Moliceiro Boat Cruise in Aveiro

Explore the picturesque canals of the so-called Portuguese Venice on our traditional moliceiro or mercantel boat trip along the Aveiro.

Moliceiro or Mercantel Boat Trip

Meet us at the Jardim do Rossio Pier for our traditional boat trip through Aveiro. Throughout the journey, learn about the differences between the moliceiro vessel and the mercantile vessel, alongside their origins and history.

During the journey on the moliceiro, you will pass iconic locations of Aveiro, including the Art Nouveau style buildings along the canal, the Aveiro salt pan, the traditional fishermen's neighborhood, the Jerónimo P. Campos ceramics factory, and the Fish Market.

The itinerary concludes with a return to the departure point, complemented by a tasting of raivas, a typical local cookie.

Type of Boats

Depending on the availability, we will travel on either a moliceiro or a mercantel, both typical of the city.

A moliceiro is a traditional boat of the Ria de Aveiro, resembling a Venetian gondola. It was used to transport and collect moliço, a type of seaweed used as fertilizer.

The mercantel, used for transporting sand and mud to the salt pans, is larger than the moliceiro and features simpler decoration.