Traveling in Aveiro

The ultimate travel guide to Aveiro

The city of Aveiro is a must-see destination located in the center north of Portugal.

This beautiful coastal city that Nuno and I call home has a lot to offer: Art Nouveau, soft sand beaches, ovos moles, free bicycle rides, and one of the brightest blue skies you probably ever seen.

We wrote 3 posts about Aveiro. In full, they compile the outright best information for an excellent time in the city. To curate all this info we dug deep, knocked on doors, and asked friends for advice to create a travel guide made of worth-seeing classics, trendy spots, and tips only locals know about.

Keep reading part one or jump to:

→ Aveiro Travel Guide: the best food, bars, and accommodation
→ Discover Barra and Costa Nova: the beach getaways by Aveiro.

 

Cais Botirões

 

How many days do you need to visit Aveiro

You’ll need at least 2 days to visit Aveiro. It’s the perfect weekend destination.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll find:

The Weather and When to Visit

The best time to visit Aveiro is between March and September. But considering that Portugal has on average 300 days of sunshine, don’t worry too much about it.
However, during the winter months (December to March) temperatures hover around 9ºC. We recommend packing a windbreaker — the city is VERY windy and gets cold at night.


Aveiro center Vera-Cruz

 

How to get to Aveiro

By train:

Being located between Lisbon and Porto, Aveiro is conveniently served by the Northern Railway Line.

A train ride from Lisbon to Aveiro will take around 2 hours and 20 minutes (255 km). Train ticket prices start at €21 up to €39,60. Check the train schedules here.

Porto is 76 km from Aveiro. If your trip starts from Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (Oporto), first you’ll have to take the subway to Campanhã railway station (35 minutes for €2).
From Campanhã or São Bento railway stations, get the urban train to Aveiro (yellow line, 1 hour trip for €3.55). Urban trains run hourly and every day of the week, you can check the train schedules here.

By car:

If you’re planning to drive a car, many freeways will bring you to Aveiro: A1, A5, A17, and A29.

Lisbon to Aveiro toll rates start at €17,50 
Porto to Aveiro toll rates start at €4,75

There are free car and caravan parking facilities near Rossio, free of charge.

What to do and see in Aveiro

To help you navigate the city, here’s a map of Aveiro. All the spots mentioned in this post were marked with dark blue pins.

 All the pins are also marked on Maps.me.

 

Ria de Aveiro

The saltwater canals permeating through the city center are an extension of the Ria, a coastal lagoon that gives Aveiro a unique appeal. Walking along the canals and crossing the footbridges guarantees you won’t miss the most picturesque parts of the city. 

 

Bairro da Beira-Mar

This is the most typical neighborhood of Aveiro established by the hardworking fishermen, salt workers, and their families.

It’s an esteemed city quarter, assembled by narrow streets and simple houses, embellished by a mishmash of colors and patterns of Portuguese tiles.
Here’s also where São Gonçalinho celebrations happen every year.

 

São Gonçalinho (January)

Hands down the most random and entertaining celebration in town.
Every year, in January, people go to the top of the São Gonçalinho chapel— patron saint of Aveiro—to throw sugary hard cakes as a way to fulfill their vows.
The crowd below tries to catch the rock-hard cakes called ‘cavacas’, not necessarily to eat them, but because they’re said to bring good luck.

We made a video about it:

Praça do Peixe e o Mercado José Estevão

It’s a small Eiffel-style iron and glass building in the Beira-Mar neighborhood, and one of Aveiro fish markets, opened Tuesdays to Saturdays from 7 AM to 2 PM. 
There’s a restaurant on the first floor.

At night, the vicinity comes alive with bars, cafes, and terraces: starting at 10 PM to approximately 3 AM-ish.

 

Fish market in Aveiro Portugal

 

Fábrica Campos and the Fonte Nova Quay

Now a repurposed building Fábrica Campos was a manufacturing plant of paramount importance for Aveiro during the XIX and XX centuries.

