Coimbra & Bussaco & Aveiro Full Day Tour

Known as the “Portuguese Venice”, the city is quietly dominated by the Ria de Aveiro, described by Saramago as ‘a living body that connects the land to the sea like a huge heart’. Get on board a moliceiro and go along the canals of the lagoon which, just like water roads, lead you through the city. See the Art Nouveau houses which decorate the banks or discover their every detail by taking a guided walking tour organized by the City Museum.

A part of the colors and beauty of Aveiro is inseparable from the famous haystacks of Costa Nova. These traditional structures were used by fishermen to store their fishing materials and have also been used as beach houses throughout the years. Built near the beach they welcome the sea with their façades painted in bright colored stripes. A true journey back in time!

To understand the importance of the Vista Alegre brand is to learn about the time periods of its History, to know its characters and artistic movements which influenced it, understand its constraints. The Vista Alegre Historic Museum reunites the History of the company created by José Ferreira Pinto Basto, the evolution of the factory and of its collections throughout almost 200 years of existence, as well as the emblematic connection between the factory and the people of Ilhavo.

Fall in love with the serene exuberance, almost magical, of Bussaco’s intense green color. Indulge yourself in the charm of the flora and History of this place. Bussaco Woods are very small when compared with other large European woods. However, the variety of its plant species is larger than in other wood. Within the walls there are about 400 native species of the Portuguese Atlantic coast and around 300 which come from other climates. The most representative element of this symbiosis is the Bussaco cedar, an important cypress which comes from Mexico and might have been the first exotic species to be planted in the forest in 1656.

If “Coimbra is a lesson”, as the popular fado song says, Coimbra is firstly a lesson of Portuguese History. Here is the grave of the first two Portuguese Kings and, all over the city, you will discover landmarks left by those who built the nation, whether they are the outbuildings of the University or the monuments you should mandatorily visit. From the magnificent scale of the Joanine Library to the symbolism of the Santa Cruz convent, the old capital of the Kingdom is full of heritage from the past.

When a single space reunites a literary treasure beyond compare and the opulence of early 17th century architecture and arts, the result is one of the most spectacular and original European libraries in Baroque style. At Joanine Library there are worlds inside worlds; here everything is knowledge and art invites you to discovery. There are thousands of works which lay upon a lavish space full of beauty and exoticism, where the richness of the painted ceilings is in harmony with the balustrades and shelves made of golden leaves and wood from the tropics.

Dominating the valley where the Mondego River runs, with endless rice fields, the town of Montemor-o-Velho is characterized by its imposing castle. This extensive land has been successively occupied since Roman times and when the Arabs first settled during the 8th century, the Mondego lands became a constant stage of intense fights between Muslims and Christians.

Inhabited since pre-Historic times, Conimbriga was occupied by Roman troops in 139 BC and it became the prosperous capital city of the Lusitania province. In the next century, during the reign of Emperor Augustus, the urban part of the city grew. It was during this period that some of the most important buildings for everyday life in a Roman city were build such as the forum, the amphitheatre and the thermal baths.

In these small village there is always something to do. Stroll through the winding streets of the villages, see houses made of schist, where life still follows rural routines and farming and cattle breading are essential to the everyday life of its inhabitants. Visit its many overlooks and see the stunning landscapes where the villages become little more than rock formations surrounded by green vastness.

Visit the town of Aveiro by its canals going on a ride in a moliceiro. If you want we’ll book it for you. You won’t regret.

We can book a wine tasting in some of the most interesting and historical winemakers in this area. In here you can try out the Portuguese wine and understand its history and cultural importance. For wine lovers it’s a must-do.

If you’re a History Lover you can book a walking tour with a professional guide for you on an area that you decide or for the full tour. Ask us for details.