Porvoo day trip from Helsinki: 3-hour guided Old Town walk

Medieval streets, a 15th-century cathedral, and three hours to wander on your own

A guided day trip from Helsinki to Porvoo, Finland's second-oldest city, with round-trip bus transport and a 3-hour walking tour of the Old Town's preserved 18th and 19th-century buildings. Your English-speaking guide leads you through the medieval streets, shows you the Cathedral, the oldest Town Hall in Finland, and the Devil's Stairs, then leaves you free time to visit cafes, galleries and shops before the return bus to Helsinki.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided tour of Porvoo from Helsinki

• Meet guide at Kamppi Shopping Centre
• Travel by bus to Porvoo
• Guided walk in Porvoo Old Town
• Visit Porvoo Cathedral
• See the Old Town Hall
• Explore Devil's Stairs
• Free time to explore Porvoo
• Return by bus to Helsinki
• Tour ends at Kamppi

The Experience

The tour starts at Kamppi Shopping Centre in front of Starbucks on the E-level, where you'll meet your guide before boarding the inter-city bus. The 50-minute ride takes you northeast through the Finnish countryside to Porvoo, giving you time to settle in and watch the landscape change. Once you arrive, the guided portion begins—a slow walk through the Old Town that covers the Cathedral (built in the 15th century), the oldest Town Hall in Finland, and the Devil's Stairs, a steep set of steps with its own local story. Your guide fills in the cultural, artistic and historical layers of this medieval town as you move through it, pointing out details most visitors miss.

After the 3-hour guided section wraps up, the day becomes yours. You have personal free time to revisit any spot that caught your eye, sit in one of the cafes you passed, browse the local shops for souvenirs, or simply wander at your own pace. This is when many people linger in the galleries or find a quiet corner to photograph the red wooden buildings reflected in the river. There's no schedule pushing you; you move as slowly as you want.

When the free time ends, your guide brings you back to the bus station for the return journey to Helsinki—another 50 minutes on the road. The bus pulls back into Kamppi, where the tour concludes. Most travelers use the ride back to rest or review the photos they've taken.

What’s included

English-speaking local guide for the 3-hour Old Town walking tour; round-trip inter-city bus tickets from Kamppi Shopping Centre in Helsinki to Porvoo.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Helsinki Tour

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in central Helsinki and want to start your day without traveling to an outlying pickup point—the tour departs from Kamppi Shopping Centre.

Traveler reviews

4.70★★★★★★★★★★

106 verified traveler reviews

5 ★87

4 ★12

3 ★2

2 ★4

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How long is the guided walking part of the Porvoo tour?

The guided tour of Porvoo Old Town lasts 3 hours. After that, you have personal free time to explore the town on your own before the return bus to Helsinki.

What's included in the round-trip from Helsinki?

Round-trip bus tickets from Kamppi Shopping Centre are included, plus the services of an English-speaking local guide for the 3-hour walking tour. Food, drinks and personal expenses are not included.

What is the Devil's Stairs in Porvoo?

The Devil's Stairs is a steep set of steps in the Old Town with a local story behind it. Your guide will point it out and explain its history during the walking tour.

Is the Porvoo Cathedral included in the tour?

Yes, the Porvoo Cathedral—built in the 15th century—is one of the stops on the guided walk. It's a key landmark in the Old Town and your guide will share its history and significance.

Can I do this tour if I don't have a car?

Yes, the tour is designed for people without a car. You meet your guide at Kamppi Shopping Centre in Helsinki, board the inter-city bus there, and travel to Porvoo together. The bus handles all the transport, so you don't need to arrange anything yourself.