Top 15 Activities to Experience in Gafanha da Nazaré, Portugal

Located between the Aveiro Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, Gafanha da Nazaré is a coastal town within the Ílhavo municipality. With an invigorating saltwater breeze and fishing vessels still docked in the harbor, the majority of activities in this area are nautical-themed.

Visitors can relax on the beach while observing the rolling surf, indulge in seafood harvested from the ocean, and gain insights into the White Fleet, which comprised cod-fishing ships that ventured across the Atlantic and into the North Sea to satisfy Portugal’s demand for “bacalhau.” A maritime museum in Ílhavo and an impressive trawler located on the canal in Gafanha da Nazaré are accessible to the public.

Here are the top activities to experience in Gafanha da Nazaré:

1. Museu Marítimo de Ílhavo

The maritime museum of Ílhavo was inaugurated in 2003 and was designed by architects Nuno Mateus and José Mateus. It continues to be recognized as one of the most remarkable museum structures globally.

The museum explores all dimensions of the city’s connection to the ocean and lagoon.

A gallery is dedicated to the lengthy cod-fishing voyages, complemented by a trawler replica for examination.

Within the “Sala da Ria,” guests can familiarize themselves with the flora and culture of the Aveiro Lagoon, showcasing painted “moliceiro” boats.

The museum also houses a cod aquarium, introduced in 2013, offering a closer perspective of the fish that facilitated maritime trade.

2. Navio-Museu Santo André

Following your exploration of the White Fleet at the maritime museum, you can board an authentic trawler stationed in Gafanha da Nazaré.

This side-loading vessel spans over 71 meters and was constructed in the Netherlands for the Empresa de Pesca de Aveiro in 1948. The ship served in the North Sea and Newfoundland until its retirement in 1997. Visitors can tour the mess area, sailors’ quarters, and bridge.

The spacious hold has been transformed into an exhibition room displaying artwork and photographs of the White Fleet.

3. Jardim Oudinot

Adjacent to the Mira Canal at the Port of Aveiro, there exists a pleasant public area revitalized through a multimillion-Euro initiative in the 2000s.

A former industrial zone has been transformed into pathways for cyclists and pedestrians, picnic spots, a marina, sporting facilities, and palm tree lined avenues.

Located near the Santo André trawler, this venue hosts the town’s prominent festivals.

In mid-August, the Festival do Bacalhau is celebrated, which pays tribute to Ílhavo’s traditional fishing fleet, featuring culinary demonstrations, tastings, artisan markets, and engaging activities for children.

4. Capela de Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes

This historic chapel is the oldest religious structure in Gafanha da Nazaré, dating back to 1863. Exhibiting Gothic revival architecture, it features a charming rose window and pointed crenellations on its main facade.

The entrance boasts pale limestone sourced from Ançã, a town situated 60 kilometers to the south, adorned with an ogival arch carved with a spiral motif.

Fishermen historically visited this chapel to pray before embarking on their journeys.

5. Aveiro Lagoon

Spanning 45 by 11 kilometers, the Aveiro Lagoon represents one of Europe’s largest unspoiled wetland reserves.

While observing it, one might be surprised to learn that this lagoon is relatively recent, formed by tectonic movements approximately 500 years ago.

Characterized by its shallow depth, which averages merely one meter, the lagoon features shipping lanes that require regular dredging.

In many respects, time remains unchanged here; crescent-shaped moliceiro boats, which were initially employed for seaweed harvesting, continue to traverse the lagoon and the canals of Aveiro.

Additionally, traditional salt farms utilize age-old techniques essential for producing Portugal’s well-loved salted cod.

6. Praia da Barra

This exquisite oceanfront beach, located at the lagoon’s entrance a few kilometers from Gafanha da Nazaré’s center, exhibits the characteristics of a small resort, featuring various restaurants and bars situated adjacent to the waterfront, accompanied by a boardwalk and gentle dunes.

The beach is divided into two sections, with a family-friendly area found to the north, which is shielded by breakwaters, mitigating the ocean surf.

To the south, one discovers a stretch of sandy beach that extends toward Costa Nova, attracting surfers and those comfortable with larger waves.

7. Celebrações em Honra de Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes

Should you find yourself in Gafanha da Nazaré during late summer in September, you might coincide with this remarkable devotional event.

Beginning at the historic cod fishing port and concluding at the Capela de Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes, a flotilla carries the Marian image it is named after.

This procession occurs on the third weekend of the month and includes hundreds of vessels, which may comprise luxury yachts, traditional moliceiros, tugboats, and trawlers.

The annual event has been observed for over 150 years; however, it has only been conducted on water since the 1970s.

