Aveiro Tourism And Travel Guide

A charming little city, known most notably for its canals, Art Nouveau architecture and exquisite seafood, Aveiro continues to grow in popularity as one of the premier tourist destinations in Portugal. The city is best reached via train and the Aveiro Station is virtually walking distance from the city centre. International visitors can alternatively fly into Porto's Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport as it is the closest one to the city. Tourism in the city is buzzing through the year but reaches its peak in the summer and spring seasons, with the period between April and September being the best time to visit. In terms of activities, some of the best things to do range from sampling some delicious seafood at Fish Market Square to exploring stunning structures like the Mosteiro de Jesus and Art Nouveau Museum. This travel guide should give curious visitors valuable insights into one of the most unique Portugese cities. 

By Air:

Having no domestic airport, the closest point of arrival for visitors travelling by air is to fly into Porto's Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport, around 50 minutes away. 

By Road:

Travel by road is a cheaper but longer way to reach Aveiro from Porto and other parts of Portugal. The highways are efficiently linked to the rest of the major cities in and around the area. 

By Rail:

This is the best and most efficient way to reach the city. Aveiro Station is easily reachable from pretty much all of Portugal's important cities. 

Spring Season (March - May):

The most ideal time to explore and soak up the true beauty of Aveiro, spring season is characterized by warm weather and low, intermittent showers.

Summer Season (June - August):

The warmest part of the year and another extremely popular season for tourism, summer is when the days are at their longest and rainfall levels are at their lowest. 

Autumn Season (September - November):

With rainfall frequency increasing, along with heavier showers, it is not the best time to explore Aveiro and this is when tourists generally avoid travel here.

Winter Season (December - February):

The coldest part of the year, this season sees temperatures fall to single digits in the evening and slightly strong winds occurring periodically. Rainfall levels slow down as compared to autumn. 

Mosteiro de Jesus:

A highly recommended activity is to pay a visit to this exquisite, historic structure to learn more about Aveiro's unique cultural heritage.

Museu de Aveiro:

Another culturally-stimulating activity is to explore the confines of this stunning museum. The structure houses some of the most dynamic artworks and scultpures from the 15th century onwards.

Aveiro's Canals:

The canals of Aveiro are its most unique natural feature. The areas surrounding these canals are recommended for exploration and are some of the most beautiful and historic parts of the city.

Moliceiro Tour:

An equally enjoyable activity for families and couples alike, a boat tour weaving through Aveiro's canals on a sunny day is one of the best things to do in the city. 

Due to its geographic location and notable natural features like canals, it is no surprise that seafood dominates the local cuisine of Aveiro. Some of the best places to visit in the city for delicious yet affordable local seafood include Adamastor La Cubata, O Batel and O Moliceiro. For more upscale and fine-dining options Salponte is the go-to spot. The Fish Market Square is yet another distinctive location offering some of the freshest seafood including Eel, Cod and Lamprey -all prepared using simple supporting ingredients. Other than seafood, places like Fusoes are ideal for pizzas and pastas. 

Most visitors are probably unaware of the vibrant shopping scene in Aveiro. The city has a well-balanced combination of modern department stores, charming boutiques and even street markets where visitors can pick up some local, handcrafted accessories, clothes, furniture and other handicrafts. Mercad Negro is one of the premier spots in the city for the same and is a must-visit store full of locally crafted goods. Doce Pimenta is another special spot for picking up locally sourced produce and delicious food items native to Portugal. There is also the Ilhavo Porcelain Factory which is not to be missed for lovers of design.