Old Porvoo (Borgå) day trip from Helsinki

Last updated on June 12th, 2026

The picture-perfect medieval Swedish town of Borgå (now the heart of Old Town Porvoo) is a fun and easy day trip from Helsinki, Finland. It’s one of the oldest and most picturesque of Finland’s medieval Swedish towns.

You’ll find plenty of great restaurants and cafes, fun shops, museums, the old cathedral, and plenty of biking and walking paths in and around the Borgå area. If that isn’t enough, walk just a bit outside the old Swedish town to explore Porvoo’s historic Russian area or the surrounding countryside. A visit to Old Porvoo offers something for everyone.

Here’s what you need to know about Old Porvoo and Borgå to plan and get the most from your visit.

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Porvoo has Swedish, Russian, and Finnish history

While the area along the Porvoonjoki River has been a trade route since prehistoric times, the coastal area seems to have had little permanent settlement when Sweden established a presence here in the 13^th century.

Over time, a large fortress was built on a hill above the new town. (Borgå means “Fort River.”) And, despite what Wikipedia tells you, Porvoo is a Finnish translation of the Swedish name – not the opposite, as there was no Finnish village here before the Swedes arrived nor any known Finnish name for the general area.

Although virtually nothing remains of the fort today, it must have protected both the Swedish residents of this distant outpost and the valuable trade goods that flowed through it.

With a busy port and a location on the King’s Road (also called the Great Coast Road), Borgå became one of the largest cities in Finland. It must have been a very busy place when Sweden was at the height of its power and influence.

In 1760 most of the city (which was built almost entirely of wood) burned. The fire left only small portions intact. But the city was too important to abandon. That means it was quickly rebuilt. But this time a few of the more important buildings were constructed of sturdier materials, both to withstand future fires and proclaim the city’s wealth.

However, the 18^th century didn’t end well for Sweden. And, with Sweden’s decline, settlements in Finland were increasingly left to defend themselves against (or come to terms with) the Russians. This led to Finland’s first step toward independent nationhood. A step that happened in Borgå.

In 1809 Finnish leaders met with Tsar Alexander I in Borgå’s church.

By that time Russia had invaded deep into Swedish territory, and the writing was on the wall. It was only a matter of time (six months) until Sweden would officially hand control of Finnish areas over to Russia.

Finnish leaders in Borgå saw what was coming and swore allegiance to the Russian emperor. In exchange, Alexander I recognized Finland as a separate entity within the Russian Empire (a Grand Duchy) and authorized the continued use of existing Swedish laws, language, and Lutheran religious practices.

As part of the Russian empire, the city continued to thrive in the 19^th century. That resulted in a plan to demolish the crowded old wooden city and replace it with a spacious modern Empire-style city built on a regular street grid.

Fortunately for today’s tourists, that didn’t happen. Instead, the Empire-style city Tsar Nicholas I favored was built adjacent to the existing town. That gives modern visitors two historic cities in one.

Today Porvoo includes a much larger area, and visitors will find plenty of pleasant streets beyond the Old Town and even beyond the city itself.

Things to do in Old Porvoo (Borgå)

The Old Town area of Porvoo is not very big, but it oozes charm. While only the oldest area retains the medieval streets of Old Borgå, the adjoining 19^th-century Russian Empire area is also inviting. In reality, much of Porvoo is well worth exploring. And there are lots of lovely natural areas within easy driving or biking distance.

Porvoo is a great day trip from Helsinki. However, spending at least a night or two offers time to really enjoy the old town and explore a bit of the rest of the city.

I visited with a cousin from Finland, so we spent two nights and just sort of wandered on our own. But if you are visiting as a day trip from Helsinki or want a guide to the city, you can easily book a tour. Both GetYourGuide and Viator offer various tours from Helsinki and a couple right from Porvoo. But if you are already planning to be in Porvoo, you’ll have the most options if you look for local guides you can book on your own – a web search will bring up several to check out.

Wander aimlessly

Porvoo is perfect for wandering.

Many Old Town buildings date back to the 18^th century, when Borgå was still under Swedish rule.

They include the medieval cathedral, a few wooden buildings that survived the devastating 1760 fire, and the stone, brick, and wood buildings that quickly replaced those lost in the fire. However, since most new buildings were constructed on the existing medieval street layout, Old Town feels much older.

