If you are spending more than a few days in Helsinki, or are making your way around Finland, a quick day trip to the idyllic little town of Porvoo is a must do. Porvoo is located an easy 1 hour bus ride from the centre of Helsinki and makes for the perfect mini getaway from the busy and modern streets of Finland’s capital.

If you travel in December, you might be lucky enough to catch the charming Christmas decorations found in every little specialty store and square adding to the loveable small town charm that this town ensues.

How to Get There:

Catch a bus from the Central Helsinki Bus Stop (located in the Kampii Centre). The bus service Matkahoulto leaves several times an hour to Porvoo and costs 18 Euro for a return ticket.

What To Do:

Take a photo of the famous red houses overlooking the water (if you’re lucky you might get a frozen lake like we did!).

Walk the streets of the old town and visit the many little shops.

Have a flavoured mulled wine (many different kinds that you may not have tried before) at Porvoon Paahtimo Cafe & Bar overlooking the water.

Take a walk to the old town church.

Where To Eat & Drink:

Porvoon Paahtimo Cafe & Bar – For drinks, live music and a view.

Zum Beispiel – For lunch with the locals.

PetriS Chocolate Room – For chocolate, hot chocolate, and mulled wine.

While Porvoo is a small town and not bustling with activities and sights, I was quite taken with this fairytale little town. You may only need a few hours to cover the old town, but when coming from busy Helsinki it was a perfect little step into another time before returning for a night out in the big capital.