One Day in Porvoo – A Perfect Day Trip from Helsinki

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Porvoo is one of Finland’s most charming and historically rich towns. It was founded in the 14th century and is the second-oldest city in Finland. It’s especially known for its well-preserved Old Town, colorful riverside wooden houses, cobbled streets, and long cultural legacy. This post covers how to spend one day in Porvoo as well as how to visit Porvoo from Helsinki.

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Where is Porvoo?

Porvoo is located 52 kilometers or about 45 minutes east of Helsinki making it an ideal day trip from Finland’s capital city.

How to Get to Porvoo?

Getting in Porvoo is relatively easy and you have a few options:

Car or Taxi

If you are self-driving it will take about 45 minutes on Highway 7 (E18). Taxis like a Bolt can also be used but will be quite expensive so I wouldn’t advice you to do this.

If you are driving, see the parking map HERE.

Train

There is no direct train to Porvoo from Helsinki but you can take a commuter train from Helsinki to Kerava, then transfer to a bus. This is not the most efficient way to get there especially with one day in Porvoo but it is definitely possible.

Bus

The bus is the best and most straightforward way to get to Porvoo from Helsinki! Get on a bus from the Helsinki Kamppi Bus Station (in the basement of Kamppi Shopping Center). The journey will take around 55 minutes. Buses run hourly on weekdays but reduce frequency on weekends (4-5 a day).

The best way to get a bus ticket is to do it online using the Onnibus app or the Matkahuolto app. Download one of these apps to your phone. I used the Matkahuolto app (it also shows Onnibus buses) and it was very easy to buy a ticket online. Tickets are timed and for a specific bus. The Onnibus bus lines that go to Porvoo and back are OB7,OB71,OB72,OB77,OB78,OB79. The other bus line (U-line) numbers are 788, 848, 849.

One piece of advice is not to wait until the very last minute to buy a ticket. I tried to buy the ticket back to Helsinki when the bus had already arrived and it didn’t let me. I had to pay a few euros extra and buy it from the driver. Learn from my mistake and buy a ticket well in advance. The bus leaves right on time so don’t be late! Also note that Onnibus does not let you buy tickets onboard and you have to buy those online. The only reason I was able to buy the ticket onboard was because it was a U-Line bus.

Summary: Buy your bus ticket online and in advance and use the Matkahuolto app as it will give you all the options.

Boat

During the summer you can also visit Porvoo by boat. The m/s J. L. Runeberg steamship sails between Helsinki and Porvoo making it a scenic but slow options to travel between the two cities.

What to Do In Porvoo

Porvoo Old Town

Walking along the cobblestoned streets of Old Town Porvoo is one of the best things that you can do on your one day in Porvoo. The streets are lines with colorful shops, restaurants, art galleries, and places of interest.

Porvoo Scenic Spots

Perhaps the most scenic spot in Porvoo are the river-side warehouses. To get there, cross the bridge and get to the other side of the river bank. The red warehouses are said to be one of the most photographed places in all of Finland. Go up to a place called Näsi Glacial Erratic where you can see some nice views of the river and the colorful houses from a bit higher up. Continue to come down the wooded path back down to the river and look out for more scenic views!

Another cute spot is the devil’s stairs just behind the Cathedral. When you come out of the Devil’s Staircase on the other side, you come out to a really cute little street with lots of colorful houses. Another nice place for photography.

Porvoo Museums

Perhaps the most popular museum to visit in Porvoo is J. L. Runeberg’s Home. J.L. Runeberg was Finland’s national poet and the lyricist of the Finland National Anthem. This house is where he and his wife and their sons lived in Porvoo.

Porvoo Doll and Toy museum is another good one to visit if you are in Porvoo during the summer months. This museum showcases hundreds of dolls from yesteryears. See HERE for opening months and hours.

The Old Town Hall was built between 1762–1764 and is the oldest surviving town hall building in Finland. It historically served as Porvoo’s town administration, including the magistrate, council chambers, registry, and the guardians of law. Today it is a museum showcasing artwork by Porvoo born artists like Albert Edelfelt. The top-most floor showcases how nobility lived.

When you purchase a ticket to the Old Town Hall museum, you also have access to Holmin Talo which is just across the narrow street. Holmin Talo is the house of a merchant who lived in Porvoo and offers a glimpse into 18th-century merchant life in Finland.

Porvoo Shops

Check out the chocolate shops in Old Town Porvoo. Brunberg was opened in 1871 and is known for their classic handmade chocolates, licorice, marmalade, and signature chocolate kisses. Petris Chocolate Room is a well rated chocolate shop in Old town known for handmade chocolates, cakes, and drinks served in a charming setting.

Porvoo Cathedral

Dating back to the 15th century when a stone church was built. There was a wooden church previously dating back to the 13th century. The church gained cathedral status in 1723. This church has been damaged by fire several times, the last being in 2006. The cathedral is known for its excellent acoustics and they regularly host free concerts, particularly organ and choral music.

It is also a good spot to photograph the Porvoo river as it stands at higher ground than most places around the Old Town.

Taste Local Cuisine

You should try the Runeberg torte on your one day in Porvoo. It is a small, almond-infused cake filled with raspberry, topped with icing. Try it as a cozy café like Helmi.

Here are some of the best places to eat when you are in Porvoo:

• Nordic-influenced bistro fare – Bistro Sinne, Zum Beispiel, or Gabriel 1763.
• Relaxed lunch or café – Hanna Maria, Café Fanny, or Porvoon Paahtimo.
• Special meal – VÅR (Michelin) or SicaPelle.

Other Sites in Porvoo

If you have time and are interested you can check out the following places. They are a bus ride from Old Town and will take around 30 minutes each way so you will have to factor the time in. If you have a car, it’s an easy 10 minute drive.

• Albert Edelfelt Studio Museum and Villa Albert –  The working studio of artist Albert Edelfelt, where he spent 26 summers in the Porvoo region and painted more than 220 works.
• Hotel Haikko Manor and Spa – A protected heritage property that is a living showcase of Finnish history, art, architecture, and wellness.

Porvoo Tours

Sometimes, it is so much easier to have someone else figure out the logistics for you and I get that! Here are some tours for one day in Porvoo from Helsinki that take care of all the logistics and come with a guided tour as well!

Is One Day in Porvoo Enough Time?

One day in Porvoo is more than enough time in my opinion. With one day in Porvoo you can explore its Old Town, see some of its famous sites and have a nice lunch and walk around a bit more before heading back to Helsinki for the night.

Looking for other day trips from Helsinki? Checkout another easy one HERE! This day trip takes you to Suomenlinna, a sea fortress located just 15 minutes from Helsinki!

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