That medieval street layout also means there are many interesting alleys to explore.

When I visited, many of the red “houses” along the river were private cottages and lodging, but you can always get a good look at them from the bridge!

Although they look like the ideal vacation cottage, these were built as warehouses. They stored salt, fur, and other goods traded by and through Sweden.

And keep in mind: If the Old Town Borgå area of Porvoo is too small for you, it’s easy to wander farther along the river or into the old Russian area.

Eat and drink

Porvoo’s Old Town overflows with delightful restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and coffee shops.  Most are located along the winding streets of Old Borgå, with tables set up on the street itself or in small courtyards. But there are other options too.

Is there anything better than sitting outside on a beautiful summer day with a glass of your favorite beverage and something delicious to eat?

(Just be prepared to wait quite some time to snag a perfect table on a summer weekend.)

Admire (and buy) art and locally designed goods

If you’re looking for unique gifts to give to others (or keep for yourself), Old Porvoo is a great place to shop! The Old Town area is filled with small stores selling unique furniture, clothing, household goods, toys, and antiques, as well as art created by the city’s large community of artists and makers.

Even if you don’t plan to buy, the window shopping is delightful.

Stop to reflect in a medieval cathedral

While just wandering the streets is a pleasant step back in time, the place to really absorb the passage of time is the city’s medieval cathedral.

Porvoo’s Lutheran cathedral dates back to the 13th or 14^th century, although little from that time remains today. Like other buildings in Borgå, the original was built of wood. It is dedicated to Mary and took its current Gothic form early in the 15^th century.

Fires have damaged the church multiple times throughout its history, but it’s a survivor. Not only does the exterior retain much of its 14^th-century appearance, but the interior retains a few late 15^th-century paintings.

The elaborate pulpit was built in 1764. Unicorns, representing purity and goodness, were medieval symbols for Christ.

The free-standing belfry also dates to the medieval period, although much of what we see today dates only to the 18^th century.

Borgå’s church became a cathedral in 1723. Today it is the seat of Finland’s Swedish-speaking Lutheran diocese, but it is also used by Finnish-speaking Lutherans. It’s only open for guided tours in summer, but you can take a virtual walk-through anytime.

Learn about the past at the Porvoo Museum

Housed in two late 18^th-century buildings, the Porvoo Museum offers a mix of information on Borgå from its earliest periods through the present. Exhibits range from history lessons to contemporary artwork, so there is definitely something for everyone.

Old Town Hall

Borgå’s Old Town Hall is said to be the oldest in Finland. However, the current Swedish baroque building only dates back to the late 18^th century. It was constructed after the fires of 1760 to replace the site’s earlier, wooden building.

It houses permanent exhibitions on the region’s history and on Finnish art.

Holm House

The Holm House was built in 1763 to replace the house Johan Holm lost in the 1760 fire.

Much of the building consists of period rooms that show how a wealthy merchant family lived at the end of the 18^th century. Apparently, much of the furniture is actually original to the house or Holm family!

The founder of the Holm family likely came to Finland from either Sweden or Germany about a century before building a house here. However, the house is decorated in traditional Swedish style. That was typical of all upper-class households at that time (even German ones), as Swedish language and culture were hallmarks of higher social status.

An ever-changing array of exhibits is housed on the ground floor.

Plan your trip to Porvoo

Porvoo is an easy day trip from Helsinki. However, with a location along a river near the sea, it’s a VERY popular summer day trip. To really enjoy the old city and all it has to offer, plan to spend a night or two in the old town. That will give you time to really explore the city and experience it in the mornings and evenings when it’s less crowded. But if you can’t spare that much time, you can see all the major sites, do a little shopping, and have a nice lunch in a day.

Visit Porvoo has lots of detailed information on dining, shopping, and staying in the Old Borgå area.

When to visit

Porvoo’s Old Town (Vanha Porvoo or Gamala Borgå) area is primarily a warm-weather destination. But it looks like it would also be fun at Christmas.

The museums and some shops and restaurants close or operate on a more limited schedule during the winter. However, the trade-off is being able to enjoy the area without crowds or a long wait to get into a popular café or restaurant!

How to get to and around Porvoo

Porvoo is less than 30 miles (50 km) from Helsinki. That makes it easy to get there even if you don’t have a car.

