Praia da Barra, Aveiro

At Offshore Surf School, we teach surfing with a true passion for the sport and the ocean. Founded by a former professional surfer and supported by a team of certified instructors, our school is located right on Praia da Barra — one of Portugal’s most consistent and beginner-friendly beach breaks. We’re located within a beach bar with all the necessary amenities, where you can relax before or after your lesson, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, and fully immerse yourself in the local surf scene. Your experience begins at our surf school, located right on the beach, just steps from the water. You’ll spend 15–30 minutes getting ready: we’ll provide you with a comfortable Billabong wetsuit and help you select the right surfboard from our wide range of options, all suited to different levels of experience. Whether you’re new to surfing or have some experience, we’ll ensure you’re equipped with the right gear. While you're out on the water, your personal belongings will be safely stored at our secure facility. And after your lesson, you can enjoy a fresh shower at the school. Once you're ready, we’ll head down to the beach for a brief on-land introduction. We’ll walk you through the basics: safety, paddling techniques, and how to get onto your board. It’s all clear and simple, designed to make sure you feel comfortable and confident before hitting the waves. Then it’s time to get in the water! Praia da Barra offers gentle, consistent waves — perfect for beginners. In the water, your instructor will stay by your side, offering real-time guidance and helping you catch your first waves. For those with more experience, we’ll adjust the session and take you to more challenging spots suited to your level. Throughout the lesson, we prioritize safety, fun, and real progression. Our small group sizes allow for personal attention, so we can tailor the experience to your pace and goals. We make sure you get the right amount of instruction to gain both confidence and skills, without feeling rushed. At the end of the lesson, we return to the school where you can change, shower, and relax. Whether this is your first surf session or just a step toward improving your skills, we’re here to help you build a solid foundation and enjoy the process. Join us and experience surfing the same waves that our founder mastered. We look forward to sharing the joy of the ocean with you. Provided by Offshore Surf School & Camp

At this tour people will discover two beautiful beaches from Aveiro, Costa Nova and Barra! Before going to the beach you will also see how the famous salt from Aveiro is made at our Salines and also, at the Harbour, you will learn the history of the cured codfish the famous "Bacalhau". Firstly the tour takes you to Barra beach where you will have about 15 minutes to explore the beach and admire the tallest lighthouse in Portugal. After Barra the tour continues at the beautiful Costa Nova beach where you will have 20 minutes to enjoy and discover the famous colourdful houses and where you can try the "Tripa of Aveiro". At the end of the tour you will recieve a voucher for you to try the famous sweet from Aveiro, the "Ovos Moles".

Meet your guide onboard a private, comfortable, air-conditioned SUV and explore famous Portuguese locations on the way from Lisbon to Porto. Find the option you'd like most to discover and make your trip from point A to B more magical. Aveiro Explore Aveiro, known as the “Venice of Portugal,” with its pretty canals and colourful moliceiro boats. Take a short boat ride to see the city’s charming buildings and Art Nouveau architecture. Walk through the centre and try the delicious local sweet called ovos moles. Head to Costa Nova to see the famous striped beach houses. Fátima Visit the beautiful Sanctuary of Fátima, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal. Start at the large square where you’ll find the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and the modern Basilica of the Holy Trinity. Take a moment at the Chapel of the Apparitions, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared. Light a candle, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, and take in the spiritual significance of this place. Before you leave, browse the nearby shops for a small souvenir or religious keepsake. Nazaré Stop by Nazaré, a lovely fishing town famous for its giant waves and surfing culture. Head to the Sitio viewpoint for amazing views of the beach and ocean. Visit the Nossa Senhora da Nazaré Sanctuary, a small church with an interesting story. Walk along the promenade or relax at a café to enjoy the seaside atmosphere. If it’s the right season, don’t miss the chance to see the world-famous big waves at Praia do Norte. Óbidos Step into the medieval village of Óbidos, surrounded by old stone walls and filled with charm. Walk through the main gate, Porta da Vila, and explore the narrow streets lined with shops and small cafés. Don’t forget to try ginjinha, the local cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup. Visit the impressive Óbidos Castle and take in the views. If you have time, walk along the walls to see the beautiful sights of the village and countryside.

Starting from Aveiro city center, learn about the formation of the lagoon since the 10th century, and discover the local economy and main activities focused on fishing and salt production. Arrive at Barra Beach, where the tallest lighthouse in Portugal stands prominently. Discover the story of the 19th-century effort to create a canal connecting the ocean to the lagoon. During a 20-minute break, enjoy the sea breeze and admire the white sands of Praia Velha. Continue your adventure to explore the cod fishing heritage that makes Costa Nova unique, with its traditional striped houses known as Palheiros. We'll take a 30-minute break, giving you the chance to try Costa Nova's famous sweet, the tripa.

After picking up the participants in Coimbra, we'll head to Aveiro, less than an hour away. We'll start on board one of the traditional Moliceiros boats, which used to be used for harvesting "moliço" and transporting seaweed and salt. After boarding, we'll take a 45-minute trip along the urban canals that so characterize and divide the city known as the "Portuguese Venice". When we've finished the boat trip, we'll continue on foot to visit one of the city's main tourist attractions, such as the typical fishermen's quarter and a group of buildings in the "Art Nouveau" style that have distinguished the municipality as the Art Nouveau city-museum in Portugal. Next, we'll head to Praia da Barra, where we'll get to know the mouth of the River Vouga and the Aveiro estuary, barred by strong walls, which has given way to a beautiful wave-free beach popular with families. You can also see the Aveiro lighthouse. It is the highest in Portugal and the second highest on the Iberian Peninsula. After visiting the lighthouse, we continue on to Costa Nova, one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal and also with the most original neighborhood due to the houses painted with different colored stripes that line the Ria. Although today they serve as residences and tourist attractions, these colorful houses once served as a fishing warehouse for local fishermen who fished in the waters around the area. After enjoying all that Costa Nova has to offer, we'll return to Coimbra and end the tour. Climb to the Aveiro lighthouse If the tour falls on a Wednesday afternoon, we can climb up to the lighthouse via its 271 steps and at the top of its 66 meters, we'll contemplate the wonderful views.