The town also boasts some magnificent Art Nouveau buildings and building fronts decorated with azulejos, the façade of the train station is of special significance. One of the best ways to experience the town is to take a boat trip along the canals. Most of the tours start from the central canal, which effectively divides the lower town into two halves. The moliceiros are ornately painted with a low edge bow that enables easy grasping of seaweed from the lagoon. Seaweed was used to fertilise the surrounding farmland. You can also venture on a bike ride with BUGA, a public service where you can use bikes borrowed by the municipality for free.

Aveiro Cathedral

Also know as the São Domingos Church, the first stone of the Cathedral (Sé) was laid down in 1423 as part of a Dominican convent and was considerably restored in the 16th and 17th centuries. Located in the heart of Aveiro and it is well maintained and makes an ideal location to investigate. The baroque façade has twisted columns and sculpted figures of the three graces; Faith, Hope and Charity. Inside is a 17th-century organ and 17th-century tiles. The bell and clock tower standing on one side is clad in white sandstone. The cathedral was declared a national monument in 1996.
67 Rua Batalhão Caçadores Dez, 3810-064 Aveiro, Portugal . | 40° 38′ 23″ N | 08° 39′ 1″ W

Beira Mar District

A stroll along the São Roque canal leading off from the Jardim do Rossio leads you into the Beira Mar district, on one side is the Ria and on the other bank, across the circular pedestrian bridge, along the Cais dos Botirões is a row of brightly coloured houses whose former occupants were Marnotos (Salt pan workers) and accosted warehouses. This arm of the canal terminates at a square where the central fish market is located, a number of cafés and restaurants occupy the perimeter.

Fish Market (Mercado do Peixe)

The central fish market is a great place to visit. Housed in its new construction overlooking the São Roque canal, the market is an insight into the local traditional fishing industry and with all sorts of fish and seafood being sold.
It's also possible to eat here, in fact, the restaurant above the market is where locals and students from the University like to have lunch. As expected the fish here is as fresh as it's possible to be and at very reasonable prices. Popular dishes include fish and prawn kebabs, grilled sea bass and carapauzinhos - fried whitebait. Those with an adventurous nature can ask for the catch of the day.
Monday - Saturday: 12h30 - 16h00/19h30 - 00h00, Sunday: CLOSED
1 Largo Praça Peixe, 3800-243, Aveiro, Portugal | 40º 38' 33.4" N | 08º 39' 19.1" W
+351 234 351 303 | mercadopeixe@hotmail.com.pt |  Website

Praça da República

In the centre of the square, one finds the statue of José Estêvão Coelho, born in Aveiro on December 26 1809, José Estêvão was a noted journalist, revolutionary politician and speaker at the Portuguese parliament, installed on August 12, 1889. On one side of the square is the Câmara Municipal (town hall building), constructed in 1797, in a typical local style, with a red-tiled roof with light pink stonework. A clock and bell town takes a commanding position over the main portal. On the opposite side of the square is the magnificent Igreja da Misericórdia church.

Completed in 1653, the design of this church is attributed to the Italian architect Filipo Terzio, who first drafted the plans way back in 1585. The azulejos that cover its façade are a later addition dating from the 19th century. A grandiose limestone classical portal gives access inside, four Corinthian columns are carved into the lower part and houses two statues. In the upper portion, the figures have been replaced by windows, flanking the stone statue of Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia. Inside, one finds the long nave adorned with more azulejos dating from the 16th century. The panelled vaulted ceiling of the chancel is carved from Ançã stone, a local commodity found in great abundance.

The Museum of Art Nouveau (Museu Arte Nova)

Located in the Casa Major Pessoa, one of the most architecturally admired buildings in the city and a prime example of Portuguese Art Nouveau. Designed by architects Silvia Rocha and Ernest Korrodi and constructed in 1909, during the peak of the Art Nouveau period. Art Nouveau had particular popularity in Porto, Lisbon and in Aveiro. The style is locally known as "Arte nova". The floral decorative characteristics of Art Nouveau are prevalent on the stone façade of the building and on the wrought iron embellishments. The building is topped by a noble eagle, a theme that continues throughout the interior.

Inside azulejo tiles are the main design feature; motifs of birds, animals, and flowers are the recurring theme. On the first floor, there is a roadmap of 28 iconic art nouveau buildings in the area. The second floor houses an art gallery exhibiting works from new artists and architects from Aveiro, as well as an auditorium. The top floor is reserved for temporary exhibitions. The is also an excellent ornate tea room on the first floor, which serves a wide range of infusions and pastries. In the evenings, the tea room becomes a chill-out bar serving cocktails.