This is not a theme park

Despite its cuteness, Old Porvoo is a real town where about 800 people live and work. There are numerous shops, galleries, restaurants, cafes, and museums, but most of the buildings here are private homes. Please treat the area and the people who live here as you would want others to treat you and your home. Be respectful of both private property and the privacy of those who live here. This is their home.

Spend a night or two in Porvoo

While there is lodging right in Old Town, prices tend to be a little high even by Nordic standards. But there are options that won’t totally break your budget.

To fully experience Old Borgå, look for lodging right in the historic area. Most options right in Old Town will be small inns or private rentals. (As always, be sure to check the map view before you book to know exactly where your choice is located before you book.) Check your options and reviews online.

Or look for something that’s close to the historic area that’s more affordable, but still convenient.

We found a budget hotel right down from the bus stop about two blocks from the Old Town area. The Hotel Seurahovi wasn’t fancy, but it was fine for a couple of nights and just a block or two from the historic area. And it was a lot cheaper than other options in the area. Check and see if it might meet your needs on Booking.com, Expedia, or Agoda.

Want something a little bit fancier and a bit closer, but still reasonably affordable? Take a look at Hotel Sparre on Booking.com, Expedia, or Agoda.

Why two names?

Finland has two official languages: Finnish and Swedish. Sort of. (It’s complicated.)

Sweden began colonizing parts of Finland in the 12^th century, establishing forts and bringing Swedish settlers to the western and southern coasts. Of course, they governed and conducted business in Swedish. Over time, Swedish was spoken by all educated people in Finland and became the official language.

But most people spoke Finnish. As such, it was recognized as an official language in the 19^th century. Today, Finnish is the country’s dominant language. But more than 600 years of Swedish rule left Finland with plenty of Swedish speakers and Swedish place names. Place names that were later given Finnish names. Thus, the old Swedish city of Borgå became part of the Finnish city of Porvoo.

However, Swedish is still an official language in Finland, although in ever-diminishing realms.

While only a small percentage of the overall population identifies Swedish as their first language today, in some areas along the south and west coasts it is still the primary language. In recognition of this, bilingual municipalities like Porvoo use both Finnish and Swedish names. However, the name actually used is based on the area’s majority language. Thus, the old city of Borgå is officially Porvoo because it is now part of a larger municipality with a Finnish-speaking majority. But Swedish speakers still make up 30% of the population. So, while the official name is Porvoo, both Swedish and Finnish are used in Old Town.

Of course, as is true throughout Finland, many people understand and speak at least some English too! That makes it an easy place for American visitors.

Visit more of Finland’s old wooden towns

Borgå is not the only old Swedish town that remains. There are several. And, like Old Town Porvoo, most are a charming mix of traditional old wooden buildings with a few sturdier Swedish Baroque stone and brick structures.

There’s a nice list of Finland’s wooden towns on the Visit Finland website.

All of these towns are along Finland’s south and western coasts, and most began as Swedish settlements.

Besides Borgå, I’ve also visited the old wooden Swedish neighborhoods in Karleby (Kokkola) and Jakobstad (Pietarsaari). Both are old seaports along the coast of central Finland, far north of Borgå.

Neristan in Kokkola (Karleby)

Karleby (Kokkola) once had both an upper town and lower town area. Today only the wooden buildings of the working-class lower town neighborhood remain intact.  (Most of the stone buildings in the wealthier part of town were demolished in the early 1900s.)

Called Neristan, the fine wooden buildings were once the homes and workshops of the city’s sailors and craftsmen.

Although the town was established by the Swedish king in 1620, the street plan that exists today was developed after a 1664 fire. Most remaining buildings were constructed in the 19^th century, although a few are older.

Norrmalm (Skata) in Jakobstad (Pietarsaari)

Not far from Neristan, the Norrmalm or Skata neighborhood of Jakobstad (Pietarsaari) features another large collection of wooden houses.

Although founded in 1652, the town grew slowly. Most of the historic buildings that remain today date to the 18^th and 19^th century.

Like Neristan, this is a pleasant spot to wander. So pleasant I was only half-joking when I sent my husband a picture of a house in the neighborhood with a “for sale” sign and suggested we buy it as a vacation home!