Aveiro Is Referred to as the ‘Venice of Portugal’ — Plan the Excellent Go to

When you ever end up in Porto, Portugal’s main metropolis to the north, do your self a favor and get out of city for a day. Particularly, make a journey to Aveiro, often known as the “Venice of Portugal.” 

Aveiro, situated alongside Portugal’s Silver Coast, is an enthralling vacation spot beloved for its colourful boats, azulejo-adorned buildings, and, after all, beautiful canals, which vacationers can stroll alongside or trip via on a leisurely afternoon. 

“Aveiro is a good day journey from Porto, and there is a line that runs day by day,” Dale Ott, an authorized sommelier and founding father of Nossa Imports, which focuses on Mexican and Portuguese wine, shared with Journey + Leisure. “Whereas it’s a main college metropolis, the charming historic elements of the municipality are small in space and accessible, so you would have a four- or five-hour day right here from Porto and make your means again on the prepare.” 

However in case you occur to have extra time, it is a spot deserving of a complete journey, too. 

“Aveiro is a superbly vibrant place that was as soon as thought of a metropolis of passage, however has since earned the title of 2024 Portuguese Capital of Tradition,” Nuno Silva, an on-the-ground knowledgeable for the vacation platform TravelLocal, mentioned. “Transformations over current years have made it a great vacation spot for longer stays, with a cultural variety that defies the stigma of it being ‘only a stepping stone metropolis.” Silva added, “The town gives a variety of actions and sights to captivate guests and create a memorable expertise.” 

Here is every little thing you’ll want to know to plan the proper trip in Aveiro, Portugal. 

Finest Accommodations and Resorts

Lodge Aveiro Palace

Positioned within the coronary heart of Aveiro, Lodge Aveiro Palace combines historic attraction with fashionable consolation. The property overlooks the city’s central canal, giving friends who select a riverside room a unbelievable view. Do not miss the buffet breakfast earlier than stepping out to discover.

Meliá Ria Lodge & Spa

Meliá Ria Lodge & Spa, which sits by the Ria de Aveiro lagoon, is a perfect spot for these trying to keep near the motion whereas additionally getting pampered. The up to date resort is residence to an expensive spa providing an array of remedies, together with an indoor pool prepared for anybody who needs to take a dip. 

1877 Estrela Palace

Discover romance and grandeur at 1877 Estrela Palace. Because the property itself describes, it is stuffed with “maximalist attraction,” housing bedrooms draped in delicate, velvet, technicolor furnishings and gold detailing all through. And since the resort has simply 9 rooms and suites, each visitor will really feel prefer it’s their very own non-public palace. 

Lodge das Salinas

Lodge das Salinas is a superb place for vacationers hoping to expertise the final word in Portuguese hospitality. This boutique property comes with 16 well-appointed rooms, views of the canals, a unbelievable buffet breakfast (included within the keep), and entry to the on-site pub, open each night time till midnight. 

Finest Issues to Do

Cruise the canals on a moliceiro.

Taking a scenic canal cruise on a standard moliceiro boat is a should. “No journey to Aveiro is full and not using a cruise alongside the canal on a moliceiro vessel (typical boat within the space), taking within the sights and having fun with the ambiance,” mentioned Silva. There are many guided excursions you will get on for as little as $13. 

Discover the Aveiro Museum.

Discover the area’s unbelievable historical past on the Aveiro Museum, situated inside an outdated convent. Right here, guests can uncover a formidable assortment of spiritual artifacts, together with the tomb of Princess Saint Joanna, colourful azulejos, and extra high quality artwork. It is open on daily basis however Mondays, making it simple to pop by for a go to. 

Go to Praia da Costa Nova.

Take a fast 15-minute drive from Aveiro to Praia da Costa Nova to admire its famed striped homes lining the sandy shore. “These charming, colourful striped homes have been historically painted in shades of purple, ochre, and black and used as warehouses for storing fishermen nets and different supplies,” defined Silva. “They now present a shocking backdrop alongside the shoreline, attracting loads of photograph alternatives.” Silva has yet one more tip for when you’re there: “Do not forget to attempt the native seafood at one of many beachfront eating places.” 

Wander via the fish market.

Come expertise the enjoyable of Aveiro’s lively fish market, the place native purveyors haul of their day by day catch to promote to locals — and vacationers, too. When you’re feeling peckish, see if you could find some bacalhau (salted cod), a Portuguese specialty, and seize some tinned fish to carry residence with you.

Uncover the salt ponds.

Study all concerning the historical strategies of salt manufacturing and the position it performed in Aveiro’s historical past on the salt ponds. Right here, friends can go to the open-air Troncalhada Ecomuseum to see the harvest in motion and decide up a little bit of salt earlier than leaving, due to native firms like Cale do Oiro. 

Finest Eating places

O Bairro

Discover conventional Portuguese bites with a contemporary twist at O Bairro within the middle of city. Share a number of small plates, together with garlic shrimp or salad, and transfer onto recent seafood just like the day by day market fish. Wash all of it down with native wines.

Restaurante Dóri

Positioned alongside the seashore, Restaurante Dóri gives a wide range of meals, however the true star right here is the ultra-fresh fish, together with its fritada de pescado (fried fish), which the Michelin Information calls a not-to-miss meal.  

Salpoente

Plan an upscale night at Salpoente, a fine-dining restaurant housed in a former salt warehouse. Right here, you’ll be able to dive into stellar seafood like smoked eel and fish filet, which will be loved one after the other from the intensive tasting menu. 

Get There

By Aircraft: The closest airport to Aveiro is Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (a.okay.a. the Porto Worldwide Airport). It is serviced by a number of main airways with flights from everywhere in the world, together with direct routes from the U.S. to Porto. From right here, you’ll be able to both lease a automobile or take the prepare proper to Aveiro. 

By Prepare: Vacationers may attain Aveiro by taking the prepare from Porto. The journey takes about an hour every means, making it simple to get backwards and forwards for a day journey or longer. Coming from Lisbon? You’ll be able to take the prepare from the Santa Apolonia station to Aveiro, which takes about 2.5 hours every means. 

By Automotive: Vacationers may arrive by automobile by way of the A1 freeway from Porto to Aveiro, which takes about 45 minutes. Or, they will drive the two.5 hours from Lisbon by hopping on the A8 to the A17 to N235. 

Finest Time to Go to

One of the best time to go to Aveiro is throughout Portugal’s summer time months (Might to November). “Aveiro has a Mediterranean local weather with scorching, dry summers and chilly winters,” mentioned Silva. Nevertheless, as Silva famous, its shoulder seasons are fairly pretty, too. “The most well liked month in Aveiro is August, so in case you’re in search of milder temperatures, I’d advocate visiting in the course of the shoulder season months of Might and June or September to November.”

However the summer time wins out, due to the plentiful festivals, together with the Pageant of the Canals, which options artwork reveals, music performances, and loads of dancing. 

Get Round

By Automotive: Having a automobile is a pleasant luxurious whereas visiting Aveiro because it permits you to not solely discover the city, but additionally see the encompassing space, together with the seashores. Parking is often pretty easy, although you could have a tricky time in the course of the peak journey season. 

By Public Transportation: Aveiro has a wonderful public transportation system, together with buses and trains, which permit vacationers to get round with ease. Nevertheless, the town middle can also be quite small and walkable, so you’ll be able to at all times arrive and see it on foot. 

By Uber: Uber can also be out there in Aveiro. All vacationers have to do is guarantee they’ve the app downloaded earlier than their journey.