Aveiro & Costa Nova tour: Moliceiro boat & lighthouse

A morning aboard a traditional Moliceiro boat through Aveiro's waterways

Half-day tour departing Coimbra for Aveiro, featuring a 45-minute traditional Moliceiro boat journey through the city's urban channels, a stop at Praia da Barra lighthouse and beach, and time in Costa Nova's distinctive striped-house neighborhood. The tour includes hotel pickup in Coimbra, air-conditioned minivan transport, a live guide, bottled water and all fees. It takes four hours total and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Aveiro boat tour and beach visits

• Pick up in Coimbra
• Moliceiro boat ride, 45 minutes
• Visit lighthouse and Praia da Barra beach
• Explore Costa Nova beach and colorful houses
• Return to Coimbra

The experience

The tour starts with pickup in Coimbra and a drive of less than an hour to Aveiro. Once there, you board one of the traditional Moliceiro boats: flat-bottomed vessels that once harvested seaweed and salt from these waters. The 45-minute journey takes you through the urban channels that divide the city, earning it the nickname "Portuguese Venice." You'll see how the waterways shape the neighborhoods and the daily rhythm of the place.

After the boat ride, the tour moves to Praia da Barra, where the Vouga river meets the Aveiro estuary. The beach is sheltered by strong walls that block the Atlantic swell, making it calm and popular with families. The Aveiro lighthouse stands here, a landmark you can see and photograph. Then you continue to Costa Nova, a beach village known for its row houses painted in bold vertical stripes: each one a different color scheme. The neighborhood runs along the Ria, and the beach itself is one of Portugal's most photographed stretches of sand.

The minivan is air-conditioned, and your guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese depending on the group. Bottled water is provided throughout. After time in Costa Nova, the tour returns to Coimbra, completing the four-hour loop.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Coimbra.
• air-conditioned minivan transport to and from Aveiro.
• 45-minute Moliceiro boat ride through the city channels.
• visits to Praia da Barra lighthouse and beach, and Costa Nova.
• bottled water.
• live guide.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to1d before

AgesUp to age 90

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Viajeportugal

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you speak English, Spanish or Portuguese comfortably, since the guide delivers commentary in one of those languages and there is no translation device. It works well for groups traveling together in the same language.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the boat ride on the Moliceiro?

The Moliceiro journey lasts 45 minutes and travels through Aveiro's urban channels, the waterways that divide the city and give it its "Portuguese Venice" character.

What is Praia da Barra like?

Praia da Barra is a calm, sheltered beach where the Vouga river meets the Aveiro estuary. The strong walls that enclose it block ocean waves, making it popular with families. The Aveiro lighthouse is located here and is visible from the beach.

What makes Costa Nova different from other beaches?

Costa Nova's neighborhood is lined with houses painted in bold vertical stripes, each building in a different color scheme. This distinctive architecture runs along the Ria waterfront and is one of the most recognizable beach villages in Portugal.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Transport is by air-conditioned minivan, and the boat boarding and beach visits are accessible to most travelers, though you should confirm any specific mobility concerns when booking.