He told about a place that tourists rarely visit, even though it’s just an hour’s drive from Porto.
Traveler Vinicius Costa, who has traveled Portugal more than 20 times, came across a town that has not yet been “captured” by crowds of tourists. He wrote about this in his article for Travel Off Path.
We’re talking about Costa‑Nova, a tiny fishing settlement with a population of 1,200, located about 50 miles south of bustling Porto (it takes about an hour to get there).
The main decoration of the village is colorful wooden buildings with vertical stripes, known as palheiros. They are painted in rich blue, red, green and pastel yellow shades. The houses themselves stand directly on the sandbar: on one side of the lagoon lapping Ria de Aveiro, and on the other – raging majestic Atlantic Ocean.
The weather here is quite pleasant even in September: during the day, the thermometer stays at around 23–26°C, and in October – 20–21°C. The nights are cooler – 13–14°C.
Safe and crowd-free
As the author notes, the main advantage of Costa Nova is the feeling of safety and inner comfort. Even during nighttime walks, you don’t need to constantly look around or keep an eye on your belongings.
Portugal as a whole is included in the first, the safest level of the official rating by the U.S. Department of State – unlike Spain and Italy, which have the second level. According to available data, thefts and pickpocketing are mainly found in large cities such as Lisbon or Porto, while such incidents are rare outside tourist centers.
How much does your vacation cost?
Costa writes that a full three‑course meal at a local tavern (a family‑run tavern) cost him no more than 15 dollars. For example:
- espresso – $1–2.5
- snack – $5-9
- Lunch at a regular coffee shop – $12–18
- Seafood dinner – $30–55
- A glass of Bairrada sparkling wine – $4–7
- A room in a 3‑star hotel costs $80–$140 per night.
He recommends definitely trying the francesinha – a hearty sandwich with steak, ham, and sausage topped with melted cheese and a spicy beer‑tomato sauce – and for dessert, have a tripa‑de‑Aveiro, a sweet pancake roll that was invented right in this town.
Nearby – “Portuguese Venice”
Just 11 kilometers from here lies the cozy city of Aveiro – with picturesque canals and beautiful houses decorated with tiles. You can take a ride on traditional moliceiro boats, which were once used to transport seaweed. Such a ride lasts about 45 minutes and costs between 12 and 18 dollars. However, the boats only sail around the city and do not venture out into the open sea.
And 29 km to the north stands an ancient temple – the parish church of Valega, whose remarkable facade is entirely covered with bright tiles depicting biblical scenes.
Konstantin is an acclaimed travel writer, celebrated for transforming ordinary journeys into extraordinary narratives. With years of experience exploring diverse destinations across the globe, his work blends vivid storytelling, cultural insights, and practical advice to inspire wanderlust and guide readers toward unforgettable adventures.
As a key contributor to enjoythetrip.org website, Konstantin has built a loyal readership through their expertise in uncovering both iconic landmarks and off-the-beaten-path treasures. He specializes in providing travelers with honest, actionable tips, whether it’s finding the best resorts in Maldives, exploring cultural hubs like Paris, or diving into the natural wonders of Croatia.