 

Fonte Nova quay

In front of it is the Fonte Nova Quay, a beautiful urban space widely used by locals and perfect for a late afternoon stroll or lawn rest.

 

Fonte Nova Quay Aveiro

There are cafes, a supermarket, restaurants, and a sushi place called Subenshi to grab dinner after the sunsets.





Marinha da Noeirinha

Marinha da Noeirinha is an old saltern that was recently restored and is being explored in different ways. Here you can go on a guided tour and learn about the salt-making process, take a dip in its rustic salt-water pool, or even enjoy an afternoon on its “salt Spa”. Allegedly the high concentration of salt in the water and slurry yields them therapeutic properties that aid with skin conditions, allergies, and respiratory problems.

 

Salt Spa in Aveiro

 

If you’re interested in spending the night, there are water bungalows with two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchenette, and a terrace.

 

Marinha Noeirinha Aveiro

 

Guided tour to the saltern: €5 adults and €2,5 children
Salt Spa: €2 per hour (or included in the ticket for the beach area)
Beach Area: €3.5 for half a day or €5 for a full day. Kids pay €2 and €3 respectively.

Check it out at noeirinha.pt

 

Park Infante D.Pedro

In the mood for a picnic? Visit the city park that locals call “Parque da Macaca” (Monkey Park) due to a very bad-mannered monkey that lived there during the ’90s. Nowadays the monkey is no more but the park is greener than ever. As for animals, there are fish, turtles, and ducks on the lake.

 

Aveiro city park

Park Infante D. Pedro

 

Aveiro old Train Station

Is a beautiful XIXth century building covered with several Portuguese tile panels that illustrate the region of Aveiro and its people.
The building was abandoned for many years after the new train station was built, but is now restored and serves as a showcase for endogenous products like ovos moles, salt, and wine.

 

Aveiro old railway station© NH53

Fórum Aveiro

A shopping mall that doesn’t look or feel like one.
Instead of an obnoxious eyesore planted in the city center, it’s unique architecture merges beautifully with the city and invites you in for a walk.

 

Forum Aveiro

 

Here you’ll find the convenience of a food court, pharmacy, a rooftop garden with great views, and everything else a shopping mall has.

 

Festival dos Canais (July)

A one-week festival packed with a vast range of performances, workshops, and music of Portuguese and international artists. Events take place at different points of the city, every day, starting in the afternoon and extending to the late evening.

The festival is free, open to the public, and family-friendly.
Check the full program and highlights on the site www.festivaldoscanais.pt





Museums (all closed on Mondays)

Ecomuseum Marinha da Troncalhada

As a big salt producer back in the day, Aveiro managed to have 275 working salterns during the ’80s. Today there are less than 10, and Marinha da Troncalhada is one of the few that still works.

You can visit the eco-museum independently, for free, at any time of day—but we recommend doing it late in the afternoon, due to the epic sunsets.

 

Gazeebo in Marina da Trocalhada

Mario walking on the salt pans of Aveiro

 

If you’re with a group of 6+ people and want to learn about the whole salt picking process, request for a guide at the City Museum (€1 per person). There isn’t any written information on the site, however, if you speak Portuguese, have a chat with the salt workers!

This is also a great place for bird watching (aquatic birds, perching birds, and birds of prey).

 

Seagulls flying in Aveiro© César Sotelo

Art Nouveau Museum

Aveiro is an acclaimed city-museum of Art Nouveau in Portugal. Around the city center, you’ll find several of these beautiful historic buildings, and one of them is “Casa Major” which was adapted into a multi-level museum and tea-house.

 

Art noveau museum in Aveiro

 

Entrance fee: €2
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM to 12.30 PM and 1.30 PM to 6 PM.

Tea House opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 09:30 AM to 02:00 AM
Weekends 09:00 AM to 03:00 AM

 

Aveiro Museum a.k.a Santa Joana Museum

A former female religious convent transformed into Aveiro’s main museum, now houses permanent exhibits of sacred art from the Portuguese baroque period, jewelry, and artifacts of historical importance to the city. Such as the tomb of the Order’s most famous nun, Princess Santa Joana.

