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Centro Region Cruises & boat tours

Our most recommended Centro Region Cruises & boat tours

Aveiro: Traditional Moliceiro Boat Tour

1. Aveiro: Traditional Moliceiro Boat Tour

Cruise through the city of Aveiro on a boat ride onboard a traditional Moliceiro boat. Start along the Central Canal of the lagoon, the Ria de Aveiro. Traverse the center of the city, from the garden of Rossio to the old building of the Capitania of the Port of Aveiro. Follow another canal that formerly served as a waterway to the Antonio Maria Campos brick factory, where the Aveiro Cultural and Congress Center was established along with other public services. Then, cruise down Canal das Pirâmides (the pyramids canal), which was built at the beginning of the 19th century and stretches from the old fish market to the central canal. During the summer, enjoy a beautiful landscape made up of hundreds of small white pyramids of salt that represent one of the most characteristic features of this region.

From Porto: Douro River Cruise to Régua with Lunch

2. From Porto: Douro River Cruise to Régua with Lunch

Embark on a day trip to Régua and relax on a cruise along the Douro from Porto. Enjoy a delicious onboard breakfast before admiring the Carrapatelo Dam, and Crestuma-Lever Dam with an audio guide. You will also explore the town of Régua after savoring an authentic lunch on the boat.  Meet your guide at the Estiva quay in Porto, then board a boat heading to Régua, known worldwide as the capital of "Vine and Wine." Enjoy some breakfast on board while sailing through the Douro waters, admiring the breathtaking valley. Go through the Crestuma-Lever Dam (height of 14 meters) and the Carrapatelo Dam (height of 35 meters). Tuck into lunch served onboard and learn about the history of the region with commentary from your audio guides, available in four different languages. Hop off the boat and explore Régua at your own pace. After enjoying some free time, make your way back to Porto by bus, arriving in the evening. 

From Porto: Aveiro, Paiva Walkways and Arouca 516 Footbridge

3. From Porto: Aveiro, Paiva Walkways and Arouca 516 Footbridge

Cross the second Worlds Longest Suspension Footbridge - the Arouca 516 - and walk the Paiva Walkways, considered one of the most beautiful trails in the world (seven kilometers). Restore your energy with a delicious traditional lunch in a typical Portuguese restaurant. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon at Aveiro, the so-called “Portuguese Venice” and traverse the canals on a boat trip. Wander through the old quarter to see the main Art Nouveau buildings, the fish market, and taste one of the city's delicacies, soft eggs. Last but not the least, see the famous haystacks of Costa Nova. Discover the magnificent fishing village with its wooden houses in bright striped colors.

Aveiro: Boat Cruise & City Highlights Walking Tour

4. Aveiro: Boat Cruise & City Highlights Walking Tour

Experience the beauty of Aveiro on a boat cruise in an authentic Moliceiro craft. Stroll through the Beira Mar district on a walking tour with a local guide and take in the lively vibe at the Aveiro Fish Market. Be welcomed by your local guide at the Freedom Obelisk in the old town of Aveiro. Follow your guide to an iconic Moliceiro boat. Embark on a cruise aboard a colorful ship through the city's waterways. Glide on an elegant boat and snap pictures of landmarks like the City Council building, a 15th century mill, and the romantic Carcavelos Bridge. Watch the old parts of the city melt into the new as you see the shopping center and a ceramic factory that was converted into a convention center. Disembark and continue on your walking tour through the narrow streets of the Beira Mar neighborhood that was traditionally inhabited by fisherman and salt workers. Admire the vibrantly colored buildings along the canal. Make your way to the bustling Fish Market, the Centennial building, and pass by richly adorned Art Nouveau buildings before ending your tour.

Peniche: Berlengas Roundtrip and Glass-Bottom Boat Cave Tour

5. Peniche: Berlengas Roundtrip and Glass-Bottom Boat Cave Tour

Start your tour by meeting your captain at the harbor of Peniche. Take a ferry towards the Berlengas archipelago, where your glass-bottom boat trip will take place. Then, take a 30-minute cruise around Berlengas, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that includes various nature conservation sites. Look down into the clear waters and spot marine life. You will also enter some caves, such as the Blue Cave and the São João Batista Cave.

Porto: Tuk-Tuk Tour, Douro River Cruise, and Wine Tasting

6. Porto: Tuk-Tuk Tour, Douro River Cruise, and Wine Tasting

Explore the picturesque and historic city of Porto in an eco-friendly way on an electric tuk-tuk tour. Get an open ticket for a cruise on the Douro River that can be used a whatever time you wish. Tour a Porto winery and enjoy a tasting of two local port wines.  Head to the centrally-located meeting point which is close to the São Bento Train Station. Hop aboard a cozy electric tuk-tuk and cruise through the streets of Porto. Admire attractions such as the Avenida dos Aliados and the neighborhoods of Santa Catarina and Batalha. After a 50 minute ride, finish the tour at the starting point and receive a ticket to float down the Douro Rive on a rabelo, a classic, traditional Portuguese wooden cargo boat. View the six bridges of Porto, the iconic wine cellars, and fishing areas on a 55-minute cruise.  Take the boat trip, which starts at the Ribeira quay, on the same day as the tuk-tuk tour or at any other time within the next 30 days. In addition to the Tuk-Tuk tour and the cruise, a visit to a winery in Porto is included. This winery tour includes a tasting of two Port wines.

