Moliceiro Ride - Aveiro (The Portuguese Venice)

The canals of Aveiro are a real hidden treasure in central Portugal. Located about 70 km south of Porto, the city of Aveiro is famous for its peaceful canals, colorful houses and traditional boats. It is known as the "Portuguese Venice" and is a popular tourist destination in Portugal.

My visit to the Aveiro canals was an unforgettable and enchanting experience. From the moment I arrived in the city, I was immediately captivated by its picturesque beauty and charm.
As soon as I reached the edge of the canals, I was dazzled by the view unfolding before my eyes. Calm and crystalline waters, colorful houses, charming bridges and traditional boats – it was a scenario that seemed to come out of a fairy tale.
I soon decided that I would explore the channels in a moliceiro. These traditional boats are an important part of Aveiro's culture and one of the best ways to enjoy the city from the water.

The canals were originally built to allow fishermen and farmers in the region to transport their products to local markets and also to the city of Aveiro. The city is situated on a lagoon, and canals have been dug through marshes and salt flats to allow access to the city.

The moliceiros are the traditional boats that can be seen sailing through the canals of Aveiro. They are made of wood and decorated with colorful drawings and hand-painted paintings that portray everyday scenes in Aveiro. These boats were originally used to transport moliço, a type of seaweed, which was used as a fertilizer by local farmers.
The moliceiros were built to navigate Aveiro's shallow and narrow channels, making them perfect for exploring the city from the water. They have a distinctive shape, with a high, rounded bow and a narrower stern. Most moliceiros are painted in bright, bright colors, which makes them easily recognizable.

currently, the moliceiros are mainly used as a tourist attraction. They are a unique and authentic way to get to know the city of Aveiro, and many tourists choose to take a moliceiro ride along the canals to enjoy the views of the colorful houses, picturesque bridges and enchanting landscape.
When navigating the canals of Aveiro, it is possible to closely observe the daily life of the city. The moliceiros pass over the pontoons of the houses, which allow the locals to get in and out of their personal boats. Many of the houses are painted in bright colors and have beautiful decorative tiles, which makes the Moliceiro ride even more picturesque.

The moliceiro ride is also an opportunity to try some of the delicacies of the local cuisine. Ovos moles, a typical sweet from Aveiro, are often served during the tour. These sweeties are made with egg yolk and sugar and are incredibly tasty. They are usually served in small forms of scallop shells, which are an important symbol of the city of Aveiro.

all photos were taken with canon 2000d and are my own, thank you very much for reading