!Top 20 things to do in Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal
The city of Aveiro in Portugal is ideally located an hour's drive from Porto.
This small town at the mouth of the Ria de Aveiro is known for its canals, gondolas and salt marshes.
Indeed, Aveiro is also called the “Venice of Portugal” because of the maze of canals that criss-cross its city center. The colorful boats on the canals make the city of Aveiro one of Portugal's charming destinations.
Moreover, with a long history of salt production, pottery making and fishing, it is a traditional town where these activities are still practiced today.
Add to that the Calçada Portugues (black and white limestone cobblestones arranged in such a way that the tiles create images of ?Aveiro's naval history) and Art Nouveau buildings and you get what
One of the prettiest and most captivating towns in northern Portugal.
?So are you ready for this action-packed excursion
!Let's go
?Where is Aveiro, Portugal
Aveiro is the second most important city in the central region of Portugal, just after Coimbra . It is distant from Coimbra by about sixty kilometers, and from Porto by 70 kilometers.
It enjoys a strategic location, in the middle of the Porto-Lisbon axis, on the coast.
?How to get to Aveiro from Porto
By train
The slow train leaves every hour, it takes 1 hour 20 minutes from São Bento station or 1 hour 10 minutes from Campanhã station and costs €7 return.
There is no need to book, just buy the tickets at the station counter.
There is also a fast train that takes 50 minutes, but it costs around €15 return.
By bus
You can also take a Flixbus from 99 cents (although most are €2.99) and the journey takes just over an hour. Book your ticket here .
By car
If you are thinking of renting a car in Porto, use Rentalcars. The journey to Aveiro takes about an hour.
?Where to stay in Aveiro, Portugal
Budget hotel
house pains
Dores House offers free WiFi and guests have access to shared bathroom facilities. The University of Aveiro is 1.9 km from the property and Porto Airport is 66 km away.
Price: Starting at $26 per night for a double room, taxes and fees included, and non-refundable.
Luxurious hotel
Melia Ria Hotel & Spa
The Meliá Ria features a restaurant, an indoor swimming pool and a spa and wellness centre. All rooms and suites at the Meliá Ria hotel include a private bathroom and air conditioning. A buffet breakfast is served every morning with a view of the Ria de Aveiro in the elegant “O Lago” restaurant. Guests can also schedule massages.
Price: Starting at $116 per night for a double or twin room, including taxes and fees, free breakfast and free cancellation.
?Is a trip to Aveiro from Porto worth it
Yes, if you're in the mood for a quiet day exploring a small town that doesn't have many attractions to see. If you expect the level of entertainment in Lisbon or Porto, you will of course be disappointed.
For a relaxing day strolling the canals, sampling the local food and visiting a few museums, it's definitely worth a visit.
If you fancy a livelier day out by adding Costa Nova (a seaside town known for its colorful beach huts) to your itinerary, Aveiro is even more worth a visit.
Things to do in Aveiro, Portugal
Whether you're spending a day or more in Aveiro, here are the best things to do, in no particular order.
Admire the old railway station
If you come to Aveiro by train, you will be impressed by a slice of the city's early 20th century history as soon as you arrive.
The old station terminal, which contrasts sharply with the elegant new terminal, was completed in 1916. Its particularity lies in its tiling; these blue azulejos were made at the Fábrica da Fonte Nova and depict traditional scenes from Aveiro and the region.
There are moliceiros, salt farms, men and women in regional costume and images of the canals of Aveiro.
It is a kind of time capsule of the city, created more than a century ago.
Take a ride of moliceiros
When you type “Aveiro” into Google, you are immediately greeted with photos of the beautiful boats cruising the waterways. Known as moliceiros, these gondola-style boats are named after moliço, a type of seaweed traditionally used to fertilize farmland.
Riding a moliceiro is arguably the most popular activity in Aveiro. Make an appointment with a salesperson for a cost of around €5-10 for 45 minutes.
The tour begins on the river bank near Largo do Vilarinho and winds through the city center, stopping at various spots along the way to take photos and/or souvenirs. You'll see everything from public fountains to churches to museums and more!
You will be able to learn how Aveiro was founded and how it became the most important port city in Portugal during medieval times. You will also be able to see some of the many religious monuments in the historic center of Aveiro, including Catholic and Christian cathedrals, as well as many other historic buildings such as palaces, castles, etc.
