Averio
Obelisco da Liberdade
Known as Portugal's Venice, Averio's canals were the lifeblood of the city, being used by the seaweed fishermen and bringing the valuable salt to the salt flats. Now more dependent on tourism than fishing, the city has a range of things to see and do.
Sights & Culture
Sé de Aveiro
A gothic cathedral right by the Aveiro Museum, the building dates from the 15th century. Most of the more interesting religious works can be found in the museum, but it is still a beautiful building and a famed landmark.
Sé de Aveiro
Assembleia Municipal de Aveiro
The Assembly is a sizable building, framed on two sides by the canal; outside its front windows, one of the many boat tours can be found. It is a large structure, somewhat reminiscent of a colonial house.
Assembleia Municipal de Aveiro
Igreja da Misericórdia de Aveiro
It took almost a hundred years to build the original church, from 1585 to 1653.
The beautiful blue tiling on the front dates from the 18th century, with the decorative door being added in the 19th century.
Paróquia da Vera Cruz
Paróquia da Vera Cruz
The Vera Cruz church is north of the central canal, with some beautiful tile work outside.
Praça do Peixe
Praça do Peixe
The extensive seafood market is one of the central points in Aveiro.
Canal Central de Aveiro
Aveiro is known as Portugal’s Venice. Whilst it only has a few small canals, it is easy to see why as the brightly colour boats are forever going up and down the canals.
Canal Central de Aveiro
The bridges over the water are adorned with colorful ribbons, red for love, white for friendship, and others. The idea is similar to the locks of Paris, but in my opinion, much more beautiful.
Fisherman’s Quarter
The Fisherman’s Quater is a charming place for a short walk full of old houses on the canal side.
Salinas de Aveiro
A little outside of town, the Salt Flats are still in regular use, though they were not in use during my visit as it is the winter season. An excellent place to see local sea birds, who land for the salt.
Costa Nova do Prado
Outside of Aveiro proper, you can find the famous Costa Nova do Prado houses all along the promenade; these striped houses give the little seaside down a particular character. You’ll see many tourists and locals taking photos of themselves in front of the stripes.
It’s a charming and quaint spot. Strangely different to so much of Portugals elegant and ancient architecture.
Ponte dos Carcavelos
Ponte dos Carcavelos
Known as the Bridge of Lovers, originally, lovers would kiss on the bridge, but after it collapsed, this tradition changed, and now the lovers kiss under it as the boat goes past.
Ponte dos Botirões
Ponte dos Botirões
The shape is based on the eel nets commonly used by local fishermen. The architect of the Eiffel Tower designed the distinctive circular bridge’s shape.
Museums & Galleries
Museu de Aveiro
Set in the old Covenant of Jesus for the Dominican Order, it dates back to the 15th century. Several museum areas are dedicated to Princess D. Joana, who entered the convent in 1472 and was later canonised.
The ground floor houses various religious items and the incredible Church of Jesus, full of golden woodwork and hand-painted tiles. Upstairs is the permanent collection of paintings and artefacts of Saint Joana.
Museu de Arte Nova
Quite a small museum, but a nice one, the museum is housed in one of Aveiro’s finest examples of Arte Nova architecture. The tea house comes strongly recommended both during the day for a relaxing stop and at night for a thumping bar. Unfortunately, it was closed during my visit.
You can get a very reasonably priced ticket covering this museum and the Museu de Aveiro.
Parks & Gardens
Parque de Santa Joana
Parque de Santa Joana
A tiny green space framing the Museu de Aveiro.
Praia da Costa Nova
A lovely beach close to the famous striped houses. A wooden walkway runs down a lot of the beach, and numerous small cafes dot the length and give views over the water. Even in winter, they were crowded for sunset.
Restaurants & Bars
Tertúlia Bistro
A local restaurant that did a fantastic meal over lunch for me.
Bronze Seafood & Lounge Bar
Sunset Views on Praia da Costa Nova. I stopped here for a coffee and the view.
Café Charlot
More bar than a cafe, set in one of the middle streets of Costa Nova, it was a chilled out place for espresso.
Sports & Activities
Cais dos Moliceiros
There are a lot of places in Aveiro where you can jump on a boat tour, but the majority of them are found at the Pier of Moliceiros, near the Art Nouveau Museum.
The boats are colourful, traditional boats used to collect seaweed from the canals and lagoons—initially piloted by long sticks, like the Venetian gondolas or the punts of Cambridge.
Cais dos Moliceiros
The tour takes 35-45 minutes and runs through the canals of Aveiro. The tour guides will give you the history of the city and the items you pass, and it’s a fun way to see the city from a different perspective.
Forum Aveiro
An unusual shopping mall with a faux-classical structure, the Forum is a prominent part of the skyline of Aveiro.
Walking the streets of the Forum