Top 15 Activities to Experience in Ílhavo, Portugal

Cod is nearly an integral aspect of life in Portugal; thus, one must visit a base of the country’s “White Fleet” to truly understand this attachment. Many of the trawler captains during that era were born and raised in Ílhavo, embarking on significant ventures across the North Sea and Atlantic.

Fishing remains deeply embedded in the town’s culture. The contemporary maritime museum offers comprehensive insights, and a magnificent trawler is moored along a canal for visitors. Ílhavo is situated on the Aveiro Lagoon, notable for its distinct identity and culture, complemented by stunning Atlantic beaches featuring wavy surf.

Let us delve into the most notable attractions in Ílhavo:

1. Museu Marítimo de Ílhavo

Housed in a distinguished building established in 2001, Ílhavo’s maritime museum consists of three primary galleries. Visitors can explore the unique origins of Aveiro Lagoon and the distinctive painted wooden boats designed for these waters.

One gallery focuses on the White Fleet and Portugal’s Atlantic and North Sea cod fisheries, which were pivotal to the economy in the 20th century.

Additionally, the museum reflects on the everyday life of Ílhavo and its enduring connection with the sea. An aquarium for cod was introduced in 2013, providing an intimate look at the fish that has been a mainstay of the Portuguese diet throughout history.

2. Praia da Costa Nova

This quaint coastal community nestled between the Aveiro Lagoon and the Atlantic features a charming beachfront promenade.

Along the walk, you will find an array of picturesque weatherboard houses (palheiros), adorned with vibrant stripes.

Originally utilized for shelter and equipment storage, these houses have been transformed into delightful holiday accommodations.

The beach boasts a cinematic allure characteristic of Portugal’s coastline, with endless stretches of sand and crashing waves.

Consider visiting in the evening for a meal while the sun sets.

3. Navio Museu Santo André

Located at Jardim Oudinot is a relic from Portugal’s 20th-century cod-fishing fleet.

This 71-meter Dutch-built trawler, launched in 1948, completed its last voyage to Norway in 1997 before being refurbished and opened for public visiting.

As the last fishing vessel of its kind in Portugal, it has a unique side-entrance for hauling in its catch and can accommodate up to 1,200 tons.

The Santo André is officially part of the Ílhavo Maritime Museum. Visitors can explore the bridge, kitchen, mess, and living quarters, and there is a dedicated space within the old fish hold showcasing maritime art and photography.

4. Aveiro Lagoon

Spanning 45 kilometers from Ovar in the north to Mira, this lagoon showcases a shallow average depth of only one meter, which contributes to the unique design of the traditional moliceiro boats, originally created for seaweed harvesting.

You may embark on a guided tour in Ílhavo, although reservations are recommended in advance.

Alternatively, you could travel to the city of Aveiro, just ten minutes away along the shore.

There are regular excursions through the canals and into the lagoon, where you can gain insights into the lagoon’s unique ecology and historical significance.

This impressive geographical feature is relatively new, only 1,000 years old, formed by the accumulation of sand at the convergence of the Vouga and Antuã Rivers.

5. Jardim Oudinot

In the 2000s, Ílhavo initiated a project to enhance the northern edge of the Canal de Mira.

This initiative transformed 11 hectares of the waterfront, introducing sports facilities, an esplanade, gardens, a recreational harbor, and a small river beach inclusive of a bar.

A few years and an investment of around €3.5 million later, the area was revitalized.

Today, it serves as Ílhavo’s primary gathering place for socializing, exercising, relaxing, and celebrating.

The Festival do Bacalhau (Cod festival) takes place here at the end of August.

6. Praia da Barra

Positioned at the lagoon’s entrance, this beach comprises two sections and offers all the amenities typical of a resort.

The upper section is sheltered by breakwaters, providing calm and serene waters.

This makes it an excellent destination for families with small children, whereas the southern part boasts vigorous waves and white foam characteristic of a conventional Atlantic beach.

Conditions are favorable for surfing when the winds cooperate, while stand-up paddleboarding, bodyboarding, and kitesurfing can be enjoyed almost year-round.

A brief walk south will lead you to unspoiled dunes traversable via boardwalks.

7. Vista Alegre

This esteemed hand-painted porcelain brand has been established in Ílhavo for over 200 years.

Vista Alegre chose this location due to the abundance of essential materials for quality ceramics, including clay and minerals from the lagoon, as well as white sand sourced from the coast.

It received royal patronage in 1824 during the rule of King John IV. The museum reflects this prestigious history by narrating the brand’s evolution and featuring exquisite examples, as well as examining Portugal’s long-standing relationship with ceramics as both functional and decorative art.

