If you’re craving a break from the hustle and bustle of Porto, might I suggest hopping on a train and heading to Aveiro? This little gem of a town—often called the “Venice of Portugal”—is the perfect spot for a day trip or weekend getaway. Aveiro has this quiet, unassuming charm that creeps up on you, with its postcard-worthy canals, colorful moliceiro boats, and streets made for strolling. My family first discovered Aveiro (and a little beach town called Costa Nova, but more on that later) during our “scouting” trip to Portugal in August. We chose to rent a car in Lisbon and drive it to Porto so that we could stop in a few towns along the Silver Coast (the area in between Portugal’s two largest cities, in the Atlantic Coast) and check them out. Aveiro was on my list of stops because I’d read about the charm and beauty of the city. 
We were blown away with the magic there! Is it Venice? Well, to be fair, we haven’t been to Venice, so I can’t say, but I doubt it’s quite as grandiose as Venice. That said – it was really fun and beautiful, and won us over immediately. It exceeded our expectations for sure! Even after we moved to Portugal, we couldn’t resist returning to Aveiro as one of our first weekend trips out of Porto.
We loved Aveiro so much, we even considered living there before we settled on Porto. It’s walkable, impossibly charming, and offers a slower pace that’s so refreshing. Ultimately, Porto’s vibrancy and better access to English-speaking international schools won out, but for a while, we truly imagined life in this adorable waterfront town. Whether you’re planning your next Portugal adventure or just dreaming about new places to explore, here’s everything that makes Aveiro (and nearby Costa Nova) special.
Getting to Aveiro—Trains, Simplicity, and No Stress
If there’s one thing I love about living in Portugal, it’s how easy it is to get from point A to amazing places like Aveiro. From Porto’s Campanhã Station, you can take either a standard or high-speed train south toward Aveiro. High-speed trains whisk you there in just 40 minutes, while the slower, more scenic option takes around an hour and fifteen. Either way, the ride is smooth, comfortable, and a great excuse to sip your coffee, read a book, or zone out while watching the countryside roll by.
For tickets, Omio is a lifesaver if you’re into planning ahead and comparing options online. Just make sure you’re not overpaying by comparing prices before you buy. Feeling a little more spontaneous? No problem—tickets are easy to grab on arrival at the station, with no need to stress about pre-booking your spot. Once you arrive at Aveiro’s darling little train station (don’t miss the traditional azulejo tiles outside), it’s just a short 10-15 minute walk to the town center. And yes, the path is so flat and well-maintained that it’s a breeze even if you’ve got luggage, kids in tow, or an overexcited puppy pulling at the lead. But have I mentioned the abundance of cobblestone in Portugal? Well, Aveiro is no exception. The beauty of it is worth the flats you’ll want to pack (no heels!).
This ease of transportation was one of the reasons we headed back to Aveiro so soon after moving to Portugal. Unlike some destinations, there’s no need to fuss with a rental car—in fact, take it from our experience-you’ll want to avoid a car in Aveiro in the summer (madhouse, no parking, and oh-almost all rentals here are stick shifts (have you driven one since the 90’s? Me neither!)). Hop on a train-it’s just a wonderfully simple, low-effort trip.
Aveiro’s Canals and That Unique Atmosphere
The first thing that hits you about Aveiro is how pretty it is. Picture this: canals that glisten under the sun, moliceiro boats gliding along the water with their quirky, colorful designs (some super fun and unique!), and a historic town center full of Art Nouveau buildings so detailed they look like they belong in an artist’s sketchbook.
While the moliceiros often get compared to Venetian gondolas, they’re really in a league of their own. Historically, these boats were used to harvest seaweed from the lagoon, but today, they ferry visitors on leisurely rides through Aveiro’s waterways. If you have time (and no pups in tow), a boat ride is a wonderful way to enjoy the perspective of the town from the canals. If you’d rather stay on land, wandering along the canals is just as magical—you’ll cross little bridges, snap a million photos, and find plenty of spots to sit and take it all in.
The vibe of Aveiro is this laid-back mix of historical charm and modern energy. There are bustling cafés and restaurants lining the streets, but everything still feels calm and walkable. It’s the kind of place where you can wander for hours without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
We also loved visiting (with an amazing, and budget friendly personal tour by Get Your Guide!) the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Apresentação, a church that might seem modest from the outside but absolutely stuns on the inside. I swear, you’ll find gilded gold details in Portuguese churches even when you least expect it—
from outside, there is no clue of the beauty you’re about to experience, and I absolutely gasped out loud when we walked in the door.
And don’t even get me started on the food scene. Whether it’s summer with buzzing outdoor terraces or a cozy winter evening with a heaping bowl of pasta and a nice dry glass of red wine in front of the canal, Aveiro makes sure you never go hungry, or thirsty, for that matter. Oh, and ovos moles—the town’s signature sweet made with egg yolks and sugar—might sound intimidating, but trust me, they’re a must-try. My personal recommendation? Pair one (did I say one? Haha – we bought a half dozen just on our way from the train to our AirBnB!) with a strong Portuguese espresso for the ultimate afternoon pick-me-up.
Costa Nova—Striped Houses and Stunning Beaches
No trip to Aveiro is complete without hopping over to Costa Nova, a picturesque beach town just a short distance away. I’m not exaggerating when I say Costa Nova is straight-up postcard material. Its famous striped houses, painted in cheerful reds, blues, and greens, add a pop of whimsy against the backdrop of the Atlantic. These colorful houses were originally used by fishermen (legend has it, they would be out to sea so long, and got off the boat so drunk that they had to paint their houses in a pattern and color they’d recognize or be unsure which one was theirs!), but today they’re a beloved and super picturesque and fun symbol of the region.
We still had our car when we went there, but you can take a Bolt (Portugal’s ride-hailing app, like Uber, but less expensive, generally speaking) to get there in about 15 minutes. No car, no problem. Alternatively, you can take a bus, always a great way to get around in Portugal when you’re out of reach of the metro system.
The beach in Costa Nova is absolutely stunning—wide, sandy, and kissed by soft Atlantic breezes. It’s perfect for sunny afternoon strolls, picnics on the dunes, or just soaking in the wild, untamed beauty of the coastline. Personally, I loved Costa Nova so much in the summer that we’ve already made plans to head back this upcoming spring or summer to spend more time there, only this time donning bathing suits and getting sun kissed!
This little seaside escape is perfect for slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Portugal has so much to offer when it comes to stunning coastline and sandy beaches. My kind of place!
Aveiro and Costa Nova—Why They’re Worth Your Time (Maybe More Than Once)
Aveiro and Costa Nova are the kinds of places you find an excuse to visit again and again. For us, our first visit was during a longer road trip, but the moment we moved to Portugal, it was one of the places we couldn’t wait to revisit. It’s just that special. And honestly, when we were figuring out where to settle down long-term, 
Aveiro was in the running. Its charm, walkability, and slower pace were huge draws. But in the end, we ended up choosing Porto because it had more access to international schools and gave us the vibrant, city energy we wanted. Aveiro, however, still holds this magnetic pull for us, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we keep making excuses to go back regularly.
Whether exploring canal-side cafés, snapping a million photos of striped beach houses, or simply strolling through picturesque streets with a small bag of ovos moles in hand, Aveiro and Costa Nova make for the perfect escape. Easy to reach, easy to love, and impossible to forget—this is one day trip you don’t want to miss.