Tour the city aboard a Tuka-Tuka train
There are many ways to explore the fascinating city of Aveiro if you like guided tours and scenic walks.
For example, you can go boating on the famous canals, rent a bicycle to ride around the city or relax on the unique Tuka-Tuka train.
Aveiro is considered the Venice of Portugal. That said, the city has many fascinating attractions. If you travel by Tuka-Tuka train, you will be able to see and explore all the sights the city has to offer.
Eat egg moles
If you are from Aveiro, nothing proves that you were in Aveiro than bringing home ovos moles, the famous traditional sweets made from eggs and sugar. They are creamy and sweet and can be found all over town.
The most traditional place to buy them is the Mercado do Almoxarife (Almoxarife Market), between Largo do Rato and Rua das Hortas, near Aveiro Castle.
You can also find them in some supermarkets or from street vendors whose carts sell them by weight.
They are also sold in other places in Porto, but they are not as good as those in Aveiro!
Visit La Confeitaria Peixinho
Even if ovos moles aren't your cup of tea, it's worth visiting Confeitaria Peixinho . This pretty confectionery opened since 1856 has high ceilings, painted walls and chandeliers.
They sell not only the original ovos moles, but also a wide range of cakes and meringues containing this sweet mixture.
There are endless pastries to browse, including those shaped like moliceiro boats on the outside.
Address: Rua de Coimbra 9, 3810-086 Aveiro.
Go shopping at Forum Aveiro
In addition to traditional shops and markets, Aveiro has a modern shopping center. Forum Aveiro doesn't quite look like an ordinary shopping mall: it's built of red stone and its floors are paved with the typical Portuguese calçada.
With its shops, restaurants and cinema, it is worth a visit during your visit to Aveiro.
Address: Rua Batalhão, Caçadores 10, 3810-064 Aveiro.
Discover Art Nouveau
Although Aveiro has many impressive locations and sites, its series of charming Art Nouveau-inspired buildings contribute to its legacy as an unenclosed Art Nouveau museum. Visitors to the city tend to design their own free self-guided tours of the city and its architecture.
In addition to exploring the city's architecture, visitors can also head to the Museu de Arte Nova (Art Nouveau museum to be discovered below) and the Tea House to taste delicious local delicacies.
Eat fresh seafood
Eating delicious seafood is not only one of the best things to do in Aveiro, but also in Portugal in general. As a coastal town, fishing remains a prized occupation for many locals, and judging by the activity of the seafood restaurants in Praça do Peixe (fish market square), business is booming!
Before meeting the Ponte dos Botirões (circular pedestrian bridge), the canal separates two pretty streets, Cais dos Botirões and Cais dos Mercanteis.
The only thing that rivals their selection of seafood restaurants is the spectacular view you will enjoy during a leisurely lunch.
You can eat at Faros Gourmet which we recommend for the quality of the seafood.
Some of the best dishes to try in Aveiro include feijoada de buzios and arroz de marisco as Portuguese specialties .
Go to Praia da Barra
People who need to spend time at the beach can go directly to Praia da Barra, less than 10 kilometers from Aveiro.
There are two main beaches here; the highest (Praia Velha) is right where the Aveiro Lagoon meets the ocean.
The long breakwaters on each side keep the ocean waves at bay and allow you to swim in calm waters.
To the south is a long, open beach, traced by sand dunes and with a long, raised wooden walkway to help you navigate.
This beach is very popular with surfers for its rolling waves and there is a school right on the beach if you want to try.
Visit the Praia da Barra lighthouse
Portugal's tallest lighthouse sits behind Praia Velha and stands at 62 meters.
It dates from 1893 and was necessary because the ocean off Aveiro is dangerously shallow for ships, and the presence of the lagoon made the land seem farther away than it actually was.
It would take another century for the lighthouse to be automated, in 1990.
If you're around on a Wednesday afternoon, you can climb the 271 steps to the platform for an aerial view of the lagoon, Praia da Barra, Costa Nova, Aveiro and the communities of São Jacinto and Gafanhas.
Discover the Church of Sao Joao Evangelista
Dating back to the 1700s, the Church of Sao Joao Evangelista is one of the city's most famous buildings. It was built during the immense prosperity of Portugal, which explains its incredible golden woodwork.
Its interior is also elegant, thanks to the white and blue azulejos.
