The palm tree-lined promenade runs along the Ria Aveiro estuary and makes an ideal stroll or leisurely cycle ride. The route takes you past sailing clubs, a mini-golf course and beautiful views over the Ria. It is along here you'll encounter most of the Palheiros houses on one side and traditional brightly painted fishing boats on the other. Towards the end of the 19th Century, Costa Nova began to attract visitors and the local fishermen began to rent out their Palheiros in the summer season. It was during this time the idea arose to paint the outside panels of these wooden houses in bright colours.

Along this strip, you will also find many cafés and restaurants serving the catch of the day at very reasonable prices. The sunset over the estuary is a sight to behold. In contrast to the calm waters of the estuary on the other side of Costa Nova is the seashore.

Mercado Municipal de Costa Nova

Within a hideously designed exterior is the municipal market which everyone calls the fish market. Inside is an intriguing insight into local life and contains every conceivable and unconceivable type of fish these rich waters contain. The vendors service the region's restaurants and anyone who enjoys buying the freshest fish possible. There are also stalls that prepare and cook local dishes.

Tuesday - Sunday: 08h00 - 19h00, Monday: CLOSED
236 Avenida José Estêvão, Costa Nova do Prado, 3830-453 Gafanha da Encarnação, Portugal. | 40° 36' 39.0" N | 08° 44' 58.5" W
+351 234 394 512 | geralcmi@cm-ilhavo.pt

Praia da Costa Nova

The coastal beach at the opposite side to the river Costa Nova is wide, lined with grassy dunes, clean and well equipped for a good day by the sea, worthy of its awards as a Blue Flag and Golden Beach. The waves here are much appreciated by surfers. The beach itself extends the length of the sandy spit southwards in the direction of Vagueira Beach, their wooden boardwalks and floating bridges that run the length of the beach for those who like a long walk along the seashore. Although the beach sees many visitors, the sheer size of the beach ensures it never feels crowded. | 40° 36' 54.4" N | 08° 45' 12.7" W

Praia da Barra

Rounding the northern tip of the southern sand bar stands Praia da Barra, the beach is equally good as Costa Nova but the area has a more "urbanised" feel. The 19th-century lighthouse here is Portugal's tallest, the Farol da Barra rises 62 metres (203 feet). The site around it is open to the general public throughout the year. Barra's exposure to the Atlantic elements makes it ideal for surfing and water sports.
40° 37' 54.3" N | 08° 44' 57.5" W

São Jacinto

On the northern bar of the Ria lies São Jacinto, its expanse of beach and nature reserve dunes. It has good amenities such as fully equipped locker rooms, beach facilities, café and disabled access. The dunes are not only spectacular but play a vital role in the area's ecology and stabilising water levels. To get to São Jacinto from Aveiro it's possible to take a ferry across the lagoon, the drive takes a roundabout route.
40° 40' 09.1" N | 08° 44' 47.7" W

Six kilometres (4 miles) from Aveiro the Maritime Museum of Ílhavo dates back to the late 1930s. It was fully remodelled in 2001 by the architects Nuno Mateus and José Mateus, and subsequently won the EU Contemporary Architecture Prize of the Mies Van Der Rohe Foundation in 2003. It is home to four permanent exhibitions and host to several temporary exhibitions, the Maritime Museum of Ílhavo makes for an interesting day out.

One exhibit pays homage to Portugal's cod fishing industry, amongst the displays is a two-masted schooner. Another exhibit is dedicated to the items relating to the Ria de Aveiro lagoon, including the famous moliceiros and other fishing vessels, many of which have been beautifully restored. One more exhibition room documents Portugal's age of discovery and displays nautical instruments, ancient maps, compasses and so on. Also at the museum is a gallery of oil paintings and watercolours from the mid-twentieth century, with works by local and national artists.

Monday - Saturday: 10h00 - 18h00, Sunday: 10h00 - 18h00/CLOSED Low Season
Adult: €5.00, Child & OAP: €2.50
Av. Dr. Rocha Madahíl, 3830-193 Ílhavo, Portugal.
40º 36' 16.11" N | 08º 39' 57.65" W | +351 234 329 990
museuilhavo@cm-ilhavo.pt |  Website