• Leslie

Honest Review of Aveiro: the Town Is Decidedly Not The "Venice of Portugal"

Updated: Jun 8

Aveiro Portugal
Aveiro Portugal

Can we speak honestly about Aveiro Portugal?

Honesty seems largely eclipsed by enthusiasm in the blogosphere. Perhaps it's because we travel bloggers travel to objectively beautiful places and mostly have phenomenal experiences. But that can't always be the case, can it?

Sometimes a place doesn't live up to its billing. Or doesn't suit. Or something dreadful happens there to color our opinions, like a flat tire or faux Air Bnb or torrential rain.

Aveiro didn't really suit me. Aveiro is ridiculously overhyped. It's a popular day trip from Porto or stop on the way from Lisbon to Porto. It's often referred to as "adorable," "picturesque," "romantic," "must see," and -- wait for it -- the "Venice of Portugal." Huh.

Art Nouveau buildings in Aveiro Portugal
Art Nouveau buildings in Aveiro Portugal

I quote this from Lonely Planet, a notoriously picky analyst:


Makes you want to go, doesn't it?

Reasons Why Aveiro is Overrated and Skippable:

Don't go. Aveiro was my least favorite stop in Portugal. I wish I had skipped it entirely and spent time elsewhere. I was completely disillusioned. There are plenty of better places to spend your valuable time in in Portugal.

Here's why:

these pretty cottages are not in Aveiro
These pretty cottages are not in Aveiro.

1. No Striped Houses

The cute striped cottages you see on travel blogs or websites touting Aveiro? They're not actually in Aveiro. They're a 20 minute drive away at Costa Nova beach.

You have to budget time if you want to drive or bus there for an Instagram photo of these admittedly photogenic houses. We didn't and so didn't see them.

Neither will you, if you plan on spending time in Aveiro itself. Or have been duped into thinking they're Aveiro proper.

our boat for the expensive 45 minute canal tour
our boat for the expensive 45 minute canal tour

2. The Mediocre Canal Ride

Aveiro is advertised as having a "must see maze of canals" filled with brightly painted gondola boats. To be sure, the boats, called moliceiros, are cute enough. Not Venice cute, mind you, but reasonably attractive looking.

The canal tour is decidedly not "cheap" or "reasonable," as I've read elsewhere. At 10 euro per person, it's kind of pricey.

And it absolutely sucks. There's literally nothing of interest to see on the boat. You'll see boring tiny bridges, haystacks, salt pans, and industrial buildings. And you won't understand a thing anyway because the guides don't speak English.

My daughter and I couldn't wait to get off the boat. Here are the best photos I got:

a ribbon bridge ... how unique ...

not even remotely interesting sculptures

a "fancy" bridge

buildings that have color, but aren't exactly quaint or otherwise appealing

Not exactly super enticing, is it? Is this how you want to spend your time and money in Portugal? Looking at salt pans? I think not ...

3. Art Nouveau Center? Not Really

Aveiro is also billed as a center of gleaming Art Nouveau buildings. Wait a minute now. I love Art Nouveau. But Aveiro?

There are indeed a few lovely and striking facades, particularly along the quays in the Rossio area. But if you want Art Nouveau, head to Barcelona, Prague, Paris, Nancy France, or any number of places.

pretty pink Art Nouveau facade in Aveiro Portugal
pretty pink Art Nouveau facade in Aveiro Portugal

Art Nouveau Museum & Casa de Chá in Aveiro
Art Nouveau Museum & Casa de Chá in Aveiro

4. The Inadequate Art Nouveau Museum

I'm not sure if this qualifies as a "museum." A lot of written material and virtually no exhibits. The best part is the charming Casa de Chá tearoom on the first level.

Igreja da Misericórdia in Aveiro
Igreja da Misericórdia in Aveiro

5. Igreja da Misericórdia de Aveiro

This 16th century church was the first one I encountered in Portugal with allover exterior tiling. So it was of some interest. The inside has some nice azulejos. But, believe me, it pales in comparison to the spectacular churches of Porto.

Why leave Porto for Aveiro when Porto is so much better? Colorful vintage-y Porto is a real dream, not an overhyped mediocre town.

azulejo tile panel in the Misericordia church in Aveiro
azulejo tile panel in the Misericordia church in Aveiro

6. Cute Streets

I agree that Aveiro has some lovely streets with patterned sidewalks. You'd expect that for a town with some history. I just don't think they're enough to justify a day trip.

Here's a couple street scenes:

cute street in Aveiro Portugal

cute street in Aveiro Portugal

7. Lunch at Porta 35

I will say I had a very tasty lunch at Porta 35, a cafe serving mostly gourmet burgers, on the quaint Rua do Tenente Rezende. There's also a fair amount of vegetarian and vegan fare to be had.

Porta 35 in Aveiro
Porta 35 in Aveiro

In sum, I found Aveiro underwhelming. Perhaps I wasn't there long enough to appreciate its more subtle charms. But I didn't really want to stick around to ferret them out.

If you're looking for a stop between Lisbon and Porto, pick medieval Óbidos. Óbidos is charming in every possible way. If you want to day trip from Porto, head to the Douro Valley, Guimarães, Braga, or Citânia de Briteiros.

Unless you desperately want to sink your toes in the sand at Costa Nova outside of Aveiro, I'd advise skipping the town. Portugal has much more to offer.

If you want to give people the real scoop on Aveiro, pin it for later.

Know Before you go to Aveiro Portugal, a popular day trip from Porto

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