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Aveiro & Costa Nova: Art, Culture & Scenic Views
5.0
13 Ratings
Porto
Embark on a private half-day tour from Porto to Aveiro and Costa Nova. Explore the charming historic center of Aveiro, take a scenic moliceiro boat ride, indulge in delicious local pastries, and visit the picturesque beach of Costa Nova.
Embark on a private half-day tour from Porto to Aveiro and Costa Nova. Explore the charming historic center of Aveiro, take a scenic moliceiro boat ride, indulge in delicious local pastries, and visit the picturesque beach of Costa Nova.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Porto - Guests are picked up from their hotel or accommodation and travel towards Aveiro.
- Ria de Aveiro - Board a traditional mudboat for a tour of the city’s canals, where the guide shares local stories and interesting facts.
- Aveiro - Enjoy a guided walking tour of the city center, highlighting the salt pans, Art Nouveau architecture,…
- Porto - Guests are picked up from their hotel or accommodation and travel towards Aveiro.
- Ria de Aveiro - Board a traditional mudboat for a tour of the city’s canals, where the guide shares local stories and interesting facts.
- Aveiro - Enjoy a guided walking tour of the city center, highlighting the salt pans, Art Nouveau architecture, and main attractions.
There is free time for lunch at a typical restaurant to savor the famous soft eggs.
- Praia da Costa Nova - Explore the renowned colorful houses of Costa Nova do Prado, located about 10 minutes by car from the city center. These are considered the most photogenic houses in Portugal. Situated in Ílhavo, just a few meters from the beach, these houses are now used for tourism, especially during the summer. Historically, it was a fishing village, and these houses were primarily used to store fishing gear.
- Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Válega - Stop for a visit outside (or inside, if open) of the impressive church adorned with traditional Portuguese tiles.
- Capela do Senhor da Pedra - Visit the unique chapel by the sea, set in a remarkable location overlooking the Atlantic.
- Porto - Return journey to Porto, with drop-off at the clients’ hotel.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- On-board WiFi
- Pick-up and drop-off at the customer’s hotel
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Moliceiro Boat Tour (If selected)
- Free time for lunch
- Private transportation
- On-board WiFi
- Pick-up and drop-off at the customer’s hotel
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Moliceiro Boat Tour (If selected)
- Free time for lunch
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Tips
- Lunch
- Tips
Additional Information
Experience the region’s stunning beauty and rich culture on this exclusive tour that blends tradition, art, and breathtaking landscapes. The journey begins in Aveiro, often referred to as the “Portuguese Venice,” where participants will embark on a moliceiro boat to glide through its canals as the guide shares fascinating insights about the city.
Next,…
Experience the region’s stunning beauty and rich culture on this exclusive tour that blends tradition, art, and breathtaking landscapes. The journey begins in Aveiro, often referred to as the “Portuguese Venice,” where participants will embark on a moliceiro boat to glide through its canals as the guide shares fascinating insights about the city.
Next, enjoy a guided exploration of the historic center, delving into its ties with the salt pans and the exquisite Art Nouveau architecture. There will also be free time to savor local dishes at one of the traditional restaurants and indulge in the renowned soft eggs.
In the afternoon, the tour proceeds to Costa Nova, celebrated for its iconic striped houses and the serene seaside ambiance.
The itinerary continues with a visit to the remarkable Church of Válega, famous for its vibrant tiles and distinctive facade, and concludes at the extraordinary Chapel of the Lord of the Stone, set in a unique location overlooking the Atlantic, ideal for capturing unforgettable photographs.
