Aveiro Day Trip From Porto In Portugal: 1-day Aveiro Itinerary

Located on the west coast of Portugal, Aveiro is a picturesque fishing town known for its Art Nouveau buildings, salt flats, patterned Portuguese pavement, and an egg-y dessert called ovo moles. The town is also known as the Venice of Portugal because of the canal system and the gondola-type boats called moliceiros.

And taking an Aveiro day trip from Porto couldn’t be easier. Aveiro is only 75km south of Porto and can be easily reached via the urban train. Aveiro is the perfect day trip destination, especially if you are travelling on your own.

In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to take the train from Aveiro to Porto and how to see Aveiro in one day.

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What you need to know before going on an Aveiro day trip

Before you take a day trip to Aveiro from Porto, take a look at some of these useful travel tips for travelling to Aveiro:

• I recommend starting your Aveiro day trip early. Try to arrive in Aveiro by 9:00 am so you can comfortably follow my itinerary below
• Be aware that some churches and museums in Aveiro close during lunch hour (12:30 pm to 1:30 pm)
• The best way to see Aveiro is on foot as the city is quite small
• Use GoogleMaps app to navigate around Aveiro
• Bring your credit card as many places accept credit cards only. Also, bring cash for smaller purchases.
• Download the Comboios de Portugal app and check the train schedule from Porto to Aveiro and back

How to get to Aveiro from Porto

The easiest and cheapest way to travel from Porto to Aveiro is by taking the urban train. You can start the journey from either Sao Bento Station or Campanha Station in Porto.

All you have to do is buy a ticket from the counter or kiosk. This means you pay €0.50 for the reusable Siga card and one title (means one ticket) for the cost of the train journey to Aveiro.

Porto to Aveiro by train

• Urban train: from Porto Sao Bento Station to Aveiro Station
  • Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (about 1 or 2 trains per hour)
  • Cost: €3.55 (plus €0.50 for the Siga reusable card)
  • Check: Comboios de Portugal website for train schedules

Remember to keep the Siga card so you can use it to take the train from Aveiro to Porto. And make sure to validate your card before getting on the train.

Aveiro day trip from Porto: how to spend 1 day in Aveiro

There are so many things to do in Aveiro that you might feel overwhelmed. But if you follow my Aveiro itinerary, you can see all the best attractions in Aveiro efficiently and effortlessly.

All you have to do is follow the numbered red pins on the interactive map and read the descriptions below.

Are you ready for your Aveiro day trip? Here we go!

1. Antigo Estação Caminho de Ferro de Aveiro (Aveiro Old Railway Station)

Antigo Estação Caminho de Ferro de Aveiro is the Old Aveiro Railway Station and has been around since 1916. But you will see the restored station with blue and white tiles when you exit Aveiro Station.

When you take a closer look at the panels of blue and white tiles, they show different scenes that depict typical characteristics of the area including the Aveiro salt flats, Aveiro during the beginning of the 18th century, and many more.

Besides the impressive decorative elements on the exterior of the old station, the interior of the building houses a gift shop and an exhibition area on the upper floor. If you forget to buy souvenirs in the city centre, you can always pick up a few souvenirs here before jumping back on the train to Porto.

Address: R. do. Dr. João de Moura 2, Aveiro | Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

2. Ponte dos Namorados

The Ponte dos Nomorados bridge in Aveiro differs from other “lover’s bridges” in other parts of the world. Instead of putting a love padlock on the bridge, a love ribbon or tie is used. The whole act symbolizes the unbreakable love and friendship between two people.

There are many ribbons of different colours tied to both balustrades. The cheerfulness and whimsical feel of the pedestrian bridge have made Ponte dos Nomorados one of the best attractions in Aveiro.

Address: Cais do Côjo, Aveiro

3. Sé de Aveiro (Aveiro Cathedral)

Sé de Aveiro (Aveiro Cathedral) is the only surviving structure in the old Dominican monastery. Founded in 1423, the church suffered many fires, leaving the building in bad condition. Many restorations were carried out, including the facade and the nave.

Today, you can visit this Roman Catholic church and see the Portuguese Baroque architecture style, Gothic sculptures, and a modern organ.

Make sure to take a peek inside and see the oldest religious building in Aveiro.

Address: Av. 5 de Outubro, Aveiro | Hours: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

4. Museu de Aveiro (Aveiro Museum)

Across the road from Aveiro Cathedral is Museu de Aveiro (Aveiro Museum). The building used to be the former Dominican convent but was converted to a museum.

