srettig24 Aveiro has a unique Portuguese feel and plenty of charm, that you will be dying to check out. Lisbon rivals to be the most beautiful city in Europe, and Porto is a major tourist destination, so you might overlook places like Aveiro. Between boat rides, and restaurants along the water this is the perfect place to relax and take in the day. While I didn’t get time to see everything in Aveiro, I have no doubt you will be excited to explore for yourself!
Tenente Resende St.
This street is one of the most scenic in the city- with eye-catching buildings and where you can get a ride on a Molicerios. There are many little shops selling, souvenirs, local salt, or wine. There are many restaurants in this area that have authentic Portuguese food.
The Canals
The city is located on the edge of the Ria de Aveiro or Aveiro river. The river was a saltwater lagoon that was farmed for seaweed, salt, and bountiful fish during the 1900s. Salt exportation in Aveiro since the Roman trading routes and the middle ages. The salt industry is still alive today and you can take a tour.
The Art Nouveau Buildings
First off- what is Art Nouveau? this is an international style in architecture and design in the 19th century- “sinuous lines and flowing organic shapes based on plant forms”. The art nouveau buildings in Aveiro were built by wealthy Brazilian families. Aveiro has an Art Nouveau heritage museum. Several of the buildings along the canal are decorated in the art nouveau style.
Molicerios Boats
The Molicerios boats are part of what makes Averio so unique. The Molicerios were used to transport seagrasses more specifically moliço a type of algae used as agricultural fertilizer. These boats were developed in the 19th century and used until about 1960. Molicerios are made with Scots pine or an umbrella pine and were built by crafts people in the villages of Murtosa. The designs and construction techniques are a secret and still passed down today. In the summer they even have little sailing regattas- which is the only time you will see them with sails nowadays.
Ponte do Laços
This bridge- Pont do Laços sits between Canal de São Roque and Canal dos Botirões, two channels of the Aveiro lagoon. This footbridge is unlike any I had ever seen before with a circular design and tall arms.
Aveiro is known as the Venice of Portugal. The name Aveiro comes from the latin word “Averius” taken from Celtic meaning ‘mouth of the river’.
The bridge Ponte dos Caravelos, on the right, is the lover’s bridge in Aveiro. It is also Valentine’s Bridge and the oldest bridge in Aveiro. On the left, is a photo of the shopping area-I thought that the stone tiles added to the atmosphere in Aveiro contributing to what it makes a lovely destination. If you have time check out the Fisherman’s quarter along the canal, where the fisherman’s houses are painted green, red, yellow, and blue with white stripes.
J- Thanks for being a great co-pilot, I had a lovely day with you