Location
Porto
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(13 Ratings)
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Kathleenht5934cc
May 25, 2026
Tour of Aviera - Vasco was a fun and entertaining guide. He showed us around Aviera and the nearby ocean and served as photographer extraordinaire for my group of friends. Would totally recommend him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trek02602539937
May 23, 2026
Favorite memory - The peaceful and quaint towns of AVEIRO and Costa Nova were delightful. Our guide , Vasco, was knowledgeable and accommodating, as well as charming. The restaurant he found for us was delish and he made the translations of our needs and wants so easy. The Chapels were icing on the cake. Thank you Vasco and Viator.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cynthia
Mar 20, 2026
Wonderful day, wonderful guide!! - We spent a wonderful devil day with our tour guide David. He was prompt, attentive, informative and our small dog in a carrier was welcome to join us. We saw the favorite spots in Aveiro and Costa Nova, had a delicious Portuguese lunch at a restaurant David suggested, and took a gondola ride on the Aveiro canals. My husband and I highly recommend this tour; and, ask for David😄
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V6571rpmiriamr
Mar 11, 2026
Lovely day in Aveiro and Costa Nova - We had a lovely day with our guide David. He was so knowledgeable and made sure we were enjoying ourselves. We got to try a local treat, and saw the beautiful towns of Aveiro and Costa Nova via boat, walking, and car.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matthew_k
Oct 28, 2025
A day with a friend - This was amazing tour. We were picked up at our hotel by Vasco and right away felt like we were going sightseeing with a friend. We talked and found out about each others lives, we what we wanted to see, what it was like at home, etc. Vasco first took us to a place to eat a quick breakfast. It was a little pasteria outside of Porto where a lot of locals go. We then got back in the care and headed for Aveiro. Vasco was knowledgable and answered all of our questions along the way. We got to Aveiro and did the river cruise. It was fascinating to see such an old fishing village on one end of the canal and watching it turn into modern building all the way on the other end. We learned about the history of Aveiro and how fishing was one of the main sources of income even still. Afterwards, we went to see the striped houses of Costa Nova and stopped at the beach to just look around and see the beauty. We went to the fish market which on one hand was incredible as if you want fresh seafood, they literally had everything and it was fresh. We even saw moving octopus tentacles that had just been freshly removed. YUCK! :-) Anyway, Vasco asked what we liked to eat and took us to a place that that had the best pork sandwhiches and then we strolled around old town Aveiro. Again, Vasco answered all of our questions and we had a great time chatting and learning about each others lives. Finally, Vasco let us know there was one place we had to stop on the way back to the Porto and it was not part of the normal tour. It was this amazing cathedral IN the ocean. You read that right. At high tide, the whole thing is surrounded by ocean and you would have to swim to get there. It was SO beautiful, serene and peaceful. The beach had rocks and large waves. The kind you see in the movies. We then headed back to our hotel in Porto. I am so serious when I tell you that Vasco made us feel so welcome and the whole day we felt like we were being given a tour by a friend from the area and not a guide. He is intelligent, knowledgeable, friendly and the kind of person you just want to hang out with. This tour was worth it by itself, but if you can go with Vasco, I highly recommend it as it will be a day to remember.
Review provided by Viator
A3156slmariam
Oct 26, 2025
5 star ⭐️ - This is a 5star tour ! David , our tour guide was thoughtful, informed and interesting storyteller of history . Aveiro is beautiful town much larger than the touristy canals and old striped houses of fishing villages , we did the boat ride its optional and why not you are in Portugal ! Do it all
The restaurant was a delicious recommended suggestion great , people are charming and the historic churches , chapel museums of St Jaō are so worth going seeing . The history of Dominican order nuns started here
It was rainy day but David did a great tour of making it enjoyable and fun , we missed nothing . We are not wine drinkers so this was great alternative to going to a vineyards in Porto .
We even went to the lighthouse and the beach . Do everything your in a private tour and can customize it your needs .
The car was a new Mercedes coupe very comfortable and elegant .
Maria M 🤩
Definitely a must
TIPS :
Wear sneakers / hybrid hiking shoe
Not intense hills but all cobblestone
Light rain jacket and hoodie windy by beaches
Weather changes so rapidly in Portugal
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Edward_l
Jul 26, 2025
Well worth it! - We had a great time exploring Aviero and Costa Nova at our own pace and Jose was super accommodating and informative. The boat trip around Aviero's canals was fun. I'd advise against doing the trip on a Monday if you have any other options, since quite a few of the places he wanted to show us were closed on Mondays. Regardless, we had a blast and he also took us to see the Capela do Senhor da Pedra church on the Atlantic coast - very unique.
Review provided by Viator
Heatherk493
Apr 5, 2025
Nearby visit to some beach towns from Porto! - We have 4 scheduled tours with Wonders Tours and 3 are with Ricardo. We have enjoyed spending these days with him. The Costa Nova is so quaint and relaxed. Fun to see the striped houses and we especially enjoyed seeing the gorgeous Aviero Train Station. But mostly, we loved our lunch stop!! We had requested meat (instead of fish) and Ricardo really came through with a bbq/grill local place. It was totally packed, so we knew it was going to be good food!! I don't think they spoke very much English, so I am not sure we would have had the same experience without him!! He helped translate exactly what we wanted, and it was all excellent. It was literally the best food we have had in Porto in 4 days!! What a nice relaxing day out of the city!! We are seeing Braga/guimaraes with him also and we can't wait to see these historic/beautiful areas!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Voyage719534
Mar 24, 2025
4-hour excursion from Porto - Ricardo is a nice driver, he told us a lot of useful information on the way. Clean, tidy minibus. Clean, tidy minibus. It arrived on time and brought us back to the hotel.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zahira
Nov 28, 2024
Very fun and informative tour!! Great tour guide!! - Ricardo did an excellent job during our tour. We learned a lot about Aveiro and Costa Nova. Tour was very fun! Ricardo was very professional, informative and friendly!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
