• Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn

Dreamery Events

Weddings, Events, Planning, Styling & Speciality Desserts | Life is too Wonderful not to Celebrate each day!

  • About
  • Gallery
  • Services
    • Event Services
    • Speciality Dessert Menu
  • Blog
    • Travel
      • Portugal
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Pies & Tarts
    • Ice Cream
    • Cakes & Cupcakes
    • Cookies & Other Sweet Treats
    • Drinks
    • Savory
  • Shop
  • Contact

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro’s Ria || The “Portuguese Venice”

September 27, 2018 · Leave a Comment

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

I’ve never been to Venice or Italy, but I have been to the “Portuguese Venice”…

Oh sweet colorful Aveiro, I had only been to your well known and lovely beaches, Costa Nova with your iconic Aveiro striped homes all perfectly lined in different colors. And Barra, a more lively beach town with fresh sea to table al fresco restaurants right alongside the famed Lighthouse – where you can spot the loveliest of sunsets. Don’t forget the crisp bottle of vinho verde and light jacket for that nighttime sea breeze…

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery EventsA Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

Even after hearing so many nice things about the actual city of Aveiro, I only got to experience it for myself this summer. For those living or staying in Central Portugal, Aveiro is a doable hour drive and city to spend a great day. It’s the kind of trip you don’t need to go to far to have a really wonderful day exploring. If you happen to be there during the summer, make it an extended weekend so you can enjoy its wonderful beaches!! 

Our plan was to explore the best of what Aveiro had to offer in the most go-with-the-flow attitude. The sun had finally come out after many days of clouds and drizzle, and it really felt like a summer day. So whatever we managed to see or do on our day trip, would be great! 

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

Aveiro is known for several things, one of them being its icnoic channels through the city that are navigated by moliceiro boats. They sail through the “Ria”, showing the other side of Aveiro. In other times, these boats and channels were used to transport goods, like seaweed and salt, but now it has become a popular way to tour and see the city. Yes, a touristy activity, but it really is a must if you’re in town. These traditional boats are kept to display their original artwork, all different and beautifully representing famous figures, symbols, historical facts or popular devotion, like the legendary singer, Amalia Rodrigues.  

These brightly colored and painted boats are truly a sight to see especially as several can gather at once within the Ria. They certainly capture the attention of all tourists, including myself! 

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events
A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

It’s a short 45 minute guided tour around the city, sailing along the Ria to see small parts of the city that still resemble years past. During the 19th century, which these boats were popular for transporting moliço, a seaweed used to harvest into agriculture fertilizer. It was used in the sandy soils that belonged to farmers in the area, but as seaweed became replaced with chemical fertilizers {boo}, this use for these boats declined into the 20th century. 

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

To navigate on board a Moliceiro boat is like traveling back in time. You embark on a sensory journey!

I mean where else do you navigate past the Royal School of Languages? Also what is it you ask? Well it’s not quite “royal” it’s just a very well known languages school in Portugal. 

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery EventsA Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

 

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events
A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events
A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events
A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

How gorgeous is the yellow and blue detailing on this house!!

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

As you sail past the old salt warehouses and salt pyramids, even spotting a local boat still carrying bags of sea salt, you’re also given a taste of the beautiful historical buildings that greet you when entering Aveiro, whether by car or boat! 

As a lover of European architecture, I was of course smitten with the Art Noveau architecture known within Aveiro, and it was just beautiful to be able to see these buildings from the water, like the years before me had seen it during other times. You’ll see the Casa do Major Pessoa, the Edifício da Casa dos Ovos Moles and a few other architectural city legacies.

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

You’ll then begin to sail through newer built parts of the city with apartment building complexes made to look like a cruise ship along the channel. On your way you’ll sail beneath a few various pedestrian bridges, that cross over the waterways. Each are decorated or adorned with different items, like flowers or ribbons to celebrate Love. These lovely walkways connecting both side of the street are useful and what help make Aveiro famous for being the “Portuguese Venice”.

Ria de Aveiro’s unique romanticism also makes it the perfect setting to host cultural, city and leisure events! Which there is plenty to take part in

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery EventsA Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

Once you sail past the darling pink building and the Moliceiro Pier entrance, you’ll also find the Forum, which is their kind of shopping mall. Can we agree at how beautiful this shopping mall is??

We loved that it was basically an outdoor shopping center, with even its own a rooftop park, that reminded slightly of me of La Encantada in Tucson. If I lived in Portugal I would certainly drive up to Aveiro on a Sunday, just to do some window shopping and walk along the Forum and Ria. 

