Aveiro, Costa Nova and Capela da Pedra Day Tour from Porto
- Duration8.5 hours
- Daily
- Group
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Overview
This 8.5-hour day trip from Porto takes you south along the coast to three very different places. Spend time in Aveiro, known for its canals and colourful boats, admire the candy-striped houses of Costa Nova, and finish at the little Capela da Pedra, a chapel set on the rocks of the Gaia shore. The default option includes a 45-minute canal cruise in Aveiro, and a version without the cruise is also available. A guide and a separate driver look after the day, starting from a meeting point in Porto.
Highlights
- Guided visit and free time in Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal
- 45-minute canal cruise on a traditional moliceiro boat with the default option
- Costa Nova and its candy-striped fishermen's houses
- Capela do Senhor da Pedra, a chapel on the rocks of the Gaia coast
- Live English-speaking guide with a separate driver
- Space to store your belongings safely on board
- Recommendations for the rest of your stay in Porto and Portugal
Full Description
Aveiro and its canals
Aveiro lies on a coastal lagoon about an hour from Porto and is often called the Venice of Portugal because canals run right through the town centre. Your guide leads a walk past art nouveau façades, market squares and the bridges that cross the water, and explains how salt, fishing and seaweed shaped the city.
There is also free time to wander, look into a pastry shop or take photographs by the canals. A day trip from Porto to Aveiro suits visitors who want a small, easy city with a lot of charm, and it is especially pleasant in the morning when the light on the water is soft.
The moliceiro canal cruise
The moliceiro is a long, narrow boat with a high, curved bow, decorated with painted scenes that were once humorous or satirical. It was first used to gather seaweed from the lagoon and is now the symbol of Aveiro. With the default option you sail through the central canals in a 45-minute cruise.
From the water you see façades, bridges and small details that are easy to miss on foot, and the guide explains the boat's history. If you choose the option without the cruise, you can still add it on the day, subject to availability. Many guests say the Aveiro boat cruise is the highlight of the trip.
Costa Nova and its striped houses
Costa Nova is a beach village on a narrow sandbar between the Atlantic and the lagoon. Its palheiros, wooden houses painted in stripes of red, blue, green and yellow, were once storage huts for fishermen and are now some of the most photographed buildings in Portugal.
The tour gives you free time on the seafront to walk along the promenade, watch the waves and take pictures against the colourful facades. If you are looking for a Costa Nova day trip from Porto, this stop shows the relaxed coastal side of the country and pairs well with the canal town of Aveiro.
Capela da Pedra on the Gaia coast
On the way back the tour stops on the Gaia coast at the Capela do Senhor da Pedra, a small chapel built on a rock beside the beach at Miramar. Waves break around the base, and in its present form the chapel dates from around the 17th century, with a Baroque interior. The site is linked to much older beliefs about the sea.
The setting is dramatic at any time of day and especially at sunset, when the light is warm on the rocks. You have free time on the Gaia coast to take photos, walk the shore and watch the Atlantic before returning to Porto. It is a memorable place to end the day.
Itinerary
- Meet in PortoGather at the meeting point and leave with your guide and driver in a comfortable vehicle.
- Aveiro guided tourWalk through the old centre with your guide and enjoy free time by the canals.
- Aveiro canal cruiseBoard a moliceiro for a 45-minute cruise with the default option.
- Costa NovaFree time to see the striped houses and walk the seafront.
- Capela da PedraStop at the chapel on the rocks, with free time on the Gaia coast.
- Return to PortoArrive back in Porto after about 8.5 hours in total.
What's included
- Live English-speaking guide and separate driver
- Return transfer from Porto
- Guided tour of Aveiro and Costa Nova
- Free time in Aveiro, Costa Nova and on the Gaia coast
- Luggage space for your belongings
Not included
- Boat cruise in Aveiro
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
Not suitable for
- Guests with serious mobility limitations, as there is a fair amount of walking on cobbled streets
Meeting point
This tour does not include hotel pickup. You meet your guide and driver at a meeting point in Porto, which we confirm together with the time after booking. Please arrive a few minutes early, as the vehicle leaves on time. If you plan to travel with luggage, the vehicle has space to keep your belongings safe during the day.
Important information
- Lunch and drinks are not included; there is free time to eat in Aveiro or Costa Nova.
- The 45-minute cruise in Aveiro is included only with the default option.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket, as the coast can be windy.
- Bring a hat and sun protection in summer.
- Children aged 3 to 11 book as children.
- Opening times of places and boats may change with the season and weather.
- The order of stops may change depending on traffic and conditions.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Aveiro and Costa Nova day trip cost?
The price depends on the option you choose. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and children.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. The tour starts from a meeting point in Porto that we confirm after booking.
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts about 8.5 hours, including the drives and free time in each stop.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes. Children aged 3 to 11 book at the child rate, and the flat, short walks suit most families.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear comfortable shoes and layers, and bring a light jacket, sun protection and water.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
The tour runs daily, so you can often book at short notice when spaces remain. The booking panel shows the available dates.
What is the difference between the options?
The default option includes a 45-minute moliceiro cruise in Aveiro. The other option has the same tour without the cruise, which you may be able to add on the day subject to availability.
Is lunch included?
No. You have free time in Aveiro and Costa Nova to choose a restaurant that suits you.
What is the Capela da Pedra?
It is a small chapel built on a rock beside the sea on the Gaia coast, known for its dramatic setting and Baroque interior.
Is Aveiro worth visiting on a day trip from Porto?
Yes. It is close to Porto and compact, with canals, boats and coastal scenery that are easy to enjoy in a few hours.
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