Why you should visit colourful Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal
While many choose Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve when visiting Portugal, there are plenty of smaller cities worthy of your attention with fewer crowds and great transport connections.
One such place that has been growing in popularity is the coastal town of Aveiro* in central Portugal. Nicknamed the 'Venice of Europe' for its canal system and colourful boat trips, reminiscent of gondolas, this laidback city is the ideal day trip from the foodie hub of Porto.
Getting there: see the latest breaks to Aveiro with Love Holidays*, which bundles flights and accommodation together in one affordable package.
The elegant architecture
One of the most striking things about Aveiro is the Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture that brings a smile to your face. The array of colours, the intricate tiled patterns, and the flourishes that draw your eye towards the sky are impossible to miss.
As you wander along the city's iconic canals, each building has its own story and vibe behind it. Predominantly built in the early 1900s by wealthy Brazilians keen to flaunt their style and opulence while making the most of the salt flats, the result is a truly magnificent-looking city with a new design or tile pattern around every corner.
The laidback feel
Compared to larger cities, like Porto, Aveiro is considerably more relaxed. The slower pace here is characterised by the easy-moving canal and the small historic centre, which can be quickly crossed on foot.
You won't be rushed here. Take a slow paddle in a traditional moliceiro (boat), sit in a plaza with a glass of local wine and people-watch, or hop from shop to shop to find colourful or salty gifts to take home. It's a city made for meandering with no real aim or deadline.
The colourful moliceiros
If there's a symbol of Aveiro, it's the moliceiros. These storied, colourful boats have been compared to the gondolas of Venice, but they have a history of their own.
Traditionally, they were used to ship seaweed inland to fertilise the land through the city's lagoon and canals. Nowadays, they're an emblem of Aveiro's tourism.
Each one is hand-painted with a different design, traditionally based on the socio-cultural norms of the time. Some are a little cruder than others, and some have a more satirical edge. Don't be surprised if you see cartoon-style pin-up girls on one boat, and a painting of a muscular, ripped Jesus on the next.
You'll find owners offering boat tours up and down the lagoon for around €15 for 45 minutes. It's a cool way to get a new perspective on Aveiro and journey from the historic to modern centres of the city.
The salt-baked cod
Salt has long been big business in Aveiro. There are records of it being mined as far back as the Middle Ages, and by the 17th century, salt from Aveiro was being used throughout Europe, especially to cure and preserve meat and fish for longer journeys.
As a result, salted cod, or bacalhau, became one of the most popular dishes in Aveiro and wider Portugal*. To this day, there are plenty of restaurants in Aveiro that specialise in bacalhau. With the Aveiro Salt Flats, a museum and production centre, just a 10-minute walk away, and the city on the coastline, this is hyperlocal cuisine at its finest.
The nearby beach scene
If you're craving some classic Portuguese beach time on a day trip from Porto, Aveiro has a gorgeous array of soft, sandy beaches within a 40-minute bus ride from the station.
The Line 36 bus stops near Praia Costa Nova and Praia da Barra, two of the best-loved beaches in central Portugal.
Costa Nova is known for its photographic, colourful beach houses, wooden boardwalk, and oceanfront restaurants. From here, you can wander down to neighbouring Praia da Barra, famed for its imposing lighthouse.
There are plenty of places to eat and drink along here, as well as entertainment spots and watersports rentals if you want more fun than relaxation at the beach.
If you're travelling in a group or are tight on time, a taxi from Aveiro to the beaches around Praia da Barra takes just 10 minutes and costs between €10 to €14 each way.
You can also cath the ferry at nearby Forte da Barra and cruise across the lagoon to the incredible Natural Reserve of São Jacinto Dunes. The bus also stops at the ferry port on the way to and from the other beaches, and takes 20 minutes from central Aveiro.
It's easy to reach from Porto
One of the best reasons to visit Aveiro is how easy it is to get to from Porto*. There are numerous trains to choose from, and booking tickets online or buying from the machines in the station is really straightforward.
You can get the fast train from Campanha station, near Porto's Estádio do Dragão, which takes 34 minutes. Alternatively, stick with the central Porto São Bento station on the slower (and cheaper) train, which takes an hour and 10 minutes.
From Aveiro station, it's just an 18-minute walk to the heart of the city, but there are also local buses if you have mobility issues or you're short on time.
Climate in Aveiro
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum daytime temperature °C |  14 |
14 |
 16 |
 18 |
20 |
 23 |
 25 |
25 |
24 |
21 |
17 |
14 |
| Hours of sunshine (daily) | ||||||||||||
| Days with some rainfall |  17 |
16 |
 15 |
14 |
13 |
 9 |
 6 |
5 |
8 |
14 |
15 |
15 |
| Sea temperature °C |  14 |
 13 |
14 |
14 |
15 |
 17 |
17 |
 18 |
18 |
17 |
16 |
14 |
The above guide shows the climate in Porto, which is just 35 miles from Aveiro. Find out more about conditions across the country in our complete guide to the climate in Portugal.
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