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events
A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events
A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events
A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

When you arrive back at the pier, make sure to take the short walk along the channel and see those gorgeous Art Noveau buildings up close…and of course try one of those famous Ovos Molos, a typical delicacy from the area, and legendary to Aveiro. They are tiny egg custard filled bites, heaven! Rich! Must try!

Then pop in and browse through the several handcraft artisan shops and maybe even pick up a lovely looking replica of a Moliceiro to take back home. 

A Moliceiro Boat Ride through Aveiro's Ria || The "Portuguese Venice" || Dreamery Events

When in Aveiro, one must take the lovely Moliceiro Boat ride along the Ria!

You Might Also Enjoy

  • Traveling to … Aveiro’s Signature Art Nouveau Architecture + Culturally Rich Alleyways || “The Portuguese Venice” Part IITraveling to … Aveiro’s Signature Art Nouveau Architecture + Culturally Rich Alleyways || “The Portuguese Venice” Part II
  • Traveling to … Guimarães :: the Birthplace of the Portuguese NationTraveling to … Guimarães :: the Birthplace of the Portuguese Nation
  • Traveling to… Where Tradition Meets Lively Beauty : Porto’s Picturesque RibeiraTraveling to… Where Tradition Meets Lively Beauty : Porto’s Picturesque Ribeira

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Print

Related

   

Filed In: Inspiration, Lifestyle, Photography, Travel / Tagged: Aveiro, Aveiro Travel, Dreamery in Portugal, Dreamery Travels, European Architecture, European Travel, Historical Portugal, lifestyle, photography, Portugal, Portugal beaches, Portugal Must See, Portugal Tradition, Portugal travel, Tradition, travel, travel photography

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

I love everything about entertaining. Flowers are my weakness, a slice of homemade pie makes my heart sing & I’m a sucker for wedding videos. I dream about these things, it’s true. But what I love most, is working with amazing people to create meaningful & unique celebrations…..

Archives

Categories

Join the List

Join our mailing list to receive updates from our blog.

minted Wedding Planner Program - Member since 2015

As Seen on The Knot

SaveSave

SaveSave

Follow

 

 

Browse

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact

Join the List

Join our mailing list to receive updates and more from our website.

Instagram

Instagram post 2195361413982519148_20110111 I haven’t really created new holiday stylings in the past few years, mostly because cookies have become precedent, or I’m already working on early new year events & get crafty making gifts. But this year I’m trying to fill more of that free time w. rest....& plenty of scheming for my next travels😉🌿
.....
But you can get more of this Festive Red Boho Styling & other holiday ideas all on the blog archives!! Follow the bio link for plenty of inspiration✨❄️
Instagram post 2193145886518090006_20110111 Words for the weekend, the holiday season & every other day of the year!✨And yes I photocopied & framed this from the latest issue of Magnolia Journal, it pretty much sums up my approach to the holidays this year.....
reusing what I already have,
woods & greens to celebrate
the beauty in Mother Nature’s bareness,
fairy lights that remind me of starry night skies
& this little penguin (who has been my only 
non-necessary purchase) because I love 
penguins & it makes me smile 
every time I’m at my desk working🐧❄️🌿
Instagram post 2192265495171179698_20110111 A little but special throwback to our Gift Wrap & Give Back Holiday Party! We gathered up the gals for some bites, wrapped donated gifts & wrote cards - all for kids who don’t get to celebrate the holidays or receive the kind of gifts most do....this is one of the easiest ways you can get together w. friends this holiday season while doing some REAL good!

Grab your friends, have them each donate a toy/gift for a local community drive or a family in need, then have each person bring a dish & something to wrap with! Get all the ideas for this party on the blog & make your own special “Give Back” holiday party💚
Instagram post 2190101455565098681_20110111 December ..... while most dive into the crazed chaos, I will honor your Slowness🌿I will still celebrate the things I love about the holiday season, but I will do it in a more natural way; an homage to the restorative & simplistic beauty of Mother Nature this time of year.

I will continue to be grateful, showing my kindness & love towards others, even if it’s a simple act of baking cookies or giving away a coat.

I will reflect & cherish all the days before. I will live in each present moment, but also dream & envision new plans for goals I know I’m on my way to achieving, new places to explore, new adventures, new people to meet.

I will continue to learn & grow into an even better version of myself as I celebrate the final days of another year & the beginnings of a new.....✨

About Us

I love everything about entertaining. Flowers are my weakness, a slice of homemade pie makes my heart sing & I’m a sucker for wedding videos. I dream about these things, it’s true. But what I love most, is working with amazing people to create meaningful & unique celebrations…..

Whether it’s your wedding, birthday, shower or custom dessert – Dreamery Events believes you shouldn’t have to worry about anything except celebrating and making wonderful memories.

Theme by 17th Avenue · Powered by WordPress & Genesis