The Iconic Striped Houses of Costa Nova

To plan your trip, review Lonely Planet Aveiro Guide.

For the most up-to-date details, check Visit Portugal - Aveiro before you go.

Visit these houses early in the morning to enjoy the best natural lighting. The soft sun highlights the red, blue, and green stripes against the white walls. Most tourists arrive after 10:00 AM, so early birds get the cleanest shots. Stand across the street to capture the full scale of these tall structures.

Try using a wide-angle lens to include several houses in a single frame. This creates a rhythmic pattern of colors that looks amazing on social media feeds. Look for houses with matching flowers or traditional tile work on their small porches. These small details add a lot of character to your professional travel photography.

• Arrive before 9:00 AM for empty streets
• Use a tripod for perfectly straight architectural lines
• Focus on the contrast between the stripes and sky

Capturing Views Along the Main Promenade

The main walkway runs between the colorful houses and the calm lagoon water. This area is central to all Costa Nova promenade walking routes for 2026 travelers. You can capture the reflection of the houses in the water during high tide. The wide path provides plenty of space to set up your photography gear.

Look for the traditional Moliceiro boats docked along the wooden piers near the shore. These boats feature bright paintings that tell stories of local history and humor. They provide a perfect foreground subject for your wide lagoon landscape shots. The blue water creates a peaceful backdrop for these very colorful wooden vessels.

The promenade is also great for capturing the lifestyle of this active coastal community. You will see locals jogging and cycling along the water throughout the entire day. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the motion of people against the still lagoon. This creates a sense of energy in your Costa Nova photo collection.

Sunset Magic at the Aveiro Lagoon

The lagoon side of the village offers the most spectacular sunset views in Aveiro. As the sun goes down, the sky turns into shades of pink and orange. The calm water acts like a giant mirror for the colorful clouds above. You should explore the Aveiro lagoon walkways to find the best vantage points.

Find a quiet wooden pier to use as a leading line in your photos. This technique draws the eye of the viewer toward the glowing evening horizon. Long exposure photography works very well here to make the water look like smooth glass. Bring a neutral density filter if you want to shoot before the sun sets.

The marshes around the lagoon are home to many beautiful species of local birds. You might spot flamingos or herons wading in the shallow water during the golden hour. A telephoto lens is necessary to capture these animals without disturbing their natural habitat. Sunset is truly the most magical time for nature photographers in 2026.

Dramatic Sand Dunes and Atlantic Beach

Walk across the peninsula to find the wild and windy Atlantic Ocean beach. Large sand dunes protect the village from the powerful waves of the deep sea. Long wooden walkways cross over the dunes to provide easy access for all visitors. These paths create excellent geometric patterns for your coastal landscape photography shots.

The light on the beach side is very different from the lagoon side. You will find a hazy, romantic atmosphere caused by the salt spray in the air. This is a great place for moody portraits or dramatic shots of crashing waves. Be careful to protect your camera lens from the blowing sand and salt.

Visit the beach during the late afternoon for the best shadows on the dunes. The low sun creates deep textures in the sand that look great in black and white. You can also find colorful beach umbrellas during the busy summer months of 2026. This adds a pop of color to the vast sandy landscape.

Vibrant Colors at the Local Fish Market

The local fish market is a hidden gem for authentic street photography in Aveiro. It is located near the northern end of the main village promenade. Inside, you will find fresh seafood displayed on beds of glistening white ice. The silver scales of the fish create interesting textures for close-up macro photography.

The market building has a unique architectural style that fits the village theme perfectly. Large windows allow natural light to flood the interior during the morning hours. Capture the interactions between the friendly local vendors and their many daily customers. Always ask for permission before taking a close-up portrait of a local person.

After your morning photo session, you might feel hungry from all the walking. There are many great spots where to eat in Costa Nova right near the market. You can photograph your traditional Portuguese meal before you enjoy the fresh flavors. Food photography is a great way to remember your 2026 trip.

• Visit between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM for action
• Use a wide aperture to blur busy market backgrounds
• Capture the colorful crates and traditional weighing scales