The best thing about local travel in your hometown is the realization that you do not need to go far to experience something new. It is enough to slow down a little and look at your own city with fresh eyes. In Porvoo, opportunities are already close by, and summer days do not need to be planned far in advance. There is room for spontaneous moments in the middle of everyday life.

We who live in Porvoo are fortunate. The lanes of Old Porvoo, riverside walking routes, nearby nature trails, the archipelago, small cafés and boutiques, and summer events are all easily accessible. At the same time, a staycation is a sustainable choice: getting around is easy on foot, by bike, or by public transport, and no long journeys are needed to find memorable experiences. When you set out from your immediate surroundings, the city feels a little more like your own – and even a short outing can bring a holiday feeling to the day.

Summer does not always need a long trip or careful planning. Often, the best moments can be found right near your doorstep. I often head to the trails in Humla with my dog. There you can spot deer and hares in the meadow and swans flying overhead – a wonderfully varied piece of nature close by. Moments like these are a reminder that you do not always have to travel far to step away from everyday life.

This coming summer, I also plan to enjoy culture and city life. I wanted to gather my own summer highlights from these destinations – small trips and experiences that are easy to take hold of whenever the moment feels right.

• Edelfelt Studio in Haikko is a wonderful historical destination by the sea. The studio offers a glimpse into the work and era of Albert Edelfelt. On the same trip, you can also enjoy the seaside scenery and a short walk in the surroundings.
• This year, Porvoo’s summer gains a special cultural highlight with Simen Johan’s photography exhibition Until the Kingdom Comes, on view at Taidetehdas in July. The exhibition opens on 1 July 2026 in collaboration with the internationally renowned Fotografiska museum. Free of charge, the exhibition offers a wonderful opportunity to pause in front of art in the middle of a summer day: the large-scale, cinematic photographs combine animals, landscapes, and symbolic moods in a way that transports the viewer, if only for a moment, into another reality.
• The art route along the western riverside offers an easy and inspiring way to explore the city from a new perspective. The route combines public art, street art, and sculptures with the urban environment in a way that makes even an ordinary walk feel interesting. The works appear naturally along everyday paths – some surprise you, others make you pause and view familiar surroundings from a new angle. The art route is well suited to self-guided exploration: you can walk the full route or pick out individual works along the way, for example while stopping at a café or taking a stroll by the river.
• Old Porvoo is a place where you can add a touch of luxury to everyday life without making big plans. Its beauty lies in the details: colourful wooden houses, narrow alleys, blooming courtyards, and the river landscape. Simply walking there is already an experience in itself, but at the same time you can browse the boutiques for finds to take home. In Old Porvoo, you can also wander around with a camera and capture your favourite views.
• A ride on Porvoo’s museum railway is slow and gently swaying, giving you time to truly enjoy the scenery. On board, you can sit back peacefully, let time pass, and enjoy the calmer pace of another era.
• At Varlaxudden, the view opens directly onto the outer archipelago – expansive seascapes, cliffs, and wind make it a delightful excursion destination. You can go there for a walk, a picnic, or simply to see what the sea looks like on that particular day.

Sari Myllynen
Head of Tourism Development
The City of Porvoo

Summer at your own pace

A staycation in Porvoo is an opportunity to enjoy your own time and surroundings. You do not have to do everything. It is enough to find moments that feel right for you.

Maybe it is an evening walk by the river.
Maybe an exhibition visit on a rainy day.
Or a spontaneous trip to a nearby forest.

Porvoo provides the setting – you choose the pace.

All current summer events and local tips can be found on Visit Porvoo’s website: visitporvoo.fi

Photo: Sami Heiskanen, The City of Porvoo