Porto · AVEIRO TOURS
Aveiro is an hour south of Porto, flat and full of canals, with the striped houses of Costa Nova just beyond. The 15 below compare the moliceiro boat rides and the day trips, with prices and how much time each leaves in town.
In 45 minutes, a live guide leads you through Aveiro’s central canals aboard a traditional Moliceiro boat. Expect city views, stories about the boat and local landmarks, and a route past the former brick-factory waterway and Canal das Pirâmides. Summer can bring views of salt pyramids. Guides speak Portuguese, Spanish, English, and French.
“Explanation from Guide & Captain of the history of Aveiro.”
Travel from Porto to Aveiro and Costa Nova with a guide, then cruise Aveiro’s canals aboard a traditional moliceiro boat. The four-hour tour includes time to see Costa Nova’s striped fishermen’s houses and try Aveiro’s ovos moles, though stops are brief. Depart in the morning or afternoon, with transport, a guide, and the boat ride included.
“This is a nice excursion. It was nice to see some Portugal countryside while riding on the bus. The boat ride in Aveiro was quaint. Our guide on the boat was informative and engaging. We really enjoyed Costa Nova because of its' charm. The time spent at each location was good.”
Board a mint-blue Moliceiro in central Aveiro for a 45-minute guided circuit of the Central Canal, Canal do Côjo, Canal das Pirâmides and Canal de São Roque. Look for Art Nouveau buildings, the old Jerónimo Pereira Campos ceramic factory, the Fishermen’s Quarter and salt flats. Guides such as Dora and Michelangelo have led lively, multilingual tours.
“The boat cruise experience down the waterways of Aveiro is unforgettable!”
Travel from Porto to Aveiro with a guide, see the fish market square and old center, then take a 45-minute ride on a traditional moliceiro boat. The trip also stops at Costa Nova, known for its brightly striped houses. Expect a compact schedule, about an hour in each town, and up to 27 people in your group.
“Amazing!!! Maria and Marcia were incredible guides and shared so much information about the history of Porto and Aveiro!”
Spend 10.5 hours outside Porto with an English-speaking guide and a group capped at eight. Cross the 516-metre Arouca footbridge, walk the downhill Paiva boardwalk, eat a traditional lunch, then visit Costa Nova and take a canal boat ride in Aveiro. Guides on different departures have included Dani, Tomas, Mauro and Phillip.
“Small numbers, great mix of activities and locations and the guide Tomas made the while experience very enjoyable. Highly recommend this day trip.”
Ride from your Porto hotel to Lisbon in a private, air-conditioned Mercedes, with bottled water and a guide-driver. Go straight to Lisbon or make sightseeing stops in Aveiro, Nazaré, Fátima, and Óbidos. Guides such as Tiago, Alfredo, and Nuno have helped guests tailor routes, find local restaurants, and make the most of limited time.
“We had a wonderful day with Lawrence! He was friendly, informative, and took fantastic care of us. We visited Aveiro, Nazare, and Obidos. Lawrence booked us the best table in the restaurant for a delicious lunch in Nazare. He tailored our stops to suit our preferences. We highly recommend this as a way to travel from Porto to Lisbon!”
In 45 minutes, a guide leads you along Aveiro’s canals aboard a traditional moliceiro, once used to carry seaweed for farm fertilizer. Look for Art Nouveau buildings, Beira-Mar, the salt pans, and the fish market. Guides including Rui, Ines, Aldrin, and Alex have led lively, multilingual trips. Your ticket also includes a tasting of a typical Aveiro product.
“Guide was very knowledgeable and funny. Perfect amount of time for the boat ride.”
Spend 8.5 hours beyond Porto with a guide, visiting Aveiro’s canals and Art Nouveau sights, the striped houses and beach at Costa Nova, and the Chapel of Senhor da Pedra. A 45-minute moliceiro ride is included only with selected options. Expect guided walks, free time, and round-trip transport.
“Perfect day trip from Porto with guide Gonzalvo and driver Philippe. Costa Nova has a beautiful beach and quaint houses. Had plenty of time there. Aveiro with the canal cruise was perfect. Had plenty of time to eat and explore before heading back to Porto. The final stop at Capella da Pedra was the perfect stretch break in a spectacular beach location. Highly recommend.”
Leave Porto in a small group of up to eight for the Arouca 516 suspension bridge and a walk beside the Paiva River. Expect steep steps, striking views, a traditional lunch, and afternoon stops in Aveiro and Costa Nova. Guides have included João, Dani, and Tomas; your guide may vary. Aveiro’s canal boat ride costs extra.
“Absolutely an amazing experience! Brilliant views, fun atmosphere and great tour overall. Jao is super knowledgeable, professional and friendly- one of the best tour guides I’ve ever had.”
Meet your guide at M Bakery for a walk through Aveiro’s sacred quarter and Beira Mar, including a church visit and ovos moles tasting. Then cruise the canals in a traditional Moliceiro, passing Carcavelos Bridge and other city landmarks. The walking guide may be Catarina; the boat has a separate guide. Plan for about 165 minutes, including a possible break.
“Christina was very knowledgeable and interesting to hear and we could feel her passion.”
Leave Porto at 7:30 am with a local guide for Arouca’s 516-meter suspension bridge and a four-kilometer walk on the Paiva Walkways. The day includes conventual sweets, a traditional roasted veal lunch with local wine, and time in Aveiro. Hotel pickup and drop-off, bridge and walkway tickets, and lunch are included; the Aveiro boat ride costs extra.
“Had a great experience and Pedro was a great guide! The walk has great views and is definately worth it!”
Board a traditional moliceiro at Rua João Mendonça for a 45-minute ride through Aveiro’s urban canals. Your guide may share local stories, point out canal-side sights, and explain the ribbons tied over a bridge. The crew has included guides such as Elsa, Claudio, Michelangelo, and Dora, but names and languages vary. Expect a small-group feel, with a maximum of 32 people.
“Fantastic experience! Crew very knowledgeable and offered great information about Aviero today and it’s history. Outstanding customer service assisting my husband get on and off the boat safely.”
Spend about nine hours traveling from Porto to Aveiro and Coimbra in a group of no more than eight. The day combines a Moliceiro boat cruise, free time for lunch, Costa Nova and a visit to Coimbra’s historic university area. Guides such as Chris, João and Inês have been praised for adapting the pace and sharing local history.
“Chris was a great guide with knowledge of every location on the trip. He was very thoughtful and my wife and I had a great time throughout the day. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a fun day of culture and activities! 5 Stars!”
Spend nine hours with a guide and a small group of up to eight, traveling from Porto to Aveiro and Coimbra. Ride a traditional moliceiro boat past striped coastal houses and salt pans, then walk Coimbra’s historic center. Monument admission, including the Joanina Library and Royal Palace, depends on the option you book. Guides have included Inês, João, Gisela, and Liliana.
“Only drawback on this tour was that we had rain in the afternoon which made us decide not to take the boat ride. But the rest of the tour was very good.”
Travel from Porto to Aveiro for a guided walk and a moliceiro boat ride, then stop at Costa Nova to see its colorful houses. The tour lasts about four hours and runs in English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese. Guides on past departures have included Mano, Pedro, Cuber, Carlos, and Ricardo, though your guide may differ.
“Relaxing day in a quaint city. Boat cruise was fun and scenic”
Pick a glass, a boat or a road out of town.