Visitors will gain insight into the kilns and the hand-painting school, where artisans are trained to maintain Vista Alegre’s high standards.

8. Capela da Vista Alegre

In the 19th century, a complete village was established around the Vista Alegre factory, informed by the utopian ideals of the time that aimed to enhance the welfare of the workers.

The area showcases both the facilities and the distinctively Portuguese homes built during the subsequent Estado Novo dictatorship, which merit a brief exploration.

The neighborhood is centered around the Capela de Nossa Senhora da Penha de França, predating the village, having been constructed in the late 1600s.

This site features an extraordinary Baroque mausoleum dedicated to Manuel de Moura Manuel, the bishop of Miranda and rector at the University of Coimbra, who passed away in 1699, making it a noteworthy point of interest.

9. Farol da Barra

Portugal’s tallest lighthouse stands vigilant over Praia da Barra, at the point where the Aveiro Lagoon meets the Atlantic.

This iconic structure, painted red and white, was constructed in 1893 and features a beacon positioned 66 meters above sea level.

If you are inclined, you can ascend the 288 steps for a panoramic view of the ocean and the scenic landscape encompassing Ílhavo, Aveiro, and the lagoon.

The building is operated by the Portuguese military and permits visitors on Wednesday afternoons.

10. Museu de Aveiro

The highlight of Aveiro is the city’s museum, housed within a 15th-century Dominican convent.

The convent was historically associated with Joanna, Princess of Portugal and daughter of Afonso V, who chose a devout life over marriage in 1475. Her remains were later interred in an exquisite polychrome marble tomb within the church’s choir, considered a masterpiece of 18th-century Baroque art.

Other notable architectural features include the tiled refectory and Renaissance cloister.

The museum’s collection is vast, showcasing an array of furniture, paintings, jewelry, sculptures, and hand-painted tiles, primarily reflecting religious themes.

11. Watersports

Visitors can choose between the warm, shallow waters of the lagoon and the invigorating waves of the ocean for water-based activities.

In terms of ocean sports, three surf and bodyboard schools exist between Praia da Barra and Costa Nova.

While water temperatures can be chilly even during summer, participants will forget their discomfort once they begin their aquatic activities in wetsuits.

For a gentler experience, stand-up paddleboarding is suitable for most ages, offering a pleasant means to both enjoy nature and engage in light exercise.

Additively, kitesurfing is available, capitalizing on the mild currents and reliable winds in the Canal de Mira.

12. Museu do Brincar

Nearby, in the Vagos parish, a whimsical museum has been established in a former town hall.

This venue focuses on toys, games, and childhood experiences.

More than mere displays of antique items, the museum emphasizes interactive participation; children can engage in imaginative play within a pretend castle, explore a life-sized dollhouse, and learn puppetry skills.

Younger patrons will find joy in these interactive features, while adults can enjoy a comprehensive collection of 15,000 childhood-related items, ranging from a reconstructed Estado Novo classroom to an assortment of toys and games.

13. Mercado do Peixe Costa Nova

Make an effort to visit Costa Nova in the morning to explore the fish market.

It is not solely culinary enthusiasts who will be captivated by the displays of fresh fish and lively shellfish just harvested from the sea.

If you are preparing your own meals, consider purchasing crab or shrimp for cooking at your accommodation, or opt for a traditional Caldeirada stew.

Moreover, the market features stalls that offer freshly prepared shellfish for immediate enjoyment.

Indulging in goose barnacles or cockles while enjoying the coastal ambiance is an experience that cannot be missed.

14. Celebrações em Honra de Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes

The Jardim Oudinot is also the prime location for an annual flotilla that occurs every third weekend of September.

This event honors Our Lady of the Navigators, commencing at the historic cod-fishing port and concluding at the 17th-century Barra fortress.

This longstanding tradition has evolved from a land procession to a waterway event since the 1970s.

Hundreds of boats of all sizes participate, including tugboats, pleasure craft, and heritage sailboats.

15. Local Food

No town in Portugal embodies a deeper reverence for bacalhau (salted cod) than Ílhavo.

In mid-August, the cod festival transforms traditional dining establishments across the town, with stalls set up in Jardim Oudinot featuring cooking demonstrations, tasting opportunities, and evening performances.

In former times, cod was salted and dried in large quantities just by the lagoon.

The local method of preparing cod involves baking it alongside potatoes and garnishing it with onions and peppers.

Other notable dishes include a classic seafood platter, eel stew from the lagoon, or a mixed seafood risotto.

Bakery establishments offer Folar de Vale de Ílhavo, which are crusty pastries made with a generous amount of egg and dusted with confectioner’s sugar.