Between the Sea and the Mountains

Foreseen Duration: 2 days

Approximate Distance: 120 km

Type of Transport: 4X4

The etnography of this area was influenced by the center region of the country. It belonged for centuries (since 1253 till the creation of the bishopric of Aveiro, in the XVIII century) to the diocese of Coimbra, time that most of these lands started to be part of the territory of the actual headquarters of the district. Reflecting its importance in the History of Portugal,it is not strange to find that a part of the architectural legacy is of a religious nature, what is confirmed by the high number of churches and chapels, that appeared from the birth of the nation.It is this abundant heritage that, starting in Ílhavo, through Aveiro and Oliveira do Bairro and ending in Águeda , framed by the coming and going of the Atlantic Ocean waves on one side and by the ridges of the mountains on the other, constitutes for itself, its own reason to be contemplated.

The Inland Mountains

Foreseen Duration: 2 days

Approximate Distance: 195 km

Type of Transport: 4X4

This is a route that takes us to discover the charms of the interior of the region. Amongst mountains and valleys, we invite you to get to know the old villages, with their typical atmosphere still conserved , fields carved out of the steep hills and a welcoming atmosphere. We begin this route in Monte of Nossa Sra. do Socorro in Albergaria-a-Velha, about 20 Km from Aveiro - a place for contemplating the surrounding nature and the beautiful chapel, which peculiar history remounts to the XIX century. After, we take the connection to Sever do Vouga, a road that will take you trough the mountains, along side the river Vouga and its beautiful shores covered in willow trees. Arriving to this border region between the coast and the plateau Beirão, where the record of human presence goes back to prehistorical times, we'll make a stop on a beautiful riverside beach.This is an ideal moment for resting by the shore of the river, or, for the sportsmen, to go canoeing in the cristal clear water of river Vouga. The rest of the route takes us to one of the most picturesque villages of the area, Lomba, and to countless monuments of historical interest, giving us an example of the wealth and cultural diversity of this region.

See more in: The Inland Mountains (PDF)

The Sea Route

Foreseen Duration: 2 days

Approximate Distance: 120 km

Type of Transport: 4X4

The coastal border of this area, a long lunar shaped patch that extends from Esmoriz to Areão, gathers a group of famous beaches of the North of Portugal. In this route we invite you to get to know the protected area of the Dunes of S. Jacinto, a reknown part of the region, where an exemplary biodiversity of the Atlantic forest subsists,providing a memorable landscape between the sea and the Ria. When traveling this route, you'll get to know most of the beaches of our coast and the unique cultural wealth of people dedicated to the arts of fishing and riverside agriculture. We highly recommend, to contemplate the sunset in these stops, where the sun sets behind the sea, providing moments of rare beauty.

See more in: The Sea Route (PDF)

The Veal Route

Foreseen Duration: 1 Day

Approximate distance: TBA

Type of Transport: 4X4

From the green lush mountains of the interior of Rota da Luz, originating from cattle raised in the open pastures, a dish of refined palate was born. The veal... Tender meat, golden colours , that a tradition of centuries, passed from generation to generation, knows how to extract from carefully prepared ovens, accompanied by magnificent wines from farms that became famous for the excellence of their production, guarantees a culinary delight

Ria Route

Foreseen Duration: 1 day

Approximate Distance: 90 km

Type of Transport: 4X4

Ria of Aveiro is a coastal lagoon that extends from Mira to Ovar, approximately 50 Km, being separated from the sea by a strait sand formation. Reminding long arms that extend to the riverside communities, the Ria originates its magnificent landscapes, in a scenery where the water reigns.In this route we invite you to circle the lagoon, starting in Aveiro and finishing in Ovar. There will be stops of notable natural value and of rich fauna diversity , you'll get to know the salt beds, the moliceiro boats, the people and their culture, in a walk that will stay in your memory forever, it is what we propose to you.

See more in: Ria Route (PDF)

The Mountain Route

Duration: 2 days

Foreseen Approximate Distance: 220 km

Type of Transport: 4X4

In this route, we invite you to discover the most northern area of the Region. An imposing and beautiful landscape, marked by the shape of the mountains and valleys, where nature reveals itself with a unique splendor. We suggest that the beginning of the walk, starts in the Castle of Paiva, easily accessible through the freeway A1. In this land on the shores of the river Douro, crossed by the rivers Paiva and Arda with their beautiful shores and crystalline waters, that provide the visitor with the possibility of canoeing or good fishing for trout, eal or catfish. We proceed after, heading south in direction to Arouca, a very old region, with an extensive valley hugged by the Mountains of Freita, of Montemuro and by the Hill of Srª da Mo.This route is rich with built historical patrimony, from the megalithycal monuments to the sumptuous Monastery of Arouca and marked unmistakably, by the presence of a welcoming nature, worthy of long walks and favorable for active tourism.

See more in: The Mountain Route (PDF)

Route of Art Nouveau

Foreseen Approximate Distance: 30 km

Type of Transport: Car

Being mainly an "ornamental style", the Art Nouveau style doesn't apply a stereotypical architectural formula. Instead, it introduces, contradicting the previous academic styles, decoration using curved lines, with vegetal motives , that overflow in the facade tiles, in the iron fences, in the frames of doors and windows and in the stained glass. It is in fact, the tile craft ,that, in the panorama of materials that are the foundation of this style ( iron, glass, wood and stone, the symbols of progress) that rises to forefront, with her vivid colours, maybe mirroring the optmistical vision of the growing bourgeoisie and the happiness of living of the "belle époque." Aveiro of the beginning of the XX century , was the "home of the Tile", referred like this by the historian Amaro Neves, where renowned centers of artistical production developed, as the one in Côjo, the one in Fonte Nova, the Clayworks of Aveiro, the Aleluia factory , amongst others. As a result, the architectural style of the city found how to take advantage and to frame this presence. The discovery of this architectural style, is by itself, a reason to get to know and to understand the history, the city and the dynamism of the people of Aveiro .