5 Best places to visit in Portugal (that aren't Lisbon or Porto)

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5 Best places to visit in Portugal (that aren't Lisbon or Porto)

July 25, 2022

Portugal has so much to offer its visitors. You can enjoy some of the most beautiful architecture, delicious food and cute coastal towns that you can't find anywhere else in the world

While there’s a good chance you’ve seen pictures of Lisbon and Porto that made you fall in love with this country, there are so many other places worth visiting in Portugal!

If this is your first time going to Portugal, also check out my tips and travel guides for traveling to Portugal.

Tip: You can also use this blog post as a road trip itinerary to visit the centre of Portugal.

Here are the top 5 places to visit in Portugal (that aren’t Lisbon or Porto)!

Best places to visit in Portugal: Aveiro

Aveiro, also known as the Venice of Portugal, is a picturesque town in the centre of the country. It's astonishing the high number of things to do in Aveiro considering it's such a small city. From riding along the canals by boat to admiring the Art Nouveau architecture, there's no way you can be bored in Aveiro.

 

Best places to visit in Portugal: Costa Nova

Costa Nova beach in Aveiro is Instagram's most popular photo spot in Portugal. The charming colorful striped houses on the seafront are a feast to the eyes and make every single photography picture perfect. This unique pohotogenic setting will surely make you smile. It's impossible to be unhappy here!

These little houses were originally shelters and storage places for fishermen, but nowadays many have been converted to living spaces, shops, inns and restaurants. You can even rent some of them on AirBnB!

Best places to visit in Portugal: Vista Alegre Museum

One of my favorite Portuguese brands is Vista Alegre. Founded in 1824, they’ve been making beautiful porcelain items for nearly 200 years for everyone, from royalty to people just like you and me. Needless to say, visiting the Vista Alegre museum had to be part ouf our travel plan. The museum features two original kilns from the factory and porcelain collections divided by topics. Apart from the museum you can't miss the stunning Our Lady of Penha de França chapel, gift shop and outlet store. I'm sure you won't leave the place empty handed! If you are planning to eat here, make reservations at their hotel/restaurant. In the hotel you  have access to the Vista Alegre Founders’ Palace, a centuries-old building that keeps its original design. The Palace has ten rooms with unique architecture and decoration.

Best places to visit in Portugal: Casa da Insua Parador Hotel

Casa da Insua is the only Parador hotel outside of Spain. Located 25 kilometers from the city of Viseu, in central Portugal, the hotel is a 18th-century baroque style manor house. The romantic gardens, architecture and interior décor are a feast to the eyes. Apart from the house, you can visit the old blacksmith's workshop, the wine cellar for wine tasting and the chapel. 

Best places to visit in Portugal: Coimbra

Did you know that Coimbra used to be the capital of Portugal? That was from 1139 until 1260, when it was replaced by Lisbon. That's probably why there's so much history in the streets of Coimbra. From majestic churches, a Hogwarts-like university library, to lively streets and university life, there are plenty of things to do in Coimbra.

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Best things to do in Coimbra

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Best things to do in Coimbra

June 30, 2022

Coimbra is one of the spots in Portugal that you can't miss together with Porto and Lisbon. From majestic churches, a Hogwarts-like university library, to lively streets and university life, there are plenty of things to do in Coimbra.

Did you know that Coimbra used to be the capital of Portugal? That was from 1139 until 1260, when it was replaced by Lisbon. That's probably why there's so much history in the streets of Coimbra. 

Here's a city guide on how to spend a day in the charming town of Coimbra.

Best things to do in Coimbra: university and Biblioteca Joanina 

Established in 1537, the University of Coimbra is one of the oldest universities in the world and the oldest in all of Portugal. Its palace-like architecture, a very colorful chapel and Biblioteca Joanina are the university's main attractions nowadays. In fact, Biblioteca Joanina (the main library) is said to have inspired Harry Potter's movie designers.

If you are planning to visit Coimbra during peak season. You can skip the queue by buying tickets online here.

Best things to do in Coimbra: eating with a view

Loggia restaurant is a wonderful place to eat for several reasons. On the one hand, it's a cheap eat offering both buffet and menu options. On the other hand, you can eat your meal at the terrace while enjoying the best views of the city.

Best things to do in Coimbra: the cathedrals and churches

Apart from the university, Coimbra is know for the high amount of religious heritage for such a small town. For instance, Coimbra has two cathedrals: the old one, Se Velha, and the new one Se Nova.

The architecture of the old cathedral is incredibly interesting. Here you can find a mixture of Moorish, Renaissance, Romanesque and baroque design which makes it so unique. I recommend taking a peaceful stroll around the gothic cloister to unwind before continuing your sightseeing.

