Porto to Aveiro: Moliceiro Boat Tour & Costa Nova Beach

Summary

Explore Aveiro’s canals by boat and visit Costa Nova’s striped houses on a guided Porto day trip

You’ll wander Aveiro’s tiled streets with a local guide, taste ovos moles pastry fresh from a bakery, cruise gently along the canals in a traditional moliceiro boat, and snap photos of Costa Nova’s bold striped houses by the sea. Expect small surprises — laughter with locals, salty breezes — that linger long after you return to Porto.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed in Aveiro wasn’t the canals or even the boats — it was the smell of sweet pastry drifting out from a tiny shop near where our guide, Sofia, waved us over. She handed me something called “ovos moles” (I definitely pronounced it wrong; she smiled anyway), and honestly, I still think about that first bite — soft, sugary, kind of like eating sunshine if that makes sense. We’d just stepped off the bus from Porto, and already it felt like we’d landed somewhere completely different.

Sofia led us through narrow streets lined with pastel tiles and pointed out how Aveiro used to be all about salt and fishing. There were locals chatting outside cafés, their voices bouncing off the water. The main keyword for this tour is definitely “Aveiro tour from Porto,” but nobody here seemed to care about keywords — just life happening at its own pace. When we got to the canal, those moliceiro boats looked almost too bright against the gray sky. Ours had a painted mermaid on the front (Sofia said each one tells a story), and as we glided under low bridges, you could hear kids laughing somewhere nearby.

The cruise itself was slow in a good way — you could see old warehouses reflected in the water and catch salty air mixed with something floral I couldn’t quite place. At one point, our boatman tried to teach us a local phrase; Li laughed when I tried to say it in Portuguese — probably butchered it. Afterward, we drove out to Costa Nova beach. Those striped fisherman houses are even more colorful in person than in photos, all reds and blues and greens stacked up against white sand. The wind was strong enough to mess up my hair (not complaining), but there was this feeling of space and light that made me want to stay longer.

I didn’t expect to leave Aveiro thinking about pastries or painted boats or how friendly everyone seemed — but that’s what stuck with me most after this day trip from Porto. If you’re into quiet moments mixed with little surprises (and don’t mind your hair getting wild at Costa Nova), this is probably your kind of day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Aveiro and Costa Nova Tour

• Depart from Porto
• Explore Aveiro town and taste Ovos Moles
• Moliceiro boat cruise on Aveiro canals
• Visit Costa Nova beach and colorful houses

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Aveiro tour from Porto?

No, hotel pickup is not included; you meet at a central location in Porto.

How long is the moliceiro boat cruise in Aveiro?

The moliceiro cruise lasts about 45 minutes along Aveiro’s canals.

Do you visit Costa Nova beach on this day trip?

Yes, after exploring Aveiro you’ll travel to Costa Nova beach to see its famous striped houses.

Are traditional pastries included during the tour?

You’ll have time to try ovos moles pastry during your visit in Aveiro.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

The tour involves moderate walking but is suitable for most fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour may be operated by a multi-lingual guide depending on group needs.

Is there a bathroom on board the bus or boat?

No bathrooms are available on board either the bus or moliceiro boat.

How far is Aveiro from Porto by bus?

The drive from Porto to Aveiro takes roughly an hour each way by air-conditioned vehicle.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transport from Porto in an air-conditioned vehicle, guidance from a knowledgeable local who shares stories along the way, a 45-minute cruise through Aveiro’s canals aboard a traditional moliceiro boat, plus time at Costa Nova beach to admire its iconic fisherman houses before heading back home again.