On Praça Marquês de Pombal in Aveiro, two Art Nouveau buildings catch the eye: the Bombeiros Voluntários (Volunteer Firefighters) building, dated 1916, and the Correios (Post Office) building, located just across the square. These buildings reflect Aveiro’s early 20th-century architectural shift, inspired by the Art Nouveau movement, a style that arrived with wealthy families returning from Brazil, who brought new design tastes back to Portugal.
The Bombeiros Voluntários building was constructed to serve the city’s growing needs for fire safety, a service heavily supported by local citizens. Its Art Nouveau facade features flowing details and symmetrical design, echoing nature-inspired motifs characteristic of the period. Similarly, the Correios building complements this style, symbolizing Aveiro’s transition into a modernized city with services that aligned with European trends of the time. These buildings contribute to Aveiro’s status as an Art Nouveau “city museum,” celebrated for its decorative, yet functional architecture.
Join us for a three-hour walking tour through Aveiro, often called the “Venice of Portugal” for its picturesque canals and traditional moliceiro boats. We’ll begin in the Beira Mar district, exploring narrow streets with colorful tiled facades and Art Nouveau architecture, and hear tales of Aveiro’s history as a center for salt production and fishing.
As we stroll along the historic Rua de Coimbra, you’ll discover the story behind Aveiro’s famous ovos moles—creamy custard treats wrapped in rice paper—and other local pastries. We’ll make a stop at a popular shopping center for a modern taste of the city before crossing Aveiro’s iconic pedestrian bridges, like the colorful Ponte do Laço, which offer stunning canal views. The route will lead us to Praça do Peixe, a lively square where traditional and contemporary Aveiro meet, rounding off the journey with a true sense of this charming city’s history and flavors.