For a €5 entrance fee, you can see one of Portugal’s most valuable religious art collections. Besides all the religious paintings and artwork from the 15th to 20th century, the museum is best known for its ties with Saint Joana, the patron saint of Aveiro. Inside the museum, you can see Saint Joana’s tomb and azulejos (blue and white tiles) telling the story of her life.

Also, don’t miss the cloisters, fountain in the courtyard and the gold-leafed interior of the Chapel of Jesus.

Address: Av. Santa Joana, Aveiro | Hours: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm (closed Mondays) | Admission: €5

5. Igreja de Sāo Joāo Evangelista (Convent of St. John the Evangelist) / Igreja das Carmelita de Aveiro (Church of the Carmelites)

Igreja de Sao João Evangelista (Convent of St. John the Evangelist) belongs to the Carmelite Nuns Order, which is why the church is also known as Igreja das Carmelita de Aveiro (Carmelitas Church).

Doesn’t matter what you call this church, the building itself was declared a national monument in 1910.

And you might be wondering why that is because the exterior of the church seems rather plain and boring. But once you enter the church, your visual senses are bombarded by all the ornate gild work, intricate woodwork, and different types of architectural styles including Baroque and Roccoco.

Moreover, the most spectacular highlight of the Carmelitas Church is all the gold-leafed surfaces next to blue and white azulejo tiles. The contrast between gold and blue colours is considered to be the ideal design aesthetics at the time.

Address: Tv. do Governo Civil, Aveiro | Hours: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm Tuesday to Sunday

6. Street art and wall murals in Aveiro

By now you may have seen a few murals and graffitis in Aveiro. There are a few along the way from Aveiro Station; some are painted on large vertical surfaces while others used a stencil technique where they remove a part of the wall to create an image.

At Rua de Coimbra, there is a large mural made with colourful tiles. The subject matter is all about typical Aveiro activities and things associated with the city, like moliceiro boat, ovo moles, salt, etc.

Also, take note of the beautiful black and white patterned floor. The Portuguese pavement, also known as calçada portuguesa is a traditional pavement used in pedestrian walkways in Portugal. Aveiro has many patterned sidewalks, but this one is one of the best!

Address: Rua de Coimbra, Aveiro

7. Take a Moliceiros boat tour at the Moliceiros Pier

A perfect day trip to Aveiro must include a canal ride on a moliceiro boat. Moliceiros were used for fishing before, but now it is used as a vessel for touring around the canals of Aveiro, similar to the gondolas in Venice, Italy.

The boat ride is about 45 minutes and the colourful boat will take you to all the highlights along the Aveiro water canal.

All the boat tours along the Moliceiro Pier cost the same. I purchased an advanced ticket online for this Moliceiro boat tour. The process was easy and saved a bit of time. All I had to do was go to the meeting point at the Moliceiro Pier. Then I got a ticket for the next moliceiro boat tour.

If you don’t get a spot on the next boat tour, you can jump to #13 and #14 on the itinerary ie. have lunch first then go on the boat cruise.

I’ll list all the highlights of the moliceiro canal tour below. (And FYI you can see all these attractions on foot but it is so much more fun seeing them on a boat cruise).

Address: across from Turismo Centro on Rua João Mendonça | Hours: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm | Tour price: €13

8 & 9. Fábrica de Cerâmica Jerónimo Pereira Campos and the Monument to the Soft Eggs

First, the moliceiro boat sails to the south end of the canal. The boat passes the colourful Ponte dos Nomorados pedestrian bridge and Aveiro Forum. And then into Lago da Fonte Nova, one of the urban channels of Ria de Aveiro.

At the furthest end of the canal is the Jardim da Fonte Nova and the Antiga Fábrica Jerónimo Pereira Campos. The red-brick building with a smokestack in the middle used to be a ceramic factory. But it has been converted into a cultural congress centre today.

And on the left side is the Monument to the Soft Eggs. These whimsical sculptures celebrate Aveiro’s famous dessert: ovo moles. The actual sculptures mimic the nautical shapes of the ovo moles and the mould for making the egg-y dessert.

