Where to Stay in Aveiro (and Costa Nova)

Aveiro is usually done as a day trip from Porto, but staying a night lets you enjoy its canals, Art Nouveau buildings and nearby beaches without the crowds. Here’s where to stay in Aveiro, from the canal-side centre to the striped houses of Costa Nova.

Quick answer: stay in the city centre near the main canal for sightseeing, restaurants and easy access to the train station. For a beach break, stay at Costa Nova or Praia da Barra, about 15 minutes away by car. See places to stay in Aveiro.

Why stay overnight?

Most visitors arrive from Porto in the morning, ride a boat, buy a box of ovos moles and leave by late afternoon. If you stay, you get the canals to yourself in the early evening, a relaxed dinner and time for the lagoon and beaches the next day. Aveiro is small, flat and easy to walk, so it also suits a slower trip.

The best areas

The city centre (canal area)

The best base for a first visit. Stay near the Canal Central for the moliceiro boats, the Art Nouveau façades, the fish market area and the bars and restaurants. It’s walkable to everything, and about 15 minutes on foot from the train station. Ideal for one or two nights.

• Good for: first-timers, couples and anyone without a car.
• Bear in mind: the bar streets around the old fish market can be lively on weekend nights, so ask for a quiet room if you sleep lightly.

Near the train station

Convenient if you’re arriving late or leaving early by train. The old station building is covered in tiles showing scenes of the region. It’s a pleasant, flat walk into the centre along Avenida Dr. Lourenço Peixinho, and the bus station for the beaches is next to the railway station.

• Good for: short stays, early trains and travelling on to Coimbra or Lisbon.
• Bear in mind: the avenue is busier and less atmospheric than the canal streets, so you’ll walk 15 minutes or so for the best restaurants.

Costa Nova

The famous candy-striped houses face the lagoon, with the Atlantic beach behind. It’s a relaxed seaside choice in summer, but you’ll need a car or a bus to reach the city. See places to stay in Costa Nova.

• Good for: beach holidays, families and photographers.
• Bear in mind: it’s much quieter out of season, and some places close in winter. See the Costa Nova guide.

Praia da Barra

Next to Costa Nova, with Portugal’s tallest lighthouse (about 62m) and a long sandy beach. The lighthouse usually opens for short visits on Wednesday afternoons, so check before you go if you want to climb it. Barra has a few more year-round cafes than Costa Nova and is popular with surfers and local families at weekends.

How long to stay

One night is perfect: see the canals and museums by day, then enjoy the city once the day-trippers leave. Add a second night for the beaches or a trip to the salt pans and lagoon.

A simple two-day plan

• Day 1: arrive by train, walk to the Canal Central, take a boat ride, then visit the Aveiro Museum and the Art Nouveau Museum. Have dinner in the centre.
• Day 2: head out to Costa Nova and Praia da Barra for the striped houses, the lighthouse and the beach, then back to town for ovos moles before your train.

Plan your museum day for Tuesday to Sunday, as both museums close on Mondays.

Things to do

• A moliceiro boat ride along the canals. The colourful boats were once used to gather seaweed from the lagoon, and a ride usually lasts about 45 minutes. Book a boat ride.
• The Aveiro Museum: in the former Convent of Jesus, with the ornate tomb of Princess Joana, the city’s patron saint. Allow about an hour. It’s usually open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5.30pm.
• The Art Nouveau Museum: in a 1909 house on the main canal, with a tea house on the ground floor. Aveiro has dozens of Art Nouveau façades you can spot on a walk, and the museum has information on the route.
• Ovos moles: Aveiro’s sweet egg-yolk treat, often shaped like shells and fish. It has protected (IGP) status, so look for the label.
• The salt pans and birdwatching around the lagoon.
• Costa Nova’s striped houses. See photo spots near Porto.

See the Aveiro day trip guide.

Food to try

• Eel stew (caldeirada de enguias) and grilled eels, a lagoon speciality.
• Fresh fish and seafood near the old fish market.
• Ovos moles and tripas de Aveiro, thin rolled crepes with sweet fillings, sold from street stalls.
• Leitão (roast suckling pig) from nearby Mealhada, on the road to Coimbra.

Getting there

Aveiro is on the main line between Porto and Lisbon. Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains from Porto usually take about 30 to 40 minutes, while the cheaper urban trains take just over an hour. From Lisbon, fast trains take about 2 to 2.5 hours. See the train guide.

• To the beaches: local buses run from the bus station next to the train station to Barra and Costa Nova, usually taking about 30 to 40 minutes. Check current Aveirobus times before you go, as services are less frequent out of season.
• By car: Aveiro is about an hour from Porto on the A1 or A29. If you drive, ask your hotel about parking, as the old centre has limited space.

When to go

Late spring to early autumn is best for the beaches. Summer brings the most life to Costa Nova and Barra, but also the most crowds. Winter is quiet and often damp, but the city centre still works well for a night, with lower hotel prices.

• Feira de Março: a huge traditional fair with rides and concerts, running from late March to late April.
• Festas do Município: the city festival in early to mid May, with a procession for Santa Joana on 12 May. Book early for these dates.

FAQ

Is it worth staying overnight in Aveiro?

Yes, if you have time. The canals are calmer in the evening, and an overnight stay lets you add the beaches at Costa Nova and Barra the next day.

Where should I stay in Aveiro without a car?

Stay in the city centre near the Canal Central. It’s about 15 minutes’ walk from the train station, and buses to the beaches leave from next to the station.

Can you get from Aveiro to Costa Nova by bus?

Yes. Local buses run from the bus station by the train station and take about 30 to 40 minutes. They are less frequent outside summer, so check times first.

More: where to stay in Porto and where to stay in Coimbra.

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