Aveiro Travel Guide: 13 Top Things to do in Aveiro, Portugal🇵🇹
Aveiro is a city located on the west coast of Portugal along Ria de Aveiro Lagoon known as the "Portuguese Venice". This city is distinguished by its canals that are navigated by colourful boats which are traditionally used to harvest seaweed.
Check 10 Top Things to Know Before Traveling to Portugal + Cultural Do’s & Don’ts
How to Get Your Visa for Portugal
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How to Get to Aveiro
Aveiro is located between Lisbon and porto, so you can easily take a bus from one of these cities to get to Aveiro, but keep in mind that Aveiro is closer to Porto that Lisbon. A bus ride from Lisbon to Aveiro takes around 3h 30mins and it costs around 22€. A Bus ride from Porto to Aveiro takes around an hour and it costs around 12€.
You can also take the train from Lisbon which would take 2h 20 min and the ticket price ranges between 29 and 40€. As mentioned, Aveiro is closer to Porto so a train ride from Porto would take 1h for 3.55€. In Porto take the train from Campanhã or São Bento stations and take the yellow line, trains run every hour.
Check Why You Should Visit Portugal: 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Portugal
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How to Move Around Aveiro
It is easy to walk nearly everywhere in Aveiro as everything is located near the city centre. The only things you will need to take the bus for are Costa Nova and Praia Da Barra, Or if you love cycling then you can get a BUGA bike and explore the city that way, these are free bikes as well and you will only need to provide an identification document and then the bike is yours for 2 hours for free within the city limits. Also, if you feel like it you can explore the city by booking a tuk-tuk tour.
Best Time to Visit Aveiro
The best times to visit Aveiro would be between March and September, the weather is nice and sunny during that period. You need 2 days to stay in Aveiro so it would be great if you want to go during the weekend. If you plan to visit between September and March, be aware that it gets cold at night in Aveiro as well as windy.
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Accommodation in Aveiro
Aveiro has gained a lot of international exposure during the past few years, most options can be found in the city centre but keep in mind that most hotels as well as family-run housings are a bit overpriced. You can find a lot of great Airbnbs in Aveiro and that would be my favourite option, but in comparison to Lisbon and Porto, Aveiro is slightly more expensive.
Check 5 Top Places to Visit in Portugal
Best Cafes & Restaurants in Aveiro
Cha & Bolachas (Gluten-free options, vegan friendly, Mediterranean cuisine)
M Bakery (Gluten-free options, vegan friendly, Portuguese cuisine)
Cais Do Pescado (Gluten-free options, vegan friendly, Mediterranean cuisine)
Musgo (Vegan restaurant)
Check Portugal Travel Guide: The Ultimate 1-Week Travel Itinerary
13 Top Things to do in Aveiro
For 5€ you can get a ticket for all museums in Aveiro's city centre:
Aveiro Museum
City Museum
Ecomuseum Marinha da Troncalhada
Art Nouveau Museum
Check Lisbon Travel Guide: 15 Top Things to do in Lisbon, Portugal
1. Take a Boat Ride through the Canals
To explore the beautiful city, a boat ride is ideal. These boat rides are tailored for tourist so they will be talking and giving a lot of information about each place/location you pass by. Prices depend on the boat ride you take and the provider. This can take you between 30 minutes and 1 hour.
Check Lisbon Travel Guide: The Best 3 Days Travel Itinerary
2. Museu da Cidade (Aveiro City Museum)
This is one of the oldest convents in Aveiro as it dates back to the 15th century, the building went through many enlargement as well as improvements. Nowadays, the museum presents a visit circuit with two different parts that complement each other: the monumental route and the permanent exhibition. The museum's opening hours are from 10:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 18:00 from Tuesday to Sunday. This can take you less than 30 minutes.
Check Sintra Travel Guide: 7 Top Things to do in Sintra, Portugal
3. Museu de Aveiro - Santa Joana (Aveiro Museum - Santa Joana)
A former female religious convent has been transformed into a museum, inside is the tomb of the Order's most famous nun - Santa Joana, which is why it is also called the Santa Joana Museum. Inside you can find exhibits of sacred art from the Portuguese baroque period, jewellery, and artefacts of historical importance to the city. Entrance fees are 4€ and it is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. This can take you less than 30 minutes.
