Car & Van Hire - Aveiro

The "moliceiros" in Aveiro are the local version of gondolas, so it's no surprise that this canal-lined city is known as the Venice of Portugal. For most visitors to Aveiros, a ride in a moliceiro is an absolute must. You can enjoy a quick boat trip up and down the canals in one of these brightly coloured boats. There is no singing as you might expect from a Venetian gondolier, but this is still one of the best ways to enjoy views of the colourful houses that stand alongside all the canals.

Aveiro is also known for its artistic heritage. There's no need to go to a gallery, though, as you'll find the best examples out in the open. The city has several beautiful murals made from painted tiles for you to admire. You'll find even more on the streets themselves. In many places, the street tiles, called "calçada Portgues", offer illustrations explaining Portugal's naval history. Elsewhere, they have images of fishermen at work. Either way, they tend to focus on the importance of the sea to the city of Aveiro.

As you'd expect from a port town, Aveiro is a great place to indulge in some seafood. You'll find a wide variety of dishes, from fish fillets in sauce to elaborate preparations of multiple kinds of shellfish. If you've got a hankering for some seafood, the best starting point is Praça do Peixe – quite literally, Fish Square. The ever-busy fish market still stands here, and there are many restaurants lining the surrounding streets where you can enjoy the catch of the day.

With car hire in Aveiro, it's easy to take day trips to explore the surrounding areas along the Portuguese coast. One of the best destinations is Costa Nova, a charming beach town known for its brightly coloured traditional houses. This is a great spot to go for a coastal walk, enjoying the views across the Atlantic. It's also perfect if you want to spend a day on the beach. A number of water sports are available in summer, and the sandy beach, Praia da Barra, fills up with holidaymakers from Portugal and other countries.

For a touch of nature, use a car or van hire in Aveiro to explore the salt flats. Salt is no longer a major industry here, but these wetlands have an eerie beauty that makes them worth a look. Although Aveiro does not have mass production of salt anymore, you can pick up small packs of locally sourced artisanal salt to take home as a special souvenir.

Aveiro is a small city, and traffic is not a serious problem. You'll find more traffic in Porto if you decide to visit. To avoid delays, drive outside of rush hour. It tends to peak at about 08:00 and again around 17:00.

In peak season, it is generally easier to use a car park on the outskirts of town and continue on foot. One of the most convenient car parks is underneath Forum Aveiro, the city's main shopping centre. It has a great location, but you will need to pay to use it. It's not expensive – parking in Portugal is generally very cheap in comparison to other European countries. There are some free car parks further away from the city centre, but they may fill up quickly in peak season. On-street parking is often free during weekends and evenings. Make sure you are carrying some cash to pay the meter, as some do not accept cards.

Portugal has two kinds of toll roads, which can confuse international visitors. Auto-estradas have traditional toll booths, which you can pay for with cash or card. You will need to go through two toll booths at the start and end of the highway. When you go through the first one, you'll receive a ticket. Keep it handy, as you'll need to use it when you go through the second toll booth to calculate the price for the route you've taken.

SCUT toll roads do not have toll booths. Instead, you'll need to pay electronically. You can do this with a prepaid card or by activating your credit or debit card for use with the system. A prepaid card is probably the easiest option for visitors. However, to save headaches, you might prefer to just look for routes that don't cross SCUT toll roads. There are always alternatives available.

If you decide to take back roads to avoid tolls, be prepared for an adventure! Rural roads in Portugal are not as well-maintained as the highways. Agricultural vehicles are a common sight, and in small villages, drivers often stop their cars mid-journey for a chat with a neighbour. You may even find cars parked in the middle of the road, with the motorist nowhere in sight. If so, just honk your horn – they've probably nipped into a nearby house and will soon come out to let you pass.