Aveiro and Costa Nova, two pearls of Portugal, offer an enchanting blend of culture, history and natural beauty. Aveiro is the National Capital of Culture in 2024, so this is a great year to visit this beautiful region!

Discover some of the main tourist attractions that make Aveiro and the Costa Nova irresistible to travellers.

Aveiro

Aveiro has a significant connection with the fishing economy and culture, due to its coastal location and the presence of the Ria de Aveiro. Fishing has historically played an important role in the community's subsistence, providing essential marine resources for local food and trade.

Aveiro enchants visitors with its picturesque beauty, tranquil canals and unique architecture, offering a tourist experience that combines historic charm with vibrant modernity.

Canals and Moliceiros

Aveiro is known as the "Portuguese Venice" because of its canals navigated by colourful boats called moliceiros. A moliceiro ride is one of the most popular activities in Aveiro, as it allows you to appreciate the architectural and historical beauty of the city, which has Art Nouveau, Baroque and Neoclassical influences.

The moliceiros have an elongated and elegant shape, with a curved bow and stern decorated with colourful paintings. These paintings depict scenes from daily life, culture, religion, politics and the humour of the people of Aveiro. The paintings often have jocular, ironic or spicy phrases that express the creativity and irreverence of the region's inhabitants.

The Ria de Aveiro is around 45 kilometres long and 11 kilometres wide, and is crossed by several natural and artificial channels. These channels were built to facilitate navigation, fishing, salt extraction and trade. Aveiro's urban canals have a total length of around 6 kilometres.

Emblematic buildings

Some of Aveiro's most emblematic buildings are the Aveiro Museum, which is housed in the former convent of Santa Joana, the Carmelitas Church, which has a blue and white tiled façade, and the old Train Station, which is also decorated with tiles depicting scenes from the region.

There are many interesting squares to visit in Aveiro, such as: Praça Humberto Delgado, which is in the city centre and has several historic buildings, such as the old palace of justice and the town hall; Praça do Peixe, the heart of the Beira Mar neighbourhood, where you'll find the fish market, one of Aveiro's oldest and most typical;

And then there's Praça Joaquim de Melo Freitas, where you can see the museum of new art, housed in an old manor house, and the Aveirense café-theatre, an emblematic building of Aveiro's culture.

Gilded woodwork in the Church of the Convent of Jesus

The Church of the Convent of Jesus is one of the most important and beautiful in Aveiro, located in the Aveiro/Santa Joana Museum. It was built in the 15th century and houses the tomb of St Joan the Princess, the city's patron saint. Its interior is richly decorated with gilded woodwork, tiles, paintings and sculptures, with the main altarpiece, a masterpiece of the Portuguese Baroque, standing out.

Vista Alegre Factory

For lovers of art and culture, the Vista Alegre Factory is a must-see. Founded in 1824, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious porcelain factories in Europe. Visitors can witness the masterful craftsmanship, explore fascinating exhibitions and even buy unique pieces as special souvenirs.

University of Aveiro

The University of Aveiro is an outstanding place, both in terms of higher education and architecture. Its modern and innovative buildings contrast with the city's history, providing a unique academic environment. The campus is an invitation to explore, with green spaces and an inspiring atmosphere.

Art Nouveau

Aveiro is one of the Portuguese cities with the most examples of Art Nouveau, an architectural and artistic style that developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterised by curved shapes, bright colours and floral and natural motifs.

In Aveiro, you can take the Art Nouveau Route, which includes 28 buildings and monuments, such as the Art Nouveau Museum, Major Pessoa's House, the former Aveiro Harbour Captaincy Building and the Casa dos Ovos Moles.

Aveiro's Art Nouveau style is characterised by the use of very special shapes and colours, especially in the decorative elements of building façades. Some of the main examples of this style are the Major Pessoa House, the City Museum, the Agricultural Co-operative Building and the Arte Nova Tea House.

The use of wrought iron, coloured stained glass and decorative tiles is common, giving these buildings a unique atmosphere. This style reflects a search for originality and artistic freedom, contributing to the city's cultural and architectural richness.

Pastry shops and restaurants

Aveiro is also famous for its ovos moles, a typical sweet made with egg yolks and sugar, which can be found in various confectionery shops in the city, such as A Barrica Café. Another of Aveiro's gastronomic specialities is codfish, which can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as à Zé do Pipo, à Lagareiro or with cream.

