City Go

Salterns are shallow, artificial ponds to extract salt from seawater, by evaporation, and in Aveiro they are a centuries-old activity. One of the salterns has been adapted and for €3, you can have a mud bath,  including shower . The salterns are within walking distance of the city centre (about 10 min.) Back to Aveiro

The main points of interest in Aveiro's city centre are the canals and the Art Noveau buildings still remaining. There are two unimpressive small museums located in two of these buildings- the City Museum and the Art Nouveau Museum- but that are worth the visit- which won't take long and costs just €2 for both- because of the buildings they stand in. There are also a few churches you can visit, the most appealing one being the Igreja da Misericórdia. Finally, you can walk to the Fish Market and the Carcavelos bridge- also known as Lovers' Bridge (Ponte dos Namorados)- built in 1953 to replace a bridge that collapsed in 1942. How to get there: You can easily get there by train. The Alfa train (fastest) will take about 2 hours with a cost of €26.30. For more information:  CP (Trains Portugal) What do in Aveiro: Boat Tour Saint Joana's Museum Cathedral Salterns

Aveiro's cathedral was founded in 1423, as part of a Dominican Convent. It displays several architectonic styles- from Gothic to Modernism- as it has undergone a number of major changes over the centuries. Opening hours : 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Entrance free . Back to Aveiro

Saint Joana was a Portuguese royal Princess , born in 1452 , daughter of King Afonso V and his first wife D. Isabel. She was heir presumptive to the throne until the birth of her brother, King John II. She refused several marriage proposals and lived most of her life in the Dominican Convent where the museum is located. However, she never took the veil because of her status as royal princess and potential heiress to the throne. She had to leave the convent a number of times to act as the kingdom's regent. She is the Saint Patroness of Aveiro. This museum alone is worth a visit to Aveiro. Its main attraction is the splendorous golden carvings that cover the walls of its numerous chapels. Opening hours : 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance fee (standard): €4 Back to Aveiro Saint Joana's tomb.

There are two types of boats cruising Aveiro's canals: the "moliceiro" and the "mercantel". The "moliceiro" was used to carry the "moliço", a kind of seaweed used as fertiliser. The "mercantel" was used to carry sand, mud for the "salinas" (saltern) and salt. The tour visits four canals: - Canal of São Roque, where the Carcavelos bridge and the salt warehouses are located; - Pyramids Canal, that owes its name to the "pyramids" made out of salt taken from the salterns; - The main canal, where you can appreciate the Art Noveau buildings and - Canal do Cojo, the modern part of the city. You can start your tour in the main canal, there are several operators. Timetable : 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets  (standard): €12 (2016) Back to Aveiro Carcavelos Bridge