There is something captivating about cycling. As the scenery changes, you can smell the sea breeze, the tarred roof of the cathedral and the fresh liquorice from the candy factory – and the wind ruffles your hair.
Porvoo is small enough for cyclists of all levels. There are varied and attractive routes that criss-cross the city centre, Porvoo’s beaches, nature sites and rural villages. So jump on your pedals!
How about a leisurely outing in the scenery of the National Urban Park? A refreshing swim in Lake Veckjärvi or Lake Tervajärvi? Or an adventure to Porvoo’s villages, such as the award-winning Kerkkoo Village of the Year or Ilola, with the historic old Postimäki hill rising in the middle?
Porvoo has a long tradition as a cycling city. Anyone who has experienced Porvoo from the saddle will understand why.
South by Cycle is a nearly 900 km long cycling route that crosses the Uusimaa and Kymenlaakso regions. Along the route you’ll find beautiful natural sites, cultural history and – oh, so inspiring – rural romance.
You can follow the South by Cycle route from end to end or just stay in Porvoo. When sleep weighs on your eyelids, you can spend the night in a luxury hotel or even in the sheets of an Aurorahut glass igloo floating on the water. Find your own place to stay and eat on the South by Cycle network.
Businesses along the South by Cycle network can apply for the Welcome Cyclist label if they meet the criteria for a cycling-friendly service. Find out more about our range of Welcome Cyclist destinations:
A lot is happening in Haikko this summer! From July 15 to August 3, there will be a summer theatre in the hotel’s courtyard and from June to August there will be live music every Friday on the terrace of the manor house. The hotel also organises forest and dock yoga in the forest and lakeside scenery, depending on the weather.
As a new feature, cyclists can now cycle from Helsinki to Haikko in the other direction and return or return on the M/s J.L. Runeberg, which picks up passengers either at the mansion’s pier or on the Porvoo riverbank. Remember to mention the bike in advance when ordering your ferry tickets!
Cycling in Haikko is easy. A safe and beautiful coastal path leads to the city centre. We also recommend a short bike ride to the Edelfelt studio, about a kilometre away. Those arriving from Porvoo can even just stop by the manor’s terrace for a drink and admire the view.
The Haikko Manor & Spa Hotel rents bicycles, and there are city bike stations nearby. A secure bike storage is available for storing your own bikes.
Welcome cyclists to the tranquillity of the archipelago in Emäsalo. In Hotel Poukama you stay on a high cliff or in the Aurorahut glass igloo floating on the surface of the sea.
From Porvoo city centre, it takes only about 40 minutes to cycle to Poukama. This year, cyclists can also take a boat from Kråkö or Pellinki – even from the city centre – to Poukama. With a smaller motorboat we can easily transport small groups and our new boat can accommodate larger groups. Ask about transport in advance!
For cyclists, we especially recommend a trip to the tip of Emäsalo, one of Porvoo’s most popular outdoor areas. This is as close to the outer archipelago as you can get on land in Porvoo! There is also a network of forest roads and trails in the surrounding area for those interested in mountain biking. We’re happy to share our best tips!
Another Welcome Cyclist destination is the idyllic Café Jemma on the hotel’s beach.
The small and cute Café Jemma on the shores of Elämyspoukama is a great day trip destination. The café serves sweet and savoury snacks, traditional salmon soup and island bread, and Emäsalo’s own beer, for example.
Café Jemma also has a light bike service point: screwdrivers, patching kits and more. We are also looking into safe charging facilities for electric bikes.
Hotel Sparre warmly welcomes all cycling tourists!
Here you can store your bike safely overnight and rest comfortably before the next stage. The distance from Helsinki to Porvoo is just over 50 kilometres – just the right day trip. On the way back, you can take a relaxing trip on the historic m/s Runeberg.
It’s easy to explore Porvoo’s beautiful surroundings and enjoy nature in an ecological and responsible way.
Restaurant Fabriken at Art Factory welcomes cyclists even when it’s raining and has a bike rack in the yard where you can lock your bike to the frame. A pump, basic tools and a tyre-changing kit are available in the restaurant if needed. If necessary, e-bikers can also recharge their batteries, phone and GPS devices at Fabriken.
I got an electric box bike almost as soon as we moved to Porvoo four years ago. In Porvoo, distances are short and it’s safe and easy to ride in traffic. The traffic is slower than in the centre of Helsinki, where we used to live.
I am a pragmatic cyclist. I cycle my children to kindergarten and to hobbies and then I cycle to work. I use the tricycle in summer and winter. In the winter we put studded tyres underneath.
In addition to everyday cycling, my family and I go on bike trips to places like Joonaanmäki and Kevätkumpu forests. The dog often runs alongside us, and we sometimes stop for a snack in the middle of nature.
Porvoo is a good cycling city. You can get up to speed in as little as five minutes, unlike in larger cities where it can take hours to get from traffic lights to cycle paths.
I cycle three or four times a week for about 60-70 kilometres. I cycle with my son in the countryside of Porvoo, with a group of friends on gravel roads and alone on the roads. I also repair, build and sell bikes.
Cycling is a good and gentle way to keep fit without straining your ankles and knees.
My favourite routes are the winding and beautiful roads to Vessö, Sonby or Askola, but I would put Kråkö at the top of the list. There are no cycle paths in the countryside of Porvoo, but on the other hand the traffic is quiet.
Does the tyre need air or does the saddle sway at random? Porvoo has a variety of self-service bike maintenance points.
One can be found under the bridge, in front of café Porvoon Paahtimo, and another in August Eklöf Park. You can also have your bike serviced at our Welcome Cyclist locations.
The entrepreneur, who also works as a cycling coach, has a bike repair and maintenance shop where you can also get help with bike adjustments. The shop sells a range of bikes, spare parts and bike accessories.
In addition to bike maintenance, Porvoo’s bike centre sells pedal-assist and electric-assist bikes for small beginners, fitness enthusiasts and racing cyclists alike.
The Cycling and urban mobility shop sells handcrafted road and gravel bikes and cycling accessories made in Italy.
At Alberts Cykelservice, you can get bicycle maintenance for all types of bicycles. The same shop also sells, buys and services used bikes.
