Add dates

Things to do in Aveiro

Our most recommended things to do in Aveiro

Aveiro: Half-Day Tour from Porto with Cruise

1. Aveiro: Half-Day Tour from Porto with Cruise

Experience the beauty of Aveiro’s channels on a tour aboard a colorful Portuguese gondola on this half-day tour from Porto. Ride along naturally-formed channels that connect to the river and to the sea.  Meet at a centrally-located spot in Porto and board a comfortable van for your transfer to Aveiro. Absorb the culture of this city that was once a fishing village, where residents made their living from the river, the sea, and salt production. Begins at the fish market square, where you’ll have great views of the city center. Head out on an hour-long cruise on a vibrantly-painted, wooden moliceiro boat. Glide thorugh the channels on this traditional, Portuguese vessel.  After the cruise your guide will show you the Costa Nova neighborhood that borders the sea. Admire some of the old traditional houses that are small in size, and painted in bright colors with vertical stripes. Return to Porto by van at the end of your tour. 

From Porto: Aveiro, Paiva Walkways and Arouca 516 Footbridge

2. From Porto: Aveiro, Paiva Walkways and Arouca 516 Footbridge

Cross the world's second longest suspension footbridge at the Arouca 516 and walk the Paiva Walkways which are considered one of the most beautiful trails in the world (seven kilometers). Restore your energy with a delicious traditional lunch in a typical Portuguese restaurant. See the famous haystacks of Costa Nova. Discover the magnificent fishing village with its wooden houses in bright striped colors. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon traversing the canals of Aveiro on a boat trip. Wander through the old quarter to see the main Art Nouveau buildings and the fish market. Return to Porto at the end of your tour.

From Porto: Aveiro & Coimbra Small Group Tour + River Cruise

3. From Porto: Aveiro & Coimbra Small Group Tour + River Cruise

Cruise the canals of aboard a colorful moliceiro boat on this full-day trip to Aveiro from Porto. Take time to discover the city's highlights like the Fish Market. Discover the city of Coimbra on walking tour of the medieval old town.  Start with pickup from your central-located hotel in Porto. Relax in an airconditioned vehicle on the way to to Aveiro in the central region of Portugal. Explore the city's Art Nouveau architecture and historical center. Make a visit to the bustling Fish Market. Board a traditional, wooden moliceiro boat and experience the city from the water. Make your way to the Aveiro Salt Ponds passing by New Coast, typical striped houses, the Barra lighthouse, and the São Jacinto dunes. Look for stork nests along the way find. Travel to the waterfront city of Coimbra, the country's old capital. It houses a preserved medieval old town and the historic University of Coimbra. Go for a guided walking tour through the historic center of the city.  Stop at important landmarks such as the Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral. If you select the option with monuments admission, visit the interiors of Joanina Library and the Royal Palace. At the end of the tour, the guide will drop you off at your hotel in Porto.

Porto: Private Transfer to Lisbon with Stops in 3 Cities

4. Porto: Private Transfer to Lisbon with Stops in 3 Cities

Tick off three of the most important cities on the Portuguese coast in just one day with this convenient private transfer service. Travel from Porto to Lisbon and enjoy optional stops in Aveiro, Coimbra, Fátima, Nazaré, or Óbidos. After getting picked up from your hotel in Porto, travel towards the city of Aveiro. Enjoy some free time to explore the canals, Nouveau architecture, and colorfully painted Moliceiros boats of the city. Alternatively, you may wish to stop in Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Portugal. Here, immerse yourself in the city's modern area, the university, and its ancient past. Continue towards either Nazaré or Fátima for lunch and a walk around the city. In Nazaré, soak up the views of the Portuguese coast and see for yourself why the city is a surfer's paradise. Or, explore the many religious sites in Fátima. Finally, pay a visit to the medieval town of Óbidos. Here, enjoy some free time to explore the town's famously quirky bookstores, medieval streets, and liquor bars at your own pace. Get dropped off at your hotel in Lisbon after a full day's sightseeing.

