Is Aveiro Worth Visiting?

Aveiro is a charming small city based on the west coast of Portugal located near the beach.

It is home to a network of canals and is set along a lagoon called Ria de Aveiro.

Aveiro is popular for its colorful traditional moliceiro boats that navigate the canals to give you a unique view of the city from the water.

It is truly a unique place with Art Nouveau architecture to be found on every street, making it an extremely colorful city with lots of tiled facades.

It has so many hidden gems to discover if you choose to visit here, including street art and some of the best seafood you will ever have.

Aveiro is popular as a day trip from Porto as it is less than an hour’s drive or train journey.

However, if you are planning your next Portuguese trip, you might ask, is Aveiro worth visiting?

This small little city packs quite the tourism punch. It is easily accessible on foot and is known for its canal boat trips, great cycling conditions, and local cuisine.

Aveiro also has some stunning beaches nearby. Perfect for anyone eager to soak up some sun or relax with some swimming or snorkeling in the Atlantic Ocean.

If you are considering visiting Aveiro, you are probably wondering what are some things to know before going and also wondering if Aveiro is worth visiting?

Here are a few things to know before visiting this beautiful Portuguese city.

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Reasons To Visit Aveiro: The Pros

Aveiro is a city filled with culture, art, and an undeniable charm. It is picturesque and relaxed and perfect for anyone looking for something different in Portugal.

Moliceiro Boat Tours

A big draw for tourists to Aveiro is the traditional moliceiro boat tours along the canals. These boats were used in the past for farming and harvesting seaweed, now tourists can get aboard for a tour of the city from the canal.

During this tour, you will get unique views of this iconic city and enjoy seeing the beautiful artwork painted on other moliceiro boats that pass by.

These boats are similar to Viking longships or a gondola in Venice. The moliceiro boats are brightly painted and often depict scenes of religious figures or of moliceiro boats from the past.

Exploring By Foot Or Bicycle

For a different perspective than from the water, you can also easily explore Aveiro by foot or bicycle.

The city is mainly flat, unlike many other destinations in Portugal, making it a perfect place to cycle around for an afternoon. There are bikes, or BUGA, which are made free by the local council for you to explore the city.

You can also walk around the city yourself, or join a guided walking tour to get the most out of this experience. During this tour, you will get a deep insight into the history of this Portuguese city. 

You will also learn the history of the city’s patron saint Princess Santa Joana – who you will see painted on the side of many boats in the city.

Art & Architecture

Aveiro is a city that has a huge amount of culture in a small space. This city is synonymous with Art Nouveau and is one of the best examples of it in the world.

One of the best things to do in the city is to walk around and enjoy the Art Nouveau facade of many of the buildings.

Cooperativa Agrícola Building is a stunning example of Art Nouveau as the front is designed with tiles that have a unique beauty.

I also recommend you visit the House of the Architect Silva Rocha. The outside of this house really stands out as it is so beautifully designed and boldly colored, Be sure to also visit the Museum of Art Nouveau in the center during your time here.

On Rua de Coimbra street, you will find the Church of Aveiro’s Mercy which is a must-visit for any architecture lover.

Another ‘must see’ is Aveiro’s stunning Baroque cathedral. Even the city’s houses are scenic, featuring traditional ‘azulejo’ or whitewashed Mediterranean facades.

Local Cuisine

Portugal is known for its traditional sweets and Aveiro is no exception.

You can get the usual Pastéis de Nata and Serradura dessert, but while you are here, you need to also try the traditional sweets of Aveiro, ovos moles.

They are made from egg yolk and sugar and the outside is shaped into different nautical-themed shapes, such as boats, fish, and shellfish.

Confeitaria Peixinho is the best place to try these tasty treats. This store is also located in a beautiful building that is worth visiting for some pictures even if you are not a fan of sweet treats!

Since Aveiro is so popular for its seafood, you must try another local dish, the eel stew. Eels are plentiful and very popular to eat in this region of Portugal.

We recommend trying Maré Cheia, a seafood restaurant that also offers some vegetarian options. Here you can try the Eel stew or caldeirada de enguias as it’s known in Portuguese.

Proximity To Other Major Destinations In Portugal

A really big plus of visiting Aveiro, similar to other small cities in the area like Coimbra, is its proximity to several top tourist destinations in Portugal.

Because of this, it means you can visit Aveiro for an afternoon or 1 day during a road trip around Portugal, or you can use Aveiro as your base to explore the west coast of Portugal.

It is a cheap area, so it could be a great option to base yourself here, rent a car and travel around to different places.

You can easily visit Aveiro from Porto or visa versa whilst in this area. It is less than a 1-hour drive from Porto if you rent a car, or you can join one of the many organized day trips from Porto to Aveiro instead.

Beaches Close By

A huge benefit of Aveiro is the beaches close by, which make it one of the best beach towns in Portugal. Just 7km from the city center you will find a long stretch of sandy beaches with two beach towns Costa Nova and Praia de Barra. 

Here you can chill and enjoy some lazy beach days, or wander around the quaint beach towns.

Along Costa Nova, there is a wooden pathway constructed for you to enjoy a stroll along the beach at any time of year.

This beach is also lined with candy-striped colorful houses which are a great spot for some photographs.

If you choose to visit Praia de Barra, you will see the largest working lighthouse in Portugal and also find plenty of great spots to enjoy some sun.

During the summer months, you can get a local bus service to the beaches on the hour, every hour from the train station. This takes just half an hour and is less than 5 euros.

Reasons To Visit Aveiro: The Cons

Although the pros may seem to outweigh the con, there is one main thing to know when traveling to Aveiro, as this particular con may influence your Portugal travel plans.

Limited Activities

If you constantly want things to do and like to have a very active holiday, you will run out of things to do here pretty quickly in Aveiro.

It is a small and beautiful city but has limited activities available to tourists. 

However, if you like a slow pace of life with lots of art to soak up, strolls along the canals and beaches close by, it’s perfect.

The Final Verdict: So Is Aveiro Worth Visiting?

So is Aveiro nice, and is Aveiro worth visiting? Absolutely!

Aveiro is not on many travelers’ radars. However, it definitely should be. It is a city filled with art, architecture, and history and has beautiful beaches nearby.

Aveiro is a popular day trip for anyone visiting Porto or Lisbon.

Still, we would recommend sticking around for an extra day or two to experience everything that this city has to offer and to visit the closeby Costa Nova.

Yes, it is a small city, and there isn’t a huge amount to do here, but it is so beautiful, we reckon it’s worth a bit of extra time here.

So is Aveiro worth visiting? Yes indeed.

It is the perfect spot for an afternoon or 1 day from Porto. It is also a great alternative with cheaper accommodation costs than Porto or Lisbon to explore the West Coast of Portugal.

Having said that, if you have very limited time in Portugal, then skip it and stick to the main destinations like Lisbon, Porto, or the Algarve.

Visiting Portugal soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Is the Algarve worth visiting
• Best places to hike near Porto
• Is Coimbra worth visiting