Porvoo, the medieval old town on the banks of the Porvoonjoki

Park in the car park near Porvoo Cathedral, at the top of the old town.

(S/E) From the car park, head towards the cathedral and walk through its grounds, then turn right and walk down Kirkontörmä Street, continue along Välikatu Street and then turn left onto Kankurinkuja Street, which leads down towards the river.

(1) Cross the Porvoonjoki via the footbridge. On the other side, turn right to walk around the reed-lined pond. Follow the water’s edge, from where you can see the old town terraced beneath its cathedral on the opposite bank. Return to the village via Jokikatu Street, and take the^second left to cross the Porvoonjoki again via the Vanha Bridge. Soon after, take a path branching off to the right of the road to follow the railway line.

(2) At the Porvoo Railway Museum, walk along the platform of the old wooden station and see the railcar. Then turn left to return behind the station, following Vanha Hämeenlinnantie, which continues as Vanha Helsingintie; cross this road carefully and then continue to the left. Shortly afterwards, turn right, then immediately leave the small winding road by taking the steps on the left, followed straight away by a second flight of steps, again to the left, to climb up into the wooded hillside. Continue straight on until you reach the crossroads, then climb the rock directly ahead.

(3) At the Näsin kivi rock, enjoy the panoramic view, then head back down to the junction; turn left three times and then cross the Porvoonjoki via the Uusi Bridge, keeping to its left-hand side. On the other bank, turn left three times onto Välikatu, Rihkamakatu and then Jokikatu, and pass under the bridge. Continue along the Itäinen rantapromenadi waterfront walkway until you reach the next footbridge.

(4) Cross the river once more, then turn left to continue along the riverbank, which is lined with bronze sculptures, facing the small marina. Pass under the Aleksanterinkadun Bridge, then turn right to cross the Porvoonjoki one last time via the same bridge.

(5) On the other side, turn right to rejoin the Itäinen rantapromenadi promenade, facing Kokonniemi Hill. A little further on, carefully cross Jokikatu Street and head up the second perpendicular street, Laivurinkatu Street. Carry on, crossing two more streets, walk alongside Lyseopuisto Park and turn left to continue along the park via Rauhankatu. Carry on straight ahead, crossing a further three streets until you reach the large market square, Porvoon tori.

(6) Turn left between the shopping centre and the coach station, then right onto Piispankatu. Continue straight on until you reach the old town, then walk up Kirkkokatu to the cathedral and finally to the car park (S/E).

The walking tour is open to the public all year round. The cobblestones and steps may be slippery in wet or icy conditions.

The cathedral, the museums in the old town (Porvoo Museum, Doll and Toy Museum, Runeberg House) and the railway museum are only open during the tourist season and have reduced opening hours outside the summer months. Please check before visiting.

Cafés, restaurants and shops are concentrated in the old town, near the harbour and the market square.

Porvoo is connected to Helsinki by frequent bus services.

(S/E) Porvoo Cathedral (Porvoon tuomiokirkko), a medieval stone church with a stepped brick gable, dominates the old town. It was here that the Porvoo Diet was held in 1809, granting Finland its autonomy under Tsar Alexander^I. Its roof, which was destroyed by fire in 2006, has since been rebuilt.

Between (S/E) and (1), the old town (Vanha Porvoo) boasts a series of cobbled streets and colourful wooden houses, including the famous reddish-ochre warehouses lining the riverbank – an iconic image of Finland.

(2) The Porvoo Railway Museum (Porvoon Museorautatie) brings the old Porvoo–Kerava line back to life. The old wooden station and historic railcars run during the summer.

(3) Näsin kivi Rock offers a bird’s-eye view of the Porvoonjoki, its bridges and the marina.

Between (4) and (5), unusual bronze sculptures line the quay.

(5) From the Itäinen rantapromenadi promenade, the view takes in the wooded Kokonniemi hill and its ski lifts.