Entrance fee: €4
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM.

 

Museum Santa Joana

Aveiro Museum Santa Joana's tomb
Aveiro Museum of Santa Joana




 

Museums discount tickets

For €5 you can get a general ticket that grants you access to all the museums in the city center:

• Ecomuseum Marinha da Troncalhada
• Art Nouveau Museum
• Aveiro Museum
• City Museum

The general ticket can be bought at the counters of the museums mentioned above (keep in mind that they’re all closed on Mondays).

 

Tours and Workshops

Moliceiro boat ride

You can sail along the scenic route on a moliceiro, just keep in mind that these boat rides are tailored to tourists. All moliceiros tend to have a guide on board spitting out information for 45 minutes straight, disregarding if it’s true or if you’re interested or not.

Having said that, on Rossio along the central canal are plenty of boat operators. As of July 2022, ride fees start at €6 for children, €10 for students and seniors and €13 for adults.

 

Aveiro city center with art nouveau buildings

 

Near Fábrica Campos/ Fonte Nova Quay, the boat operator Eco Ria offers tours with optional upgrades. Prices also start at €13.
As there are fewer tourists around this area, you might be lucky enough to get an entire boat for yourself. Check the tours info on their website (it’s translated into several languages): www.ecoria.pt

 

Motorboat ride from Aveiro to the beach (Barra, Costa Nova, São Jacinto)

One of the motorboats that connected Aveiro to Costa Nova in 1945, was transformed into a boat museum offering tours from the city center (Rossio) to the beaches of Barra, Costa Nova, São Jacinto, and Torreira. Tour fees start at €15 for 45 minutes rides up to 2-hour rides (round trips).

During July, they have tours to the Big Moliceiro Sailing Regatta in Torreira, it’s a must-see. For information on the specific days (as the dates of the regatta change yearly), contact the Lancha da Costa Nova: www.praiadacostanova.pt

 

Lancha da Costa Nova

 

Tip: These motorboat tours, by removing you from the city center to places you cannot see otherwise, are a great way to glimpse the natural side of the Aveiro estuary. Besides, you’ll be paying a similar price to the moliceiro boat rides that can’t seem to do anything but going through the same ol’ tourist route.

Ovos Moles Workshop

Ovos moles are the most renowned sweet of Aveiro and can be tasted at any bakery around town. But if having a bite is not enough, you can learn its history and make your own at an ovos moles workshop at Oficina do Doce. The bonus is: you can eat them in the end.

Fee: €2 per person
Duration: 45 min.

Call them, email them or go to the shop and ask if they can squeeze you in with a bigger group (workshops only happen with 10+ people).

 

Moving around in Aveiro

BUGA (Aveiro’s free bicycles)

Renting a bicycle on a BUGA stand is easy. All you need is a document with your identification as collateral (like a driver’s license or passport) and the bike is yours for 2 hours to use within town limits, and free of charge!

BUGA stands opening hours:
Monday to Friday 9 AM to 6 PM
Weekends 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 6 PM

 

Buga Stand for bike rent

 

Tuk-tuk

You don’t really need a tuk-tuk to visit Aveiro. But if you feel like it, the vehicles from Aveiro Tuk-Tours are electric, and prices change according to the duration of the tour.

30 minutes ride: €7,50
• 45 minutes ride: €10
• 1-hour ride: €12,50
• 30-minute ride + moliceiro trip + a visit to the salterns: €15

 

Bus

Around here, everything is a 15-minute walk from everywhere else. Buses are only necessary to get to the beach.
However, prices and timetables for city buses are here: www.aveirobus.pt
Tickets can be bought on the bus for €2.10

 

Getting to the beach

Barra and Costa Nova beaches are a 20 minutes bus ride from the city center. There are 2 bus stops at different ends of the city: one right by the railway station and the other near Rossio.

