Day tripsCountriesPortugalCoimbraCoimbra to Aveiro, Costa Nova and Ilhavo: Private day trip

Coimbra to Aveiro, Costa Nova and Ilhavo: Private day trip

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Private ride with a local driver

7h 15m
Round trip
Private driver
Trusted by 1+ million happy travelers across 120 countries
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4.9
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Reviews

About your trip

Embark on a day trip to Aveiro, Costa Nova, and Ilhavo. Start the day in Aveiro to learn about the area’s salt-harvesting history, then head to Costa Nova for a Wes Anderson-esque seaside escape. Finally, visit Ilhavo to learn more about the country’s strong fishing heritage.
Exclusively yours: private vehicle and professional driver
Discover local insights you won't find in guidebooks
Experience the freedom to explore at your own speed
Perfectly planned for families, friends, or solo travelers
From €97
Private group ride
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€291

What to expect

Your day trip begins wherever you are

Meet our professional driver right where you prefer in Coimbra whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.

Discover more with local expertise

Your driver’s local insights will set the tone for your day trip. A hidden café here, a must-try restaurant there; insider tips you’ll love sharing later. This isn’t a guided tour but your ride will be rich with stories and discoveries along the way. And throughout the day, your driver will be available for you as needed, ready to assist, happy to help, making your trip stress-free.

Explore at your own pace

Spend 2 hours wandering through Aveiro, then drive 20 minutes to Costa Nova for 90 minutes by the sea. Your last 90-minute stop will be Ilhavo to learn about Portugal's fishing culture. Enjoy a stress-free route with total flexibility at each stop. Your driver handles the navigation and suggests attractions that match your interests to help you create a day that's uniquely yours.

Perfect for any private group

Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.

Good to know

  • Two-way private car transfer
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Personalized pickup and drop-off
  • Professional English-speaking driver
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
  • Entry/Admission tickets to paid attractions Aveiro, Costa Nova do Prado, and Ilhavo should be purchased separately unless specified otherwise
  • Meals, snacks, and gratuity are not included
From €97
Private group ride
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€291

Your trip at a glance

Your trip at a glance

Start in Coimbra
You choose the pickup spot.
1
Aveiro
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 2 hours - admission not included
Aveiro
Aveiro
Aveiro
Aveiro
Aveiro
Aveiro
Aveiro
Aveiro
Explore Aveiro for its rich salt-mining history and exciting art nouveau influences. Start with a Moliceiro boat ride where you’ll glide through the canals and appreciate tiled houses and historic salt warehouses. Then, stroll the Art Nouveau trail and wander into the former Casa do Major Pessoa, now an art museum. Head to the sea flats and learn more about the area’s salt harvesting tradition, and visit the ecomuseum. In the summer, you can float in concentrated salt water for a weightless experience. Be sure to visit the Aveiro Cathedral and Museum of Santa Joana to learn more about royal history, or stroll the long wooden walkways of Passadicos de Aveiro.
2
Costa Nova do Prado
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Costa Nova do Prado
Enjoy a pastel-hued coastal journey through Costa Nova. Stroll along the Avenida Jose Estevao to enjoy the pale red, green, and blue striped houses. Then head to O Barco a Vista to enjoy a seafood lunch of mariscada (a platter of raw and cooked shellfish), razor clams, or cuttlefish stew, all with a stunning ocean backdrop. Enjoy time under the sun at Praia da Costa Nova, a raw stretch of coastline that draws surfers with its gorgeous waves. Enjoy a sunset here or back at Ria de Aveiro. Be sure to sample Ovos moles, sweet egg yolk treats in Aveiro-style shells, before leaving this charming city.
3
Ilhavo
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included
Ilhavo
Ilhavo
Ilhavo
Ilhavo
Ilhavo
Explore Ilhavo to learn more about Portugal’s strong fishing history and appreciate coastal serenity. Your final stop of the day will be in Ilhavo, where you can visit the Maritime Museum to learn about the area’s cod fishing legacy, polar expeditions, and fantastical sea myths. Then, enjoy a Bacalhau-focused dinner (Bacalhau is Cod, Portugal’s “faithful friend”). After dinner, head to Vista Alegre Museum and Factory, one of the country’s most iconic porcelain houses. Travelers can buy tickets for the chapel, factory tour, and shop. Finish the day by walking along the Ria de Aveiro and marveling at the calm waters and swaying fishing boats along the docks. Sample the Bacalhau a Bras – shredded cod with egg and potatoes, or Ria Prawns grilled with garlic and lemon.
Back to Coimbra
We’ll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?Contact our Customer Support. We are available 24/7

Daytrip is loved all around the world. Here's why.

5.0
5176 reviewson Tripadvisor
or
4.9
991 reviewson Trustpilot

Know more about your day trip

Costa Nova's iconic striped beach houses called "palheiros" were originally fishermen's storage buildings painted in bright colors for easy identification. These colorful stripes have become symbols of Portuguese coastal culture and popular photography subjects.
The itinerary includes 2 hours in Aveiro 1.5 hours in Costa Nova and 1.5 hours in Ilhavo. This timing allows you to experience each location's unique character from Aveiro's canals to Costa Nova's beach culture and Ilhavo's maritime heritage.
Ilhavo is famous for its Maritime Museum traditional Portuguese ceramics and connection to Portugal's cod fishing industry. The town offers authentic Portuguese coastal culture local crafts and insights into the country's maritime traditions.
Costa Nova offers excellent beaches with fine sand and Atlantic Ocean access. The beach provides opportunities for swimming sunbathing and enjoying typical Portuguese beach culture alongside the famous colorful houses. Let your driver-guide know your interests during your day tour!
Aveiro features beautiful early 20th-century Art Nouveau buildings with decorative facades ornate details and distinctive Portuguese interpretations of this European architectural movement. The style complements the city's canal setting and maritime heritage.
All three locations offer excellent seafood restaurants featuring fresh Atlantic fish traditional Portuguese preparations and local specialties. Costa Nova and Ilhavo particularly showcase authentic coastal cuisine in traditional settings. Your guide can help you figure out where to have lunch.
Traditional Portuguese ceramics from Ilhavo ovos moles sweets from Aveiro and local crafts representing coastal Portuguese culture. Each town offers unique regional products reflecting their maritime heritage and traditional Portuguese craftsmanship.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Day tripsCountriesPortugalCoimbraCoimbra to Aveiro, Costa Nova and Ilhavo: Private day trip