Visit the Sé de Aveiro (Church of St. Dominic)
People who appreciate religious sites may wish to visit the Church of St. Dominic. Also known as the Sé Catedral de Aveiro, this building was a Dominican convent in the 1400s.
Peek inside to see an impressive altarpiece built in 1559.
Admission is free and the church is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Address: Rua Batalhão Caçadores 10, 3810-082 Aveiro.
Discover the museums of Aveiro
Some of the best places in Aveiro for culture and history buffs include:
Aveiro Museum
Next to the cathedral is the Museum of Aveiro, housed in a former convent. If you only have time for one museum in Aveiro, this is the one we would choose.
Along with Renaissance paintings, jewellery, masonry and tiles, you can learn about the Portuguese princess Joana, who spent most of her life resisting her parents' efforts to marry her off to a suitable man (Richard III from England).
She is now the patron saint of Aveiro and a feast is held in her honor every year in May.
Address: Av. Santa Joana, 3810-164 Aveiro.
Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closing for lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
Museum of New Art
To see beautiful works of art and more beautiful tiles, enter the Art Noveau Museum. Located in the former home of Major Pessoa, it focuses on art created between 1890 and 1910, including fashion and furniture.
There is also a hidden teahouse, Casa de Chá , and a garden. Admission is €1.
Address: Rua Barbosa Magalhães 9-11, 3800 Aveiro.
Opening hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (closing at lunchtime from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.), Tuesday-Sunday; closed on Mondays.
Ílhavo Maritime Museum
This museum, located in the nearest town of Aveiro (a 10-minute drive), is dedicated to cod fishing. Inside this impressive modern building, you'll find life-size boats that traveled to Scandinavia and Newfoundland to catch cod, and learn about the backbreaking work of fishermen. There is also a huge aquarium of live cod inside.
Note that only some of the exhibits are in English. Admission costs €6.
Address: Av. Rocha Madail 193, Ílhavo, Aveiro.
Opening hours: 10am-6pm (closing for lunch from 1pm), Tuesday-Saturday; 2pm-6pm, Sunday; closed Monday.
Vista Alegre Museum
To see spectacular pottery and learn more about the porcelain industry in Portugal, visit this traditional village, home to a thriving community of potters. The original families still reside here and can teach you how to make pottery in interactive workshops.
Admission to the museum is €6.
Address: Lugar da, 3830-292 Ílhavo, Portugal.
Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Admire the statues of the Bridge
The Statues of the Bridge is a historic structure located in Praca Humberto Delgado. It has two statues that symbolize the main industries of the city and its commercial aspect.
You will have the opportunity to see them when you take a guided tour of the city through the canals of Aveiro in a moliceiro.
In the story, these statues try to tell how the Portuguese pay homage to the Salineira who transported salt in difficult circumstances.
Visit the Marinha da Noeirinha Spa
A fun option for the summer months is to take a dip in the nearby saline spa. The rich minerals are believed to help cure various ailments. Visit the Marinha da Noeirinha recreation area and relax on the sandy “beach” next to the thermal baths after taking a dip.
Entry to the spa costs €5 for half a day.
If you are looking for an original place to spend the night, you can choose to sleep in one of the luxurious cabanas located on the banks of the spa.
Watch birds at the Sai Jacinto Dunes Nature Reserve
For nature lovers, the Sao Jacinto Dunes Nature Reserve should be among your priorities in Aveiro. This wetland system is surrounded by a 7 kilometer long trail with designated bird watching spots.
However, due to its location, it is quite difficult to reach the park except by taking a ferry or driving around the canals.
Hire a bike and explore the countryside
Many tourists ignore this activity in Aveiro, but there is a 48 km bike path that winds through the marshlands near Aveiro called Ecológica Ciclável .
Rent a Loja BUGA bike provided by the Aveiro City Council for free. This service is available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and includes a padlock.
Head to Passadiços Ria de Aveiro, just north of town, and pedal along the riverside sidewalks, watching the birds and enjoying the views.
If you are spending a day in Aveiro and not visiting Costa Nova, consider exploring Aveiro in the morning and biking in the afternoon.
Buy souvenirs
Shop for souvenirs along Rua Joao Mendonça before ending your tour in Aveiro. Although it is a small town, it has a nice selection of shops.
