Our most recommended things to do in Aveiro

Aveiro: Traditional Moliceiro Boat Tour

1. Aveiro: Traditional Moliceiro Boat Tour

Cruise through the city of Aveiro on a boat ride onboard a traditional Moliceiro boat. Start along the Central Canal of the lagoon, the Ria de Aveiro. Traverse the center of the city, from the garden of Rossio to the old building of the Capitania of the Port of Aveiro. Follow another canal that formerly served as a waterway to the Antonio Maria Campos brick factory, where the Aveiro Cultural and Congress Center was established along with other public services. Then, cruise down Canal das Pirâmides (the pyramids canal), which was built at the beginning of the 19th century and stretches from the old fish market to the central canal. During the summer, enjoy a beautiful landscape made up of hundreds of small white pyramids of salt that represent one of the most characteristic features of this region.

Aveiro: Scenic Guided Boat Tour

2. Aveiro: Scenic Guided Boat Tour

Explore the beautiful coastline of Aveiro on a guided boat tour. Discover the beauty of the picturesque canals, colorful Moliceiro boats, Art Nouveau buildings, and more. Board a Moliceiro boat and experience a unique way to appreciate the city's waterways. Enjoy the gentle breeze while passing through the Central Canal, Canal do Côjo, Canal das Pirâmides and Canal de São Roque. As you glide through the canals, you will pass by the salt flats of Aveiro, the old ceramic factory Jerónimo Pereira Campos, the Fishermen’s Quarter, and the fish market. Throughout the trip, you will get ample opportunities to click pictures of the canals, boats, and architecture. Experience the relaxed atmosphere of this charming city on a Moliceiro boat trip. 

From Porto: Aveiro, Paiva Walkways and Arouca 516 Footbridge

3. From Porto: Aveiro, Paiva Walkways and Arouca 516 Footbridge

We leave from Porto at 8AM towards Arouca town where we will stop shortly for bathrooms and for coffee. Get ready for adventure! After a short drive, we will arrive at the Walkways and go across one of the Longest Suspension Bridges of the World – The 516 Arouca! It spans 516m-long (1,692ft) across the valley and hangs 175m (576ft) above the Paiva river! - Notice: crossing the bridge is not mandatory. You have the option to skip it - Then, you will walk the Paiva Walkways downhill in a total length of 7km over a wooden boardwalk zig-zagging downhill along the left bank of the river. (you also have the option to walk only 3,5Km and be picked up half-way). You can decide that on the day of the tour. The walk will be followed by another highlight of our day: lunch! A delicious meal is deserved and it will take place at a beautiful typical restaurant! Roasted veal is the meat option offered, but fish or vegetarian options are available. After a power nap in the van, it’s time to enjoy Aveiro, also known as the “Portuguese Venice ”! Discover the city center with us on a short walk and enjoy free time to spoil yourself with “ovos-moles” – sweet eggs, a local delicacy, or a ice cream, or a beer, a souvenir or all of it! And once in Aveiro, a boat trip over the canals is a must do! You`ll board on a “moliceiro” – the traditional river boats – and discover the charming city through the canals!~ Finish the day back in Porto.

Aveiro: Half-Day Tour from Porto with Cruise

4. Aveiro: Half-Day Tour from Porto with Cruise

Experience the beauty of Aveiro’s channels on a tour aboard a colorful Portuguese gondola on this half-day tour from Porto. Ride along naturally-formed channels that connect to the river and to the sea.  Meet at a centrally-located spot in Porto and board a comfortable van for your transfer to Aveiro. Absorb the culture of this city that was once a fishing village, where residents made their living from the river, the sea, and salt production. Begins at the fish market square, where you’ll have great views of the city center. Head out on an hour-long cruise on a vibrantly-painted, wooden moliceiro boat. Glide thorugh the channels on this traditional, Portuguese vessel.  After the cruise your guide will show you the Costa Nova neighborhood that borders the sea. Admire some of the old traditional houses that are small in size, and painted in bright colors with vertical stripes. Return to Porto by van at the end of your tour. 

Aveiro: Traditional Moliceiro Boat Cruise

5. Aveiro: Traditional Moliceiro Boat Cruise

Embark on an adventure and take a trip to Aveiro, which is never complete without a Moliceiro boat trip. The Moliceiro is a traditional boat that is part of the Aveiro culture, similar to a Venetian gondola. Starting from the dock of Largo do Jardim do Rossio, pass through some of the most iconic sights of the city, such as the Art Nouveau, the Aveiro salt pan, the traditional neighborhood of Beira-Mar, the Jerónimo P. Campos ceramics factory, and the Fish Market. Marvel at the breathtaking city from its channels together with a guide. Expand your knowledge about the cities history and learn some secrets of Aveiro.

Aveiro: Boat Cruise and City Walking Tour with Sweet Tasting

6. Aveiro: Boat Cruise and City Walking Tour with Sweet Tasting

Experience the beauty of Aveiro on a boat cruise in an authentic Moliceiro craft. Stroll through the Beira Mar district on a walking tour with a local guide and take in the lively vibe at the Aveiro Fish Market. Be welcomed by your local guide at the Freedom Obelisk in the old town of Aveiro. Follow your guide to an iconic Moliceiro boat. Embark on a cruise aboard a colorful ship through the city's waterways. Glide on an elegant boat and snap pictures of landmarks like the City Council building, a 15th century mill, and the romantic Carcavelos Bridge. Watch the old parts of the city melt into the new as you see the shopping center and a ceramic factory that was converted into a convention center. Disembark and continue on your walking tour through the narrow streets of the Beira Mar neighborhood that was traditionally inhabited by fisherman and salt workers. Admire the vibrantly colored buildings along the canal. Make your way to the bustling Fish Market, the Centennial building, and pass by richly adorned Art Nouveau buildings before ending your tour.

