Day tripsCountriesPortugalCoimbraCoimbra to Aveiro, Costa Nova and Ilhavo: Guided tour

Coimbra to Aveiro, Costa Nova and Ilhavo: Guided tour

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Private tour with a local expert

7h 15m
Round trip
Private group
Trusted by 1+ million happy travelers across 120 countries
4.9
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Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2024
4.9
5176
Reviews

About your trip

Embark on a guided tour to Aveiro, Costa Nova, and Ilhavo. Start the day in Aveiro to learn about the area’s salt-harvesting history, then head to Costa Nova for a Wes Anderson-esque seaside escape. Finally, visit Ilhavo to learn more about the country’s strong fishing heritage.
Exclusively yours: A premium experience for your group only
Insider insight: Local tips and stories you won’t find online
Perfect balance: Expert guidance with freedom to explore
Ideal for all travelers: Families, friends, or solo adventurers
From €172
Private group ride
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€516

What to expect

Your day trip begins wherever you are

Meet your guide right where you prefer in Coimbra whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.

Discover more with local expertise

Your guide is both your expert behind the wheel and knowledgeable host throughout the day. They’ll manage the day’s itinerary, share stories and local knowledge, and make each moment along the route feel richer. At every stop, they’re by your side.

Guided experience with space to explore

Spend 2 hours wandering through Aveiro, then drive 20 minutes to Costa Nova for 90 minutes by the sea. Your last 90-minute stop will be Ilhavo to learn about Portugal's fishing culture. Your guide, who is also a professional driver, manages a seamless journey that allows you to savor each destination without worrying about navigation or timing.

Perfect for any private group

Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.

Good to know

  • Two-way private car transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • Personalized pickup and drop-off
  • Private professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
  • Attraction admission details specified in the itinerary section below
  • Official guided tours inside attractions in Aveiro, Costa Nova do Prado, and Ilhavo can be purchased separately - inform us in advance for itinerary planning
From €172
Private group ride
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€516

Your trip at a glance

Your trip at a glance

Start in Coimbra
You choose the pickup spot.
1
Aveiro
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 2 hours - admission not included
Aveiro
Aveiro
Aveiro
Aveiro
Aveiro
Aveiro
Aveiro
Aveiro
Explore Aveiro for its rich salt-mining history and exciting art nouveau influences. Let your guide show you around Aveiro, starting with a Moliceiro boat ride where you’ll glide through the canals and appreciate tiled houses and historic salt warehouses. Then, stroll the Art Nouveau trail and wander into the former Casa do Major Pessoa, now an art museum. Head to the sea flats and learn more about the area’s salt harvesting tradition, and visit the ecomuseum. In the summer, you can float in concentrated salt water for a weightless experience. Be sure to visit the Aveiro Cathedral and Museum of Santa Joana to learn more about royal history, or stroll the long wooden walkways of Passadicos de Aveiro.
2
Costa Nova do Prado
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Enjoy a pastel-hued coastal journey through Costa Nova. Follow your guide through Costa Nova and stroll along the Avenida Jose Estevao to enjoy the pale red, green, and blue striped houses. Then head to O Barco a Vista to enjoy a seafood lunch of mariscada (a platter of raw and cooked shellfish), razor clams, or cuttlefish stew, all with a stunning ocean backdrop. Enjoy time under the sun at Praia da Costa Nova, a raw stretch of coastline that draws surfers with its gorgeous waves. Enjoy a sunset here or back at Ria de Aveiro. Be sure to sample Ovos moles, sweet egg yolk treats in Aveiro-style shells, before leaving this charming city.
3
Ilhavo
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included
Ilhavo
Ilhavo
Ilhavo
Ilhavo
Ilhavo
Explore Ilhavo to learn more about Portugal’s strong fishing history and appreciate coastal serenity. Your final stop of the day will be in Ilhavo, where you can visit the Maritime Museum to learn about the area’s cod fishing legacy, polar expeditions, and fantastical sea myths. Then, enjoy a Bacalhau-focused dinner (Bacalhau is Cod, Portugal’s ā€œfaithful friendā€). After dinner, head to Vista Alegre Museum and Factory, one of the country’s most iconic porcelain houses. Travelers can buy tickets for the chapel, factory tour, and shop. Finish the day by walking along the Ria de Aveiro and marveling at the calm waters and swaying fishing boats along the docks. Sample the Bacalhau a Bras – shredded cod with egg and potatoes, or Ria Prawns grilled with garlic and lemon.
Back to Coimbra
We’ll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?Contact our Customer Support. We are available 24/7

Daytrip is loved all around the world. Here's why.

5.0
5176 reviewson Tripadvisor
or
4.9
991 reviewson Trustpilot

Know more about your day trip

Costa Nova's iconic striped beach houses called "palheiros" were originally fishermen's storage buildings painted in bright colors for easy identification. These colorful stripes have become symbols of Portuguese coastal culture and popular photography subjects.
The itinerary includes 2 hours in Aveiro 1.5 hours in Costa Nova and 1.5 hours in Ilhavo. This timing allows you to experience each location's unique character from Aveiro's canals to Costa Nova's beach culture and Ilhavo's maritime heritage.
Ilhavo is famous for its Maritime Museum traditional Portuguese ceramics and connection to Portugal's cod fishing industry. The town offers authentic Portuguese coastal culture local crafts and insights into the country's maritime traditions.
Costa Nova offers excellent beaches with fine sand and Atlantic Ocean access. The beach provides opportunities for swimming sunbathing and enjoying typical Portuguese beach culture alongside the famous colorful houses. Let your driver-guide know your interests during your day tour!
Aveiro features beautiful early 20th-century Art Nouveau buildings with decorative facades ornate details and distinctive Portuguese interpretations of this European architectural movement. The style complements the city's canal setting and maritime heritage.
All three locations offer excellent seafood restaurants featuring fresh Atlantic fish traditional Portuguese preparations and local specialties. Costa Nova and Ilhavo particularly showcase authentic coastal cuisine in traditional settings. Your guide can help you figure out where to have lunch.
Traditional Portuguese ceramics from Ilhavo ovos moles sweets from Aveiro and local crafts representing coastal Portuguese culture. Each town offers unique regional products reflecting their maritime heritage and traditional Portuguese craftsmanship.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Day tripsCountriesPortugalCoimbraCoimbra to Aveiro, Costa Nova and Ilhavo: Guided tour