Porvoo: Old Town, Art and River Landscapes

Porvoo brings together historic townscapes, changing art exhibitions and nature in an urban setting. In Old Porvoo, wooden houses, cobbled lanes and red riverside warehouses define the scene. At the same time, the National Urban Park extends from the Old Town into a variety of landscapes. When planning your trip, you can choose to focus on culture, history or outdoor activities.

Old Porvoo and its historic buildings

Together with Old Porvoo, the red-ochre warehouses on the riverbank are among Finland’s most photographed national landscapes. Most of the red riverside houses along the Porvoonjoki were built in the 1760s and served, among other things, as warehouses. In Old Porvoo, visitors can admire the colourful wooden houses and stroll through the winding cobbled streets. Porvoo Cathedral is also one of the city’s notable historic landmarks; it took on its present form at the end of the 15th century.

A range of houses and museums offer further glimpses into life in the past. Holm House, built in 1763, shows how a wealthy merchant family lived at the end of the 18th century. The Postimäki Museum preserves an area of crofters’ cottages dating from the 19th century; almost all the buildings remain in their original locations. Along with the riverside houses and the cathedral, these places trace different periods in the city’s history.

Art across changing exhibitions and collections

Galleria Vanha Kappalaisentalo hosts art exhibitions in a grand 18th-century building in the heart of Old Porvoo, on the edge of Raatihuoneentori. Admission is free. Another destination for art is Porvoo Art Hall, where contemporary art in a range of forms is shown alongside works by established and emerging artists. Exhibitions change every six weeks. The art hall is also home to the Yrjö A. Jäntti Art Collection, with works dating from 1890 to 1984; the collection display may change.

Urban nature in the National Urban Park

Porvoo’s National Urban Park preserves urban nature and built cultural landscapes as a connected whole. It extends about 10 kilometres south from Old Porvoo, across the river estuary to the archipelago, and 8 kilometres to the east. The park is accessible from the centre of Porvoo. Its viewpoints and natural attractions can be reached on foot, by bicycle or by paddling a SUP board, and are open to everyone. Seasonal conditions may vary.

The cycling routes also reveal different sides of the city: they pass through the centre, lead to beaches and natural areas, and continue through rural villages. Conditions on the routes may change, so it is worth taking them into account when planning. In summer, roses, mock orange shrubs and fruit trees add to the scents of Fredrika’s Garden. This seasonal garden scene offers a quieter note alongside the city’s streets and paths.

Activities in different seasons

Porvoo Ski Centre has five floodlit downhill runs. The longest is 400 metres, and the maximum vertical drop is 55 metres. The centre also has a halfpipe or street area. As seasonal operations may vary and technical details may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before visiting.

Porvoo has 32 kilometres of illuminated cross-country ski trails. Examples include Kokonniemi at 5 kilometres, Humla at 7 kilometres, Joonaanmäki at 3 kilometres and Haikkoo at 2 kilometres. Availability and lighting may vary by season.

Local sweets and getting there

Brunberg is Finland’s oldest confectionery still in operation and is more than 150 years old. Its factory shops in Old Porvoo and Tarmola sell chocolate kisses, fresh liquorice, handmade jams and truffles. These shops and products add a local speciality to the historic and scenic highlights.

Porvoo can be reached by car, bus or boat. Whether you plan your stay mainly around the Old Town and architecture, art, or nature and outdoor activities, the themes described here offer different ways to enjoy the city.

Discover more destinations: Savijoki, Ingå, Tuusula, Kerava, Mäntsälä, Skuru, Mörskom, Järvenpää

For the regional travel overview: Uusimaa.