4. Museu de Arte Nova (Art Nouveau Museum)
Around the city centre of Aveiro; you will find a lot of historic buildings that are so beautiful, one of those buildings was then adapted into a multi-level museum and a tea house, it is known as 'Casa Major'. Entrance tickets cost 2€ and it is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 13:30 to 18:00. The Tea House is open from Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 to 14:00 and on the weekends from 9:00 to 15:00. This can take you less than 30 minutes.
5. Ria de Aveiro (Aveiro Lagoon)
The coastal lagoons are what gives Aveiro its appeal, it is known as the city of canals. Taking a walk along the canals is a great way to experience the most picturesque parts of Aveiro.
Check Cascais Travel Guide: 8 Top Things to do in Cascais, Portugal
6. Eco-museum Marinha da Troncalhada (Saltern Eco-museum of Troncalhada)
Aveiro is known to being a big salt producer in the 80s with 275 working salterns, but nowadays there is about 10 that are working. You can visit the eco-museum for free at any time of the day but the best would be during the afternoon to watch the sunset. This can take you less than 30 minutes.
Check Porto Travel Guide: The Best 3 Days Travel Itinerary
7. Marinha da Noeirinha (Noeirinha Saltern)
This is an old saltern which has been restored recently and it is open for visits. You can take a guided tour around and learn about the salt making process, not only that but you can take a dip in the salt pools and you can go to the salt spa in the afternoon. You can check their website for more information as well as reservation. This can take you between 30 minutes and 1 hour.
Check Porto Travel Guide: 16 Top Things to do in Porto, Portugal
8. Estação de Comboios (Railway Station)
This 19th century building has been abandoned for many years after the new station was built but now it is open and restored and you can visit it to see endogenous products such as ovos moles, wine, and salt. This can take you less than 15 minutes.
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9. Lago da Fonte Nova (Congress Center - Fonte Nova Lake)
Near this Fonte, you will find spaces used by locals for an afternoon stroll or picnics. You can also find a lot of restaurants and cafes around this area, it is perfect to have a meal during the sunset there. Near the Fonte Nova Lake you will also find the Fonte Nova Quay and the Antiga Fábrica Jerónimo Pereira Campos. This can take you less than 30 minutes.
Check Why You Should Visit Aveiro: 5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Aveiro, Portugal
10. Praça do Peixe (Fish Market)
In the Beira-Mar neighbourhood, you will find one of Aveiro's fish market that is a small Eiffel-Style iron and glass building. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 to 14:00. You will also find a restaurant on the first floor and the area itself is filled with cafes, bars, and terraces which can be visited at night from 22:00 to 3:00. This can take you between 30 minutes and 1 hour.
Check Aveiro Travel Guide: 24 Hours in Aveiro, Portugal - A Complete 1 Day Itinerary
11. Capela de São Gonçalinho (S. Gonçalinho Chapel)
This small church was built in the 18th century in honour of Aveiro's patron. Every January, people go on top of the chapel and throw sugary cakes to fulfil their vows, this is probably one of the most random and weird celebration. Not only that, but the people below then try to catch these cakes which are called 'Cavacas' as it is said that it brings good luck. This can take you less than 30 minutes.
12. Park Infante Dom Pedro (City Park)
If you have time and you love having a picnic, then this is the place for you. It is known for its tranquility as well as the 19th century scenery with ponds and picnic tables. You can go to the park that locals visit and enjoy the view and the atmosphere at Parque da Macaca. This can take you between 1-2 hours, depending on how much time you have.
13. Costa Nova and Praia Da Barra
The beaches of Barra and Costa Nova can be reached by bus, it takes 20 minutes from the city centre. You can find two bus stops at different ends of the city, one right by the railway station and the other near Rossio. You can take the Transdev bus (L5951) in the Rossio area or near Aveiro Train Station, which will take you to Costa nova or Barra in 40 minutes. For a round trip to Barra, the ticket costs 4.92€, and for a round trip to Costa Nova, the ticket costs 5.20€.