Discover Finland’s historic charm and coastal beauty on this full-day private day trip. 

From medieval Porvoo’s cobblestone streets to a serene boat cruise through the archipelago’s rocky islets, you’ll experience the very best of southern Finland—all with your expert guide, driver, and flexible pacing.

Highlights of Our Porvoo & Archipelago Day Trip

Private hotel pick-up and drop-off in Helsinki

Guided exploration of Porvoo’s medieval Old Town and cathedral

Riverside tasting of local specialties and market hall visit

Private boat cruise through the Porvoo Archipelago’s granite skerries

Intimate shore walks on secluded islands

Flexible timing—additions or extensions at your request

Your Porvoo & Archipelago Itinerary

Below is our suggested flow. Let us know if you’d like to linger longer in Old Town, extend your boat cruise, or add a sunset finale.

Private Hotel Pick-Up & Scenic Drive

Your driver-guide will collect you at your Helsinki accommodation and whisk you east along tree-lined highways, transitioning from urban bustle to rolling countryside and forest-dotted lakes on your way to Porvoo.

Porvoo Medieval Old Town Exploration

Our first destination sees you join your private guide in the heart of Porvoo’s storied Old Town, where centuries-old red wooden façades line narrow, cobbled streets. 

Your guide will lead you past charming riverside warehouses, now home to artisan boutiques, pausing to introduce you to master potters who still shape clay on century-old wheels. You’ll enter Porvoo Cathedral—its serene nave lit by medieval stained glass—and hear how this crimson-walled sanctuary served as both a spiritual center and community gathering place through Swedish, Russian, and independent Finnish eras.

Venturing deeper into the winding lanes, discover hidden courtyards where local weavers demonstrate loom techniques passed down through generations. 

Along the way, sample freshly baked berry pastries in a riverside café, savoring the tang of strawberries and blueberries grown on nearby farms. 

As you sip your coffee, your guide will share tales of 18th-century merchants who built Porvoo’s wealth on tar exports—and how that legacy still echoes in the town’s blend of historic charm and contemporary creativity.

Riverside Culinary Tasting & Market Visit

After grounding yourself in Porvoo’s medieval ambiance, indulge your palate with a private tasting at a boutique waterfront inn. 

Begin with rounds of silky, house-smoked salmon draped over slices of dark rye bread, followed by wedges of locally produced cheeses—aged and fresh—paired with spoonfuls of tart cloudberry and lingonberry preserves. 

Each flavor tells the story of Finnish terroir: the salmon’s cold-water richness, the rye’s hearty warmth, and the berries’ wild-crafted intensity.

Next, stroll into the historic market hall, where stallholders proudly display their wares under vaulted wooden beams. Your guide will introduce you to a reindeer herder showcasing spicy sausage links, then a baker offering loaves of hand-kneaded rye, and finally, a jar-maker selling foraged mushroom pickles. 

With each stop, sample a bite and learn how Finnish families have foraged and farmed these ingredients for centuries—connecting you directly to the country’s culinary traditions before you return to your boat cruise.

Private Archipelago Boat Cruise

Climb aboard your private motorboat for a tranquil cruise through the Porvoo Archipelago’s granite islets. 

Your guide will expertly navigate narrow channels between moss-topped skerries, pointing out glacially polished rock formations and the delicate lichens that cling to their surfaces. Along the way, you’ll pause at a windswept, uninhabited shore where driftwood sculptures stand like natural art installations—perfect for a barefoot stroll as salty sea spray dances on your skin.

Between shore stops, lean over the gunwale to watch for harbor seals bobbing in hidden coves or osprey circling high above. Your guide will explain how post-Ice Age land uplift created this labyrinth of islands and how local fishermen once used these channels for shelter. 

Return to Helsinki & Farewell

Conclude your day with a relaxed return drive to Helsinki, enriched by Porvoo’s medieval streets and the archipelago’s tranquil shores. 

You’ll arrive back at your hotel with fresh memories—and a new appreciation for Finland’s historic heart and coastal splendor.

Optional Extras to Enhance Your Porvoo & Archipelago Day Trip

All our tours are completely customizable, so if you would like to extend your day trip or replace any of the planned activities, then take a look at some experiences we could include instead:

Kayak Adventure in the Archipelago – Paddle a two-person sea kayak through sheltered coves and narrow channels, exploring hidden inlets only accessible by kayak.

Porvoo Photography Workshop – Spend an hour with local pro learning tips for capturing Old Town’s architecture and archipelago vistas on your camera.

Historic Manor Visit & Garden Tour – Tour a privately owned 18th-century manor house just outside Porvoo, including its period-style kitchen and ornamental gardens.

Forest Foraging with a Local Expert – Venture into nearby pine woods to identify and sample wild mushrooms, berries, and herbs, finishing with a tasting of your finds.

Artisan Glassblowing Demonstration – Visit a waterfront glass studio to watch live glassblowing and even shape your small keepsake under the artist’s guidance.

Guided Fishing Experience – Join a local angler on a short shore-based fishing trip for pike or perch, with the option to have your catch filleted and prepared back in Porvoo.

Traditional Sauna & Lakeside Swim – Cap off the day with a private smoke sauna along the Porvoo River, followed by a refreshing dip in the clear waters.