From Porto: Aveiro Half-Day Tour with 1-Hour Cruise

5. From Porto: Aveiro Half-Day Tour with 1-Hour Cruise

Depart Porto and journey south to the beautiful coastal city of Aveiro on the Ria de Aveiro lagoon. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour through the historical city center to admire the bold Art Nouveau residences and charming foot bridges across the canals. Take stunning pictures of the Baroque-style cathedrals and other amazing architecture. Learn more about the history of the city and how it grew from a small fishing village to the 2nd most populous city in the Centro Region of Portugal. Hear how salt production in the salt marshes played an important role in the city's economy, from the days of the Romans. Then, climb aboard one of the traditional moliceiro boats used to collect sea grass in the lagoon. Cruise along the canals of the "Venice of Portugal" to admire the colorful fishermen's houses of Costa Nova beach and get amazing views of the landscape.

From Porto: Aveiro Private Guided Day Trip

6. From Porto: Aveiro Private Guided Day Trip

Departing from the city of Porto, in a short, comfortable and private trip of 30 minutes, discover the beauty of the city of Aveiro and its famous Ria de Aveiro. Enjoy the peace and tranquility that this place provides. At your own pace and away from the crowds, interact with the community and learn about their stories in a mix between nature and gastronomy, in a unique and unforgettable experience. Have a memorable lunch at a local restaurant and choose the places to enjoy: • discover why it is known as the Venice of Portugal • explore its numerous canals and bridges. • visit the fish market, past Art Nouveau buildings, and colorful moliceiro boats. • Add a cruise on the Ria Aveiro, to further explore the city from the Ria. • discover Costa Nova, where you will have the opportunity to see and photograph the colorful fishermen's houses, typically painted with vertical stripes. Return in comfort to your hotel in Porto after a day that will surely remain in your fondest memories. This is a private tour. You can adapt the program according to your preferences.

Aveiro Half-Day Tour with Moliceiro Cruise

7. Aveiro Half-Day Tour with Moliceiro Cruise

On this 4-hour tour you’ll leave from your hotel in Porto and head south. When you arrive in Aveiro, first off is an hour-long ride on a moliceiro, a traditional boat used to collect sea grass in the lagoon. Admire the Art Nouveau architecture, and in particular the buildings near Praça do Rossio (Rossio Square). Many of the streets near and around this square are still cobblestoned. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a taste of the famous ovos moles, a legendary Aveiro confection made with water, sugar and egg yolks. Visit the Art Nouveau Museum and the Mercado do Peixe (fish market). Continue on to the Costa Nova, a paradise that’s home to several species of birds. Visit the lighthouse and see the old colorful fishermen's houses. After the tour your driver will drop you off at your hotel or other location of your choice.

From Porto: Aveiro Day Trip with wine experience

8. From Porto: Aveiro Day Trip with wine experience

A journey through two of the most beautiful cities in the north of the country with surprises, history, curiosities and a wine tasting in an internationally fashionable place. Do you know what we are talking about? We'll tell you all the details... Aveiro We leave early in the morning to make the most of the day. A walk through the most beautiful areas of the city to work up an appetite and continue on to the Carcavelos Bridge, a symbol of Art Nouveau, which we will tell you about in detail and also a good place from which to go to the Chapel of São Gonçalinho, which houses relics from the 18th century. We have a few stories to tell you! But for stories, you should go to the Arte Nova Museum, which allows you to learn about the social and cultural context of the origin of the movement while you sit in Captain Major Pessoa's tea house and listen to live jazz music. Quite an experience! Do you know what role Aveiro played in the Age of Discovery? The best place to find out is the Monument to João Afonso, an outstanding personality of the period. And nearby you will see the Sé de Aveiro Cathedral, the most important religious building in the city. And the other main pillar? Culture: a visit to the Averiense Theatre is a must! Before finishing, we will make a last stop at the Monument to José Estêvão Coelho de Magalhães, one of the most illustrious politicians in the history of Portugal. But what about all the recommendations and picturesque spots we've told you about? You have two hours free to explore the city at your leisure! Recommendation: Don't leave without trying the local gastronomy! Vila Nova de Gaia When you arrive back in Porto, we have a surprise for you: WOW! And it will not only be the word that comes out of your mouth, but also the name of the new trendy place in the city. A refurbished area with an important cultural offer where culinary arts and wine have a special role. It is an acronym for World of Wine, and its name "The World of Wine" perfectly represents the experience you are about to live. A wine tourism immersion that includes the presentation and detailed explanation of each wine, its differences and peculiarities. You will become wine experts! And after learning, smelling and looking, you will have to taste. We offer you the possibility of tasting and sampling not one, not two, but three kinds of the best wines of the season. Back to Oporto or not... We propose you the best of the options for an unforgettable day: We will finish shortly in the afternoon and we would not like you to leave Villanova de Gaia, the cradle of the Port wine industry, without having enjoyed its essence. This is where the best vineyards of the Douro River Valley have been found, as well as the cellars for the ageing of its fine wines. That's why we offer you the possibility to stay! Our guide will say goodbye at the exit of the WOW while explaining you how to get back to the starting point in Porto.

