Aveiro & Paiva Walkways from Porto: suspension bridge and lunch

Walk a mountain boardwalk instead of watching it from a van

This 9-hour tour from Porto takes you across the Arouca 516 suspension bridge—175 meters above the Paiva river—then down the Paiva Walkways on a 5km wooden boardwalk descent. You get an exclusive time slot at the bridge, lunch at a local restaurant, a short walk through Aveiro's center with free time to explore, and a stop at the colorful fishing village of Costa Nova. A live English-speaking guide and air-conditioned minivan transport are included; the boat ride through Aveiro's canals is optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Aveiro, Paiva Walkways and Lunch

• Depart from Porto to Arouca
• Stop for toilets in Arouca
• Cross the suspension bridge
• Walk the Paiva Walkways downstream
• Enjoy lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Costa Nova colorful houses
• Discover Aveiro on short walk
• Free time in Aveiro and optional boat trip

The Experience

The morning starts with a drive from Porto toward Arouca, a short stop for facilities, then the main event: crossing the Arouca 516 suspension bridge. The bridge spans 516 meters and hangs 175 meters above the Paiva river valley. Because you have an exclusive time slot, you skip the general queue and walk it when fewer people are there. After crossing, the real walk begins—the Paiva Walkways, a 5km downstream trail on a wooden boardwalk that zig-zags along the river. The difficulty is easy to medium, and the route is downhill, so the physical demand stays manageable even if you are not a regular hiker.

Lunch happens at a local restaurant with meat, fish and vegetarian options, a proper Portuguese traditional meal that breaks up the day. Afterward, there is time to rest in the van before the drive to Aveiro. The city center gets a short guided walk, then you have free time to wander on your own—cafes, shops and the waterfront are all within reach. If you want, you can add a boat trip through Aveiro's canals for 12 euros per adult (6 euros for children under 12), a way to see the city's charm from the water without committing to a full schedule. Before heading back to Porto, you stop at Costa Nova, a fishing village where the houses are painted in bright colors—a quick photo stop and a chance to see why it is one of Portugal's highlights.

The winding mountain road to the Paiva can trigger motion sickness, so bring a tablet or pill if you know that affects you. Children must be at least 6 years old to cross the bridge and need an adult with them. The whole day runs 9 hours, and the minivan is air-conditioned, so the drive time between stops stays comfortable.

What’s included

• Ticket for the Arouca 516 suspension bridge with an exclusive time slot.
• Paiva Walkways trail tickets.
• 5km guided walk along the Paiva river on a wooden boardwalk.
• traditional Portuguese lunch at a local restaurant with meat, fish and vegetarian options.
• short guided walk through Aveiro's center and free time to explore.
• visit to Costa Nova fishing village.
• transport by air-conditioned minivan.
• live English-speaking guide and driver throughout the day.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Ennetours

Is this one for you?This tour suits anyone who wants to actually walk a mountain boardwalk instead of seeing it from a vehicle—the Paiva Walkways are the centerpiece, not a photo stop. The exclusive time slot at the suspension bridge and the downhill 5km route keep the physical demand manageable, so it works for mixed fitness levels as long as motion sickness is not a problem on winding roads. If you prefer a faster pace with less walking, or if you have a child under 6, look for a different Aveiro day trip.

Traveler reviews

4.89★★★★★★★★★★

550 verified traveler reviews

5 ★504

4 ★38

3 ★5

2 ★1

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can I walk the Paiva Walkways if I am not very fit?

The Paiva Walkways walk is 5km downhill on a wooden boardwalk, graded easy to medium difficulty and suitable for all physical fitness levels. The boardwalk is built into the mountainside, so you are not scrambling or climbing—you are walking a steady, gentle descent along the river.

What is the Arouca 516 suspension bridge like?

The Arouca 516 is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world, spanning 516 meters across the Paiva river valley and hanging 175 meters above the water. You cross it on foot as part of the tour, and your time slot is exclusive to the group, so you are not fighting crowds on the bridge itself.

How much of the day is walking versus driving?

The main walk is the 5km Paiva Walkways in the morning, plus a short walk through Aveiro's center in the afternoon. The rest of the day is driving between Porto, Arouca, Aveiro and Costa Nova in an air-conditioned minivan, with stops for the bridge crossing, lunch and free time in each town.

Is the boat ride in Aveiro included?

The boat ride through Aveiro's canals is optional and costs 12 euros per adult or 6 euros for children under 12. You can choose to add it at checkout or skip it and spend your free time in Aveiro another way.

What age can children join this tour?

Children are welcome from age 6 and older. Children under 6 cannot cross the suspension bridge, but they can join the rest of the tour if you prefer. Any child crossing the bridge must be accompanied by an adult.

How long is the tour and when do we get back to Porto?

The tour runs 9 hours total from Porto, so you leave in the morning and return in the late afternoon. The exact departure time will be confirmed when you book.