75 km from Porto and 255 km from Lisbon, Aveiro owes its tourist reputation and nickname "Portuguese Venice" to its estuary, its central canal, its bridges and its colorful boats. The influence of the sea can be felt on every street corner. In its typical fishing district or salt marshes. On its canals, in its lagoon. And at his table, where of course local products sit, between cockles, eels or succulent oysters.
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Aveiro, the second most important city in the Centre region of Portugal after Coimbra, is also an Art Nouveau museum in the open air, a very pleasant city center, flat, ideal for walking or cycling. These are lively evenings, thanks to the students of his university, in the many restaurants and bars around the old fish market. And a seafront whose beaches are only ten minutes by car. Discover our must-sees for a lake weekend in Aveiro.
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Travel the canals by traditional boat
The richly decorated hulls of the Moliceiros. Gabrielle - stock.adobe.com
The boat trip on the canals is a must, the culmination of any visit to Aveiro. These long and thin colorful boats, called "moliceiros", once had the function of harvesting algae from the ria.
Their richly decorated hull features painted panels, on the stern and bow, sometimes glorifying local culture and heritage, sometimes humorous, sometimes even naughty. Once operated by sail or pole, these motor boats are now reserved for tourism and operated by various operators, including Aveiro Emotions.
Discover Aveiro by the Art Nouveau circuit
Aveiro's rich heritage makes it a true open-air Art Nouveau museum. Friedberg - stock.adobe.com
A member of the Art Nouveau Network in the same way as Barcelona, Brussels or Havana, Aveiro puts this architectural movement in the spotlight in an "Art Nouveau" circuit dedicated to the discovery of its most emblematic listed buildings.
This exciting cultural walk, which can start or end at the Museum of Art Nouveau, will make you discover Aveiro from another angle. Information and map of the circuit available at the tourist office.
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Take a contemplative walk along the estuary
For José Saramago, the Aveiro estuary is "a living body that connects the land to the sea, like a huge heart". ARPT Centro de Portugal
The ria and its ecosystem exert such an influence on the life of Aveiro and the region that their discovery is necessary. Easily accessible by car, the lagoon can be skirted on 7 km of wooden footbridges, the famous "passadiços", on foot or by bike. The sunsets are breathtaking. In winter, many species migrate there, to the delight of wildlife observation enthusiasts.
Spend a beach day in Costa Nova
O tempora, o mores... the old fishermen's huts of Costa Nova are now opulent villas star of Instagram. Johan Ricou / Le Figaro
It is impossible to spend a weekend in Aveiro without discovering the wild coast of Costa Nova, an old fishing village whose old and typical colorful huts (the "palheiros"), now opulent holiday homes, play the stars on Instagram.
Bordered by the estuary on one side and the ocean on the other, Costa Nova is a great place for water sports. Its fish and seafood market of the ria, located on Av. José Estevão, is a must. Freshness and authenticity guaranteed.
Succumbing to the "ovos moles" of Aveiro
Born in a local convent, the famous "ovo mole" of Aveiro is geographically protected. ARPT Centro de Portugal
No visit to Aveiro is complete without succumbing to this dreaded conventual sweet sin, a local pride whose geographical indication is protected. The "oves moles" (soft eggs) are only produced in Aveiro. The recipe? A sweet egg cream in a white host paste.
Legend has it that the nun behind this calorie bomb was closely monitored by the mother superior of her convent, because of a taste a little too pronounced for egg cream. This would have led the greedy to hide the fruit of her temptation in host dough. To taste greedily at the Confeitaria Peixinho, the oldest artisanal factory of this divine recipe, in the city center.
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Marvel at the Mausoleum of the Holy Princess
The marble mausoleum of the Holy Princess alone is worth a visit to the Aveiro Museum. Johan Ricou / Le Figaro
Died in reputation for holiness in 1490 and beatified in 1693, Princess "Holy" Joana of Portugal watches over the city of Aveiro, of which she is the patroness.
She rests in the Convent of Jesus where she lived, now a museum of the city, in a superb baroque marble mausoleum that alone deserves a visit. Right next to the former Dominican convent, don't miss the splendid Church of Jesus, with its gilded woodwork, apse and azulejo panels.
Hotels, restaurants: our best addresses in Aveiro
Aveiro seen from the canal. Solipa - stock.adobe.com
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel 1887 Estrela Palace **** : hyper central, this old bourgeois property of Aveiro is the perfect place to put your suitcases in one of its very comfortable rooms and go on foot to discover the city. Superb panorama from the large and pleasant terrace of the bar, on the top floor.
1887 Estrela Palace, Rua José Estevão 4, 3800-201 Aveiro. Phone: 234 033 563
WHERE TO DINE
Cais do Pescado : A refined table in a charming building in the city center, where cod, eel and freshly caught fish occupy a prominent place. The perfect place to taste the specialty of Aveiro, a bouillabaisse of eels from the ria (caldeirada de enguias).
Cais do Pescado, Cais dos Mercanteis 5, 3800-105 Aveiro. Tel.: 234 425 066
Clube de Vela (Costa Nova): The restaurant of the Costa Nova Sailing Club is a local institution known for its products from the Aveiro estuary. The paradise of any lover of shellfish and fresh fish, with a breathtaking view of the estuary.
Clube de Vela, Av. José Estevão, 3830-453 Costa Nova. Tel: 234-360-250.
