Pori is a coastal city in western Finland. It is part of the Satakunta region and has over 83,000 inhabitants, making it the tenth-largest city in the country.
The town of Pori is known for the international jazz festival held every year in July and for its excellent Yyteri beach.
Contenidos
Things to see and do in Pori
Although it is a traditional industrial city, Pori has some places of special interest that may be worth visiting.
There are also numerous natural areas, including a national park, for outdoor sports and activities that will also give you an insight into the region.
Pori Cathedral
Pori Cathedral is a Gothic-style church in the centre of the city. It is the largest church in the Satakunta region and one of the largest in the country.
The church, which was inaugurated in 1863, has a 72-metre high tower made of cast iron. Also, inside the church is its famous pipe organ which is used for various organ concerts throughout the year.
Pori Theatre
The Pori Theatre, known as Porin Teatteri in Finnish, was founded in 1931 after the merger of two local theatres. The Renaissance-style building is one of the venues for concerts at the city’s Jazz Festival.
Next to the theatre building is the Hotel Otava. Both buildings form the first theatre house in the world that was built for performances in Finnish.
Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall of Pori is located on the river promenade, very close to the city’s cathedral. The neoclassical building was completed in 1841.
Opposite is the City Hall Park, which was designed by the architect Carl Ludvig Engel and is one of the oldest in the city.
Pori National Urban Park
Pori National Urban Park has several buildings that are not to be missed. These include the neo-Gothic central church and the old town hall, as well as some industrial buildings in the characteristic red brick.
In the park you will also find a themed playground where children can play for free and several paths along small streams where you can stroll for hours.
Reposaari
Reposaari is a small fishing village located just outside the city on an island in the Sea of Bothnia. It is one of Pori’s main tourist attractions.
Its streets, laid out in a grid pattern, are lined with quaint wooden houses built in the late 19th century for you to stroll through.
Bothnian Sea National Park
The Bothnian Sea National Park runs along the shore of the Sea of Bothnia throughout the Satakunta region. The park, which covers some 90,000 hectares, consists mostly of water.
However, in the park you will find extensive walking trails where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the sea and its waves. You can also visit some of the lighthouse islands in the park.
Pori Art Museum
The Pori Art Museum, founded in 1981, has several exhibitions of international contemporary art.
The museum seeks to offer new perspectives on art and, in recent years, has been known for exhibiting works related to current issues such as environmental issues, human rights and multiculturalism.
How to get to Pori
Although Pori has its own airport, it does not operate any international flights, so you will have to travel to other cities such as Helsinki, Turku or Tampere if you want to arrive by plane.
From any of these cities, you can reach Pori comfortably by train or bus. Travel time ranges from an hour and a half from Tampere to around four hours from Helsinki.
How to get around the city
The centre of Pori is not very big, so you can easily get around on foot. In summer, you can also take advantage of the good weather and cycle around the city.
The main places you’ll visit are within walking distance of each other, while those a little further away, such as Yyteri beach, are served by a city bus line that connects them to the city centre.
Where to stay in Pori
In Pori you will find hotels and accommodations of all kinds. If you want to visit the city centre, you can opt for one of the hostels or hotels in the area.
If you are planning to enjoy Yyteri Beach and the natural areas of Pori, we recommend staying in one of the hotels or cabins located next to the beach.
Where to eat in Pori
If you’re looking for a place to eat in Pori, we recommend a visit to Tori, the town’s market. Here you’ll find some of the local produce and dishes, such as meat pies and fried or smoked lamprey.
You will also find a wide variety of restaurants scattered around the city centre, both fast food and restaurants serving typical local dishes.
We hope our Pori travel guide will help you prepare for your trip to the city. We invite you to share this article on social media using the buttons below. And if you have any questions, you can use the comments section to ask them.