From Lisbon: Private Transfer to Porto with City Stops

9. From Lisbon: Private Transfer to Porto with City Stops

Tick off three of the most important cities on the Portuguese coast in just one day with this convenient private transfer service. Travel from Lisbon to Porto and enjoy optional stops in Aveiro, Coimbra or Fátima, Nazaré, or Óbidos. After getting picked up from your hotel in Lisbon, travel towards the city of Óbidos. Here, enjoy some free time to explore the town's famously quirky bookstores, medieval streets, and liquor bars at your own pace. Continue towards either Nazaré or Fátima for lunch and a walk around the city. In Nazaré, soak up the views of the Portuguese coast and see for yourself why the city is a surfer's paradise. Or, explore the many religious sites in Fátima. Finally, pay a visit to the medieval town of Aveiro. Enjoy some free time to explore the canals, Nouveau architecture, and colorfully painted Moliceiros boats of the city. Alternatively, you may wish to stop in Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Portugal. Here, immerse yourself in the city's modern area, the university, and its ancient past.. Get dropped off at your hotel in Porto after a full day's sightseeing.

Combo: Porto City Half-Day Tour & Aveiro Half-Day Tour

10. Combo: Porto City Half-Day Tour & Aveiro Half-Day Tour

This guided tour of the city of Porto begins in the historic center, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Cathedral, the São Bento train station, known for its beautiful tiles representing important moments in the history of Portugal, and stop at the Lello bookstore. Later in the morning you’ll visit a port wine cellar, learn how the wine is made, see some of the rarest bottles that currently exist, and enjoy a port wine tasting. You will then experience the beauty of Aveiro’s water channels, which are natural formations along the Portuguese coast. Traditionally connected to the river and to the sea, the city has been called the Venice of Portugal. You’ll feel the culture of this city that was once a fishing village, where residents made their living from the river, the sea, and salt production. Your Aveiro tour begins at the fish market square, where you’ll have great views of the city center. Next you’ll head out on an hour’s cruise along the city’s beautiful water channels. Travel by a typical, yet unique boat called a moliceiro that is decorated with motifs related to the local culture.

Available activities

39 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 3

Frequently asked questions about Aveiro

What top attractions are a must-see in Aveiro?

The must-see attractions in Aveiro are:

What are the best tours to do in Aveiro with kids?

What are the best indoor activities in Aveiro for rainy days?

Other Sightseeing Options in Aveiro

Want to discover all there is to do in Aveiro? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Aveiro

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 1,499 reviews

An amazing day !!! Ricardo was the most kindest and professional host. He assisted so much and ran the day so smoothly so our group could see everything. Dinner was fantastic and authentic. My favorite part really was meeting 4 others from different parts of the world and together we spoke about all of our country & cultures. Felt like I was in another part of Canada, but a more spectacular view of Portugal. I would do this again in a heartbeat and so should you !!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Coimbra and Aveiro. Our guide, Joao was very knowledgeable and helpful! He had a lot of great information to share! We took several tours during our visit to Portugal and this was by far the best! We highly recommend this activity! Joao was an outstanding guide!

Excellent tour guide on the boat. He made sure to explain things to us in English as we were the only English speaking people on the tour, it felt like we had our own private tour!

What a fantastic experience! It’s a must see. Well worth the money. Traditional Portuguese Lunch was delicious!

Felt like I was in Venice but in Portugal. The city is very beautiful.