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

Should you visit Tartu or Porvoo?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tartu and Porvoo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Tartu or Porvoo?

Tartu

Tartu is a university town that is also the second largest city in Estonia. It has a population of about 100,000 and dates back to 1030, making it the oldest city in the country. The Emajogi River passes through town and it has a lovely old town that's pleasant to explore. The city is a great place to see day to day life in Estonia. It is a very real town with people going about their daily lives. If you find yourself here when the weather is nice, you'll be greeted by crowds of happy locals out enjoying the weather. They make full use of the warm, sunny weather with festivals, events, and concerts during the summer. This is easily the most fun and eventful time to visit the city.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Porvoo?

Tartu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Porvoo. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Porvoo, 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 Tartu or Porvoo?

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 Tartu or Porvoo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Porvoo. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tartu this time of year.

In the summer, Tartu is around the same temperature as Porvoo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tartu in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Porvoo averages at about 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porvoo this time of the year. In Tartu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Porvoo during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Porvoo receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tartu usually receives more rain than Porvoo. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Porvoo receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Porvoo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Porvoo. Many travelers come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Tartu is generally around the same temperature as Porvoo. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 6°C (43°F), and Porvoo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the autumn, Tartu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Porvoo. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porvoo receives 90 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in October than Porvoo. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Porvoo receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Porvoo in the Winter?

Both Porvoo and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tartu in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Porvoo can be very cold during winter. Tartu can get quite cold in the winter. Tartu is cooler than Porvoo in the winter. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around -7°C (19°F) in January, and Porvoo fluctuates around -6°C (21°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Porvoo during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Porvoo receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Porvoo. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Porvoo receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Porvoo in the Spring?

Both Porvoo and Tartu during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tartu for the natural beauty during these months.

The weather in Porvoo can be very cold. Tartu can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Tartu is much warmer than Porvoo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tartu in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Porvoo averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the spring, Tartu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Porvoo. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porvoo receives 183 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in April than Porvoo. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Porvoo receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Porvoo and Tartu