Porvoo Day Trip from Helsinki: A Complete Guide to Finland’s Historic Town
Here’s my guide on how to visit Porvoo in a day from Helsinki!
While the youngest of the Nordic capitals, Helsinki is a fascinating city with a unique blend of Russian, Swedish and Finnish architecture. It is a design hub, with many of the famous brands like Arabia, Marimekko and Iittala located here.
Latitude: 60.1 degrees north
Population: 672,000
Hottest month: July
Coldest month: February
Wettest month: October
Windiest month: December
Annual precipitation: 369mm
Helsinki coat-of-arms
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Helsinki
Suomenlinna is a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site. This fortress was built by the Swedes in the mid-18th century but almost immediately conquered and rebuilt by the Russians. It was taken by the Finns with independence and today is a preserved site and neighbourhood.
The city’s most iconic landmark, framed by neoclassical buildings and a broad granite square. The cathedral was built between 1830 and 1852 in honour of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, the Grand Duke of Finland. C L Engel, who designed most of the inner city, also designed the cathedral.
The Helsinki City Museum is a free museum located in the oldest building in the downtown area. The museum has interesting artefacts, maps and photographs documenting the history of Helsinki and transition from Swedish to Russian and then Finnish.
A striking piece of modern architecture that blends library, community centre, café, and creative spaces.
Carved directly into bedrock; its copper dome and rock walls give it extraordinary acoustics.
An island full of historic wooden buildings, farmhouses, churches, and folklore displays.
Ateneum Art Museum is part of the Finnish National Gallery and has a ton of Finnish artworks. The museum has just reopened after a huge renovation.
Located beneath the old bus station, this is a contemporary art museum with artists from all over the world.
Finland is famous for design, and this museum covers the history of Finnish design.
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
The Esplanade is a beautiful park area that was designed by C.L. Engel and opened in 1818. Along the Esplanade you’ll find beautiful shops, cafes and restaurants.
Just outside the city; lakes, forests, marked trails, and sauna experiences. To get there, take bus 245 from Espoo to Suomen luontokeskus Haltia (Finnish National Centre Haltia). The bus ride takes about twenty minutes.
Day trips to islands like Vallisaari, Pihlajasaari, and Lonna for swimming, picnics, and coastal walks.
One hour away; charming wooden old town with cobbled lanes, boutiques, and waterfront red warehouses.
Try Allas Sea Pool or Löyly for a modern Finnish sauna ritual followed by a Baltic Sea dip.
Follow our road-trip guides for scenic trips around Helsinki
Follow this self-guided walk around Helsinki’s historic city centre, passing by some of the oldest buildings in the city.
Watch our YouTube videos featuring Helsinki
Here are some things that you must do and try in Helsinki
Helsinki Cathedral is the icon of the city and is located in the historic Senate Square.
Uspenski Cathedral was built as a Russian Orthodox church in 1868 and serves the Finnish Orthodox congregation.
Helsinki is the youngest of the Nordic capitals. The city was founded in 1550 by the Swedish King Gustav Vasa to compete with the Hanseatic merchants over in Tallinn. However, no one really settled here due to the bad harbour conditions.
When Russia annexed Finland as an autonomous grand duchy, a capital closer to St. Petersburg was needed. So, Helsinki became the capital in 1812. The city grew rapidly throughout the 19th century and gained international attention thanks to the 1952 summer olympics.
Helsinki is a cool, creative city known for its clean design aesthetic, relaxed pace, and strong connection to nature. With a population of about 660,000, it blends Baltic seaside charm with innovation, sustainability, and a vibrant cultural scene. Locals love their saunas, bikes, art, coffee, and the outdoors—often all in one day. Today Helsinki is a modern and vibrant capital. Tech and IT are the biggest industries here, though shipbuilding is still important.
Fly: Helsinki Airport has direct connections across Europe and beyond; the train from the airport to the city centre takes around 30 minutes.
Drive: Helsinki is connected to several major European highways, so it’s easy to drive here from other destinations in Finland.
Train: long-distance trains link Helsinki with Tampere, Turku, and Lapland.
Ferry: Ferries connect Helsinki with Stockholm and Tallinn.
Helsinki is very walkable.
It is possible to buy public transportation cards at kiosks or outside the ferry building to Suomenlinna. You can also download the HSL app on your phone and buy tickets there. There is a metro, but visitors will likely stick to the tram network.
Recommended to visit:
Stockmann department store was founded in 1862 and is the store to visit in Helsinki.
Cafes & Bakeries
Karl Fazer cafe – Finland’s chocolate company. The coffee here is excellent!
The Moomin Cafe – cafe themed after the popular Finnish characters.
Café Regatta – rustic red cottage by the water; famous for cinnamon buns and campfire sausages.
Paulig Kulma – stylish café offering a rotating selection of coffee beans and brew methods.
Café Ekberg – Helsinki’s oldest patisserie, known for elegant cakes and pastries.
Casual Eateries
Head to the outdoor Market Square or the indoor Market Hall for a quick bite to eat.
Strindberg cafe is located on the esplanade and has some nice dishes while you people watch.
Zetor is a uniquely themed “110% Finnish” restaurant.
Ravintola KuuKuu – cosy neighbourhood bistro serving modern Finnish comfort food.
Yes Yes Yes – vibrant vegetarian hotspot with Middle Eastern–style shared plates.
High End & Unique Eats
Restaurant Savotta is the traditional Finnish restaurant.
HOKU – Hawaiian–Nordic fusion with fresh seafood bowls and relaxed vibes.
Olo – Michelin-starred Nordic tasting menus inspired by the seasons.
Palace – iconic fine dining with sweeping harbour views; inventive seafood-driven cuisine. Finland’s only 2 Michelin-starred restaurant.
Ora – intimate restaurant focused on sustainably sourced Finnish produce.
Nolla – pioneering zero-waste kitchen serving clever, beautiful dishes.
Hostels & Camping
Eurohostel is located on the Katajanokka peninsula.
Rastila Camping – well-equipped coastal campground within the city boundaries, offering cabins, tent sites, and direct metro access to the centre.
Cabins & B&Bs
Chains & Mid-Range
Glo Art is a fantastic hotel located in the design district.
Hotel Helka – stylish Finnish design hotel with a welcoming vibe.
Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna – Art Deco touches and a central location.
High End & Unique Properties
Hotel Kamp is the most expensive hotel in town. This is where Sibelius would stay when he was in Helsinki.
Hotel Lilla Roberts is a high-end hotel located a couple blocks from the Esplanade.
Hotel Katajanokka is located in a prison from 1885 that has now been refurbished into this unique hotel.
St. George Helsinki – boutique luxury with art installations and a serene wellness area.
Here’s my guide on how to visit Porvoo in a day from Helsinki!
Read the incredible history of Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital city.
Learn about Finland’s main Orthodox cathedral!
Explore the historic downtown area of Helsinki and see buildings from the Swedish and Russian periods.