Private tours in Oporto & surroundings
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Program
About halfway between Oporto and Coimbra, the old port and fishing town of Aveiro is attractively situated on the east side of the
Ria de Aveiro, a lagoon 47km/29mi long. Known as the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro is surrounded by salt-flats, beaches and lagoons
and dominated by the Central Canal running through town. The city of Aveiro is crossed by canals, which give it quite an individual
character, and in the old quarter tourists can see the quaint whitewashed houses of the fishermen and visit, early in the morning, the
Mercado do Peixe, an auction of the fish caught during the night.
The many medieval features Aveiro has managed to preserve do make it very attractive. This is due in no small measure to the barcos
moliceiros and a canal trip on one of these boats shows some magnificent Art Nouveau buildings and house fronts decorated with
beautiful azulejos.
Next comes Ilhavo. Like Aveiro, the district capital, the sea has always determined and conditioned the life of the local population at
this county situated in a vast plain of lagoons. Fishing and the salt-pans contributed to the little town's economy. However, the local
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crafts have other treasures to offer: with a long tradition of works in clay and ceramics, the county welcomed the Vista Alegre factory in 1824, a name
renowned in the world of fine porcelain.
The county's gastronomy is also inevitably linked to the sea. Thus, there are countless dishes of cod and there are local specialties such as a rich eel stew
and excellent shellfish. The bread and baster-cake of the Ílhavo valley are equally popular and appreciated.
Famous for its university, ceramics and fado music, Coimbra is a quaint town offering winding cobblestone alleys, commercial plazas and hilltop views
overlooking the Rio Mondego. Coimbra, a wonderful mix of centuries of culture, is one of Portugal's major historic capitals and is divided in the upper part
– the Episcopal and University section - and lower part near the river - the shopping district. From the more modern lower town on the right bank of the
Mondego steep lanes climb to the upper town, with the extensive buildings of the University, on a hill 100m above the river. This University,
rich in history and said to be the oldest seat of learning in Portugal, was founded in the XIII century. Among the most visited places are the Pátio das
Escolas (the main courtyard), the Biblioteca Joanina (library built in the XVIII century, housing books from the 16th to the 18th century), the Sala dos
Capelos (The Grand Hall), the University’s Chapel and the Botanic Garden. We must take a look at the library, known as one of the most sumptuous
university libraries of Europe and a masterpiece of the Baroque period. The terrace near the Patio das Escolas overlooks the river Mondego and an
impressive view.
Among many other historic buildings worth a visit we have:
- the two cathedrals - namely the Romanesque Sé Velha (imposing, castle-like structure, one of the most important Romanesque Roman Catholic buildings
in Portugal) and the new cathedral (Se Nova from the XVI century).
- the 12th-century Almedina Arch (just off of Rua Ferreira Borges, the gateway to the Upper town).
- the historic Church of Santa Cruz (where the two first Portuguese kings are buried, being the most important monastic house during the first times of the
Portuguese monarchy).
- the Museu Nacional Machado de Castro (across from Sé Nova, housing sculptures from the 14th and 16th centuries, tapestries, Roman artifacts and other
treasures).
Cafes on Largo da Portagem near Avenida Emídio Navarro overlook a grassy area with flowerbeds and offer a place to watch locals. Or, feel the rapture as
you sip your coffee beneath the solemn looking Igreja Santiago on Praça do Comercio. Many of the restaurants along the main plazas also offer outdoor
seating as well as full menus.
You may wish to stop for lunch and your tour guide will point out a good restaurant. Coimbra is known for its love of pork. Some of its most regional
dishes include 'leitao' (roast suckling pig), 'feijoada' (a bean stew including chouriço, sausage and paprika), and pork knuckle. In Coimbra the 'Chanfana', is
popular throughout the university town. This is a casserole of kid or lamb mean stewed in red wine. The local cakes, called Santa Claras (delicious cream-
filled pastries) are also a local delicacy. Coimbra is centred between the famous Dao and Bairrada wine regions in Portugal. The Bairrada region had been the
home to Portugal's best red table wines.
