Aveiro, also known as the «Venice of Portugal», is one of the countrys little surprises.
The largest and most famous cities of Portugal may drawthe attention of visitors, the Iberian country howeverhas many hidden treasures for discerning travelers. Did you know, for example, that Portugal has its own... Venice?
About an hour from Porto, the countrys second-largest city, Aveiro is a city full of surprises, known for its canals and colorful boats (barcos moliceiros) that recall gondolas. Because of these similarities, this Portuguese port city is compared to Venice. The city dates back to the 10th century, while the area was a maritime hub and a salt-producing region from Roman times, known by the Latin name Aviarium.
The transformations of recent years, have made the city an ideal destination for longer getaways. So if you find yourself in Portoand want to see something different, its worth taking the train or the bus to get to know Aveiro. If you go by car, youll arrive in about 45 minutes from Porto or in 2.5 hours from Lisbon.
What to do in Aveiro
Canal cruise on a moliceiro
A canal cruise aboard a traditional moliceiro boat is perhaps the first thing youll want to do in Aveiro. These boats, once used to harvest seaweed, are now elaborately decorated and used for tourism. During the tour youll see beautiful buildings with Art Nouveau facades and pass beneath many bridges.
Visit the Aveiro Museum
Explore the regions history at the Aveiro Museum, housed in an old convent(Convento de Jesus). Here, youll have the chance to admire an impressive collection of religious artifacts as well as colorful tiles, the famed azulejos. In the convent, built in the 15th century, lies the tomb of Princess Joanna of Portugal.
Try the traditional ovos moles de Aveiro
Ovos moles («soft eggs») are a distinctive local delicacy. This sweet, made only in Aveiro, consists of a paste-like blend of egg yolk and sugar wrapped in an airy rice-paper shell shaped like a fish or a shell. The most famous shop to taste and buy them is Confeitaria Peixinho, though you willfind them in almost every pastry shop in the city.
Excursion to Costa Nova
Hop in the car for a 15-minute mini excursion to Praia da Costa Nova, with its colorful striped houses lining the sandy shore. These charming houses, which in the past were used to store fishermens nets and other gear, today offer visitors a wonderful backdrop for photos. Dont miss trying seafood at one of the beachfront restaurants.
Discover the Salinas de Aveiro
Learn all about the ancient methods of salt production and the role it played in Aveiros history at the Salinas de Aveiro salt pans. Dont miss the chance to visit the open-air Troncalhada Ecomuseum to see the harvest, as well as to buy local salt.
