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

Should you visit Porvoo or Tromso?

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 Tromso. 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 Tromso?

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.

Tromso

The city of Tromso, in northern Norway, is named after the island of Tromsoya, on which it stands. Tromso is located 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is the largest city in Northern Norway. From September to March many people come to Tromso to see the northern lights. From 20 May to 20 July the midnight sun makes it possible to do as the locals and participate in various activities around the clock. In general, Tromso has a mild climate for such a northerly destination because of its seaside location and the warming effect of the Gulf stream. The area has a modern mix of outdoor activities, a vibrant nightlife, and places to eat local food.

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 Norway, and The Best Adventure Tours to Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Porvoo and Tromso, we can see that Porvoo is more expensive. And not only is Tromso much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tromso would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tromso 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 Tromso.

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

Which is Bigger, Porvoo or Tromso?

Tromso has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Porvoo. When comparing the sizes of Porvoo and Tromso, 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 Tromso?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Porvoo or Tromso in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Porvoo and Tromso. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Tromso because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Porvoo is generally a little warmer than Tromso. Daily temperatures in Porvoo average around 17°C (62°F), and Tromso fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tromso this time of the year. In Porvoo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Porvoo usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during summer. Porvoo gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 205 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Porvoo usually receives less rain than Tromso. Porvoo gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Porvoo or Tromso in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Porvoo as well as Tromso. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tromso this time of year.

It's quite cold in Tromso in the autumn. Porvoo is much warmer than Tromso in the autumn. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Tromso fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the autumn, Porvoo often gets more sunshine than Tromso. Porvoo gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 49 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tromso. Porvoo usually gets less rain in October than Tromso. Porvoo gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porvoo or Tromso in the Winter?

Both Tromso and Porvoo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Tromso for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tromso. It's quite cold in Porvoo in the winter. In the winter, Porvoo is much colder than Tromso. Typically, the winter temperatures in Porvoo in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Tromso averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Porvoo usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during winter. Porvoo gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 3 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Porvoo usually receives less rain than Tromso. Porvoo gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Porvoo or Tromso in the Spring?

Both Tromso and Porvoo during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Tromso in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Tromso can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Porvoo. In April, Porvoo is generally much warmer than Tromso. Daily temperatures in Porvoo average around 3°C (37°F), and Tromso fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In the spring, Porvoo often gets more sunshine than Tromso. Porvoo gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 160 hours of full sun.

Porvoo usually gets less rain in April than Tromso. Porvoo gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Tromso and Porvoo