Coimbra to Aveiro, Costa Nova and Ilhavo: Private day trip

Explore Aveiro for its rich salt-mining history and exciting art nouveau influences.

Start with a Moliceiro boat ride where you’ll glide through the canals and appreciate tiled houses and historic salt warehouses. Then, stroll the Art Nouveau trail and wander into the former Casa do Major Pessoa, now an art museum. Head to the sea flats and learn more about the area’s salt harvesting tradition, and visit the ecomuseum. In the summer, you can float in concentrated salt water for a weightless experience. Be sure to visit the Aveiro Cathedral and Museum of Santa Joana to learn more about royal history, or stroll the long wooden walkways of Passadicos de Aveiro.

Enjoy a pastel-hued coastal journey through Costa Nova.

Stroll along the Avenida Jose Estevao to enjoy the pale red, green, and blue striped houses. Then head to O Barco a Vista to enjoy a seafood lunch of mariscada (a platter of raw and cooked shellfish), razor clams, or cuttlefish stew, all with a stunning ocean backdrop. Enjoy time under the sun at Praia da Costa Nova, a raw stretch of coastline that draws surfers with its gorgeous waves. Enjoy a sunset here or back at Ria de Aveiro. Be sure to sample Ovos moles, sweet egg yolk treats in Aveiro-style shells, before leaving this charming city.

Explore Ilhavo to learn more about Portugal’s strong fishing history and appreciate coastal serenity.

Your final stop of the day will be in Ilhavo, where you can visit the Maritime Museum to learn about the area’s cod fishing legacy, polar expeditions, and fantastical sea myths. Then, enjoy a Bacalhau-focused dinner (Bacalhau is Cod, Portugal’s “faithful friend”). After dinner, head to Vista Alegre Museum and Factory, one of the country’s most iconic porcelain houses. Travelers can buy tickets for the chapel, factory tour, and shop. Finish the day by walking along the Ria de Aveiro and marveling at the calm waters and swaying fishing boats along the docks. Sample the Bacalhau a Bras – shredded cod with egg and potatoes, or Ria Prawns grilled with garlic and lemon.