The New Cathedral of Coimbra, of baroque style, is located near the historical University of Coimbra in the upper part of the town.

Another place that deserves a visit is the 12th-century Monastery of Santa Cruz. The monastery is decorated with bas reliefs of the Passion story, as well as an impressive baroque pipe organ. 

Best things to do in Coimbra: Cafe Santa Cruz and Cafe Central

Cafe Santa Cruz, built into the former Church of São João, which dates to 1530 is the most popular cafe in Coimbra. Its popularity makes is one of the busiest spots, so if you are looking for a place to sip your coffee quietly while people watching, Rua Ferreira Borges has some really lovely spots like Cafe Central. Take your order outdoors and enjoy live music provided by buskers along this commercial street. If you want to try a traditional dessert with your coffee, don’t miss the pasteis de nata -a.k.a. pasteis de Belem- a delicious Portuguese egg custard tart pastry.

Have time for more? If you are spending more than one day in Coimbra, you should check out these places as well:

• Praça do comercio: in this square, one of the prettiest in Coimbra, there are the São Tiago and São Bartolomeu Churches
• Quinta das lagrimas gardens: setting of one of Portugal’s most famous love stories between King Pedro I and Inês de Castro, a noblewoman from Galicia. They had a secret affair in the 14th century, but sadly Inês was murdered. Legend says that she died in this park and shed a tear at Fonte dos Amores (pictured below). 
• Santa Clara-a-Velha convent: once home to nuns, it has a mini-museum.

Planning a trip to Portugal? Read my Portugal guides:

Top things to do in Aveiro

Costa Nova: the most instagrammable place in Portugal

Planning a trip to Southern Spain and Portugal

My travel essentials

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Costa Nova: The most instagrammable place in Portugal

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Costa Nova: The most instagrammable place in Portugal

May 15, 2022

Costa Nova beach in Aveiro is Instagram's most popular photo spot in Portugal. The charming colorful striped houses on the seafront are a feast to the eyes and make every single photography picture perfect. This unique pohotogenic setting will surely make you smile. It's impossible to be unhappy here!

These little houses were originally shelters and storage places for fishermen, but nowadays many have been converted to living spaces, shops, inns and restaurants. You can even rent some of them on AirBnB!

So is Praia da Costa Nova worth visiting? Let's take a look at intagrammer's number one place to take dreamy shots in Portugal.

Even though the place is charming, don't be fooled by the quiet looking pictures of Costa Nova. When the weather is nice -and especially during the summer- the place is packed with tourists. If you want to have the place to yourself, better visit Costa Nova at sunrise or during the first hours of the day. Although sunsets can be magical here!

Restaurants in Costa Nova get really busy as well so if you are planning to eat there, be sure to book in advance. We had lunch at Canastra do Fidalgo -which was recommended on several sites- unfortunately we didn't have a very good experience. Service was terribly slow and fish was overcooked -and overpriced! There are many reastaurants on the seafront so you won't run out of options.

Apart from the lovely houses, the beach at Costa Nova is spectacular. This long sandy shoreline is perfect for a walk with a gelato in hand -word has it that Rimini is the most popular ice-cream parlour in town-, sunbathing, or relaxing with a good book. Also, don't forget to explore the nearby dunes and Barra lighthouse! Last but not least, Costa Nova Beach is popular with surfers and windsurfers because waves can get quite big at times.

So if you are in Aveiro, be sure to stop by the charming -and highly instagrammeable- Costa Nova beach. It's a special and unique place you won't forget from your trip to Portugal.

Would you like to visit Costa Nova?

Planning a trip to the coast of Portugal? Looking for more instagram worthy spots? Read these posts: 

Top things to do in Aveiro, Portugal

What to do in Southern Portugal and Spain

My travel essentials for Praia da Costa Nova

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Top things to do in Aveiro, Portugal

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Top things to do in Aveiro, Portugal

May 10, 2022

Aveiro, also known as the Venice of Portugal, is a picturesque town in the centre of the country. It's astonishing the high number of things to do in Aveiro considering it's such a small city. From riding along the canals by boat to admiring the Art Nouveau architecture, there's no way you can be bored in Aveiro. 

Even though Lisbon and Porto are the most visited cities in this country, Aveiro deserves your attention as well. Friendly people, beautiful sights and amazing food make it worth stopping by. Let's take a look at the top things to do in Aveiro, Portugal.

Things to do in Aveiro: moliceiro boat ride

The best way to see the town and learn about it's history is by taking a moliceiro tour. Moliceiros are boats that look pretty much like venetian gondolas. They are decorated with religious images on one side and racy ones on the other -quite a contrast, right?- the tour is about 45' and goes through the city canals. It costs about 13€ per person. 

