Is Aveiro Worth Visiting? 5 Pros & 2 Cons To Know Before You Go

Aveiro is one of the scenic coastal cities in Portugal that has gained popularity over the years. It’s really small so it makes you wonder, is Aveiro worth visiting? Would there be enough to do in the city to keep you occupied for a day or should you club it with other attractions nearby.

We stayed pretty close by at Figuera da Foz and decided that taking a day trip to Aveiro was something that we should embark on. We had our own car since we were on a road trip through Portugal so heading there was fairly easy. We also decided that incase we did not enjoy the place as much, we could leave early and head to another destination.

In the end we were glad that we visited. Aveiro is not your typical city. It does not have a lot to do but it has its own particular charm.

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Is Aveiro Worth Visiting – Pros

Is Aveiro worth visiting? There are a lot of reasons why people sing the praises of this city. Here a few of the reasons why I found Aveiro particularly intriguing.

1. Aveiro Is A Walkable City

Aveiro is a very walkable city and one of the reasons why Aveiro is worth visiting.

Aveiro is a very walkable city. There are no slopes like when it comes to places like Porto, Lisbon or Coimbra. Everything that you want to see is under 10 minutes away. Literally! You could easily do multiple rounds around the city in just two hours. It’s that small.

So if you are expecting to head from attractions to attractions, then you will be disappointed. I think that’s the main crux of this article. Set your expectations straight and you will enjoy Aveiro!

The trick to walking through Aveiro is to take your time. This is not a marathon, it’s not a race, it is just a stroll. Move through the iconic streets, walk at the side of the canals, visit the beach if you would like to chill. What Aveiro teaches you is to live in the moment.

2. Aveiro Is Accessible

One of the things that I try to look at when I decide whether the city is worth visiting is its accessibility from the main cities. Despite the fact that Aveiro is offbeat, it is still accessible by public transport. The downside to using the train from Lisbon to Aveiro is that it takes time.

It can take as much as 2.5 hours one way which to be honest is a bit of a disadvantage because that’s 5 hours gone just in traveling. The better option is to take a tour to Aveiro from Lisbon and let them handle everything.

It is also important to note that even if you drive to Aveiro, it’s still going to take you over two hours to reach there.

Porto on the other hand is much closer to Aveiro and if you have to take a pick between both cities, I would say that Aveiro makes better sense as a day trip from Porto than as a day trip from Lisbon.

Since Aveiro is just 75 kilometers away from Porto, you will reach your destination in an hour or less irrespective of what mode of transport you take.

So is Aveiro worth visiting when it comes to accessibility from the main cities, I would say yes.

3. It Is Home To Some Iconic Canals

Is Aveiro worth visiting? If you want to head out on a picturesque gondola ride then this is the right place for you!

The main reason why Aveiro has become so popular is because it has these canals that surround the city. There are gondolas that give you trips along the canals. Now this is particularly scenic but know that this is not throughout the city but only in one part. It is fun to click photographs here and is definitely one of the iconic spots in Portugal.

“Great experience. Andre was a great tour guide/host and was able to speak multiple languages to learn everyone in the boat. Everyone in my party from mother-in-law to teenage son enjoyed. Company very flexible as well on boat time if you miss the boat on your ticket.”
Christopher (read more reviews now!)

Now you don’t have to wait in line to get your ride. Its tedious when the sun is overhead. My advice? Book your boat in advance. That way you don’t waste any time when you reach. Plus you can get to choose one with the highest reviews. That’s another big bonus.

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4. There Are Some Great Places To Eat

One of the best parts about visiting Aveiro is all the food. There are loads of great places to eat and if you want budget spots you can head into the local eateries and cafes. One of the best ways to really enjoy the food in Aveiro is to find a spot where you can watch the canals and the gondolas in comfort. Trust me! This is one of the best aspects of the city.

5. Parking Is Easy

Unlike many places in Portugal, Aveiro has one big benefit. There is a huge parking lot just outside the city and its an easy walk to the center of the city. You even pass the spot where everyone boards the gondolas for their cruise around the city. If you are driving in like us, I’m sure you know that finding good parking is almost a dream come true.

Is Aveiro Worth Visiting – Cons

Is Aveiro worth visiting? I know people will talk about how gorgeous it is and how you should visit. I however had a few reasons not to completely fall in love with the city. So let’s take a look at a few of the cons that made my visit a little less than ideal.

1. The City Is Small

So I know that I mentioned that the city is small before but its a con in a way especially if you are traveling in from Lisbon and Porto which will take anywhere between 1-2.5 hours one way. Generally when I travel far, I want to cover as much as I can to make the trip worth it. The best way to surmount this is to combine it with one of the other day trips in the area.

Or you could just stop on your way from Lisbon to Porto or vice versa. This would make the trip so much more worthwhile and so much more interesting.

2. Aveiro Is Very Touristy

One of the things that stands out the moment you enter Aveiro is the fact that it is very tailored to tourists. Loads of souvenir shops, plenty of tourists wandering in and out and just a buzz that you can only associate with tourists moving in and out of the city.

So is Aveiro worth visiting? I’ll be honest, this isn’t my favorite city but that’s more because I did not manage my expectations properly. If I had, I probably would not have planned a whole day here or would have paired the city with another location closer. Aveiro is one of the cool places to visit if you want to chill and relax a bit. So make sure you plan accordingly.