Why You Should Visit Aveiro, The Portuguese Venice

Mosteiro de Jesus

This convent, built in the 15th and 17th centuries, is Aveiro’s most prized monument.
Its name comes from Joanna Princess of Portugal, a resident, and daughter of Afonso VI. She could not make her solemn vows and lived a simple life in the convent, leaving her estates to the convent when she died in 1490.
The nave and apse are also spectacular, featuring unique floor tiles and all surfaces covered in gilded wooden carving.

Museu de Aveiro

The monastery buildings have been a museum since 2011, displaying their architectural splendor and showcasing a fantastic array of religious art on the upper floors.
This information was gathered from many monasteries that once surrounded Aveiro. The tiled walls of the refectory are a delight. The abbey was built in the 15th-16th centuries and featured geometric tiles and two tiers of galleries surrounding a central fountain.

Aveiro’s Canals

Aveiro’s lagoon feeds the canals, which give it its unique character. It is worth spending a few hours with them.
You can stroll through many branches in historical and modern city areas. There is some fantastic Art Nouveau architecture along the Rossio quays, which we will discuss later.
Jardim do Rossio, a canal-front park featuring palm trees and lawns is a beautiful spot to read a book.
The pastel-colored houses add the finishing touch to the experience. There are plenty of tuk-tuks available to take you on a quick tour.

Moliceiro Tour

These colorfully painted boats are a fixture in Aveiro. You can take a 45-minute tour by water on one of these boats.
The original purpose of the moliceiros was to collect seaweed in the lagoon. It was used to fertilize the sandy soils.
Modern fertilizers made it impossible to trade in the woods, but old boat-building techniques were resurrected to create a fleet for tourists.
The paintings at the bow and the stern portray traditional scenes of Aveiro. You’ll also see a summary of the city following the canals and the salt farms bordering the lagoon.

Rossio Area

Emigrants from Brazil who had made their fortunes in Brazil built stylish homes in Aveiro in Art Nouveau style at the beginning of the 20th Century.
You should also be aware of the Casa do Major Pessoa, now the Art Nouveau Museum. It has beautiful wrought-iron balconies and gates.
The Cooperativa Agricola building, at 5, 6, and 7, is also on the same street. It boasts impressive tile work with floral patterns.

Church of Sao Joao Evangelista

This opulent structure, also known as the Carmelite Church, was once part of a large convent. It was nearly destroyed when Aveiro’s urban planning was changed at the beginning of the 20th century.
The church was built in 1797 and has been extensively embellished. This was a time of great wealth when many churches in Portugal were decorated with glittering gilded wooden work.
Once you have passed the stern façade, the church is not unlike any other, with gilding framing the paintings on the ceiling and walls. The nave’s lower walls are decorated with azulejos in dazzling blue and white.

Forum Aveiro

This shopping center is not your typical mall. It’s right next to the canal. You can enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the rooftop cafes or in a grassy area where you can take a picnic in summer.
It also has shops that carry all the major brands like Zara, Mango, and other everyday stores that you will find in every Iberian town like Bershka and Oysho.
There are many options for food at the food court, including fast food, traditional Portuguese cuisine (Serra da Estrela), and a cinema.