Aveiro is the so-called “Venice of Portugal” and one of the most beautiful cities located in the Centro region. Not far from Porto and Lisbon, this charming city promises a calm escape from the bigger cities. Besides that, Aveiro is known for its beautiful canals, unique architecture and wonderful nature. So next time you ask yourself what to do in Aveiro, here are the best things to do and see in this beautiful town right at the sea.
Take a traditional Moliceiro boat tour
Because of the fact that Aveiro’s city center is filled with canals, a boat tour on one of the traditional Moliceiro boats is a must-do. For about 10-15€ you can enjoy an 1-hour boat tour past historic buildings and under small bridges. Especially if it’s your first time in Aveiro, a Moliceiro boat tour is a great way to get an overview of the city’s romantic atmosphere. You can book tickets for the traditional Moliceiro boat tours here*.
Enjoy a local shopping experience at Fórum Aveiro
Right in the center of Aveiro next to the canals, you can find the Fórum Aveiro. This local shopping mall is a quite small one, but its architecture beautifully integrates with the surrounding cityscape. Therefore, the Fórum Aveiro invites visitors for a walk through its shops. Even if the shopping mall cannot be compared to some bigger shopping malls in Portugal, it’s a great way to shop in the center of Aveiro.
Relax in Parque Dom Pedro Infante
If you’re looking for a place to calm down, the parks around Aveiro offer beautiful escapes with green landscapes. Especially Parque Dom Pedro Infante is a peaceful paradise where you can spend a sunny afternoon and dive into nature. On top, the park’s covered walkways bloom with vibrant vines and flowers in the summer. Don’t miss that out!
Try out the popular Ovos Moles in Aveiro
No trip to Aveiro would be complete without trying the traditional Ovos Moles. To do so, you can head over to Confeitaria Peixinho which is the oldest house making this delightful treat.
Photo from Instagram @confeitaria.peixinho
To be honest, we are not huge fans of Ovos Moles, but at least it’s a great place to taste these authentic Portuguese sweets made from centuries-old recipes. Maybe you will love it!
Go for a hike at Passadiços Ria de Aveiro
For nature and hiking lovers, the Passadiços Ria de Aveiro provides an excellent hiking opportunity. The Passadiços are just 4 kilometers by distance from the center of Aveiro.
It’s a great place to connect with nature, watch birds in a natural environment and enjoy the fresh breeze from the ocean. During the trail, you will be surrounded by the waters from the Ria de Aveiro which will allow you to spend a great time in nature.
Travel to the colourful beach town of Costa Nova
When you are visiting Aveiro, you should not miss out the village of Costa Nova. The colourful village with it’s striped houses is located directly at the atlantic ocean. On top of that, it’s just a 15 minutes drive from Aveiro.
Even if it can become quite crowdy during peak times in summer, it’s an amazing place. Here, you can enjoy sandy beaches, taste fresh seafood and take wonderful photos in front of the colourful fishermen’s houses.
Spend a day at the Praia da Barra beach
If you are already at Costa Nova, then you will already see the beach of Praia da Barra. This coastal line offers a beautiful beach framed by wild dunes.
As the village of Costa Nova is only a few minutes by foot, you will have a great selection of numerous restaurants serving fresh seafood and more. Besides that, we also visited Praia da Barra outside of the summer season and enjoyed a sunset there. It was magical!
Visit the chocolate factory of Feitoria do Cacao
Our last recommendation is one of the secret tips for chocolate lovers which only a few people know. Especially in the colder months, the chocolate factory of Feitoria do Cacao in Sosa (15 minutes from Aveiro) is more than worth a visit. These Portuguese craft chocolate bars are popular worldwide and belong to some of the best chocolates in the world.
The founders Tomoko and Sue regularly invite people to look inside their factory and even taste some of their chocolate bars. Apart from these factory tours, you can also pass by the factory during opening hours and taste some of their delicious chocolates. You can even find more information in our blog article about this secret chocolate factory.
Is Aveiro in Portugal worth visiting?
For us, Aveiro is a must-visit destination in Portugal and we are sure that it will not disappoint you. Inside the streets, you can feel the summer vibes everywhere and it’s a perfect place to relax. In combination with the calm atmosphere, it’s one of the Portuguese cities which still has a very authentic charm.
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