Aveiro and Costa Nova tour from Porto: moliceiro boat cruise
A traditional boat where seagrass collectors once worked, now gliding through Portugal's Venice
This half-day tour from Porto takes you to Aveiro, a canal-laced city on Portugal's northern coast, and the striped-house beach village of Costa Nova. You ride a traditional moliceiro boat through Aveiro's waterways, walk the city's tile-faced streets, taste the local pastry called Ovos Moles, and see the wooden beach huts painted in bright stripes. A live guide speaks your choice of English, Spanish, Portuguese or French, and the group stays small—up to 8 in a minivan or 27 in a minibus. The boat cruise is subject to weather and navigation conditions.
4h
Step-by-step itinerary
Tour Aveiro and Costa Nova from Porto
- Meet guide at meeting point
- Drive to Aveiro with guide commentary
- Explore Aveiro and taste Ovos Moles
- Cruise canals on traditional Moliceiro boat
- Visit colorful houses at Costa Nova
The Experience
The tour starts with pickup from Porto and a drive to Aveiro, where your guide shares Portuguese history and cultural details along the way. Aveiro sits where the Vouga River meets a vast lagoon called the Ria, and the city's defining feature is its network of canals—genuine streets of water lined with brightly colored boats. Once founded under Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the city is now one of the most interesting on the Portuguese coast, and you'll walk through it to see the unique tile facades and taste Ovos Moles, the traditional soft-egg pastry Aveiro is known for.
The moliceiro boat is the centerpiece. These wooden vessels, painted in bold colors, were originally used to collect seagrass from the lagoon. You'll relax on one as it glides through the canals, letting you see the city from the water without arranging anything yourself. The boat operates subject to weather and navigation conditions set by the cruise operator.
The final stop is Costa Nova do Prado beach, a fishing village famous for its coast road lined with wooden huts painted in bright stripes alternating with white. Built by fishermen as shelters and equipment stores, these huts are now holiday homes and the most picturesque aspect of the village. The whole experience runs about four hours from Porto and back.
What’s included
- Round-trip transportation from Porto in a minivan or minibus.
- a live guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or French.
- a cruise on a traditional moliceiro boat through Aveiro's canals.
- time to walk the city and taste Ovos Moles pastry.
- a visit to Costa Nova's striped beach houses. Also included: a free Porto walking tour available daily at 9:30 a.m. or 4:30 p.m. in English or Spanish, departing from the Living Tours agency on Rua Mouzinho da Silveira.
Operated by Living Tours
Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guide driving you between Aveiro's canals and Costa Nova's beach houses, plus a moliceiro boat ride—both hard to arrange independently—with commentary in your chosen language.
Traveler reviews
Compare the 13 similar options
Aveiro and Costa Nova tour from Porto: moliceiro boat cruise★ 4.60 (2,539)4hEN · PT +2€ 39
Porto: 3-Hour Electric Bike Tour & UNESCO HighlightsThree hours on an electric bike through Porto's UNESCO-listed Ribeira, Dom Luís Bridge and Clérigos Tower. Small group tours with guide, morning and afternoon departures.★ 4.90 (5,454)3hEN · DE +3€ 29View ›
Porto: Walking Tour, Lello Bookshop, River Cruise & Cable CarStep into Porto’s lively streets, explore Livraria Lello’s magical shelves, ride the cable car over the Douro, and unwind on a river cruise—all with a friendly local guide.★ 4.89 (4,982)4hEN · DE +4€ 60View ›
Porto: 3-Hour Walking Tour with Cathedral, Bookstore & BridgeFeel the pulse of Porto on a 3-hour walking tour through historic streets, baroque churches, and the famous Livraria Lello. Includes live storytelling guide.★ 4.87 (2,805)3hEN€ 29View ›
