The beautiful little city you've probably never heard of dubbed 'Venice of Portugal'

Dubbed by holidaymakers the “Venice of Portugal”, the beautiful coastal city of Averio has almost everything that its Italian counterpart has to offer, with charming canals, colourful boats and Art Nouveau architecture. 

Gondola-like vessels, called moliceiros, pass up and down the city’s three main canals offering water tours of the estuary that runs through the heart of the city. 

What’s more, at around 76.3 square miles, Aveiro is around half the size of Venice, meaning its streets are far more relaxed and void of the dense crowds that descend on the Italian city. 

The city also has a rich maritime history and thriving fishing industry much like Venice, located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean and being an industrial city with an important seaport. 

The region is now known for its mastery in ceramic industries, a reflection of the region's advancements, resulting in a long productive tradition since the late Roman, early Medieval period, reflected in the ceramics kilns. Unlike Venice, Averio’s other industries shine through, unlike in Venice where tourism has completely overtaken the city.

Other important attractions are the Art Nouveau architectural designs and tiles of some of the buildings created in the early 20th-century, the Art Nouveau museum, the 15th-century Averio Se or Sao Domingos Cathedral and the Church of Jesus with its architecture. The nearby beaches, Costa Nova and Barra can be reached by bus from Aveiro. 

In terms of weather, Aveiro has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic. Its average maximum temperature for September is a pleasant 23.7C, with average temperatures of 19.5C. In Venice at this time of year, meanwhile, temperatures reach an average high of around 24C, meaning Aveiro is a perfect alternative for those looking for a cooler early autumn holiday. 

Beyond the canal cruises, the city also has plenty of other activities to partake in, including salt spas and surfing lessons along Portugal’s stunning central coastline. 

For those interested in sampling Aveiro’s local produce, this can be done at a fraction of the costs found in Venice. Here, a beer can be enjoyed for just two euros (£1.74) while a good meal could cost as little as eight euros (£6.98), according to the MailOnline. In Venice, meanwhile, budget dinner prices run between 10 and 20 euros (£16.80).

According to the Center of Portugal, traditional dishes served across Aveiro include "ovos-moles" - a sweet dessert made of sugar and egg-yolks - and "Caldeirada de Enguias," an eel stew seasoned with saffron.  

For those that need a little more convincing, return flights to the nearest airport of Porto cost as little as £26 on Ryanair and easyJet, departing from UK cities including London, Leeds, Birmingham and Edinburgh. After landing in Portugal, it is just an hour’s drive to Aveiro. According to Skyscanner, flights after late September are currently upwards of £30. 

Accommodation is equally affordable, with a stay in a four-star beachfront hotel such as Costa do Sal Hotel Boat Lounge costing as little as £27.50 per person per night in a shared room - half of the price of a similar room in Venice. 

On Tripadvisor, visitors wholeheartedly agree with the nickname “The Venice of Portugal”, with one saying: “We were only here for a couple of hours but found Aveiro to be a gorgeous place. The title, "The Venice of Portugal", is so appropriate. The walk along the waterway is beautiful. There are numerous opportunities for a water cruise. We found the area to have many great shops and restaurants. If you come here, try and spend at least half a day so you can truly soak up all the Aveiro has to offer.”