Today on Explore Portugal, we're visiting Aveiro! Aveiro is a city on the northern coast of the country, famous for its canals and known as the "Portuguese Venice". The city of Aveiro grew alongside a lagoon known as Ria de Aveiro. The destination became known for its navigable canals filled with colorful boats (moliceiros), which were traditionally used for seaweed harvesting and have now been adapted for tourism.
Located between the city of Porto and Coimbra, the charming Portuguese Venice couldn't be left out of our Explore Portugal! Here are some of the things you should know and do in Aveiro on your weekend getaway:
Visit Costa Nova
One of the postcards of Aveiro, Portugal, is the colorful houses of Costa Nova, the beach area of the city. The story goes that the fishermen who lived in this region started painting their homes so they could be recognized from afar when returning from their journeys at sea.
Friendly tip: visit the area in the morning when the lighting is better for pictures!
It's no wonder that Aveiro is also known as the Portuguese Venice. Just like in the Italian city, the historic centre is intersected by several canals—not as many as in Venice, it's true, but enough to give it that charm and make you feel like you're in a movie!
There are several companies that offer this service, and you can find many moliceiros (traditional boats) in the city centre. These small and colorful vessels were originally used for harvesting moliço, a type of algae that was dried in the sun and used as fertilizer for the region's lands. Today, taking a ride on these boats is one of the main attractions of Aveiro and usually costs between 10 to 12 euros for a 45-minute tour.
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Eat the famous Ovos Moles
Sweets are an attraction all over Portugal, and every region has its own star! In Aveiro, the fame goes to Ovos Moles, a small mass like a communion wafer, filled with sweet egg cream. Pastelaria Rossio and Oficina do Doce are good places to taste it (I approve). Another good option is Tripas de Aveiro, a warm cookie served in various kiosks, especially in Costa Nova and Praia da Barra.
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Explore the old town of Aveiro
The historic centre of Aveiro is very unique, colorful and the people are very friendly, always showcasing the best of the region to those who pass by! The perfect plan would be a walk along the canals, visit the Fish Market, take a typical coffee break and enjoy something to eat in Praça 14 de Julho, one of the best spots in the city to sit and socialize.
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Beach Day? Yes!
Since Aveiro is located on the coast of Portugal, why not enjoy a beach day? There are two main options close to the centre of Aveiro: Praia da Barra and Costa Nova. Praia da Barra is famous for its lighthouse, one of the tallest in Portugal, and for being the place where Ria de Aveiro meets the sea. Costa Nova, on the other hand, is highly sought after by surfers, largely due to its more turbulent waters.
Visit the Salt Pans of Aveiro
Did you know that the salt from Aveiro is one of the most famous in the world? And its production in the area is quite ancient, even older than the country itself. So, there's no doubt: it's an ideal place to visit a salt pan. Several of them offer guided tours, with historical explanations and insights into the production processes.
Take advantage of June (especially the holidays) and make a weekend trip to Aveiro, I'm sure you won't regret it!
See you,