Helsinki to Porvoo Old Town Tour: Private Guide

A morning hike by a forest lake, then an afternoon through cobblestone streets and colourful timber homes

A private six-hour tour from Helsinki pairs a guided walk through a Finnish national park with an afternoon in the medieval old town of Porvoo. Your guide leads you on an easy trail to a lakeside gazebo where lunch is cooked over a fire, then drives you to Porvoo's 13th-century cathedral, market square and famous chocolate shop. Private transport, a professional English-speaking guide and Finnish-style lunch with dessert are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

National park hike and Porvoo tour

• Pick-up from accommodation
• Drive 30 minutes to national park
• Walk easy trail with guide
• Explore lake area and take photos
• Lunch cooked by guide at gazebo
• Walk back to car
• Drive 35 minutes to Porvoo
• Explore Porvoo old town attractions
• Visit Porvoo cathedral and market square
• Shop at Porvoo chocolate store
• Drive back to Helsinki
• Drop-off at accommodation

The experience

The day starts 30 minutes outside Helsinki in a national park where your guide leads you on an easy trail through the forest. You'll have time to explore and photograph the surroundings while your guide prepares a Finnish-style lunch, including dessert, by a wooden gazebo overlooking a lake. The whole national park portion takes roughly two hours, so the pace stays relaxed and the walk suits all fitness levels.

After lunch, you drive 35 minutes to Porvoo, a medieval town of colourful timber houses and cobblestone streets. The next two hours are yours to walk through the old town's main attractions: the 13th-century cathedral, the market square, handicraft shops and Porvoo's well-known chocolate shop. You'll also get time to photograph the picture-perfect bridge that overlooks the river and the town below. Then it's the drive back to your Helsinki accommodation.

The tour runs in any weather except extreme conditions, and the operator provides a raincoat if needed. During snowy months, winter boots are included. Hot drinks are served at a local cafeteria in Porvoo's old town. The vehicle is air-conditioned and your guide speaks English throughout.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Helsinki accommodation.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• Finnish-style lunch with dessert cooked by the lake.
• hot drinks at a local cafeteria in Porvoo's old town.
• raincoat if needed.
• winter boots during snowy months.
• air-conditioned vehicle.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except ThursdayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Taiga Times

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to combine forest and lakeside hiking with a guided walk through Porvoo's old town: the route connects both in one day, so you see two distinct landscapes without backtracking.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How difficult is the hike in the national park?

The trail is easy and suitable for everyone, regardless of fitness level. You spend roughly two hours in the park, with a break at the lakeside gazebo where lunch is prepared.

What exactly happens during the lunch break?

Your guide cooks a Finnish-style lunch with dessert over a fire at a wooden gazebo beside a lake. You have free time to explore the surrounding forest and take photographs while the meal is being prepared.

What can you do in Porvoo during the two hours there?

Porvoo's old town has the 13th-century cathedral, a market square, handicraft and souvenir shops, and a famous chocolate shop. The town is small enough to walk, and you'll see the picture-perfect bridge that overlooks the river.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour runs rain or shine. A raincoat is provided if needed, and winter boots are included during snowy months. The tour is only cancelled in cases of extreme weather, and you receive a full refund if that happens.

Does the price include everything I need to bring?

Private transport, the guide, lunch with dessert, hot drinks in Porvoo, and weather gear are all included. You don't need to arrange your own transport or bring food.