Once a big sea port, Aveiro lies
in a region of valleys cut by mountains and fertile lagoon plains.
These plains are bathed by the ria (Lagoon) which formed in the 16th
century after terrible storms. It covers 11 mil hectares, with four
main channels forming inlets and countless islands and islets.
The city of Aveiro is crossed by canals,
which give it quite an individual character, and in the old quarter
tourists can see the quaint whitewashed houses of the fishermen and
visit, early in the morning, Mercado do Peixe, an auction of the fish
caught during the night.
The fine beach of São Jacinto
lies close to woodland and the São Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve,
with well preserved dunes and varied fauna and flora.