Ovos moles (“soft eggs from Aveiro”) and a ride on a moliceiro (a typical boat) in the Ria de Aveiro are probably the first things that come to mind when people think of the Portuguese city of Aveiro, but it has more to offer. Stay on that side and discover Aveiro in a day trip, with time for a jump to Costa Nova.
When to visit?
The city is beautiful all year round, but we recommend a visit during the summer months. Aveiro is located by the sea and the temperature in the hottest months of the year is not as hot as elsewhere in Portugal. If you choose to visit the city in another season, we suggest that you visit it on a day without rain because the city has many outdoor attractions that with rain lose some charm. Besides this, usually the rain is accompanied by wind, which can make your visit less pleasant.
1-day Itinerary
We arrived in Aveiro around 10.30 a.m. and decided to start the visit to the city with the so famous walk along the Ria de Aveiro. When you arrive in the city you immediately understand where the centre of the city is and where the boats leave from. The city is not big and the best way to get to know it is on foot or by bike. The city offers free bikes, the Buga, which are available at the Buga shop in the Manuel Firmino market.
Ria de Aveiro Tour
The tour lasts 45 minutes, costs 13,00 euros and can be done in a moliceiro boat or a merchant boat. The tour runs along the Ria and allows you to have an overview of the city’s points of interest. A guide accompanies the whole tour, and tells you some stories of the city and lets you know the places where it goes by. Along the tour you will pass by several bridges with the most varied characteristics and with singular elements, being one of the most known the Ponte dos Laços (“Ribbon bridge”) or Ponte da Amizade (“Friendship bridge”).
Art Nouveau Museum (Museu Arte Nova)
At the end of the stroll along the Ria, and in the direction of General Humberto Delgado Square, you will find the Museum of New Art, one of the most beautiful façades in the city. The visit to the museum costs 2,00 euros and includes a visit to a permanent exhibition, a temporary exhibition and also a visit to the Casa de Chá (tearoom).
Statues of the bridge
After the visit to the museum, we stopped at the bridge to appreciate the Statues of the Bridge erected on its four pillars and which portray the daily life of the people of Aveiro in times past.
From the top of the bridge, there is a building that will catch your attention – the Capitania of the Port of Aveiro, also known as Casa dos Arcos, which currently functions as the City Council.
Fish Market
Before lunch, we took a short break to the Fish Market, which is an area dedicated exclusively to the trade of fish products. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 8.30am to 1pm. Our visit was on a Sunday, so we couldn’t enter, but it was worth seeing the building outside!
Restaurant O Legado da Ria
For lunch we chose the restaurant Legado da Ria and our menu was Monkfish Rice and Squid Kebabs. Both dishes were delicious and the restaurant is super approved. If you go to Aveiro, consider this restaurant for lunch or dinner.
Aveiro Cathedral and Santa Joana Museum
After lunch, we took a short walk to the Cathedral of Aveiro and the Museum of Santa Joana, passing by the Church of Misericórdia.
The Museum of Aveiro, also called the Museum of Santa Joana, is located in the old Monastery of Jesus, founded in 1458. Admission to the museum costs 4.00 euros. The museum has a collection of beautiful works of sacred art. Inside the museum you will find the Church of Jesus which is decorated with gilded woodcarvings, which will not leave you indifferent. In the museum you will discover other spaces worthy of your attention, such as the cloisters or the refectory. You should also know that the original recipe for Ovos Moles de Aveiro (Aveiro’s “soft eggs”) came from the hands of the nuns who were fulfilling their vows here.
Ovos moles de Aveiro (“Soft Eggs” from Aveiro)
Back in the city centre, you cannot leave without first buying the famous Ovos Moles. We bought them at the Pastelaria Veneza and we loved them, but all over the city you have pastry shops that sell this delicacy.
Ecomuseu Marinha da Troncalhada
At the exit of the city, you will find the Troncalhada Marine Ecomuseum, an open air museum with free entrance. The museum, also known as the Salinas de Aveiro, shows visitors the methods of artisanal salt production.
Costa Nova
Finally, we went to Costa Nova in Ílhavo. Located about 10 minutes from Aveiro, the Costa Nova is very well known for its charming haystacks with colourful stripes. It is a special place and its perfectly lined haystacks will delight you for sure!
Other places of interest
This was our itinerary through the Portuguese Venice, but the city has more places that you may want to visit. We leave below some more points of interest that you may want to visit:
- Chapel of São Gonçalinho
- Teatro Aveirense
- Aveiro Congress Center
- Vera Cruz Church
- Bairro da Beira Mar
- Republic Square
- Convento Carmelita
- I Love Aveiro
- Parque da Fonte Nova
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