Crystal & Michael
Things To Do
Aveiro Museum
Since 2011 the monastery buildings have been a museum, both to show off their architectural majesty and to exhibit an awesome array of religious art on the newer upper floors. This has been collected from the many monasteries that used to surround Aveiro. There’s primitive and Renaissance painting, Coimbra school sculpture, carved stonework, azulejos (glazed tiles), jewelry, furniture and historic vestments. Below, the refectory is a delight for its tiled walls. And the cloister, built in the 15th and 16th centuries, has geometric tiles and two tiers of galleries around a central fountain.
Mosteiro de Jesus
Aveiro’s prized monument is this convent built between the 15th and 17th centuries. Its fame comes from one of its residents, Joanna Princess of Portugal, and daughter of Afonso V. Because she was in the royal line she was never able to take her solemn vows, and instead lived out a modest life at the convent and bequeathed her estates to it when she died in 1490. She was beatified in the 17th century, and her stunning tomb in the lower chancel blends marble and ceramics. Also fantastic is the nave and apse of the church, with amazing floor tiles and every surface covered with gilded woodcarving.
Moliceiros Pier
These colorfully painted boats are a constant in Aveiro, and you can board one for a 45-minute tour of the city by water. The moliceiros were originally made to harvest seaweed in the lagoon. This was used as a fertilizer in the local sandy soils. The trade died out when modern fertilizers were introduced but the old boat building techniques were revived to craft a fleet of tourist vessels. The paintings on the bow and stern depict traditional scenes around Aveiro, and on the journey you’ll get a good summary of the city along its canals and by the salt farms that border the lagoon.
Costa Nova do Prado
This oceanfront village is very charming, on a long peninsula with the lagoon on one side and the Atlantic on the other. Before the tourists arrived in Costa Nova this was a fishing village, and there’s a reminder of this time in its cute weatherboard cottages, painted with vertical stripes. If you’re fond of fish and seafood, the fishing market is a must; here whelks, crabs, goose barnacles and shrimp straight from the lagoon are prepared for you on the Cais dos Pescadores while you wait. It’s one of those rare chances to taste seafood that is literally straight from the water.
Umbrella Sky Project
The "Umbrella Sky Project" was born in Águeda in the year of 2012, and is composed by several colorful art installations spread all around the city, with the sky of umbrellas that seem to float in the air being the strong element of this project. A simple idea that brings color and protection to public spaces while transporting us into a fantasy world!
Douro Valley Wine Tour with 2 Wineries, Lunch and River Cruise
Discover Douro Valley and its unique culture while you taste amazing wines and learn about the wine making process at small local wineries. Let yourself be amazed with breathtaking landscapes as the terraces and vineyards start showing up.