Things to do in Aveiro
Located very close to the Atlantic coast, Aveiro is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal. A city whose center is crossed by canals where colorful boats sail. A town tied to its lagoon, codfish, and the university life that blends with the beauty of its traditional architecture, making Aveiro a unique destination in the region.
Aveiro & Costa Nova Half Day Tour with Cruise
Fátima & Coimbra Day Tour with Lunch from Porto
Douro Valley Wine Tour: 2 Wineries, Tastings, River Cruise and Lunch
For a rather small city, it's amazing to see the number of sights and experiences within easy reach of Porto. Like the city of Coimbra, another corner of Portugal that will amaze you, Aveiro is one of those places that deserves a visit.
Also known as the Portuguese Venice, Aveiro is a unique city with a privileged climate that you can visit at any time of the year.
Aveiro, the Portuguese Venice
Due to the whims of nature, the coast of Aveiro has provided the city with a fishing industry, especially for cod, salt flats, and a thriving maritime commercial activity.
The Aveiro canals are one of its main attractions and today it is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal thanks to its stunning lagoon, its salt flats, fishing industry, the maritime port, and its markets and restaurants that serve some of the best cod dishes you will ever taste.
What to See in Aveiro in One Day
The Canals of Aveiro and Its Moliceiros
The city is traversed by different canals that come from the Aveiro lagoon. That’s why they call the city the Venice of Portugal.
And while it’s true that in Venice you can ride in a gondola, in Aveiro you can do the same in moliceiros. To be fair, the comparison doesn’t quite fit. The spirit of Aveiro is unique and has nothing to do with the Italian city. These boats are to Aveiro what gondolas are to Venice, but that’s where the comparison ends.
Moliceiros are larger, colorful, and motor-powered. Their origins date back to the times when the inhabitants of Aveiro collected seaweed.
Today, you can hire a tour in Aveiro with a moliceiro ride that will take you through the salt flats, the fishermen’s district, and several important historic buildings that you can appreciate from the boat.
The Beira Mar Neighborhood
The Beira Mar neighborhood constitutes the historic center of Aveiro and is also known as the fishermen’s district. Here, you will find the typical colorful houses of Portugal, although in Aveiro, they have the peculiarity of being in Art Nouveau style. Beira Mar is crossed by canals, but you can also get lost in its lovely cobbled streets.
You can also visit the Church of Misericordia with its beautiful tiles, the Carcavelos Bridge, the theater, and the city hall of Aveiro.
Infante Dom Pedro Park
Also called Parque da Cidade de Aveiro, it is located a bit away from the city center, but you can walk there. It’s a lovely place with green areas, a nice lake, a canal, and plenty of space for picnics, relaxation, or letting the little ones burn off their excess energy.
In Aveiro, you can also visit the Aveiro Salt Flats, the Monastery of Jesus, the Aveiro Museum, and the Art Nouveau Museum. Plus, you can’t leave Aveiro without trying the delicious Ovos Moles, the typical sweet of the area. Not to mention that just a few kilometers away is Costa Nova, one of Portugal’s most recommended beach areas.
Costa Nova and the Best Beaches Near Aveiro
About 7 kilometers from Aveiro lies Costa Nova, a beautiful beach area with kilometers of sand facing the Atlantic in a semi-virgin environment perfect for sunbathing, walking, and relaxing.
It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal. Here, you will find a lovely resort and holiday apartments facing the sea in the form of charming striped houses (the so-called palheiros) of different colors, which are the iconic colorful houses of Portugal.
You can do a budget-friendly exploration of Aveiro and Costa Nova joining a half-day tour of Aveiro, where you will learn about the center of Aveiro and its Art Nouveau architecture with a English-speaking guide. It includes a 45-minute moliceiro ride through the canals and a visit to Costa Nova.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience some of the activities we offer among the best things to do in Porto:
• Tour the best sights in Guimaraes, a must-see in northern Portugal.
• Taste the different types of Port wine and its pairings.
• Discover the Douro Valley and other activities along the Douro River in Porto.
• Attend a concert in a traditional fado house, and much more with our tours in Porto.
Aveiro & Costa Nova Half Day Tour with Cruise
Fátima & Coimbra Day Tour with Lunch from Porto
Douro Valley Wine Tour: 2 Wineries, Tastings, River Cruise and Lunch