To savour these and other delicacies, there are several quality restaurants in Aveiro, such as O Bairro, Mercado do Peixe and Salpoente.

Discover the secrets of Ovos Moles de Aveiro.

Natural landscape

In addition to the city, Aveiro also has a very rich and diverse natural landscape, including the salt pans, where sea salt is produced by hand, the Infante D. Pedro Park, a romantic garden with a lake and a bandstand, and the Aveiro Walkways, an 8-kilometre walking route that follows the Aveiro estuary and allows you to observe the local fauna and flora.

The Ria de Aveiro, one of the most beautiful coastal landscapes in Portugal, is an extensive coastal lagoon between Ovar and Mira that offers unique landscapes and opportunities for boat trips. The ria is rich in fish and aquatic birds, and is an ideal place for water sports.

The ria is also of historical and cultural importance, as it was from here that the city of Aveiro developed.

You can also see the Pateira de Fermentelos, the largest natural lagoon on the Iberian Peninsula, located between the municipalities of Águeda, Aveiro and Oliveira do Bairro. Pateira is a place of tourist, cultural and environmental interest, where you can practise water sports, watch birds, take interpretive walks and enjoy the landscape.

Explore this city on a complete tour of Aveiro.

Costa Nova

The origin of the name Costa Nova do Prado dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, when the fishing village of Costa Nova was founded. The name "Costa Nova" came about when the bar of the Ria de Aveiro was opened in 1808, to distinguish it from the "old coast" on the beach of São Jacinto, which was used by fishermen until then.

In this way, fishing and local agriculture continue to be important activities in Costa Nova, which maintains its tradition and identity.

Costa Nova seduces visitors with its colourful striped houses, stunning beaches and charming coastal atmosphere, making it a captivating and picturesque tourist destination in Portugal.

Haystacks

Costa Nova is a small fishing village that has become a popular tourist destination, especially in the summer. Its main attraction is the haystacks, wooden houses painted with colourful stripes that were once used to store fishing gear and are now used as housing or accommodation. The haystacks are a symbol of the Costa Nova and give it a unique and photogenic charm.

Costa Nova parish church

It is a Catholic church that was built in 1910 in the neo-Gothic style. Its façade is decorated with blue and white tiles depicting scenes from the life of Jesus and Mary. The interior of the church is simple but welcoming and has some colourful stained glass windows and religious images.

Costa Nova Beach

Costa Nova also has a long beach of fine white sand, bathed by the Atlantic, which invites you to sunbathe and swim, practise surfing and other water sports, or simply relax and admire the view. The beach also has a lighthouse, the second highest in Portugal, which can be visited on Wednesdays.

São Jacinto Dunes Nature Reserve

For nature lovers, the Reserva Natural das Dunas de São Jacinto is an unspoilt haven. Meandering trails take visitors through diverse ecosystems, from dunes to lagoons. Birdwatching is a popular activity, offering visitors the chance to appreciate the region's rich biodiversity.

Local Gastronomy Places

To round off your visit to Costa Nova, there's nothing better than sampling the fresh fish and seafood that form the basis of the local cuisine. There are several restaurants serving dishes such as caldeirada, seafood rice and grilled sardines, among others. Some of the most recommended are Bronze, Dori and Marisqueira Costa Nova.

If you like sweets, then you have to try Zé da Tripa. It's a kiosk that sells one of the local confectionery specialities: tripa. Tripa is a kind of crepe made with American biscuits, which can be filled with various ingredients, such as chocolate, jam, fruit, ice cream, among others. Zé da Tripa is one of the oldest and most famous tripe sellers on the Costa Nova.

Costa Nova Market

The Costa Nova market is one of the most emblematic spaces serving the fishing community, but also all those who enjoy fish and seafood. It's located on the spectacular Costa Nova beach, overlooking the Fisherman's Wharf. The market also has a "crus" area, full of various fish, most of which are caught by locals.

The market is open from Tuesday to Sunday, with different opening hours depending on the time of year. It's an ideal place for those who like to savour the fresh and typical products of the Ria de Aveiro.

Aveiro and Costa Nova are destinations that inspire with their beauty, immersing travellers in a rich heritage of local tradition, history, art, gastronomy and stunning landscapes. From the picturesque canals to the colourful houses, every visit to this Portuguese region is an unforgettable journey.

Have you ever explored the magic of Aveiro and Costa Nova? This adventure awaits you!

Enjoy a visit to Aveiro and the Costa Nova with a Moliceiro boat trip or in private.

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