11 Best Sights in Aveiro, Coimbra and Central Portugal

Covering an area of 126 square miles, this UNESCO-recognized park is famously home to one of the longest pedestrian suspension bridges in the world, the 516 Arouca. The dizzying construction hangs 175 meters (574 feet) over the Paiva River, stretching for 516 meters. The park itself is surrounded by the Freita, Montemuro, and Arada Mountains and crisscrossed by several rivers including the Paiva River, which makes it a great place for canyoning, canoeing, kayaking, and mountain climbing. There are 41 significant geosites—including a collection of giant trilobite (ancient marine animals) fossils, some of which are 465 million years old—and 14 mostly easy hiking trails that take visitors to the sites. The park is also home to the world-famous Paiva Walkways.

In 1472, Princess Joana, daughter of King Afonso V, retired against her father's wishes to the Convento de Jesus—established by papal bull in 1461—where she spent the last 18 years of her life. After the last of the holy sisters died, the convent was closed in 1874. It now contains the Museu de Aveiro, which encompasses an 18th-century church whose interior is a masterpiece of baroque art. The elaborately gilded wood carvings and ornate ceiling by António Gomes and José Correia from Porto are among Portugal's finest. Blue-and-white azulejo panels have scenes depicting the life of Princess Joana, who was beatified in 1693 and whose tomb is in the lower choir. Her multicolor inlaid-marble sarcophagus is supported at each corner by delicately carved angels. Note also the 16th-century Renaissance cloisters, the splendid refectory lined with camellia-motif tiles, and the chapel of São João Evangelista (St. John the Evangelist).

While this museum celebrates the city's rich art nouveau heritage, the main event is the actual building, known as Casa Major Pessoa, a wonderfully flamboyant example of the genre dating to 1909. Notable among the displays are stunning hand-painted tiles decorated with flowers, birds, and animals. The collection itself has a few items of interest, but the biggest plus is that visitors are given a map of various art nouveau landmarks around the city. They're easy to find, marked with silver plaques on the ground.

This 45-km (28-mile) delta of the Rio Vouga was formed in 1575, when a violent storm caused shifting sand to block the river's flow into the ocean. Over the next two centuries, as more and more sand piled up, the town's prosperity and population tumbled, recovering only when a canal breached the dunes in 1808. Today the lagoon's narrow waterways are dotted with tiny islands. Salt marshes and pine forests border the area, and the ocean side is lined with sandy beaches. In this tranquil setting, colorful moliceiro boats glide gracefully along, their owners harvesting seaweed. The best way to see the lagoon is in one of the boats that depart from the canal across from the tourist office. A number of operators line the waterfront, most charging around €13 for a 45-minute tour.

Traditional methods of producing salt are on display at this open-air museum. You can take a walk around the salt flats, watch workers extracting salt, and try making it yourself using the original equipment.

At Aveiro's northeast edge, the city's train station is an attraction in itself: the exterior of the whitewashed building displays a huge collection of 1916 azulejo panels depicting regional traditions and customs.

This zigzag wooden walkway along the Paiva River offering scenic views of the river and the Arouca Geopark is widely celebrated. From start to finish, the 8-km-long (5-mile-long) trail hike takes about 2½ hours and allows visitors to experience the surrounding landscape—waterfalls, granite cliffs, endangered species, five geosites—without disrupting it. There’s river beach access from the walkway, in case you want to take a dip, and there’s a suspension bridge that provides amazing views. You can access the walkway from either Espiunca or Areinho. While there are cafés located at both ends of the trail, make sure you pack enough water and snacks and wear comfortable walking shoes as this is a strenuous hike, requiring you to climb a lot of stairs.

Aveiro's verdant city park is the biggest green space in the city, attracting everybody from joggers and strolling couples to kids attracted by the playground and skate park. An open air kiosk, Café Macaca, is a lovely spot for a cold drink and a snack under the shade of the trees.