8. Farol da Barra

As Portugal’s tallest lighthouse, the Farol da Barra has been guiding vessels into the Port of Aveiro and along the coast since 1890. Standing 62 meters tall and adorned with red and white stripes, it dominates the Praia da Barra area.

If you’re curious about the view from the top, it is accessible on Wednesday afternoons.

Visitors can choose between climbing the 291 steps to reach the summit or taking an elevator.

From the top, you can enjoy a panoramic 360° view that encompasses the lagoon, Aveiro, Gafanha da Nazaré, Ílhavo, and the São Jacinto Peninsula.

9. Costa Nova

Just a five-minute drive from Gafanha da Nazaré, Costa Nova is a charming seaside village that preserves its fishing heritage.

This is evident in its picturesque weatherboard houses, which are adorned with vibrant stripes. Originally designed as temporary shelters and storage for fishing gear, these structures are now quaint vacation homes.

Visitors can rent bicycles in Costa Nova to ride along the lagoon or the oceanfront, and engage in leisure activities such as mini-golf.

The beach is a paradise for surfers, with rolling waves that reach impressive heights during autumn and winter.

10. Mercado do Peixe da Costa Nova

Facing the lagoon, Costa Nova’s fish market operates every morning except Monday and offers a bewildering variety of fish and shellfish.

Even the most seasoned seafood enthusiasts may find some items unfamiliar.

During weekends, patrons can purchase freshly cooked goose barnacles or cockles, ideal snacks for a stroll along the shoreline.

Local artisans also sell crafts, including lace and the lagoon’s renowned ceramics, alongside everyday essentials like fruits and vegetables.

11. Vista Alegre Museum

For over 200 years, Vista Alegre has been manufacturing premium porcelain under royal appointment.

Founded by Pinto Basto in 1815, the site was chosen due to the abundant raw materials suitable for porcelain production, including clay, sand, and crystallized pebbles.

The museum is housed within a converted industrial facility, showcasing two kilns and an extensive collection of over 30,000 porcelain pieces, most of which are crafted by Vista Alegre.

Visitors also have the opportunity to observe artisans painting porcelain by hand inside the active workshops.

This historic factory was part of a Utopian community specifically designed to ensure worker health and well-being, featuring amenities such as a theatre and childcare facilities.

12. Aveiro

The district capital is located just five minutes away, providing the conveniences and atmosphere of a larger urban area.

This shopping center cleverly integrates into the cityscape along the quayside, featuring a variety of international retailers, dining establishments, and a cinema.

Visitors to Aveiro also have the opportunity to glide along the canals aboard the tradition-rich moliceiro boats, passing by the Art Nouveau façades that adorn the quays.

A primary draw to Aveiro is the Museum of Aveiro, housed in the Dominican Convent of Jesus, which served as the residence of Joanna, Princess of Portugal, during the 15th century.

Joanna, the daughter of Afonso V, rests in an ornately inlaid marble tomb located in the church’s choir.

13. São Jacinto

At the Port of Aveiro in Gafanha da Nazaré, it is possible to take a ferry across the estuary to the small community of São Jacinto.

This short 15-minute journey operates with up to 13 departures each way daily.

Situated at the southern tip of its namesake peninsula, São Jacinto borders the shallow saline waters of the lagoon on one side and the wild Atlantic waves on the other, merely a few hundred meters apart.

To the north lies a rugged landscape characterized by the desert-like features of the São Jacinto dunes that stretch for ten kilometers.

14. Watersports

Between the lagoon and the ocean, visitors will find ideal conditions for an array of water-based activities.

Numerous surf schools along the coast provide week-long camps or single lessons.

For those seeking a quicker learning experience, bodyboarding is a great option.

On the lagoon, companies like Riactiva offer equipment and lessons for windsurfing and kitesurfing, including guided stand-up paddleboarding excursions.

With shallow waters and favorable winds, the lagoon also serves as an excellent location to learn sailing techniques on a catamaran.

15. Food and Drink

One cannot visit the heart of Portugal’s White Fleet without tasting salted cod at least once.

Portugal features numerous methods of preparing this cherished ingredient, with the local variation baked alongside onions, herbs, and sliced potatoes.

From grilling to stewing, fish and seafood remain staples within the culinary landscape surrounding the Aveiro Lagoon.

Eels from these waters contribute to a flavorful broth enhanced with tomatoes, paprika, and saffron.

The traditional dish cataplana, a seafood stew, includes a combination of shellfish, while arroz de marisco (seafood rice), often accompanied by clams, mussels, crab, and shrimp, is also popular.

For dessert, rice pudding, a creation from the rice paddies around the lagoon, is infused with cinnamon.