This list of the best places to see in Aveiro will help you prepare a getaway to one of the most charming cities in Portugal, making the most of your time.
Located a few kilometres south of Porto and known as the Portuguese Venice for its canals, this old fishing town is perfect for spending a few days enjoying the beach and its tourist attractions that are concentrated in its beautiful old town.
It also has a pleasant climate most of the year and a delicious fish gastronomy, in which fresh cod and seafood predominate, and for dessert, the typical sweet ovos moles; something that makes it a perfect trip at any time of the year.
Among the best excursions from Porto and among the most beautiful cities to visit in Portugal, we have made this list of the 10 must-see places to visit in Aveiro.
1. Aveiro Cathedral
Entering the Cathedral, housed in a former Dominican convent in the heart of the historic centre, is one of the best things to do in Aveiro.
Its exterior impresses with its magnificent Baroque portal with two Solomonic columns on each side and a frieze with vegetal elements, while inside there are several interesting works such as an altarpiece in the chapel of the Visitation and, above all, a 15th-century Gothic transept in the atrium.
A good way to get to know the history of the city and not miss anything important is to book this free tour of Aveiro with an English speaking guide.
Visiting hours: daily from 9am to 7pm.
Aveiro Cathedral
2. Beira Mar district
One of the most visited areas of the city and one of the most beautiful places to see in Aveiro is the Beira Mar neighbourhood.
This neighbourhood, with its seafaring past and divided by canals, is enchanting for its old salt warehouses, picturesque houses with colourful facades and stately buildings.
The route can start at Praça do Peixe, a lively square surrounded by terraces with a fish market, which opens every morning and is its main attraction. From this point you can lose yourself in its narrow streets full of charm in which elegant buildings are mixed with more decadent ones, small churches and the occasional graffiti.
Beira Mar, one of the neighbourhoods to visit in Aveiro.
3. Costa Nova Beach
Costa Nova Beach, famous for its brightly painted houses and white stripes, located on a promenade, is another of the must-see places to visit in Aveiro and the North of Portugal.
These former fishermen's warehouses have now been converted into picturesque wooden houses, ideal for a fantastic holiday just a few metres from the sea.
The fine sandy beach is wide and several kilometres long, so you won't have any problem finding a spot to lay your towel, although you have to be careful because of the strong waves and the cold water temperature, which are usually characteristic of the area.
On the north side is Barra beach, perfect for a nice walk along a wooden walkway and to see an imposing lighthouse, the tallest in Portugal.
To get to know this area away from the centre, if you don't have a car, you can take a local bus from Largo de Rossio square or book this fun free tour, considered one of the best free tours in Aveiro.
Aveiro
4. Aveiro Museum
The city museum, located in a former Convent of Jesus of the Dominican Feminine Order from the 15th century, is another of the most interesting places to visit in Aveiro.
In this museum you will take a look at the history, art and culture of the city thanks to the pieces collected from houses and religious centres.
However, the most striking feature of the museum is the building itself, with the tomb and choir with the tomb of Princess Santa Joana, the cloister with several chapels, the chapter room, the richly decorated choir loft and, above all, the Church of Jesus with a magnificent gilded carving and tiles.
Visiting hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 12.30pm and from 1.30pm to 6pm.
Museum of Aveiro
5. Church of Mercy
The Church of Mercy, completed in 1653 and located in the Republic Square, is another of the religious temples to see in Aveiro.
On its tiled façade you can see a magnificent classical style façade and an image of the Virgin of Mercy, located between four Corinthian columns, while the interior houses magnificent tiles with 16th century drawings, several carvings, the main chapel and an altarpiece that reproduces the façade of the church.
Our recommended hotel in Aveiro
Our recommended hotel for exploring the city is the Hotel do Mercado, located near the train station and the historic centre. In addition to its excellent location, the hotel has a good breakfast and friendly staff.
Other well located hotels with one of the best quality/price ratios in the city are the Hotel Afonso V, the Hotel Imperial and the Galeria Suite Hotel.
6. Walk along the Canals, one of the best things to do in Aveiro.
One of the best things to do in Aveiro is to take a stroll along its canals on a moliceiro, typical barges similar to the gondolas used in the past to bring the "moliço", a kind of seaweed that was used as fertiliser.
During the boat trip, which takes just under an hour, you will have a unique perspective of the colourful houses on the banks of the canal and the old pottery factory, an imposing reddish-coloured building with a large chimney.
If you book this Moliceiro boat tour from this page, you will be accompanied by a friendly English-speaking guide who will tell you about the history and curiosities of the city.
Another good option is to book this combined tour which includes a guided tour of the city and the boat trip.
Walk along the Canals, one of the things to do in Aveiro.
7. Praça da República, one of the things to see in Aveiro
Located in the heart of the historic centre, the emblematic and elegant Republic Square is another of the most beautiful places to see in Aveiro.
This square, which has a sculpture dedicated to the politician José Esteva in the middle, is surrounded by important buildings such as the Aveirense Theatre, the Church of Misericórdia and the 18th century Town Hall, which has a clock tower with the coat of arms of Aveiro.
Next to this square is the Confeitaria Peixinho, one of the best cafés to try ovos moles, sweets made with egg yolks and sugar, and close by is the Marques de Pombal Square, another of the city's main squares, with several outstanding buildings such as the house of Santa Zita, the church of the Carmelites and the palace of the Viscounts Almeidinha.
This area is also perfect to try some of the Portuguese specialities in some of the best restaurants to eat in Aveiro such as Cais do Pescado or O Bairro.
Republic Square, one of the places to see in Aveiro.
8. Art Nouveau Museum
The Art Nouveau Museum, located in the spectacular Casa do Major Pessoa, is another of the best places to visit in Aveiro for lovers of this artistic renovation also known as modernism.
As well as being the interpretative centre for the 28 Art Nouveau buildings scattered around the city, inside you will find a large collection of hand-painted tiles, a tea room, a garden and an exhibition on modernism.
Recommended travel cards
Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate, we recommend you use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free and will save you a lot of money.
You can find more information in this article on the best cards for commission-free travel.
9. Dom Pedro Infante Park
Disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of the city by strolling through the Dom Pedro Infante Park, surrounded by nature, is another of the best things to do in Aveiro.
Built in 1862 next to the Convent of San Antonio, this park benefits from the passage of a river to create a romantic landscape of ponds and fountains, ideal for relaxing or picnicking.
Another oasis of tranquillity is the Parque Jardim do Rossio, surrounded by Art Nouveau buildings and also perfect for relaxing.
Dom Pedro Infante Park
10. Aveiro Salt Pans
The last recommendation on this list of must-see places to visit in Aveiro is the Aveiro Salt Flats, one of the most surprising and beautiful landscapes in the region.
The economy of this city and much of the region has for centuries been closely linked to the extraction of salt and although this activity has been reduced, even today you can still see the traditional harvesting of salt. It should be noted that this sea salt is of great value as it has no additives and is rich in natural elements.
The best way to learn all about its history and see the whole production process is to book this tour of the Aveiro salt pans with an English speaking guide.
Salt pans of Aveiro
How to get to Aveiro
The best way to get to Aveiro is from Porto, being 70 kilometres away and less than an hour away by public transport.
The quickest option is to take one of the trains that leave every half hour from Sao Bento station and drop you off at Aveiro station, which is a 15-minute walk from the historic centre.
Alternatively, you can book this bus tour with English-speaking guide, which includes hotel pick-up and a one-hour ride along the canals.
For more information about the transfer you can read this post on how to get from Porto to Aveiro.
If you have more time you can do this route through Portugal by car in 7, 10 and 15 days.