Antiga Fábrica Jerónimo Pereira Campos Address: Cais da Fonte Nova, Aveiro

Monument to the Soft Eggs Address: R. Carlos Silva Melo Guimarães

10. Salinas de Aveiro

The moliceiro boat tour continues and travels all the way to the north part of the canal. And on the left side is the Salinas de Aveiro, the salt flats of Aveiro.

You can see mounds of salt from the boat (see the top photo above) and that’s about it. If you are interested in seeing more, you can walk back to the salt flats and see more.

Plus, there are salt baths on the premises! Take a long dip in one of the salt pools and reap the benefits of the minerals and the salinity of the saltwater.

And if you are interested in learning more, you can visit the Ecomuseu Marinha da Troncalhada, an open-air museum showcasing traditional salt production.

Address: R. do Dr. Bernardino Machado 8, Aveiro

11 & 12. Ponte dos Botirões (Circular Pedestrian Bridge) and Ponte dos Carcavelos (Carcavelos Bridge)

The moliceiro boat tour continues towards the west where it passes two beautiful, yet very different bridges.

First is the Ponte dos Botirões (Circular Pedestrian Bridge), a steel bridge built over two intersecting canals: the São Roque canel and Praça do Peixe canal. The modern bridge has a loop or the infinity symbol suspended over the bridge by cable wires.

Pedestrians and cyclists can access the wooden circular bridge from four different access points. I would describe the bridge as a roundabout for cars, but this is for people and bicycles. Ha!

Next is the Ponte dos Carcavelos (Carcavelos Bridge), one of the oldest bridges in Aveiro. The old bridge collapsed, so what you are seeing is a new and improved bridge. Take note of the center of the bridge; it is decorated with the city’s coat of arms (an eagle).

After passing the second bridge, the moliceiro boat makes a u-turn and returns back to Moliceiro Pier.

Ponte dos Botirões Address: Cais dos Mercanteis 20, Aveiro

Ponte dos Carcavelos Address: Praceta Ria de Aveiro, Aveiro

13. Obelisco da Liberdade at Praça Melo Freitas

Obelisco da Liberdade is the obelisk of freedom that was built to commemorate the centenary of the birth of José Estevão’s birth and the people of Aveiro who fought in the liberation war in 1828. The pyramidal obelisk is made of granite, limestone and marble.

The commemorative monument sits proudly in the centre of Praça Melo Freitas, where it is surrounded by intricate black and white Portuguese pavement. And if you look around Praça Melo Freitas, there are many Art Nouveau architectural-style buildings facing the open square.

When you walk further into the square, there are many shops and restaurants, which brings me to the next thing on the itinerary: lunch!

Address: R. Domingos Carrancho, Aveiro

14. Have lunch around Praça do Peixe or Praça Melo Freitas

There are many restaurants throughout Aveiro but the majority of them are concentrated around Praça do Peixe and Praça Melo Freitas.

When you are in Aveiro, definitely try different types of seafood. The city is known for caldeirada de enguias (Aveiro-style eel stew) and seafood cataplana (traditional seafood stew). But if eel might be too exotic for you, there are still plenty of other seafood and Portuguese food options.

Here are a few recommended places to eat in Aveiro:

• O Telheiro Adega Tipica de Alexandrino Pereira – traditional Portuguese restaurant serving typical Portuguese food, seafood and local specialties like an eel and seafood rice
• Cais do Pescado – Portuguese seafood restaurant at Praça do Peixe
• Palhuça – a popular Portuguese restaurant serving local specialties
• Maré Cheia – Portuguese seafood restaurants serving all types of seafood including eel
• Tasquinha Do Leitao – they serve delicious suckling pig plates and sandwiches

Praça do Peixe Address: Largo da Praça do Peixe

Praça Melo Freitas Address: R. Domingos Carrancho

15. Museu da Cidade (Aveiro City Museum)

Museu da Cidade (Aveiro City Museum) has several exhibits on everything and anything that has to do with the history of Aveiro. From old photographs to different artifacts, you can learn something new about the city.

However, there isn’t a lot to see throughout the three floors of the building that used to be an ancient convent. But the €2 entrance fee is worth spending because it includes the fee for visiting Museu de Arte Nova, the next stop on the Aveiro itinerary.

Address: R. João Mendonça 9, Aveiro | Hours: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm | Admission: €2 (for both Museu da Cidade and Museu de Arte Nova)

16. Museu de Arte Nova (Art Nouveau Museum)

Museu de Arte Nova (Art Nouveau Museum) is a 3-story museum that houses different types of Art Nouveau artwork from fashion to sculptures and other unique art pieces. However, the collection of work is quite small compared to other museums I’ve been to.

