibe.
How much time should you spend in Porvoo?
On our first visit, we spent about five hours in Porvoo, which was enough time to leisurely explore the Old Town, eat lunch, browse some boutiques, linger over coffee in a cafe, and walk along the river. We didn't feel rushed—Old Porvoo is quite small, only a few blocks square. You could get a sense of Porvoo in less time, but I recommend a more relaxed pace to truly enjoy the atmosphere.
With additional time, you can check out some of the town's museums, art galleries, and surrounding parks. Since Porvoo is an approximately 35-minute drive from Helsinki airport, it's also well-positioned for the first or last night of your trip to Finland. For our second visit to Porvoo, we arrived in time for lunch, spent the afternoon enjoying the Old Town, and stayed at this amazing Airbnb in one of the historic buildings along the river.
How do you get to Porvoo?
It's easy to get to Porvoo by bus from Helsinki. The ride takes 55 minutes, and there are several departures daily from Helsinki Bus Station, which is located in the basement of the Kampii Shopping Center (the shopping center is also a stop on the Helsinki metro system, so it's convenient to access from any part of Helsinki). You can buy bus tickets in advance online for $10-$14 per person.
The Porvoo bus station is located in a central shopping area that is about three blocks from the Old Town, approximately a 5-minute walk.
If you have a car, Porvoo is about a 45-minute drive from Helsinki's city center. During the summer, you can also travel from Helsinki to Porvoo via the historic steamship m/s J.L. Runeberg.
What should you do in Porvoo?
The best way to spend your time in Porvoo is simple: walk around! Porvoo is the second oldest town in Finland, and the colorful wooden houses date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. If you arrive early in the day, you'll have the cobblestone streets, alleys, and squares mostly to yourself, and it feels like you've stepped into another era. If you're spending the night, you'll love the quiet evening after the day trippers leave.
Porvoo is located on the banks of the Porvoonjoki, and there are paths along both sides of the river. From the Old Town we enjoyed strolling south, which gives you a taste of the more modern portions of Porvoo, as well as your choice of several outdoor cafes along the river.
Porvoo is highly photogenic—allegedly, the red wooden buildings along the river are the most photographed buildings in Finland (they were built in the 1760s as warehouses, and are now home to restaurants, shops, and accommodations). We spent quite a bit of time taking photos of buildings throughout the Old Town, and the narrow alleyways are a neat backdrop for portrait photos.
Another iconic Porvoo structure is the Porvoo Cathedral, which dates back to the 15th century. It's frequently open to the public, although hours vary based on the season and religious services. Other attractions in Old Porvoo include J.L. Runeberg's home, a historic house museum that honors Finland's national poet; the Porvoo Museum, which is located in Finland's oldest town hall and features artwork and historic exhibits; and the Porvoo Doll and Toy Museum.
A full listing of Porvoo's attractions is available here.
Shopping is a popular activity since Old Porvoo is quite tourist-centric, with dozens of boutiques. Although a handful sell mass-produced souvenirs, the majority feature Finnish-made artisan products, including clothing, jewelry, home decor, toys, kitchenware, and more.
Porvoo is also home to Brunberg, which is Finland's oldest chocolate factory, founded in 1871. They operate a factory store in the Old Town, where you can find both bargain-priced bulk items and chocolates with attractive souvenir packaging. If you like licorice, be sure to stop by the tiny Porvoon Lakritsi storefront, which is stocked with the candy manufacturer's licorice ropes.
More information about shopping in Porvoo is available here.
Dining in Porvoo
Old Porvoo has plenty of dining options, ranging from upscale seafood restaurants to casual cafes. We've enjoyed tasty lunches at Hanna Maria, a cafeteria-style restaurant that specializes in classic Nordic comfort food, and Cafe Tove, a chic cafe that serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
As I mentioned in my post about Helsinki, coffee and pastries are a big part of Finnish food culture, and accordingly, Porvoo has several excellent coffee shops. We love Porvoon Paahtimo, a combination coffee shop, roastery, and bar housed in a former warehouse on the river. Pastries are sourced from local bakeries, and the iconic Runeberg cake is available daily. (The recipe was developed by Fredrika Runeberg, and her poet husband J.L. Runeberg allegedly enjoyed it for breakfast with a glass of alcoholic punch.) In addition to the large upstairs seating area, there's outdoor seating on a barge permanently moored alongside the restaurant.
Another great option is Cafe Fanny, which has a lovely terrace on the Old Town's central square and fabulous cinnamon buns.
You can find a full listing of Porvoo's restaurants and cafes here.
If you'd like to dine outdoors, head south from Old Porvoo—there are several cafes along the river.
The takeaway:
Porvoo is a perfect day trip from Helsinki, as well as an ideal way to end your vacation. It's easily accessible via mass transit, and the Old Town offers a relaxing, picturesque setting for sightseeing, shopping, and dining. Strolling the cobblestone streets, savoring a Runeberg cake at Porvoon Paahtimo, and sitting on the deck at our riverside Airbnb are some of my favorite memories from my time in Finland.
Find additional information at Visit Porvoo.
Further reading:
Further reading
- 10 foods to try in Finland
- 12 delicious things I ate in Finland (2026)
- 17 delicious things I ate in Finland (2022)
- 20 tips for traveling in Finland
- 9 fun things to do in Helsinki
- Guide to Finland's Small Archipelago Trail by Car
- Lillan Hotel: A luxurious stay in Tampere, Finland
- Vääsky: A base for exploring Finnish Lakeland
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