R. Dr. Barbosa de Magalhães

Known as the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro was once a prosperous seaport  filled with Portuguese royalty, due to its valuable salt pans, lagoons, and canals.

Its regal status quickly dried up in the late sixteenth century, when a brutal storm blocked the mouth of the river. The town has since rehydrated and flourished into the bright community it is today, noted for its beautiful buildings and charming canal bridges bearing hundreds of colorful ribbons, tied by couples celebrating their love (no lock required).

Weaving throughout Aveiro’s canals are romantic barcos moliceiros: Portuguese gondolas, slightly larger than their Italian counterparts. Today, they carry enchanted passengers, but their original purpose was to transport all that rich salt. Visitors with savory interests can still survey the remaining flats.

More than fifty-five thousand call Aveiro home, but it has the feel of a close-knit community, thanks to its charming inhabitants, many of who —at least those that live on R. Dr. Barbosa de Magalhães— keep their downstairs windows open for sharing smiles and morning gossip with passersby.

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