A Casa da Rosa , inside a building with purple tiles, sells beautiful homewares, trinkets, clothes, and jewelry.
The best things to buy in Aveiro are the flor de sal (salt crystals from the salt marshes of Aveiro) and the ovos de moles to take away… If you are a fan!
Address: R. José Estevão n36, 3800-202 Aveiro.
Discover the salt flats (Salinas de Aveiro)
If you're done with the main things to do in Aveiro, take a quick stroll to the open-air museum, Ecomuseu Marinha da Troncalhada. It's not a particularly pleasant walk along the main road, but well worth it on a sunny day when the sky is reflected in the spreading salt pans.
These active salt marshes ensured the prosperity of Aveiro in the 12th century, when this small town supplied salt to all of Portugal. Although you won't learn much about them during a solo visit, you may be able to spot some interesting birdlife. The other option is to take a guided tour to learn about their history.
Although no longer used for mass production, artisanal salt is still bought and sold in Aveiro. Buy some “flor de sal” to take home.
Go on a trip to Costa Nova
Costa Nova is the peninsula connected to Aveiro by the A25 highway. The main attraction is the maritime promenade, but there is also a long sandy beach and a pretty lighthouse (Farol de Aveiro) at Praia da Barra, the part of the beach between the estuary and the port, the two already mentioned earlier in this guide.
In summer you can practice water sports here and on Wednesday afternoons you can climb the 271 steps to the top of the lighthouse.
You will need an extra day for this if you also want to explore Aveiro in depth.
Getting to Costa Nova from Aveiro
You can either find a local taxi or use one of the three taxi apps available in Portugal: Uber, Bolt or FREENOW.
There is also a local bus which takes 45 minutes to 1 hour instead of 15 minutes.
If you prefer to save money, it costs around €2 and leaves from the bus stop in front of the Menina Da Ria hotel.
Suggestion for 2 days in Aveiro
If you are spending the night in Aveiro rather than taking a day trip from Porto, it would be good to spend a day exploring Aveiro on your own and another in Costa Nova do Prado.
So you can visit the bustling beach houses, Costa Nova beach and take a ferry to the Dunas de São Jacinto nature reserve without worrying about the weather.
Suggested Itinerary for Aveiro Day Trip
9:00 a.m. Depart Porto by train or bus
10:00 a.m. Arrive in Aveiro and call a taxi for Costa Nova.
10:30: Take photos of the colorful beach houses and take a walk down to the beach.
12:30 PM: Call a taxi to return to Aveiro and meet at a local restaurant for lunch.
2:00 p.m.: Take a moliceiro ride along the canal.
3:00 p.m.: Visit the museums that interest you or shop for souvenirs.
4 p.m.: go to a café for ovos moles.
5:00 p.m.: visit the salt flats of Salinas de Aveiro.
6:00 PM: Take the train back to Porto or have dinner in Aveiro before heading home.
Heart stroke
!Visit the canals
We still think the boat tour is the best thing to do in Aveiro Portugal. It's just lovely to see the city from the canal.
Indeed, making your way through the charming maze of canals is almost a rite of passage for any visitor.
Prepare to lose your bearings and marvel at the stunning houses perched over the water in the Venice of Portugal.
Final Thoughts
Aveiro is an ideal city to spend a few days if you are a couple looking to explore a new city together.
There's also enough to see and do for a solo traveler to have fun too.
You could easily spend two days in Aveiro without feeling like nothing is missing.
Whether you're looking for museums, architecture, restaurants or activities, we hope you find what you're looking for in Aveiro with our list of the best things to do and see in Aveiro, Portugal!
FAQ Aveiro Portugal
?Is Aveiro worth visiting
Aveiro's main attraction is its network of canals. Aveiro has a lot of history, and the canals are associated with the growth and decline of its port and its saltwater lagoons. You can take a trip along these waterways in colorful and traditional boats.
?Is Aveiro a city where you can walk
Aveiro is relatively flat and low-lying, making it an ideal city for walking and cycling. Everything is easily accessible on foot; the sidewalks are wide, the paths in good condition and many areas are pedestrianized.
?Coimbra or Aveiro
If you absolutely have to choose, we would say that Aveiro is the ideal choice for beach lovers, surfers, foodies and families, while Coimbra is the ideal choice for nightlife, history buffs and those who want to explore the Portuguese mountain ranges closer to the Spanish border.
Source: websites