Essential Free Tour Aveiro

Come and discover the highlights of Portuguese Art Nouveau.
Learn about the history behind the quirky and colorful Molicero Boats.
Get ready to fall in love with the tradition of blue & white azulejo tiles.

FAQ

Aveiro holds all the essences of the Portuguese soul. This colorful and perfect walking city might seem really small, but it has countless monuments, history and art to discover! If you only have a few hours here, the smartest option is to book the Essential Free Tour of Aveiro. It's a fun, leisurely paced tour designed by local guides who want to share the traditions of their city with tourists of all backgrounds. On this free tour you'll see all of Aveiro attractions and learn about the origin of the colorful Moliceiro boats. Although they look very similar to the gondolas of Venice, in the past they were used to collect plants from the bottom of the estuary!

During your Essential Free Tour of Aveiro you will walk along the estuary and discover why this small town is home to a treasure trove of Art Nouveau buildings from the early 20th century. For the quantity and quality of architecture in the area, Aveiro is on a par with Barcelona, Brussels, Budapest, Glasgow, Helsinki or Havana. With your local guide, you will stroll past houses, museums, hotels, stores and old warehouses with jaw-dropping facades. They are perfect places to take nice pictures and selfies, so come to the free tour with your camera ready! During the walk, you will also enjoy other important buildings such as the City Hall or the Municipal Theater.

On your Best of Aveiro Free Tour, you will also get to know the tradition of the Portuguese blue and white tiles. In the Aveiro Cathedral you will see some spectacular examples, but the star of the show is the sensational Mercy Church, whose spectacular tiled facade will leave you speechless! Along the walk, you will also find many souvenir stores selling all sorts of products made with tiles, so don't hesitate to ask your guide for recommendations on what gifts to buy and where! And, of course, your guide will also be ready to offer tips on what to eat and what to do in Aveiro, as well as advice on where to go next and what cities to visit in Portugal.