Find all the information you’ll need on the post Discover Barra and Costa Nova: the beach getaways by Aveiro.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to leave us a comment or contact us
Podes escrever-nos em português se preferires. 






Barra beach in Aveiro

Discover Barra and Costa Nova: the beach getaways by Aveiro (Portugal)

Like all residents of Aveiro, Nuno and I spent many summers with our families and friends on the beaches of Barra and Costa Nova. Every year from June to September, these beaches are brought to life by the influx of visitors coming from all its neighboring cities to soak up the sun, boogie-board, and stroll on the boardwalks.

 

promenade at Barra beach

But even when winter sets in, these beaches near Aveiro remain the cheeriest getaways for the local sun worshipers. So there’s still plenty to see during the cold season as well.

Here’s a glimpse of what you can find:

Bus from Aveiro to Costa Nova and Barra Beaches (Updated July 2020)

You can take the Transdev bus (L5951) in the Rossio area or near Aveiro Train Station, which will take you to Costa nova or Barra in 40 minutes.

Ticket cost: €4,92 (round-trip to Barra) and €5,20 (round-trip to Costa Nova)
Bus Schedule: 

Public Bus Aveiro to Barra Costa Nova beach(Click on the image to enlarge)

Keep in mind that your bus stops are called either “Barra” or “Costa Nova” and not “Forte da Barra” which is far from the beach.

 

Weather warning for the Beach

The most frustrating thing about living in Aveiro is the constant stiff wind that won’t quit. That’s why if you’re coming to spend a day at the beach, be sure to get yourself a windbreak. There’s an 80% chance that it’ll be windy and not getting pounded by sand will make your day much more pleasant.
Summer average temperature: 20ºC

Windy beach

Don’t expect warm tropical waters either — it’s the Atlantic ocean.
Sea average temperature: 16ºC

Having said that, there’s still a 20% chance of you having the best beach day of your life, ‘cause when it’s good, oh… it’s gooood.

 

Guide Map

All spots mentioned in this post are marked on the map below by the yellow pins.

What to do in Barra Beach

The beach is divided by a long breakwater: to its right is the laid-back old beach (or meia-laranja). To the left and stretching along 1.5 km is the new beach, frequented by different types of crowds spread throughout its length. Right next to the breakwater is where families and children hang, but if you keep moving you’ll find a younger demographic in the area called “7º ano”.

 

The beach and breakwater of Barra beach

 

The Lighthouse

It’s right here on Barra beach that you’ll find the highest lighthouse of the Iberian Peninsula, and the oldest in Portugal. The view from the top is spectacular and a definite must-see.

 

Barra beach in Aveiro
Barra beach view


Visits to the lighthouse in Barra beach are on Wednesdays. During the summer months from 2 PM to 5 PM, and in the winter from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Free of charge.





Where to Eat in Barra Beach

In Barra, as the commercial and residential areas are right next to the beach, you can easily find many options for restaurants, foods, and drinks. However, these are the ones we recommend:

Miami for great burgers and fries.

 

Miami burgers restaurant

 

For good handmade pizza try Pizzaria Brasão on the main street in front of the lighthouse. Also on that same main street is the hip sushi house Barba Azul.  

If you don’t feel like spending time in a restaurant, grab a quick bite at the supermarket Auto Mercado Gonçalves at the beginning of the breakwater: they sell deep-fried goodies, bread, fruits, and drinks. Grab what you need and have a picnic at the beach!

 

Mini Market Gonçalves exterior
Mini market in barra beach

For an Afternoon Snack at the Beach

Regueifas

Try the Portuguese sweet bread called “regueifa” or a “pão de deus” with sugar and shredded coconut on top. Regueifas are a staple from Barra and have been sold here since we can remember. In fact, a good summer day is not complete without eating one of these.

 

Regueifas and pão de deus


Get yours at the Iracema kiosk, a small wooden stall right at the entrance of the breakwater.

