A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Porvoo vs. Potsdam for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Porvoo or Potsdam?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Porvoo and Potsdam. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Porvoo or Potsdam?

Porvoo

Porvoo is a city and a municipality situated on the southern coast of Finland approximately 50 kilometers east of Helsinki. Porvoo is one of the six medieval towns in Finland, first mentioned as a city in texts from 14th century. Even though Porvoo is not exactly a coastal town, it is connected to the Gulf of Finland via the Porvoo River. The river flows through the city, passing Porvoo's most well-known landmarks: the red shore houses. Historically, Porvoo has been an important center of trade. Founded nearly 800 years ago, Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland and evidence of its long history can still be seen and felt as you walk its charming streets. For centuries, the city has served as both a home and a source of inspiration for many Finnish artists.

Potsdam

Before you lays a treasure chest of historic beauties. From the glimmering Renaissance Orangery Palace that overlooks its sumptuous fountains to the neoclassical Charlottenhof Castle that is surrounded by lush England gardens, you find yourself in none other than Potsdam, Germany. The capital and largest city of the German federal state of Brandenburg, Potsdam borders the German capital Berlin and is located right on the bay of the River Havel. A home for Prussian kings until 1918 and a brainchild of the Enlightenment, Potsdam was constructed thoughtfully and carefully by its architects to create what many to believe as "a picturesque, pastoral dream" and a "balance between both nature and reason." From interconnected lakes to historic landmarks, Potsdam is a city that is bursting with life all year around. With its rich history, it was no wonder various parts of the city were named a World Heritage Site. With its landscape and cityscape rivaling in beauty, Potsdam is simply a breathtaking city that must be explored!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Porvoo and Potsdam, we can see that Porvoo is more expensive. And not only is Potsdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Potsdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Potsdam and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Porvoo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porvoo than you might in Potsdam.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Porvoo Expensive? and Is Potsdam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Porvoo or Potsdam?

Potsdam has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Porvoo. When comparing the sizes of Porvoo and Potsdam, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Porvoo or Potsdam?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Porvoo or Potsdam in the Summer?

Both Potsdam and Porvoo during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Potsdam in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Porvoo is cooler than Potsdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Porvoo in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Potsdam averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In Potsdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Porvoo. In the summer, Porvoo often gets more sunshine than Potsdam. Porvoo gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 232 hours of full sun.

Porvoo usually gets more rain in July than Potsdam. Porvoo gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porvoo or Potsdam in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Porvoo and Potsdam. Also, most visitors come to Potsdam for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Porvoo is generally much colder than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Porvoo average around 6°C (42°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Porvoo usually receives less sunshine than Potsdam during autumn. Porvoo gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Porvoo usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Porvoo gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Porvoo or Potsdam in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Porvoo as well as Potsdam. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Potsdam can be very cold. Porvoo can be very cold during winter. Porvoo is much colder than Potsdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Potsdam fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Porvoo often gets less sunshine than Potsdam. Porvoo gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 47 hours of full sun.

Porvoo usually gets less rain in January than Potsdam. Porvoo gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porvoo or Potsdam in the Spring?

Both Potsdam and Porvoo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year.

The weather in Porvoo can be very cold. In the spring, Porvoo is much colder than Potsdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Porvoo in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Potsdam averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Porvoo usually receives more sunshine than Potsdam during spring. Porvoo gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Porvoo usually receives less rain than Potsdam. Porvoo gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Potsdam and Porvoo