Porvoo, Finland

[RockinJ]

We are going to Helsinki in June on Celebrity Reflection.  We are in the port from 10:00--6:00 PM.  I was looking at the ship excursions, saw a couple that take you on a bus around to see the highlights of Helsinki and then take you to Porvoo.  Is it worth it to go to Porvoo?  It looks quaint in the pictures.  Or should we just explore Helsinki for our first time in Helsinki?

Anyone gone to Porvoo?

[Jezabel2924]

We went to Porvoo on our Helsinki tour last year.  We were not impressed with Helsinki.  Porvoo was lovely...the candy shop was wall to wall people.   Make sure you stop if you like caramels.  From there we went to the Savijarvi Ranch and that was the best part of the tour.  We had a traditional lunch in the farm house and saw the beautiful horses.  This was one of the best things we did on our cruise.  

[nybumpkin]

Our ship excursion had a one-way trip on a steam train from Helsinki to Porvoo, time in the town, then a bus ride to a resort for lunch and a bus ride back to Helsinki, with some time to visit Rock Church. I thought Porvoo was more worthwhile to see than Helsinki.

[Hezu]

24 minutes ago, cansas.piligrim said:

Porvoo is also amazing - a small 19th century town, not too far from Helsinki.

 

Actually Porvoo is even older city: it got the city rights already around 1380 and the church (or cathedral since 1723) was originally built in 15th century and the oldest houses still standing in the old town date from 18th century.

[mskaufman]

We went on the Helsinki - Porvoo excursion.  Porvoo was nice although not really a lot to do there. Link to some pictures below.

 

https://msknortherneurope.shutterfly.com/pictures/109

 

 

[dogs4fun]

19 hours ago, mskaufman said:

We went on the Helsinki - Porvoo excursion.  Porvoo was nice although not really a lot to do there. Link to some pictures below.

https://msknortherneurope.shutterfly.com/pictures/109

I found Porvoo a bit disappointing - not the fault of Porvoo. The old town was an absolute zoo on the day we visited and as stated above and as far as I was aware, not really a great deal to see or do. I am sure that it would be lovely when not overrun by hordes of tourists.

For a first time visit, I would recommend Helsinki - lots to see.

[RockinJ]

Thanks for your information.  I think we will stay in Helsinki.