Iracema kiosk

 

Bolacha Americana

Bolachas Americanas, are big wafers sold by a loud gentleman carrying a white can through the beach. He’s a well-known figure in Aveiro and has been selling Bolachas Americanas since he was 12. His name is Carlos, and you won’t be able to miss him if he walks by you.

 

Bolacha americana

 

Tripa de Aveiro

If you haven’t tried a “tripa com chocolate” yet, just do it! Along the main road parallel to the beach, many kiosks sell them with a myriad of fillings to choose from.

 

Vendor making a tripa of Aveiro

 

For more info on other Aveiro delicacies, dishes, or where to eat in Aveiro, read Aveiro Travel Guide: best food, bars, and accommodation.

 

Beach bars and Cafes

Along the boardwalks of Barra, you can find several beach bars providing fresh drinks, good music, and bean bags for lounging on the sand.

In Barra, the ones we like best are 7º ano de Praia and Offshore, right next to each other.

 

Offshore bar

 

What to do in Costa Nova

By now, you probably saw one of these colorful striped houses on the internet — they’re in Costa Nova, only a 15-minute walk from Barra beach. Around here, key attractions are organized on a main street parallel to the sea, along with locally owned shops and seafood restaurants.

Striped houses of Costa Nova Aveiro

The beach of Costa Nova

These smaller beaches are a great alternative to the crowded sands of Barra, and perfect for a sunset stroll.

 

Costa Nova beach

 

The Fish Market

On the main street in Costa Nova, is the tiny Municipal Market. Here, the hardworking fishmongers sell the catch of the day like their mother and grandmothers taught them: effusively. It’s a treat to walk through and a great place to get a typically Portuguese gift.

Municipal market Costa Nova
During summer the Fish Market opens from 8 AM to 8 PM.
On winter weekdays opens from 8 AM to 12 PM and it’s always closed on Mondays. On winter weekends opens from 8 AM to 6 PM.

 

A must-eat in Costa Nova (Pastel de Nata)

Don’t miss Café Atlântida and try a pastel de nata — they’re said to be the best in Aveiro. The staff is not super friendly, but the tarts make up for the tartness.

 

pastel de nata atlantida Costa Nova





Beach Bar in Costa Nova

In Costa Nova, we always hang out at Bronze because it has the best terrace and sea view.

 

Bronze in Costa Nova

 

The boardwalks (Costa Nova and Barra)

In the midst of winter on those days when we’re missing summer the most, we often go for a stroll along the boardwalks whilst eating a warm tripa. Walking over the dunes and having the ocean as a backdrop makes them extra scrumptious. You should try it: it’s both soul cleansing and artery-clogging.
Some people use the boardwalks for jogging though.¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Choices.

 

Barra beach boardwalks

 

Other activities

Through the scenic route from Barra beach all the way up to Costa Nova, is an excellent path for running, cycling, and skating. If you don’t have gear for any of that, rent a bicycle on Be Tour at the Memorial Park in Barra beach (between the lighthouse and the ria) for €5 per hour. Only from June to September.

 

Bike rental in Barra beach, Aveiro


Many schools offer lessons in surfing, sailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, stand up paddle on the ria, and the list goes on.

Surf’aqui – Surf school: with surf lessons, bodyboard, longboard, stand up paddle lessons.

Trilhos d’Água  Diving school: for diving lessons.

Ria ActivaWindsurf and Kitesurf lessons, and bicycle rentals.

 

Accommodation in Costa Nova and Barra

Accommodation at the beach tends to be pricier than in the city, so go enjoy your day by the ocean and return to Aveiro by the end of the day — there are plenty of buses to take you back. However, if you decide to spend the night closer to the beach you have:

Pensão José das Hortas (Costa Nova)

It’s a traditional Portuguese lodging with more than 100 years of history, located on the main street where all the colorful striped houses are.

As it is a family-owned business, it only opens during high season (from June to late September).

Camping (Barra)

If you came prepared, camping can be an affordable option: there’s a camping ground in the middle of the residential area in Barra.