Aveiro: Half-Day Tour from Porto with Cruise

7. Aveiro: Half-Day Tour from Porto with Cruise

Experience the beauty of Aveiro’s channels on a tour aboard a colorful Portuguese gondola on this half-day tour from Porto. Ride along naturally-formed channels that connect to the river and to the sea.  Meet at a centrally-located spot in Porto and board a comfortable van for your transfer to Aveiro. Absorb the culture of this city that was once a fishing village, where residents made their living from the river, the sea, and salt production. Begins at the fish market square, where you’ll have great views of the city center. Head out on an hour-long cruise on a vibrantly-painted, wooden moliceiro boat. Glide thorugh the channels on this traditional, Portuguese vessel.  After the cruise your guide will show you the Costa Nova neighborhood that borders the sea. Admire some of the old traditional houses that are small in size, and painted in bright colors with vertical stripes. Return to Porto by van at the end of your tour. 

From Porto: Aveiro & Coimbra Small Group Tour + River Cruise

8. From Porto: Aveiro & Coimbra Small Group Tour + River Cruise

Cruise the canals of aboard a colorful moliceiro boat on this full-day trip to Aveiro from Porto. Take time to discover the city's highlights like the Fish Market. Discover the city of Coimbra on a guided walking tour of the medieval old town.  Start with pickup from your central-located hotel in Porto. Relax in an airconditioned vehicle on the way to to Aveiro in the central region of Portugal. Explore the city's Art Nouveau architecture and historical center. Make a visit to the bustling Fish Market. Board a traditional, wooden moliceiro boat and experience the city from the water. Make your way to the Aveiro Salt Ponds passing by New Coast, typical striped houses, the Barra lighthouse, and the São Jacinto dunes. Look for stork nests along the way find. Travel to the waterfront city of Coimbra, the country's old capital. It houses a preserved medieval old town and the historic University of Coimbra. Go for a guided walking tour through the historic center of the city.  Stop at important landmarks such as the Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral. If you select the option with monuments admission, visit the interiors of Joanina Library and the Royal Palace. At the end of the tour, the guide will drop you off at your hotel in Porto.

From Porto: Douro River Cruise, Winery Visit & Lunch

9. From Porto: Douro River Cruise, Winery Visit & Lunch

After meeting your guide at Estiva Quay in Oporto, board a boat heading to Pinhão. Enjoy some breakfast on board while sailing through the Douro waters, admiring the breathtaking valley.     Sail through the Crestuma-Lever Dam and the Carrapatelo Dam. Savor a delicious lunch served on board and get to know the history behind the region through your audio guide, available in four different languages. Pass by Régua, known worldwide as the capital of the Vine and Wine.   Debark at Pinhão - you’ll arrive right in the center of the Douro Demarcated Region, the first regulated wine region in the world. It is here that many of the Port Wine producing estates operate. Visit Quinta da Roêda, a charming and traditional vineyard estate. Taste some of the delicious wines that are produced here. Finally, board a bus to arrive back to Oporto at approximately 8:30 PM.

From Porto: Aveiro Half-Day Tour with 1-Hour Cruise

10. From Porto: Aveiro Half-Day Tour with 1-Hour Cruise

Depart Porto and journey south to the beautiful coastal city of Aveiro on the Ria de Aveiro lagoon. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour through the historical city center to admire the bold Art Nouveau residences and charming foot bridges across the canals. Take stunning pictures of the Baroque-style cathedrals and other amazing architecture. Learn more about the history of the city and how it grew from a small fishing village to the 2nd most populous city in the Centro Region of Portugal. Hear how salt production in the salt marshes played an important role in the city's economy, from the days of the Romans. Then, climb aboard one of the traditional moliceiro boats used to collect sea grass in the lagoon. Cruise along the canals of the "Venice of Portugal" to admire the colorful fishermen's houses of Costa Nova beach and get amazing views of the landscape.

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What people are saying about Centro Region

An amazing day !!! Ricardo was the most kindest and professional host. He assisted so much and ran the day so smoothly so our group could see everything. Dinner was fantastic and authentic. My favorite part really was meeting 4 others from different parts of the world and together we spoke about all of our country & cultures. Felt like I was in another part of Canada, but a more spectacular view of Portugal. I would do this again in a heartbeat and so should you !!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Coimbra and Aveiro. Our guide, Joao was very knowledgeable and helpful! He had a lot of great information to share! We took several tours during our visit to Portugal and this was by far the best! We highly recommend this activity! Joao was an outstanding guide!

had a wonderful tour guide that was knowledgeable and fun! only downside is that I am still waiting on someone to contact me regarding a reimbursement of one of my tickets since we had someone get sick

What a fantastic experience! It’s a must see. Well worth the money. Traditional Portuguese Lunch was delicious!

Felt like I was in Venice but in Portugal. The city is very beautiful.