E-Bike Tour Porto: 3 hours, Pastel de Nata breakThree-hour e-bike tour of Porto with guide covering Dom Luís I Bridge, Ribeira, São Bento Station and Jardim do Morro. Includes Pastel de Nata break.3hEN · NL€ 42View ›
Porto: Private Tuk Tuk Tour, Dom Luis Bridge & City LandmarksFeel Porto’s rhythm on a private Tuk Tuk ride—cross the Dom Luis Bridge, wander historic streets, and sip Port wine with a local guide. Includes pickup.★ 4.56 (466)1h 50mEN · PT +1€ 35View ›
Douro Valley: Small-Group Wine Tour, Boat Ride & LunchLose track of time in Portugal’s Douro Valley with wine tastings, a river boat ride, lunch overlooking vineyards, and local olive oil—all with pickup from Porto.★ 4.85 (1,446)10hEN · PT +1€ 123View ›
Porto Progressive Dinner: 4-Course Food Tour & Wine TastingsFour stops across Porto's historic streets: green wine with broa bread, bifana sandwich, caldo verde soup, and dessert. Local guide, 7 tastings, 3 drinks included.★ 4.92 (879)3h 30mEN€ 89View ›
Douro Valley: Wine Tasting, Rabelo Cruise & Lunch from PortoFull-day Douro Valley tour from Porto with winery visit, wine tasting, lunch, and Rabelo boat cruise. Includes guide and minibus transport. Hotel pickup available.★ 4.81 (6,385)10hEN · PT +2€ 89View ›
Braga Museum & Ponte de Lima: Wine Tasting & Lunch TourSmall-group tour from Porto to Braga's Roman museum, Ponte de Lima castle, and wine tasting. Includes lunch, Vinho Verde tasting, and guided walks.10hEN · PT€ 195View ›
Douro Valley Wine Tour from Porto: private Pinhão boat cruiseVisit two family wineries for 10 tastings and lunch, then cruise the Douro River at Pinhão with hotel pickup included in this Porto wine tour.★ 4.97 (744)10hEN€ 145View ›
Porto Walking Tour: 12th Century Cathedral & São Bento TilesFull-day walking tour of Porto with guide covering Cathedral, São Bento, Clérigos Tower, Lello Library, Cordoaria Park. Wheelchair accessible.★ 4.95 (1,506)2h 30mEN€ 3View ›
Porto: Douro River Boat Tour Under 6 Bridges & Port WineDouro River cruise from Porto's fishing quarter, passing all six bridges. Includes Port wine tasting and biscuits. Groups capped at 9 people.★ 4.77 (299)1h 40mEN · ES€ 35View › 
Top questions
What is a moliceiro boat and why is it special to Aveiro?
A moliceiro is a traditional wooden boat originally used to collect seagrass from the Ria lagoon. These brightly colored boats are unique to Aveiro and are now used for cruises through the city's canals, letting you see the waterfront architecture and tile facades from the water.
Can I book this tour if I don't speak Portuguese?
Yes. The tour is offered in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French—you choose your language when you book. Your live guide will speak that language throughout the day.
What are Ovos Moles and will I get to try them?
Ovos Moles are a traditional Aveiro pastry made with egg and sugar, and they're one of the city's main culinary representations. You'll have the opportunity to taste them during the tour.
What makes Costa Nova different from Aveiro?
Costa Nova is a beach village known for its distinctive wooden huts painted in bright stripes alternating with white, built along the coast road. While Aveiro is famous for its canals and tile facades, Costa Nova offers a completely different landscape—a seaside setting with colorful beach architecture.
Is the boat ride guaranteed to happen?
The moliceiro cruise operates subject to weather and navigation conditions set by the cruise operator. If conditions prevent the boat from running, the operator will determine what happens, so it's worth checking the terms when you book.
How many people go on this tour?
It's a small group tour. You'll travel in either a minivan with up to 8 participants or a minibus with up to 27 participants, depending on the group size on your date.
Aveiro and Costa Nova tour from Porto: moliceiro boat cruise
4h · EN · PT +2
from € 39 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.602,539 reviews