"Porvoo, where my mind lives" Porvoo by Scandic

Porvoo Travel Guide: 232 reviews and 487 photos

Porvoo - Borgå

Porvoo is my mental home when I'm abroad. It is the place that I miss most and I really think that in future it is place where I want to live. Propably with my dogs and family...if I had it. Porvoo is near Helsinki, it takes just 45 minutes to drive. But it is still not a town, rather a small village with wonderful nature from sea to forrest.

My father was born in Porvoo and still my parents have a cottage there. Porvoo is one of the best cities in Finland and also the tourists has noticed this little old town., which is located 50 kilometers from Helsinki to east. Between Helsinki and Porvoo there is a wonderful town called Sipoo.

I used to bike every summer at least once from Helsinki to Porvoo and in the evening I bike back. Usually my feet start to protest, but it is a nice trip anyway.

Porvoo in nutshell

An alley of Old Town

The Porvoo river got its name in the 14th century from the ground fortress built on Linnamäki, and it later became the name of the town as well. The name comes from the Swedish word Borgå (borg = castle, å = river). The fortress no longer exists; only entrenchments recall those times.

Porvoo is supposed to have been founded in 1346, but the exact year of foundation is not known with certainty. It is known, though, that Porvoo is Finland's second oldest town.
The town has a surface area of 1 768 square kilometres, of which 654 is land and 1114 water. The town's population is over 44 000, of whom 64 per cent are Finnish-speaking, 34 per cent Swedish-speaking and about two per cent others.

Cute Old Town, but explore also the newer areas to

Roots rots reggae, Porvoo

Most of the tourists head right to the Old Town, and I won't blame them. With its pittoresque cute old colofrul wooden houses, wonderful church up on the hill and great unique boutiques, it is definitely a plce to explore. But when having some extra time, I would suggest to look for other part os the city: like great library, Linnanmäki hill , cemetary, a path along the river to the sea and the newer parts of the town, which are located East from the bus station.

Pros and Cons

Pros:When ever you go, this city has something to offer
Cons:I can't say anything... :) Ok, maybe Weather sometimes like everywhere in Finland
In a nutshell:If you travel to Helsinki, Porvoo is MUST =)

Last visit to Porvoo: Sep 2005
Intro Updated Nov 6, 2005
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Reviews (19)

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Hotels (1)
Cheap and nice place to stay
Restaurants (3)
See All Snails in Porvoo
Things to Do (1)
Old town
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Comments (15)

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kikili Aug 3, 2009 at 12:06 PM

Hej Niina Yes Porvoo is pretty. Thanks for sharing all your info. Cheers from Kikili in Canberra
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Spincat Mar 18, 2006 at 4:34 AM

Thank you for your wonderful pages - I am big Tove Jannson fan and hope to visit the area and the islands some day
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Gili_S Apr 28, 2005 at 10:43 AM

Meeting in Borgå? Sure, I have a VT visitor on June 21-22, so we will visit here anyway, just pick up the day and lets have a meeting here.
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Jim_Eliason Mar 20, 2005 at 4:16 AM

Thanks for the info!
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Rojo72 Mar 10, 2005 at 12:52 PM

Hey, cool place! But I suppose you wouldn't like me calling it Borgå ;)
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sinoda Nov 10, 2004 at 12:07 AM

Haudi Niina! What's up? Did you have the chance watch the movie "Kukkia ja sidontaa"? Pretty funny picture about a sausage factory in Porvoo... S
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Astrobuck Nov 7, 2004 at 2:06 PM

Now I know where I am planning my next vacation ;).....
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jsadler8 Jun 12, 2004 at 4:17 PM

Great page, I hope to make it there next week finally :)
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fabrice Feb 25, 2004 at 9:59 PM

I was already in love with finnish girls
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guiiillaume Jun 10, 2003 at 2:20 PM

hoo!! i'm stupid, i forgot to look at this tip before coming to porvoo.. and i regret a lot!!! :)) good advice! and yes, porvo girls are charmfull ;-)