Coimbra's historic center is full of ancient alleyways. But to feel the atmosphere, the best route is to stroll along the Rua Ferreira Borges/Rua Visconde da
Luz, Coimbra's main shopping street. Shops, galleries, and cafes line Coimbra's streets, including an assortment of bars and wine taverns catering to the
student population of the city. The Arco de Almedina just off of Rua Ferreira Borges is the gateway to the Upper town.
Once you pass through Almedina arch the cobblestones rise to meet you on a consistent upward stretch. About half way up the hill you’ll meet up with
the Quebra Costas (Backbreaker) stairs. Stop a moment to rest before you puff your way onward and upward. The city is best known for its hand painted
ceramics replicating styles from 15th-18th centuries. The best selection is on Rua da Velha, between the Arco de Almedina and the top of the Backbreaker
Stairs.
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...This city holds a special place in the hearts of all the Portuguese. Rich in its history and is the oldest seat of learning in
Portugal with a University founded in 1290 by King Dinis, one of the oldest in the world. Six of Portugal’s Kings were
born here and between 1139 and 1256 it was the chosen capital of the country. Old Coimbra sits on a hill on the right
bank of the River Mondego, with the university crowding its summit. Centuries of history lie under a fine mantle of
huddled white washed houses, intersected by endless winding streets, steps, arches and lanes which decorate this
beautiful, centuries-old Upper Coimbra. The city has a few archeological remains of ruins dating from the time it was a
Roman town called Aeminium.With a dense urban grid the city of Coimbra is famous for its monuments, churches,
libraries, museums, numerous parks, gardens, nightlife, health-care and shopping facilities, but above all for its
University, which made Coimbra develop into an important cultural centre and has notable monuments from that era
and beyond. Due to its monumental buildings and history, attracts tourists from around the world...
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Aveiro - Aveiro is situated on the estuary of the Rio Vouga and is surrounded by a system of marshlands that run 50km parallel to
the sea. The town's canals, bridges and pastel-coloured houses are somewhat reminiscent of Amsterdam and at the centre of it all is a
bustling fish market.
The town of Aveiro, also known as the "Portuguese Venice", was an important medieval port until a great storm in the 1570s saw the
mouth of the Vouga silt up, leaving Aveiro stranded in a marshland. A canal built in 1808, linked the town and sea once more and the
marshes drained away, leaving the lagoons that you can still see today. These lagoons provide the town with salt-pans, seaweed (for
fertilizer) and fish, all of which power the local economy. The subsequent influx of wealth brought with it Art Nouveau houses and
azulejos (painted tiles) friezes in the town.
Ilhavo - About 8 Kms. to the south of Aveiro is the town of Ilhavo, which is the home of the world famous fine porcelain factory of
"Vista Alegre" founded in 1824. The founding of the city is uncertain; some say it was established by Greeks, but the city's coat of
arms reflects the legend that it was settled by Phoenicians. Its traditions are deeply seated in fishing and marine exploration, and its
dishes rival the best in world - with seafood dishes such as 'Bacalhau-a-Bras', 'Bacalhau com Grelo', 'Mariscada', 'Littlenecks with
Garlic Sauce' (an appetizer), and 'Enguias'; many other dishes abound, including the very famous 'Cozido-a-Portuguesa' and 'Carne a
Alentejana'. Local industry is founded on fishing and sea-charting traditions, and is strengthened by large marine ports, where
multitudes of cargo and fishing ships can be seen daily. While its agricultural and fishing industry provide the foundation pillars on
which Ilhavo has historically stood on, its porcelain industry, as well as its well-developed tourist attractions are equally important
in supporting and funding local undertakings. Immediately visible from the river, it is also a striking historic industrial site, well-
deserving of the abundant educational visits it sponsors.
Coimbra - Coimbra, a charming town with an ancient and traditional University, where we mingle in the atmosphere of students.
Inhabited by Romans and Arabs, it was once the capital of Portugal, before Lisbon took its place. Sightseeing of Coimbra, including
the University, the first to exist in Portugal, since the XIII century and one of the most important Universities in Europe: see the
Library, a masterpiece of gilt wood-work and its courtyard from where we have another nice view over Mondego river.
Free time to walk around through the narrow streets of the ancient section and see the antique Cathedral, dating from the XII century.
You may also choose to visit “Portugal in miniature”, an area with miniatures of several monuments of Portugal.
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