Welcome to Porvoo — the most charming wooden town in Finland. Just an hour from Helsinki, this riverside beauty offers cobblestone streets, red-painted warehouses, medieval alleys, and one of the best café scenes in the country.
It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to slow down, get lost, and maybe stay a night longer than planned.
What makes Porvoo especially lovely is its location on a hill — unlike most other Finnish wooden towns, which tend to sprawl out on flat land like a comfy blanket. Porvoo, in contrast, climbs and curves, giving it a dash of drama.
Though many of Porvoo’s wooden houses were built after a massive fire in 1760, the layout of the old town — narrow, winding streets — dates all the way back to the Middle Ages. It’s one of the few places where you can get a feel for what Finnish towns looked like 500 years ago… minus the plague.
Thanks to its fame, Porvoo is well-equipped for visitors. You’ll find cozy cafés, tempting boutiques, mouthwatering restaurants, and snug little hotels. But here’s the good news: despite its popularity, old Porvoo hasn’t turned into a theme park. It’s still very much lived in — by actual locals, not just Instagrammers.
Why Visit Porvoo?
- One of Finland’s oldest towns (est. 14th century!)
- Stunning medieval layout
- Red riverside warehouses, wooden houses, cobbled lanes
- Great restaurants, artisan shops, and historic cafés
- Easy day trip from Helsinki – or better yet, stay overnight
Old Town Porvoo – A Walk Through Time
The main arteries of old Porvoo are Jokikatu and Välikatu, two narrow pedestrian streets that connect the newer part of town to the heart of the old one, the Town Hall Square (Vanha raatihuoneentori). Jokikatu is lively and bustling, while Välikatu is the more peaceful sibling — ideal for a slow wander and a well-timed pastry break.
For an even quieter detour, duck down Vuorikatu, a dreamy little lane that leads to the cathedral. It’s so calm you might hear your own shoes squeak.
Between Välikatu and Vuorikatu sits Hotel Runo, a beautiful boutique hotel beloved for its Nordic design, spa-like sauna area, and seriously good breakfast.
Café Helmi – A Time Machine With Cake
Tucked just behind the old town hall, Café Helmi is Porvoo’s coziest café — and that’s saying something. Stepping inside feels like entering your slightly eccentric great-aunt’s living room: mismatched vintage furniture, delicate tea cups, and the scent of something freshly baked floating in the air. The cakes are legendary, and the vibe is delightfully stuck in another century.
Town Hall Square – The Historic Heart
Porvoo’s old Town Hall (Vanha raatihuone, built in 1764) anchors the town square. Inside is the Porvoo Museum, which brings the town’s history to life. Next door, Holm House shows what a wealthy 18th-century merchant’s home looked like.
From the square, take the narrow Ralinginkuja alley up to Vuorikatu, which winds its way to the cathedral.
Porvoo Cathedral – Late Gothic and Proud of It
On the hill above the old town is the 15th-century Porvoo cathedral representing the late Gothic style. During its long history, the church has burned down and burned several times, most recently in 2006. Its roof was destroyed in an arson attack in 2006 but has since been lovingly restored. Inside, look up and you’ll spot tiny model sailing ships hanging from the ceiling. These are votive ships, once donated by sailors hoping for — or grateful for — safe voyages.
But what on earth is a unicorn doing there, painted on the top of the shell pillar. The timid mythical creature symbolized goodness and innocence in the Middle Ages and became one of Christ’s metaphors.
Just outside the cathedral, you’ll find a statue of artist Albert Edelfelt, sculpted by Ville Vallgren. Both were local boys who eventually fell for the glamour of Paris — and who could blame them? Albert Edelfelt’s masterpieces can be admired in the Ateneum Museum in Helsinki, and Vallgren is the man behind the coquettish Havis Amanda statue next to the capital’s Market Square.
If Edelfelt catches your interest, his former studio is now a museum at the Haikko Manor estate just outside town.
Hotel Onni & SicaPelle – Boutique Bliss
Right next to the cathedral is Hotel Onni, a boutique stay with quirky themed rooms (safari, anyone?) and one of Finland’s top restaurants: SicaPelle. The name of the restaurant? It’s a tribute to Ville Vallgren’s beloved pet pig. Yes, really.
