By bus

There are buses from Helsinki's Central Bus Station to Porvoo every 15-30 minutes. Standard/express services cost €10.30/13.20 one-way and take 55/65 minutes, so the surcharge is hardly worth it — the expresses just stop in Porvoo on their way to points further east.

By train

There is no regular passenger train service to Porvoo, but the Porvoo Museum Railways [2] run a vintage 1955 Lättähattu ("Flat Hat") Dm7 from Helsinki to Porvoo and back on Saturdays in July/August only. The trip takes 1.5 hours and costs €15/25 one-way return for adults, half price for children. As of 2008, the train leaves Helsinki's Central Railway Station (platform 11) at 10:52 AM and sets off back from Porvoo at 4:30 PM. No reservations, cash only.

By boat

The m/s Runeberg [3] cruises from Helsinki to Porvoo between May and September three to five times a week, departing at 10 AM and returning at 4 PM. The trip takes 3.5 hours one way and costs €22.50/33.00 one-way/return, half price for children. On Saturday, you can also opt to take the boat one way and the train back (€33). The boat leaves from Linnalaituri on Helsinki's Market Square, opposite the President's palace.

By bicycle

Bike fans may want to consider pedaling the 50 km along the scenic King's Road [4] from Helsinki to Porvoo.

Porvoo is best explored on foot. Parents will, however, probably want to leave the baby carriage at home: the Old Town's streets are cobblestone and often hilly.

In the summer time, you can also opt to clip-clop your way through the streets with a horse and carriage. The Museum Railways also operate occasional steam train excursions.

In the old part of Porvoo there are lots of lovely little shops where you can buy anything from dollhouses to hand made jewelry. Many are, however, open only in the summer.

• Brunberg, Välikatu 4, ☎ +358-19-5484235. Mon-Fri 10 AM-6 PM, Sat 9 AM-4 PM. One of Finland's most famous confectioners, this family-run business was founded in 1871 and is best known for their Pusu ("Kisses"), or giant puffs of flavored whipped cream encased in a thin chocolate shell. (Until recently, they were known somewhat politically incorrectly as "Negro Kisses".) The liquorice (lakritsi) is another local favorite. Most products are actually made at a factory on the outskirts of town (Teollisuustie 19 B, Mon-Fri 9 AM-5 PM, Sat 9 AM-3 PM), but their Old Town shop is considerably more convenient.  edit

• Timbaali, Välikatu 8, ☎ +358-19-5231020, [7]. Daily 11 AM-11 PM. Famous restaurant that specializes in a rather un-Finnish delicacy, namely snails. Snails from €10 per half dozen, mains (not all of which involve snails) from €20.  edit

• Wanha Laamanni, Vuorikatu 17 (opp Porvoo Cathedral), ☎ +358-20-7528355, [8]. Classy restaurant in a building dating back to 1790, now serving up modern fare with a Finnish twist: try the deer carpaccio or tar-flavored salmon. €50.  edit

• Paalaamo, Mannerheiminkatu 20 C (downtown), [9]. A dance club located in the basement of a downtown building. It is quite busy, filled with youth from Porvoo and the surrounding area. To see such a busy club in contrast to the typical daytime Porvoo is an interesting juxtaposition.  edit