For me, the best part was seeing the facade of the museum. I really like Art Nouveau, especially in architecture. And it was great to see all the design intricacies in their building.

And I was given a brochure for finding all the Art Nouveau buildings and monuments in Aveiro. It became a scavenger hunt for me after leaving the museum. I followed the map and found most of the buildings. And many of them were already part of my itinerary, including Praca do Peixe, Museu da Cidade and Fábrica Jeronimo P. Campos.

Address: R. Dr. Barbosa de Magalhães 9-11, Aveiro | Hours: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm | Admission: €2 (for both Museu de Arte Nova and Museu da Cidade)

17. Forum Aveiro

After all the sightseeing in Aveiro, check out Forum Aveiro, a shopping plaza with over 70+ stores. There are clothing stores like Zara, Massimo Dutti, Stradivarius, Pull & Bear, Bershka and many more brands.

I always like to put the shopping options at the end of my travel itineraries so you are not carrying all your shopping goods around the city.

Also, there are restaurants and food courts if you want to grab something to eat before taking the train back to Porto.

Address: R. do Batalhão de Caçadores 10, Aveiro | Hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

18 & 19. Buy Ovo Moles de Aveiro at M1882 Maria da Apresentação da Cruz, Herds or Confeitaria Peixinho

Before you end your Aveiro day trip, there are a few souvenirs that you should get.

M1882 Maria da Apresentação da Cruz, Herds and Confeitaria Peixinho are two popular local pastry shops that sells Aveiro’s specialty: ovo moles.

Ovo Moles de Aveiro is a small pastry made with egg yolk and sugar wrapped with a rice paper casing or wheat flour casing. The name literally means “soft eggs from Aveiro.” And they are shaped in nautical shapes like seashells.

Or get other sweet treats that are made with the same creamy yolk and sugar combination like the pao-de-lo de Ovar (sponge cake), cookies, tarts and many more.

And if dessert isn’t your thing, you can buy salt products like salt soap as Aveiro is known for its salt production. These souvenir items can be found anywhere in Aveiro.

When you are ready to take the train from Aveiro to Porto, walk back to the train station and make your way back to Porto.

M1882 Address: Rua de Coimbra 5 | Hours: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Confeitaria Peixinho Address: Rua de Coimbra 9 | Hours: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

If you are spending more than one day in Aveiro

There are many more things to do in Aveiro other than the attractions mentioned in the itinerary. If you are spending more than 1 day in Aveiro, here are a few more things to see in Aveiro (see blue pins on the map):

1. Praia da Costa Nova – gorgeous beach and fishing village with wooden waterfront cottages in vertical stripes
2. Ecomuseu Marinha da Troncalhada – you can see the salt flats from the moliceiro boat tour, but you can go back and get a guided tour of the open-air museum, soak in the spa baths and even get a massage
3. Museu Marítimo de Ílhavo e Aquário dos Bacalhaus – learn about cod fishing at this modern maritime museum
4. Marinha da Noeirinha – soak in the mineral-rich saltwater pools and stay overnight on a houseboat

Where to stay in Aveiro Portugal

There’s no need to stay overnight when you follow my Aveiro itinerary. But if you are spending another day in Aveiro, there are a few exceptional hotels you can consider:

• Teatro Studios ($$) – a modern boutique hotel in the centre of Aveiro
  • Check prices & reviews: Agoda
• Melia Ria & Spa Hotel ($$) – get a clean and modern room at the south end of the canal
  • Check prices & reviews: Agoda
• Costa do Sal Hotel Boat Lounge ($$) – if you want a truly unique experience, stay overnight at a boat hotel in the Gafanha Da Encarnação along the Aveiro Lagoon
  • Check prices & reviews: Agoda

Are you ready to take a day trip to Aveiro from Porto?

I hope so! All you have to do is to follow my one-day Aveiro itinerary. I did all the heavy lifting of planning the perfect itinerary so you can enjoy your day trip to Aveiro.

Let me know in the comments if you like this itinerary or if I am missing anything attractions that should be on this Porto to Aveiro day trip itinerary.

Thank you for reading my Aveiro Portugal post

You might also like these other posts on solo travel in Portugal:

• Portugal solo travel itinerary: 2 weeks in Portugal by train

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