Named after Vallgren’s pet pig, this fine-dining spot offers playful tasting menus and top-notch wines. You can even have dinner delivered to your room.
Riverside Warehouses – A Porvoo Icon
The red wooden warehouses along the river are Porvoo’s most iconic sight. Originally used to store goods from sailing ships, they were painted red in the 1700s to impress visiting royalty.
To enjoy the atmosphere you can dine inside at the restaurants Fryysarinranta or Ranta-Aitta. You can even stay in one of the old warehouses: Old Town B&B Ida-Maria rents out a tiny (and much-loved) room inside an original boathouse.
For the best view, cross the Porvoo River and snap the perfect photo from the opposite bank. There is an elevated view point on top of the gigantic ice age boulder called Näsinkivi near the bridge of Vanha Helsingintie. From there, the entire old town stretches out in front of you like a miniature model.
Runeberg’s House – Finland’s Poet in Residence
Just beyond Porvoo’s old town sits the home of J. L. Runeberg, Finland’s national poet and the man behind the national anthem lyrics — set, amusingly enough, to a German drinking song called Pope and Sultan.
Runeberg moved here in 1837 to teach Greek literature (yes, really) and bought the house with his book royalties — back when writing still paid. He spent his final 25 years in this house, 14 of them bedridden, yet remained a beloved public figure and, quite literally, a living monument.
The museum, opened in 1882, is Finland’s oldest home museum. Everything is original — even the wallpaper and houseplants. Don’t miss Fredrika’s garden out back, lovingly kept just as it was.
Trivia break: If you’ve strolled Helsinki’s Esplanade, you’ve seen Runeberg — or at least his statue, nobly posed and usually topped by a smug seagull. It was sculpted by his son, Walter Runeberg, whose own works are displayed in the neighboring house.
The Runeberg home is a 10-minute walk from Porvoo’s town square — or two minutes if you arrive by bus and literary curiosity.
Taste Some Runeberg tarts
Let’s be honest — for most modern Finns, Runeberg is more of a footnote than a household name. Except on February 5th, that is, when Runeberg Day gives everyone a perfect excuse to eat the poet’s most enduring legacy: Runebergintorttu, the almondy, rum-scented tart that bears his name.
And while most Finns wait for February, in Porvoo you can enjoy a Runeberg tart any day of the year — just the way the poet would’ve wanted.
Art Factory – Porvoo’s Creative Side
Need a break from history? Porvoo isn’t all cobblestones and long-dead poets. The town’s thriving creative scene comes together at the Art Factory (Taidetehdas), which includes a concert hall, art galleries, a lending library for art (yes, that’s a thing), and a collection of restaurants.
It’s a five-minute walk from Runeberg’s house, just across the bridge on Aleksanterinkatu.
Näsinmäki Cemetery – With a View
Yes, even Porvoo’s cemetery is scenic. At Näsinmäki graveyard, next to the Näsinkivi viewpoint, you’ll find the resting places of poet J. L. Runeberg, sculptor Ville Vallgren, and Finland’s most infamous political assassin, Eugen Schauman.
In 1904, Schauman shot and killed the Russian Governor-General Nikolai Bobrikov on the grand staircase of the Government Palace in Helsinki — then turned the gun on himself. It was a dramatic and deadly protest against the Russification of Finland, and Schauman became a national folk hero almost overnight.
Originally buried in an unmarked grave, his remains were later moved to the family plot in Porvoo, where students even raised money for his striking memorial. It’s one of the few graves in Finland where the word “terrorist” and “freedom fighter” depend entirely on which century you’re standing in.
Best Restaurants in Porvoo
- Vår – Michelin-starred fine dining
- SicaPelle – Playful tasting menus, superb wines
- Gabriel 1763 – Excellent wood-fired pizzas
- Fryysarinranta – Escargot and island buffet
- Bistro Gustaf – Classic French cuisine
- Ani’s Café – Creative vegetarian fare
- Bistro Sinne – Located at the Art Factory. Don’t miss the “Klassikko” dessert: birch-marinated strawberries, rose meringue, and vanilla ice cream.