 

If you have any questions, contact us. Nuno and I live in Aveiro and we can help you out! 


What to do in Aveiro, Portugal

Ultimate Aveiro Travel Guide: the best food, bars, and accommodation

If you started by reading our Ultimate Aveiro Travel Guide, you know that we’re not writing for a basic tourist experience in the city. If the first part was an in-depth guide about what to see and do in Aveiro, this second part is all about accommodation, typical foods, cafes, and nightlife.

All spots mentioned in this post are marked on the map below by the green pins.

Everything is also marked on Maps.me. You can download the app for your smartphone.

 

Ria central canal in Aveiro

 

Accommodation in Aveiro

Due to the international exposure that Aveiro has gained in the last couple of years, hostels and guesthouses have multiplied tenfold. Most options are located in the city center, around the Rossio area and Lourenço Peixinho avenue.

Still, and even without knowing how much you’re willing to spend on a room, we want to tip you off to the fact that most hotels and family-run housings in Aveiro are ridiculously overpriced. Sleeping in Aveiro is not exactly cheap when compared to other big Portuguese cities like Lisbon or Porto.

 

Ponto de Abrigo Aveiro

 

When Nuno and I travel we pick our accommodation based on price, proximity to the city center, and the reviews and comments on booking sites. Therefore, those were the criteria for our following selection:

 

Ponto de Abrigo: www.facebook.com/pontodeabrigo
Aveiro GuestHouse: www.facebook.com/aveiroguesthouse

 

What to Eat in Aveiro (typical food)

You can try many recognizable Portuguese flavors in restaurants across Aveiro. However, the secular connection its people have with the sea enriched the local cuisine with unique dishes.

 

Fish market

 

Fish

There’s quality fresh fish everywhere in the city, but Maré Cheia is popular for knowing how to cook it well. Try the grilled fish, the fish stews, and the typical eels stew.

Dishes start at €16.
Closed on Wednesdays.

 

Meat

For traditional Portuguese meat dishes, we recommend 2 Duques (Closed on Sundays), Snack bar Picota, and Evaristo (Closed on Saturdays). They serve delicious homey food in generous portions, with prices starting at 7€.

At Cervejaria o Augusto in Rossio, try the bifana—an old-school Portuguese snack of fine pork steak in a loaf of bread.

On the outskirts of Aveiro, on Bairrada, the roasted suckling pig is one of the most appreciated dishes. It can be a pricey meal (that we suggest you eat only when you visit Bairrada) but to have an idea of what it tastes like, eat a sandes de leitão (piglet sandwich) for €4,50 at Tasquinha do Leitão, in Praça do Peixe.

 

Leitao Sandes (suckling pig sandwich) from António dos Leitoes Porta Larga - Coimbra, Portugal

 

Burger Joints

If you’re in the mood for a good burger, go to Revolta Hamburgueria, or to Porta 35 (a convenient option due to its location right in the Praça do Peixe).  

Cafe Ramona serves the most famous burgers in town, but getting a table around here on Fridays and Saturdays can be tricky. Closes on Sundays.

 

Hamburguer Ramona AveiroPhoto: Café Ramona





Vegetarian and Vegan Food

For our vegan friends, Vegifruit serves veggie options of soups, baguettes, and salads with fruit juices at great price deals. Closed on Sundays.

Other options are Musgo, Saladas+, and Ki a vegan and macrobiotic restaurant with desserts to die for. Closed on weekends.

 

Bakeries

Aveiro has to be the Portuguese city with more pastry and bakery shops per square meter. There’s at least one in every corner.

 

Ria Pão bakery

 

Try Ria Pão in the Rossio area, or Fanepão 88 closer to the Santa Joana Museum. You’ll find the counters brimming with cakes, pastries, cookies, and bread. To avoid the flood of people from 4 PM to 6 PM, make it an early afternoon snack.