Tuesday - Friday: 09h30 - 12h30/14h00 - 21h00, Weekends: 14h00 - 18h00, Mondays: CLOSED | €1.00
Casa Major Pessôa, Rua Dr. Barbosa, 9 Magalhães, Aveiro. Portugal | 40º 38' 30.3" N | 08º 39' 19.9" W
+351 234 406 485 | geral@casadechaartenova.com |  Website

Convento de Jesus (City Museum)

The current façade of the convent dates from the 18th century and includes three doorways with beautiful frontons, emblazoned with the royal coat of arms. The building retains several former convent areas: the atrium, used as an entrance hall, the 15th-century cloister, that conserves a set of Renaissance columns, several Manueline chapels decorated with azulejo tiles and the Chapter House. The church interior includes a main chapel, with notable late 16th-century gilded woodwork, reminiscent of the work of a goldsmith. The walls are covered by azulejo panels and have paintings representing moments from the life of Santa Joana Princesa, daughter of King D.Afonso V.

In the lower choir of the Church – where the faithful took part in liturgical duties – we find the tomb of Santa Joana, a finely carved work with intricate embedded Italian marble of different colours. Installation of the tomb was authorised by a papal bull issued by Pope Pio II, in 1461. The tomb is surrounded by a carved woodwork parietal decoration, azulejo tiles and marble, beneath a polychrome baroque-style ceiling. Several Portuguese artisans worked on the tomb, designed by the Royal architect, Manuel Antunes. Construction work of the tomb commenced in 1699, in the wake of a commission by D. Pedro II, but the ashes of the Infanta were only placed in the tomb in 1711.

Aveiro dedicates a religious festivity to the Infanta on May 12 (the municipal public holiday), to mark the anniversary of her death. The festivity includes a pilgrimage to the site and a liturgical procession which also includes civil elements, such as ladies, knights, princes, and pages, amongst other figures.

Tuesday - Friday: 09h30 - 18h00, Weekends: 14h00 - 18h00, Mondays: CLOSED
Adults: €3.00, Concessionary: €1.00
Av. de Santa Joana Princesa, 3810-329. Aveiro, Portugal. | 40° 38' 21" N | 08° 39' 03.9" W
+351 234 406 485 | maveiro@drcc.pt |  Website

Extending 28 miles from (45km) from Ovar to Mira with a width of six miles (10km), into which flows the river Vouga, the Ria de Aveiro coastal lagoon was formed by the retreat of the sea and the subsequent build-up of sandbanks which eventually closed, forming the lagoon. Sediment washed downstream accumulated, forming the interesting ecosystem which exists now, the dunes and grasslands. Tidal ecologies, such as these, although delicate, are valuable areas of extreme bio-diversity and multi-functionality as they that provide a variety of goods and services which are essential to human wellbeing as well as wildlife.

Boat trips around the lagoon depart throughout the day from the main canal, just in front of the tourist office. A typical fare is €5 for one hour or €20 for a two-hour ride with lunch included. A boat trip offers an up-close experience with the ecology, water foul (including flamingoes), fauna, fish and local people who work the lagoon.

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Although Aveiro isn't on the coast, there are many excellent beaches close by as part of the northern part of the Silver Coast…

Costa Nova

Located along the length of a sandy bar south of Praia de Barra on the southern mouth of the Ria Aveiro lagoon, its western shore coasts the Atlantic whilst the lagoon estuary washes over the eastern bank. Costa Nova is popular with surfers, sun worshippers and bathers alike. The most spectacular feature is the 'palheiros', the famed colourful candy-striped houses.

The beach itself is wide with light coloured fine-grained sand bordered with grassy dunes. The beach can be traversed along wooden boardwalks and floating bridges. The beach on the estuary side carries blue flag status, and there are lifeguards for your safety. Considering the beauty of the area, Costa Nova surprisingly is never crowded. Costa Nova can easily be reached from Aveiro by bus, the bus stops outside the old train station and outside the English School. [ More About ► ]

Praia da Barra

Rounding the northern tip of the southern sand bar stands Praia da Barra. The beach is equally good as Costa Nova. The area has a more "urbanised" feel. The 19th-century lighthouse here is Portugal's tallest. The Farol da Barra rises 203 feet (62 metres). 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.

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 also 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.