Porto: Private Transfer to Lisbon with Stops up to 3 Cities

7. Porto: Private Transfer to Lisbon with Stops up to 3 Cities

Tick off three of the most important cities on the Portuguese coast in just one day with this convenient private transfer service. Travel from Porto to Lisbon and enjoy optional stops in Aveiro, Coimbra, Fátima, Nazaré, or Óbidos. After getting picked up from your hotel in Porto, travel towards the city of Aveiro. Enjoy some free time to explore the canals, Nouveau architecture, and colorfully painted Moliceiros boats of the city. Alternatively, you may wish to stop in Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Portugal. Here, immerse yourself in the city's modern area, the university, and its ancient past. Continue towards either Nazaré or Fátima for lunch and a walk around the city. In Nazaré, soak up the views of the Portuguese coast and see for yourself why the city is a surfer's paradise. Or, explore the many religious sites in Fátima. Finally, pay a visit to the medieval town of Óbidos. Here, enjoy some free time to explore the town's famously quirky bookstores, medieval streets, and liquor bars at your own pace. Get dropped off at your hotel in Lisbon after a full day's sightseeing.

From Porto: Aveiro & Coimbra Small Group Tour + River Cruise

8. From Porto: Aveiro & Coimbra Small Group Tour + River Cruise

Cruise the canals of aboard a colorful moliceiro boat on this full-day trip to Aveiro from Porto. Take time to discover the city's highlights like the Fish Market. Discover the city of Coimbra on walking tour of the medieval old town.  Start with pickup from your central-located hotel in Porto. Relax in an airconditioned vehicle on the way to to Aveiro in the central region of Portugal. Explore the city's Art Nouveau architecture and historical center. Make a visit to the bustling Fish Market. Board a traditional, wooden moliceiro boat and experience the city from the water. Make your way to the Aveiro Salt Ponds passing by New Coast, typical striped houses, the Barra lighthouse, and the São Jacinto dunes. Look for stork nests along the way find. Travel to the waterfront city of Coimbra, the country's old capital. It houses a preserved medieval old town and the historic University of Coimbra. Go for a guided walking tour through the historic center of the city.  Stop at important landmarks such as the Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral. If you select the option with monuments admission, visit the interiors of Joanina Library and the Royal Palace. At the end of the tour, the guide will drop you off at your hotel in Porto.

Aveiro: Stories, Canals, and Azulejos Guided Walking Tour

9. Aveiro: Stories, Canals, and Azulejos Guided Walking Tour

Start at the Praça da Republica with the Town Hall and the Misericórdia church. We walk along Rua de Coimbra and talk about the black and white calçada à portuguesa. In the Marques de Pombal square we enter the Carmelite Convent Church - a small but impressive baroque jewel. Walking further we see the tile panels of Casa de Santa Zita and Sapataria Leão. We pass next to the Dominican Convent of Jesus where we evoke the history of the city's patron saint: Princess Santa Joana. After passing the cathedral we will go on to the Canal da Fonte Nova, where the building of one of the many ceramics factories that once existed there is still standing. Along the canals we will explain their genesis and utility, as well as those of the traditional boats of the Ria de Aveiro. We will pass through interesting places in the Beira Mar neighbourhood, always with the tiles filling our eyes. We will recognise the marks of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, of the iron architecture from the turn of the 19th to the 20th century. We won't forget the two façades of the Museum of Art Nouveau. On the way to the saltpans we will talk about the power of Aveiro from the 11th to the 15th century, its crossing of the desert in the 17th and 18th centuries and its revival in the 19th century. On the way back we will make some references to the local gastronomy, such as eel stew and traditional sweets, namely the "ovos moles" of Aveiro. We will finish at the Church of São Gonçalinho referring to the traditional January festival, in which another traditional sweet - hard and heavy - is literally thrown over the heads of the faithful, in a ritual full of joy and tradition.

From Porto: Aveiro Half-Day Tour with 1-Hour Cruise

10. From Porto: Aveiro Half-Day Tour with 1-Hour Cruise

Depart Porto and journey south to the beautiful coastal city of Aveiro on the Ria de Aveiro lagoon. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour through the historical city center to admire the bold Art Nouveau residences and charming foot bridges across the canals. Take stunning pictures of the Baroque-style cathedrals and other amazing architecture. Learn more about the history of the city and how it grew from a small fishing village to the 2nd most populous city in the Centro Region of Portugal. Hear how salt production in the salt marshes played an important role in the city's economy, from the days of the Romans. Then, climb aboard one of the traditional moliceiro boats used to collect sea grass in the lagoon. Cruise along the canals of the "Venice of Portugal" to admire the colorful fishermen's houses of Costa Nova beach and get amazing views of the landscape.

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What people are saying about Aveiro

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 1,499 reviews

An amazing day !!! Ricardo was the most kindest and professional host. He assisted so much and ran the day so smoothly so our group could see everything. Dinner was fantastic and authentic. My favorite part really was meeting 4 others from different parts of the world and together we spoke about all of our country & cultures. Felt like I was in another part of Canada, but a more spectacular view of Portugal. I would do this again in a heartbeat and so should you !!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Coimbra and Aveiro. Our guide, Joao was very knowledgeable and helpful! He had a lot of great information to share! We took several tours during our visit to Portugal and this was by far the best! We highly recommend this activity! Joao was an outstanding guide!

Excellent tour guide on the boat. He made sure to explain things to us in English as we were the only English speaking people on the tour, it felt like we had our own private tour!

What a fantastic experience! It’s a must see. Well worth the money. Traditional Portuguese Lunch was delicious!

Felt like I was in Venice but in Portugal. The city is very beautiful.