Plan a trip to Aveiro

Aveiro is a thriving city on the west coast of Portugal with a young and lively vibe. It is set on a lagoon, the Ria de Aveiro, and has been dubbed the “Venice of Portugal” thanks to its maze of canals, colorful boats, and arched bridges. Its name likely derived from the Latin word, aviarium, a place of bird habitation, due to the many bird species located on the lagoon. 

Aveiro is small and charming, a lovely destination to explore by foot, bicycle or on one of the popular and colorful Moliceiro boats that were used to collect the seaweed which served as a natural and rich fertilizer. It features art nouveau buildings and religious landmarks.

At the beginning of the 16th century, Aveiro prospered as a port city based on its fishing, salt production, and Molico seaweed collection. However, in the 1670’s, there was a vicious storm which blocked the mouth of the Vouga River, and, as a result, ships were unable to reach the ocean. The river became a swamp, a breeding ground for fever mosquitoes, causing many of the residents to flee the city. In 1808, the Barra Canal was dug, enabling the water to once again flow to the sea. Within 100 years, Aveiro’s salt production made a comeback, sold as a preservative for the Bacalhau cod fish.

The Aveiro Museum is housed in the former Mosteiro de Jesus Monastery, and the tomb of Princess Juana is a 17th century work of art decorated with a marble mosaic. The chapel is adorned with Azulejos depicting the life of the princess who lived in the monastery.

Don’t miss the delicious local sweets, Ovos Moles, in the sweets workshop - an open museum and a cooking school - which aims to present the culinary tradition of the nuns in Aveiro.

There are stunning swimming and surfing beaches located about 6 miles south of Aveiro. Costa Nova is the most outstanding and well known of the beaches and is home to many cafes, souvenir shops, and colorful, picturesque huts.

The city’s student population, as well as its many summer vacationers, contribute to the vibrant, thriving Aveiro nightlife.