Costa Nova, Portugal: A Colorful Tour of Stripe Houses – Review

Costa Nova, Portugal, is often that picturesque fishing village and seaside resort just a short drive from Aveiro, so frequently called the “Venice of Portugal.” But very, very unlike Venice, Costa Nova is super popular for its utterly charming, stripe houses. These buildings, locally called palheiros, were first used by fishermen as storage huts and are now mainly vacation homes. These iconic, stripe houses, repainted over time in the bright, bold colors, are very eye-catching against the beautiful backdrop of the beach and the Aveiro Lagoon. It’s that sort of place where you’d feel completely happy just wandering around with your camera, taking photo after photo.

Discovering Costa Nova’s Charm

When you roll into Costa Nova, it might seem like very nearly any old beach town, yet these aren’t just places, these are special ones that make it feel different. The long, sandy beach goes on for miles, and it’s actually excellent for those morning walks, yet, really, what pulls everyone’s attention in is certainly that main avenue lined with stripe houses. I was instantly in love with this area. It is, in some respects, just super quaint. As you amble down the street, it could be argued you’ll see buildings colored with blue, green, red, and yellow, really all outlined with crisp, white stripes.

Each house is, in a way, very well kept, and this can clearly be credited to residents. Some of these homes have even been carefully modernized while perfectly preserving their very old facade. Walking around is that way of just feeling this sense of joy, that you can apparently sense coming from everyone else that comes here. There are seemingly so many visitors out taking photos, basically wanting to grab some ice cream, and generally soak it all up. It does become crowded here, particularly during those warmer months. In the off-season, yet, it’s much quieter. You’ll have so much more time and space to wander around.

The History Behind the Stripes

These stripes that make Costa Nova, so iconic might seem arbitrary, yet they have a story. Apparently, back in the day, when the fishermen stayed in these tiny buildings, the stripes are there for navigational use to see land and buildings more clearly out on the water, mainly during foggy days. Each color used to mean certain building, making navigating the tricky seas a bit safer. Costa Nova had always been that key fishing area, and these stripe buildings really do just go along with that heritage. Knowing about why they exist, you know, to imagine these fishermen using these buildings to help survive just adds something to everything you are already seeing.

Nowadays, a bit, that fishing tradition still stays, yet the area focuses a lot more on the traveling. Several buildings stayed private, with that sense of pride from the past owners still coming out, while the new structures were made using the older designs. It also may surprise some to see so many little food businesses in and amongst everything. By looking into the local history, there is arguably so much more value added to it. You get more of an honest sense of just what this spot means and has meant.

Things to Do in Costa Nova

As well as looking at stripe buildings, Costa Nova may well offer various other interesting stuff to do. Naturally, going to the beach is on top of this, Costa Nova Beach offers so much clear sand and waves ideal for surfing. We saw some pretty incredible sand dunes near too, it’s very worth a hike for some unreal view overlooking this ocean, the fresh breeze, is actually like being in heaven. The Aveiro Lagoon is quite calm too and well known for boats.

A trip into that close city of Aveiro, can also, probably, be easily done from Costa Nova. I hear there is canals, gondola-style boats (they name is “moliceiros, that locals also love, not unlike Venice. Many seafood joints around will give you your fix to try local tastes (and they don’t seem scary), and they were, pretty, tasty at pretty, tasty, prices. The traveling shops sell several cute, fun souvenirs so, in conclusion, be certain not leave with out buying at least one thing.

Planning Your Visit

Thinking of going there yourself? As I was saying, Costa Nova has the potential to get quite hectic, typically throughout summer. A spring, or late fall would, probably, mean lesser crowd, and good climatic. Coming during the morning allows that nicer sunshine, as opposed to afternoons. Getting there, might, probably, entail just hiring your car from Porto Airport. It only will involve only just that short one-hour drive. Apparently, local transport are frequent, if you like things stress-free.

I also found so many very excellent lodging possibilities, something there will nearly fit everyone. Costa Nova actually isn’t only that spot to visit; try that extended stay also. That way, that you’ll not rush; instead, it could be argued that, take stuff simple. Keep trying so many restaurants at various points, instead rush to pick the restaurant, this allows testing numerous options! A key part of that day goes as a plan yet it seems much better to roam aimlessly so this place slowly grows with your soul.

Photo Gallery of Costa Nova

When choosing images that you’re looking to use to upload, be careful you keep picking a wide amount of them that are going to appeal. I always like that perfect blue home next to these white lines; and seeing those images is that fun idea so you are likely to get others feeling some positive impact!

This coastline near to that sands actually helps this picturesque idea that can seemingly be captured if some sun out at specific times and in some points across time; that is seemingly going always make an very pleasant image from whatever specific choice being considered here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Costa Nova