Travel Diary | A morning in Aveiro, Portugal

After successfully navigating my way out of the city of Porto through morning traffic, we were on the road. Today’s intention was a bright and early start, to check out two places we’d been recommended to visit on our Portugal road trip, before spending the night in Lisbon.

Aveiro was the first of two stops; I’d immediately added it to the itinerary after hearing that it’s often referred to as the ‘Venice of Portugal’. I love a good canal or ten (see my solo trip to Venice post for evidence of this). Getting there was very easy from Porto – less than an hour’s drive. Although I did enrage a local by being in the wrong lane on the way into the free car park. Sorry, fist-shaky man.

(FYI for parking – Parque Estacionamento Nossa Sra Aflitos is where we left the car. It’s a free car park, and a short walk from the main street of Aviero. It does fill up during the morning, so arriving early definitely helps, and it’s best to ignore the locals trying to help you find a parking spot unless you’re willing to give them some Euros for their trouble…)

There’d been no time in Porto for us to grab breakfast, so we took our hungry morning bellies to Pastelaria RIABURGUER. It might not be the most ‘breakfast’ of foods, but I was seriously hankering for a cheese toastie, so that’s what I ordered…served with chips. Because chips at 9am is 100% my holiday vibe. Sorted.

Once our non-breakfasty breakfasts had been polished off, we didn’t need to go far to find our boat ride – there are plenty of canal tour services dotted along the canal on the main street that do the same or similar rides. The first half took us out of the city centre, under cute little bridges and up to the old Jerónimo Pereira Campos Factory. It ceased its ceramic production in the 60s, and in 1995, restoration work began to make it the conference and event centre it is today.

Moving back down to our starting point and underneath the small roundabout at the top of Jardim do Rossio, a canalside green space, we floated on past the architecture of R. João Mendonça. One of the most striking buildings here is the Museu de Arte Nova, a small museum with a blue and white façade. Inside, you’ll find information and exhibits around the art nouveau movement – buildings in this style can be found dotted around Aveiro.

Heading out towards Aveiro Lagoon, we learnt that the area has a history of salt production – with Salina da Noeirinha being the source of some of the purest, best salt in Portugal (according to our tour guide, at least). Before visiting, I’d genuinely had no idea of what was produced in the area – and definitely had no idea it was well-known for salt!

The last section of our Aveiro canal boat tour took us down a smaller watery road, and we got a peek at the Aveiro fish market, as well as some more pretty bridges. We also spotted a lone man working out on an ‘outdoor gym’ – can I get one of those on the park next to my flat, please? (the outdoor gym, I mean. Not the lone man.)

With our feet finally spent on dry land, we spent a little time walking around the central streets of Aveiro, spotting more of the art nouveau buildings and seeing the small Fish Market up close.

Before leaving, we had to try out the local delicacy – Ovos Moles. An egg yolk and sugar mix, often served inside a rice paper casing, we picked up a couple from one of the many stores along the canalside selling them. It was…interesting. If I’m honest, I found it kinda gross – but hey, at least I gave it a go, right?

Making our way back to a (now pretty full) car park, locating ‘Quentin 500’ and ready to brave the roundabouts, it was time to leave Aveiro behind and head to our next road trip stop. It was a really fun morning, especially the boat trip, and I’d recommend it for an enjoyable few hours if you’re driving from Porto to Lisbon.

Coming soon – the next stop of the day, Obidos…