 

Aveiro pastry shot filled with cakes

On Lourenço Peixinho avenue, Pastelaria Ramos
 is known for the best cartuchos in town. We can describe them as gooey-chocolaty-cylinder-shaped-cakes filled with whipped cream.

 

Cartuchos de Aveiro

 

Ovos Moles of Aveiro

Every bakery and pastry shop around Aveiro sells the famous Ovos Moles and all its derivatives such as fios de ovos, castanhas de ovos, broas de ovos… we could keep going.

 

Ovos moles

Confeitaria Peixinho Aveiro

 

Nonetheless, locals say that some ovos moles are better than others, and the best ones are sold at Confeitaria Peixinho and Maria da Apresentação e Herdeiros, two neighboring stores right in the city center. 

 

Tripa de Chocolate

Compared to the favored ovos moles, tripas are the underdogs of Aveiro sweets.  Maybe it’s the unfortunate name “tripa” (that translates into “gut/ intestines”) that makes people apprehensive, but the truth is that these semi-baked-waffle-doughs from heaven, are the most comforting and versatile baked-sweets around town. You can eat them on their own with a dash of cinnamon on top, or take it to the next level with a filling of your choices such as chocolate, ovos moles, jam, ham and cheese, and the list goes on.

 

Mario eating a tripa

Our favorite filling is apple jam and cinnamon because it tastes like warm apple pie. You can find them being sold until late at night on kiosks in Praça do Peixe and around the beaches near Aveiro. Enjoy!

 

Ice cream

To nibble on some ice cream go over to Gelataria Milano or to Gelados de Portugal. You’ll find flavors like ovos moles, port wine, and Portuguese custard tart to name a few.





Nightlife in Aveiro

Although Aveiro is not exactly “the city that never sleeps”, locals do know how to have a good time. At night, Praça de Peixe becomes the favorite spot for everyone to hang out and have a drink.

 

Cais dos botirões at night

Most bars are closed during the day, but starting at 10:00 PM to around 3:00 AM music gets louder and the entire area gets occupied by the terraces of bars and cafes.
In case you’re wondering, Aveiro is a safe city even at night.

 

Praça do Peixe at night

 

Bars

Despite not abundant (and most quite small) bars cater music to suit almost every taste. Here are some of the best options:

Toc’aqui: Portuguese and international music from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. 

Kitten’s Irish Bar: One of Aveiro Irish pubs. It’s small and cozy with a wide selection of craft beers.

GuesthouseStands out for its good location and great terrace, perfect for hanging out with friends on sunny afternoons and warm summer nights.

 

terraces at night in Aveiro

 

Mercado Negro: In an old building with the façade facing the central canal of the ria is Mercado Negro. The bar has different areas distributed throughout an old apartment and is the only place during the winter where you can have a glass of red wine by the fire.

Mercado Negro also houses several exhibitions and concerts throughout the year.

Má IdeiaChill place with alternative music and friendly staff.

Luxor Bar: An Egyptian themed bar with a sitting area and a dancing area. It’s located outside Praça do Peixe and has a cover charge.

 

Clubs

If going to bed at 3 AM is for babies, here’s where you can go next:

Sal Club: At walking distance from Praça do Peixe it’s the new acquisition to Aveiro night scene, that has gained a lot of popularity over the past year.

Estação da LuzConsidered one of the best nightclubs in Portugal. The cover charge is €10 and ladies’ nights are on Fridays.
It’s about a 15-minute taxi ride from Aveiro. Taxi fees should be around €10.

 

Discoteca Estaçao da LuzPhoto: Estação da Luz

 

Cultural Options

Teatro Aveirense has a cool theater agenda that you can check on their website: www.teatroaveirense.pt
In addition, they do weekly screenings of indie and classic films.

 

Teatro Aveirense

 

For good theater (albeit a more humble lineup) we recommend the Estaleiro Teatral, at the Infante D. Pedro Park.

For good travel photography and film, visit Trilhos da Terra.

 

 

If you have any questions, feel free to leave us a comment or contact us
Podes escrever-nos em português se preferires.