In Costa Nova, striped Palheiros meet a coastline with a variety of water sports: the sea is lively at Praia da Costa Nova, while the calmer waters of the Ria de Aveiro lie opposite. History, contemporary culture and regional cuisine are also part of the town’s character. If you are looking for a hotel in Costa Nova, these themes can help you decide whether the town suits the focus of your trip.
Palheiros and Culture
The Palheiros of Costa Nova are houses painted with colourful stripes on a white background. Their history is linked to fishing: after the Ria de Aveiro bar was fixed in place in 1808, fishermen from Ílhavo moved to Costa Nova and began building wooden Palheiros. The guided walk “Costa Nova do Prado, more than the Palheiros – walking tour” also explores the historical background. It covers the importance of shellfish in the Ria and the historical and social development of the people of Costa Nova.
Another cultural venue is Cais Criativo Costa Nova, a wooden building on the dunes along the seafront, connected to the beach by wooden walkways. Its programme includes music, fashion, architecture, photography and design. In autumn and winter, the building is available for hosting artistic residencies. The seasonal residency programme is a distinct aspect alongside the various disciplines featured in the programme.
Sea, Ria and Water Sports
Praia da Costa Nova is washed by a lively sea that is popular with surfers. The Costa Nova Cup, a women’s surfing and bodyboarding event, is held on the beach every year. The wide sandy beach of Praia da Costa Nova do Prado stretches south towards Praia da Vagueira; walks are possible at Praia da Vagueira.
Opposite Costa Nova, the calm waters of the Ria de Aveiro offer opportunities for sailing and windsurfing. The Canal de Mira, along the Costa Nova shore, is also used for sailing, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and kitesurfing. Clube de Vela Costa Nova was founded in 1981 and focuses its activities mainly on dinghy sailing. Together, these options show the difference between the lively sea at the beach and the calmer waters of the Ria.
A Route Along the Ria
The Frente Ria Costa Nova–Vagueira is an eco-trail and cycle path connecting the beaches of Costa Nova and Praia da Vagueira. The route has signage and rest areas, as well as facilities for fishing and recreational boating. It offers a chance to experience the natural values of the Ria de Aveiro Special Protection Area in the Natura 2000 network, designated under the Birds Directive. Along this route, both the connection between the two beaches and the Ria’s protected natural values are part of the experience.
Market, Tours and Regional Cuisine
At Mercado do Peixe da Costa Nova, you can buy prepared seafood to eat on site or take away. A guided experience combines a market visit with a boat trip on the Ria Príncipe along the Canal de Mira and a tasting. It is offered daily by prior arrangement; confirm the provider’s details before your trip.
The “Costa Nova do Prado, more than the Palheiros – walking tour” also includes a local snack. Check availability before booking. Another guided tour takes you through the fishing district and to the artisanal fishing quay; here too, you should confirm the provider’s details before your trip. A sweet local speciality is the “tripa”, a regional pastry originating in Costa Nova.
Discover more destinations: Gafanha da Encarnação, Gafanha do Carmo, Ílhavo.
Back to the main travel overview: Ilhavo.
