This week we explore the ‘Venice of Portugal’ – Aveiro

Aveiro is a popular tourist destination, famed for its canals, Nouveau architecture and colourfully painted Moliceiros boats. The city lies on the edge of the Ria de Aveiro, a saltwater lagoon that was historically farmed for its seaweed, salt and bountiful fish.

Aveiro is frequently described as the Venice of Portugal, and it is easy to understand why. It was historically an influential trading city, there are canals, and gondola-like boats (the Moliceiros) ply the waterways. By referring to Aveiro as the Venice of Portugal, does a disservice to the city; it sets visitors expectations too high, while missing the real allure of the city. More accurately, Aveiro should be described as a characterful and traditional Portuguese city.

Aveiro is a major city, but the historic centre is relatively compact and can be seen within three hours of sightseeing. A typical day trip is often combined with a boat tour of the canals and the Ria de Aveiro lagoon. For a beach focused holiday, you would want to stay in Costa Nova, as Aveiro is not situated on the Atlantic coastline but is 7km inland. Costa Nova is one of the hidden gems of Northern Portugal and an amazing location for a relaxing holiday.

Ovos moles de Aveiro — sometimes written as ovos-moles de Aveiro — are a local pastry from Aveiro District, Portugal, made of egg yolks and sugar. This mixture is then put inside wheat flour casings (similar to communion wafers) shaped into historical or nautical shapes such as shells and wooden barrels. In 2008, Ovos moles de Aveiro was designated a product with Protected Geographical Indication by the European Union

You can try “ovos moles” of Aveiro in one of the many confectioneries in the Rossio area, between modernist buildings and the landscape of the Central Canal of the estuary. But if you want to know everything about “ovos moles” it is worth stopping by the Oficina do Doce (Sweet Workshop), where the real experts tell the story of this sweet of unique flavour and teach how to prepare the golden mass of sugar and eggs of almost sacred aroma.

#wewillnomad #aveiro #vanlife

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