Less than an hour away from Coimbra, the Venice of Portugal awaits you. Explore beautiful Aveiro on a traditional Moliceiro boat and discover one of the country's most spectacular beaches at Costa Nova.
Aveiro & Costa Nova Tour
After meeting on Emídio Navarro Av. in Coimbra, you'll set off in the direction of Aveiro. Arriving in the historic city, you'll climb aboard one of the famous Moliceiro boats, traditionally used to transport seaweed and salt. You'll enjoy a 45-minute cruise on the canals that divide Aveiro and which have earned it the nickname "the Venice of Portugal".
After taking in the views of the beautiful city from the Moliceiro, you'll explore the old town of Aveiro, discovering the Art Nouveau buildings that turned the town into an open-air museum. You'll also visit the typical fishermen's quarter of Aveiro and taste the traditional sweet, ovos moles.
Then, you'll be taken to Praia da Barra. There, you'll have the opportunity to explore the stunning white sand beach and take photos with the Aveiro Lighthouse. Did you know that this is the second-tallest lighthouse on the Iberian Peninsula? Only the Faro de Chipiona near Cadiz is taller.
You'll then head to nearby Costa Nova, one of Portugal's most spectacular beaches, known for the iconic striped houses that line the bay. Historically home to the local fishermen who worked in nearby waters, these days the picturesque buildings are a popular tourist attraction.
Finally, after having made the most of your time in these pretty Portuguese coastal towns, we'll take you back to the meeting point in Coimbra.
Climbing Aveiro Lighthouse
If you choose to do this Aveiro & Costa Nova Tour on a Wednesday afternoon, you'll be able to choose to climb Aveiro Lighthouse. After climbing 300 steps, you'll have an incredible panoramic view of the bay below. This activity is not recommended for people with heart problems.
