Colorful wooden buildings line a tranquil river, with a small boat and greenery nearby, under a partly cloudy sky. A cobblestone alleyway lined with colorful wooden houses in a historic town. Lush greenery peeks between the buildings under a bright sky.
Finland

Porvoo: Finland’s Second Oldest City

Alleyway in Porvoo’s Old Town
 Porvoo, Finland, July 2023

Porvoo is Finland’s second-oldest city. It was first mentioned in records in 1346. Only Turku has a longer history.

Especially in summer, the town is a popular destination for day-trippers. It has everything a visitor could hope for: colorful wooden houses, winding cobblestone streets, and the picturesque, rust-red riverside warehouses—Porvoo’s famous salt granaries.

Porvoo is less than an hour away from Helsinki by car or bus. According to my guidebook, it can therefore get crowded in the summer, but once again, I was lucky. On this gloriously sunny July morning, I had the town entirely to myself.

Map of Porvoo
A vibrant view of a colorful Finnish town with wooden houses, lush greenery, and a church steeple in the background under a clear sky.
A charming wooden bridge crosses a serene pond surrounded by lush greenery and colorful houses in a picturesque setting.
A charming red wooden house partially covered in greenery, featuring a sloped roof and surrounded by lush trees in a serene setting.
A charming yellow wooden house surrounded by greenery and a cobblestone path, with a wooden fence in the foreground.
A cobblestone alleyway lined with colorful wooden houses in a historic town. Lush greenery peeks between the buildings under a bright sky.
A cobblestone pathway lined with wooden houses and fences, shaded by greenery and bathed in sunlight.
A cobblestone alleyway flanked by colorful wooden buildings leading uphill with a glimpse of sunlight.
A charming yellow house with a wooden door and a green metal roof, surrounded by lush plants and a vintage street lamp.
A historical church facade with decorative brick patterns, a wooden door, and green grass in front, showcasing traditional architecture.
A historic church with a wooden door and red windows, framed by a cobblestone pathway and greenery. Bright sunlight illuminates the scene.
Porvoo Cathedral is visited by around 200,000 tourists every year. The oldest parts of the cathedral, which was originally built of wood, date back to the 13th century. From 1410 onwards, it was expanded and rebuilt as a stone church.
Colorful buildings line a cobblestone street, featuring a yellow and red facade with shop displays and bicycles nearby.
A charming wooden house with a green facade and a large tree, set on a cobblestone street surrounded by greenery.
A historic pink building with a clock tower and cobblestone entrance, surrounded by colorful houses and blooming flower pots.
The Old Porvoo Town Hall, the oldest town hall in Finland, dates back to 1545 and is now a museum.
A tranquil river scene featuring red wooden cottages surrounded by greenery and trees on a sunny day.
Colorful wooden buildings line a tranquil river, with a small boat and greenery nearby, under a partly cloudy sky.
A scenic view of colorful wooden houses along a riverbank, with greenery and churches in the background under a clear sky.
Historic red wooden buildings along a river with reflections, surrounded by lush greenery and a church in the background.
The striking, rust-red riverside warehouses along the Porvoonjoki have shaped the cityscape since the 18th century and, together with the cathedral towering in the background, rank among Porvoo’s most iconic landmarks.
Red wooden houses reflecting in a calm river, surrounded by greenery and historical buildings under a clear sky.
Colorful wooden buildings along a canal, with lush greenery and a glimpse of a yellow historic structure in the background.
A scenic river in a coastal town lined with boats, green trees, and colorful buildings under a clear sky.
A historic ship docked along a serene riverbank, surrounded by lush trees and colorful buildings, under a clear blue sky.