Porvoo for Sweet Tooths
Already mentioned Café Helmi, but it’s worth repeating. It’s a haven for dessert lovers. Over on Jokikatu, PetriS Chocolate Room is your go-to for rich cakes and handmade truffles.
Want ice cream with a twist? In summer, check out Vanhan Porvoon Jäätelötehdas (The Old Porvoo Ice Cream Factory). Flavors include browned butter, pine nuts, rose petals, and even even mämmi (rye pudding), the notoriously ugly looking Finnish Eastern dessert. There’s also basil, rose petal, and anything else Michelin-starred founder Samuli Wirgentius dreams up.
For classic Finnish candy, swing by Brunberg, Porvoo’s beloved chocolate shop. Resistance is futile — and often unnecessary.
Porvoo and Chocolate
This is a town where chocolate isn’t just a treat—it’s a way of life. It all started with Brunberg, founded in 1871, which is Finland’s oldest confectionery brand and a local institution. Its iconic “kisses” (foam-filled chocolate domes), truffles, and liquorice are beloved across generations. Visitors can sample and shop at two locations: the factory store in Tarmola and the cozy boutique in Old Porvoo.
Pieni Suklaatehdas (Little Chocolate Factory) is a award-winning micro-batch chocolatier which specializes in bean-to-bar creations made with pure ingredients. Their chocolates—including spruce-infused bars and licorice-dark chocolate blends—have earned international accolades. The factory shop offers a warm welcome, seasonal treats, and even vegan ice cream in summer.
Located in the heart of Old Porvoo, Petris Chocolate Room combines a chocolate shop with a lifestyle boutique. Their handmade confections—like berry truffles and white chocolate with salmiakki—are as beautiful as they are delicious. It’s a perfect stop for edible gifts or a sweet break during your stroll.
Haikko Manor & Edelfelt’s Studio – Art, Spa, and Jesus Wearing Birch Bark Shoes
Just a few kilometres from Porvoo lies Haikko Manor, a grand seaside estate known as a popular spa resort — and for inspiring one of Finland’s greatest painters, Albert Edelfelt.
Born in Porvoo, Edelfelt spent over 20 summers painting on the manor grounds, eventually building a studio that still stands today. One of his most curious works from Haikko is Christ and Mary Magdalene, where the biblical scene unfolds in a Finnish birch forest — with Jesus in traditional birch bark shoes.
The studio now serves as a small museum. It displays Edelfelt’s belongings, sketches, and letters that reveal the artist’s intense drive. “There is nothing I fear more,” he wrote to his mother, “than becoming a raté — a failed, half-talented, and unhappy man.”
He needn’t have worried. Edelfelt became Finland’s first internationally acclaimed artist and often said he was at his best while working in Haikko.
He died here in 1905 at just 51, likely worn out by his own relentless work ethic. His peaceful, light-filled studio still feels like a place where great art could happen — and often did.
The Most Scenic Route to Porvoo – Take the Boat
Want to arrive in style to Porvoo? Take a summer cruise on the M/S J.L. Runeberg from Helsinki to Porvoo. It sails past gorgeous coastal scenery and Haikko Manor, and takes about 3.5 hours.
A return ticket costs €47, but most people cruise one way and bus back (cruise €35, bus €9). The boat departs from Helsinki’s Market Square at 10 a.m. and from Porvoo at 4 p.m.
Porvoo in Winter – Snowy Streets and Christmas Lights
Porvoo is gorgeous in summer — but downright magical in winter. Visit in December for the Old-Time Christmas Market, complete with lantern-lit streets, costumed vendors, and a gentle hush that only snowfall can bring.
Getting There
- By bus: 1 hour from Helsinki, departures every 30–60 minutes
- By boat: M/S J.L. Runeberg cruises from Helsinki in summer (3.5 hours)
- By car: Easy and scenic one-hour drive
💡 Tip: Cruise one way (€35) and bus back (€9) for the best of both worlds.
Where to Stay in Porvoo
- Hotel Runo – Scandi design, spa, legendary breakfast
- Hotel Onni – Boutique charm, fine dining
- Old Town B&B Ida-Maria – located in one of the old warehouses
- Hotel Pariisin Ville – a stylish boutique stay with just ten uniquely decorated rooms
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