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If you’re seeking a taste of Venice while in Portugal, consider visiting Aveiro. This stunning seaside town is renowned for its beaches, striped houses, and charming canals that offer a glimpse into the city’s colorful streets and captivating history. From savoring delicious pastries to basking on exquisite beaches, Aveiro has a variety of experiences to explore. So, in this article, we’ll share how to do Aveiro as a day trip and highlight 13 intriguing things to do in Aveiro Portugal.

You can also watch our full Aveiro video guide below!

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How to Get from Porto to Aveiro?

Aveiro is about 76 km (47 miles) south of Porto, making Aveiro an easy day trip from Porto.  We choose to take the train which is a quick and affordable way to reach the city.  Roundtrip train tickets were only €7.10 and the journey took about an hour and a half by train.  

Driving is another great option as the attractions in Aveiro are spread out and will require a bus or Uber ride to get from the city center to the colorful coastal village.  Having a car at your disposal helps you explore both areas more efficiently.  So, if you like the independence of driving, you can find an affordable car rental here! 

Another great option would be to take a tour. There are several tour options that depart from Porto that could be a good option for those that prefer to sit back and relax and have someone else do all the navigating. Some good Aveiro tour options are listed below!

Is Aveiro a walkable city?

Aveiro is not entirely pedestrian-friendly, as the beachside and city center are quite far from one another so it’s impractical to walk in between to two areas. Transportation options such as buses, Ubers, or personal vehicles are essential for navigating between the beach and the city center. However, once you reach the coastline or the city center, these areas are very walkable, inviting leisurely strolls.

The 13 Best Things to Do in Aveiro

Although Aveiro is a relatively small town of about 78,000 people, it still has a lot to offer the traveler. So, below are 13 of the best things to do in Aveiro.  

1. The Old Train Station

If you arrive by train, one of the first things that you will see is the old train station.  This train station has been beautifully restored with azulejos or painted tiles.  The artwork on this building is lovely and a great way to start your adventure in Aveiro.    

2. Taste Ovos Moles

One pastry that is unique to Aveiro is Ovos Moles.  These pastries are shaped like little shells or barrels and are filled with a delicious sweetened egg yolk.  It has such a unique taste and a great way to give yourself a bit of a sugar rush to start your Aveiro adventure.  

A great place to try Ovos Moles is at Tricana D’Aveiro which is a historic cafe that is across the street from the Old Train Station.  The cafe was built in 1927, and here you can enjoy an ovo mole with a cup of tea or coffee and really savor the flavor of the city.  

3. Costa Nova

Next, head out to see Costa Nova which is a colorful village filled with stripped houses that will brighten your mood and give you some of the best pictures of your trip to Aveiro. 

This village was originally a fishing village due to its close proximity to the water on both sides of the peninsula, however, over the years, the area has become filled with stripped vacation homes that are enchanting to see.  

4. Aveiro Lagoon

Across the street from the charming stripped houses is the Aveiro Lagoon.  The water here is calm and still and is a nice place to take a stroll and enjoy the view. 

5. Costa Nova Beach

Once you finished on the lagoon side, you can cross back through the village to get to the ocean side of the peninsula to see Costa Nova Beach.  This beach is great for enjoying the water and the sun.  

This beach also has a nice boardwalk that connects Costa Nova Beach to Barra Beach.  

6. Barra Beach

Barra Beach has the same landscape as Costa Nova Beach.  The only difference is that Barra Beach has a lot more beach bars, which is what makes Barra Beach so fun!  

Definitely stop by a beach bar or two for the music, the drinks, and for lunch as well! There’s nothing better than having lunch with a beach view.  

7. Setimo Beach Bar

One great place to have lunch with a beach view is Setimo Beach Bar.  This upscale restaurant has an affordable lunch menu that will have you eating lunch in style.  Plus, in the summer, it’s a great base to set up your beach blanket and enjoy the water while ordering a drink or two from the club.  This place has a great vibe all year around so stop by to see it for yourself!  

8. Barra Lighthouse

At the end of your beach walk is Barra Lighthouse which happens to be the tallest lighthouse in Portugal.  Marvel at its height and its lovely stripes before heading back into the city center.  

9. Moliceiro Boat Tour

An absolute must while you are in Aveiro is taking a moliceiro boat tour.  Moliceiros are the traditional, colorful boats that you will see gliding along Aveiro’s canals.  Originally, these boats were used to harvest moliço, a type of algae that was used as fertilizer. Now, these boats are used as a way to see the charming houses adorned with azulejos (ceramic tiles) and the unique bridges that line the canals.  

In addition to the gorgeous views, you will get to learn more about Aveiro’s history and how it because so prosperous due to its salt mines and fishing industry.  It’s a lovely and informative cruise that is a must-do when you are in Aveiro.  So, book your Moliceiro Boat Ride here!

10. Mercy Church and Aveiro City Hall

After your Moliceiro boat ride, stroll over to Mercy Church and City Hall to see these charming buildings and the history that surrounds them.  

The city hall was built in 1797 and looks so picturesque on the square.  Plus, if you take a peek inside you will see a lovely stained glass window that makes this building seem even more elegant.

It’s also nice to take a quick stop inside Mercy Church because it is ornately adorned with colorful tiles and stunning paintings.  Mercy Church was once the town’s cathedral, and it’s easy to see why because this small church holds so much beauty inside.

You can learn even more about City Hall and Mercy Church from the placards outside these buildings. These placards make it easy to learn a bit of history while doing your own to self-guided tour of the city.

11. Aveiro Cathedral

The current Aveiro Cathedral was built in 1464 and used to be part of a convent.  Now, it’s open to the public and lovely to behold both inside and outside.   

12. Aveiro Museum

Right across the street from the cathedral is Aveiro Museum. The Aveiro Museum was built in 1458 as a Dominican convent and is worth seeing because of its architecture, lavish chapels like the Church of Jesus, and large collections of paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and Moorish-style tiles.  It’s a great place to be amazed by the relics of the past.    

13. The Carmelite Church

Although the Carmelite Church doesn’t look like much from the outside, the inside of this small church is spectacular complete with blue tiles and Barquoe cravings covered in gold leaf.  This place sparkles like no other, and the best part is that it’s free to enter.  

How Much Time Do You Need in Aveiro

One day is enough in Aveiro.  We saw Aveiro as a day trip from Porto and found that a full day was enough to see all of the main attractions.   

Is Aveiro Worth Visiting?

This water-filled city is definitely worth seeing because of its unique striped houses and fascinating river canals.  These attractions really make Aveiro a special stop that you won’t forget on your trip to Portugal.  

Now that you know about Aveiro, learn more about these other great Portugal destinations below!

• The Ulitmate Guide to Porto Portugal
• Lisbon Portugal – 20 Fun Things to Do
• Braga – The Best Day Trip from Porto
• The Best Travel Gear for Easy Packing
• How to Afford Full-Time Travel

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