Things to do in Aveiro: Art Nouveau architecture

Aveiro's Art Nouveau heritage is impressive. In fact, there's even a museum devoted to it (with a cute tea house on the ground floor!). Ornate exteriors, colorful flourishes, iron and glass work make Art Nouveau buildings unmistakable. Art Nouveau style was imported into Aveiro by a conservative bourgeoisie and wealthy emigrants to Brazil who, upon returning to Portugal, wished to publicly express their social and economical power. 

One particular characteristic of portuguese Art Nouveau is the use of tiles. Tiles were common in traditional portuguese construction because they were affordable to the general public. In Aveiro, the use of tiles also provided waterproofing and enabled the embellishment of houses built in adobe.

The best way to find these beautiful houses is to wander the streets of Aveiro. Get lost among gorgeous buildings covered in colorful tiles. A feast to the eyes for sure!

Things to do in Aveiro: eat your way through the city

Being a touristic town, the eating options in Aveiro are endless. Let's take a look at the best restaurants in Aveiro. 

Portugal is famous for its cod on one side and sweets on the other. Citizens of Aveiro are particularly proud of their most famous sweet: ovos moles. This bite size treat consists of sweetened egg yolk covered by a waffer. Ovos moles are everywhere in Aveiro to the point of having their own dedicated statues.

Our favorite restaurant in Aveiro was O Bairro. It pays tribute to the fishermen neighborhood's life and its main characters. What makes this restaurant special is that no dish is ordinary. That take good care of the presentation, making each dish look like a work of art.

One of Aveiro's top restaurants on TripAdvisor is Musgo, a small vegetarian eatery located in an alley near the fish market -Mercado do Peixe- square.

If you love a good pizza and quick bites, Clandestino by Salpoente is the place to go. The doughs of their pizzas and quesadillas are delicious!

Things to do in Aveiro: let's go to the beach

Averiro has two main beaches: Barra and the Instagram famous Costa Nova.

The beautiful sandy Barra beach ends in a wonderfully preserved lighthouse. Rising majestically over the sea, this is the tallest lighthouse in Portugal and one of the tallest in Europe.

Costa Nova is famous for its colorful stripped houses that attract thousands of tourist every year. No doubt it's the most instagrammable spot in Aveiro. Colorful vertical stripes decorate all of the cottages, or haystacks, that line the beach. They originally were storage places for local fishermen, but many have been converted to living spaces. You can even find some available to rent on AirBnB.

Things to do in Aveiro: shopping spree

Delicious treats and craftsmanship -ceramics especially- are the best things to buy in Aveiro. 

Alma de Alecrim and  Cais a Porta are concept stores where you can find design objects and ceramics made in Portugal.

Cesar's basket store opposite Igreja da Vera Cruz -Vera Cruz church-. A store with no name with a very friendly salesman.

Confiteria Peixinho. The oldest bakery in Aveiro which sells the best ovos moles. 

Forum, a large open shopping mall, located in the heart of the Ria de Aveiro. 

Things to do in Aveiro: seal your love with a ribbon

Couples profess their love in Aveiro by tying ribbons on the bridge railings. It's an environmentally friendly -as well as much more colorful and pretty!- alternative to locks used in cities like Paris.

Things to do in Aveiro: day trips

On our roadtrip from Madrid to Aveiro, we stopped at Parador Casa Da Insua for lunch. It's the only Parador hotel outside of Spain and it's worth visiting. This hotel is an 18th-century baroque style manor house with romantic gardens, architecture and interior décor.

Coimbra houses the oldest university in Portugal. In this rich ensemble of buildings is one of the finest libraries you’ll ever set foot in, Biblioteca Joanina. Apart from the university, Coimbra boasts a lively atmosphere and plenty of attractions. 

Vista Alegre is the home of some of the finest porcelain in the world. The Vista Alegre factory is located just outside of the city of Aveiro in Ílhavo. You can visit the museum which shows the creations of Vista Alegre over the decades as well as the manufacturing process. The museum ticket also includes entrance to the Nossa Senhora da Penha de França chapel, an impressive building that houses 17th century tiles, marble altarpieces, gilded woodcarvings, and domes decorated with beautiful frescos. Don't forget to pop in the store before you go, they sell the cutest teacups and dishes! 

Vista Alegre also opened its own five-star hotel, Montebelo Vista Alegre. Each floor has a different theme and each room is decorated with handmade porcelain. 

Don’t forget to check out my other Portugal Travel posts! 

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