Aveiro and Costa Nova: An amazing day trip

Aveiro

As soon as you arrive: Look for the tourist office and get a map. Ask them if they have a short tour and other tips.

Aveiro is known for it’s salt production.

The artisanal sea salt is fantastic and you can get all sorts of tasty salts.

There is an outdoor sea salt spa.

Aveiro is know for it’s canal and the Venetian-like gondolas- but it didn’t remind me of Venice at all. There is so  much more to this lovely little Portuguese town.

Aveiro has canals that run through the city.

Get a free bike in town and ride around to get a feel for Aveiro.

Aveiro’s architecture is unique and beautiful.

The ceramic tiles are different from what you see in Porto. They tell the city’s stories. You will love them.

Look for their craft market and  shops- lovely ceramics and more!

They have amazing pastries.

It’s a great walking town.

Aveiro has great restaurants.

Aveiro is about a 45-minute train ride from Porto and an easy drive should you decide to go with your car.

Praia Costa Nova

Home of the charming striped houses in Portugal.

How to get to Costa Nova:

Hop on a direct train from Porto to Aveiro and get a bus or drive from Porto to Aveiro and Costa Nova. 

I heard that it can get quite busy in the summer so I suggest an off-season visit. I went to Costa Nova off-season and it was easy to find a restaurant and the beach was such a treat!

Most of the Costa Nova houses have colorful stripes- these houses used to be fishermen’s storages when Costa Nova was all about fishing. 

Costa Nova is a great place for swimming, relaxing, eating well and for people watching.

The famous Costa Nova sand dunes

The sand dunes by the beach are protected and so the city has built beautiful wooden pathways that allowed me to walk all over the dunes and have a fantastic view of the ocean.

How to get to Costa Nova by bus

The bus stop to Praia Costa Nova is on the left side of the canal and they don’t come by that often so get ready for a long wait.  I did look at the schedule but it didn’t affect the actual bus time.

You can also get a taxi from the train station that will cost somewhere in between 12 and 16 euros.

You can drive.