Canals evoke a certain sense of romance and wonder for travelers. The idea of using man-made waterways for transportation in a city is foreign to most of us, and visitors often seek out opportunities to see canal-based cities such as Venice, Italy during their travels.
Unfortunately, Venice is so popular with travelers now that much of the charm and romance that the city once offered is gone. There is, however, another option!
Aveiro, Portugal is a small city of just under 80,000 residents that’s located on the Atlantic coast of the country between Porto and Lisbon. Here, a lesser-known system of canals and wooden boats evoke Venice and offer travelers a slower, more relaxed version of the famous Italian city.
The city’s location at the confluence of the Aveiro Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean means that water is a natural option for transportation. Set beautifully in between Art Nouveau and Romanesque buildings in the city’s colorful and charming center are Aveiro’s canals, which can be traversed for a small fee in traditional seaweed-collecting boats which evoke Venice’s gondolas.
So, if you’re looking to avoid Venice’s crowds but you still want to see a city with beautiful canals, Aveiro is a perfect option for you. Check it out!