Costa Nova: between the Atlantic and the Ria

Costa Nova between the Atlantic and the Ria

At Praia da Costa Nova, rough seas wash over a beach popular with surfers. By contrast, the calm waters of the Ria de Aveiro opposite Costa Nova are suitable for sailing and windsurfing. Along the Costa Nova shore, the Canal de Mira on the Ria de Aveiro is used for sailing, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and kitesurfing. You’ll find a range of water sports here, from the Atlantic surf to activities on the calmer waters of the Ria.

Clube de Vela Costa Nova was founded in 1981, and its activities focus mainly on dinghy sailing. Praia da Costa Nova is also the venue for a recurring sporting event: the Costa Nova Cup, a women’s surfing and bodyboarding event, is held there every year. The broad sandy beach of Praia da Costa Nova do Prado stretches south towards Praia da Vagueira. You can go for walks at Praia da Vagueira.

Palheiros, local history and culture

Costa Nova’s townscape is shaped by its Palheiros: houses painted with colourful stripes on a white background. Their history is also linked to fishing. After the Ria de Aveiro bar was stabilised in 1808, fishermen from Ílhavo moved to Costa Nova and began building wooden Palheiros there. The striking stripes and the traditional story of how the wooden houses came to be give the place different facets of its history.

Cais Criativo Costa Nova is a wooden building on the dunes along the seafront, connected to the beach by wooden walkways. Its programme encompasses music, fashion, architecture, photography and design. In autumn and winter, Cais is available for hosting artistic residencies; its programme changes over time. This seasonal role adds a cultural focus to the area’s water sports and beach attractions.

Cycling route and landscape along the Ria

The Frente Ria Costa Nova–Vagueira is both an ecological trail and a cycle route, connecting the beaches of Costa Nova and Praia da Vagueira. Its facilities include signage and rest areas, as well as infrastructure for fishing and recreational boating. The route also offers contact with the natural features of the Ria de Aveiro Special Protection Area in the Natura 2000 network, designated under the Birds Directive. When planning your trip, the character of the route is as important as the destination: it connects the two beaches and also passes through a protected natural area.

Seafood, regional specialities and guided walks

At Mercado do Peixe da Costa Nova, you can buy prepared seafood to eat on site or take away. The regional pastry known as “tripa” also originated in Costa Nova. If you’re interested in the importance of shellfish in the Ria de Aveiro and the historical and social development of the local population, these topics are covered on the “Costa Nova do Prado, mais do que os palheiros – passeio pedestre” guided walk. A local snack is included too. Check whether the walk is available before booking.

A guided experience combines a visit to Mercado do Peixe with a boat trip on the Ria Príncipe along the Canal de Mira on the Ria de Aveiro, followed by a tasting. It is offered daily by prior arrangement; confirm the details with the provider before your trip. Another guided tour takes you to the fishing neighbourhood and the artisanal fishing quay. This tour is also offered daily by prior arrangement. Check the details with the provider before your trip so you can plan these guided experiences accordingly.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Gafanha do Carmo, Gafanha da Encarnação, Ílhavo.

Back to the main travel guide: Ilhavo.