This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Porvoo.
Porvoo (Borgå in Swedish) is a lively, small town some fifty kilometers east of Helsinki, Finland. Its location and charm of the medieval cobblestone roads and wooden houses dating back to the nineteenth century make this second-oldest Finnish town (after Turku) a very popular day trip.
Porvoo can be easily reached from Helsinki by public transportation. Apart from the irregular museum train service between Kerava and Porvoo in summer, there are no regular passenger trains to Porvoo, but express buses leave Helsinki central Bus Station every fifteen to thirty minutes. The trip takes approximately an hour. A more scenic option is to a cruise on M/s J. L. Runeberg, which sails between Helsinki and Porvoo between May and September three to five times a week.
The town itself is small enough to be explored on foot -- take a stroll around the old town, visit some of the most picturesque boutiques, and follow the river to find the best views and picnic spots. While Porvoo cathedral and the red warehouses on the riverbank are absolute must-sees, the Brunberg Confectionery is a heaven for chocolate and licorice lovers of all age.
Although Porvoo is spotted with small guesthouses and luxurious -- and definitely not cheap -- boutique hotels, the accommodation capacity is notably low and therefore an advance booking is strongly recommended, especially during the summer season (early June to late August) and around Christmas and New Year. There are also some options -- including a hostel in Porvoo and a centrally located camping area -- that can offer a cheaper alternative for travelers on a tight budget.
Written by local enthusiast for Porvoo hostels
Lotta Kauppi
