Portugal, located at the westernmost tip of the European continent, was a dominant sea power during the "Age of Sail" and is the home of the soccer superstar "Cristiano Ronaldo." The country boasts many cities with thriving cultures and unique landscapes, one of which is Aveiro, a charming water city.

Situated in the northwest of Portugal, Aveiro was once a famous port until a violent storm hit the town in 1575, causing the estuary to be blocked and the port to be decommissioned. It was not until 1808 that an artificial canal was reopened to connect the Atlantic Ocean with the Aveiro River, forming a network of canals in the town.

The area along the river gradually became the center of fishing, salt-making, and porcelain-making, and Aveiro began to prosper.

The canals in Aveiro are adorned with beautifully painted boats called Morisillos. These boats have a unique design, with a pointed bow that forms an elegant arc and is typically 10 to 15 meters long.

Each Morisillo boat is painted with a unique design by the boatman. When the boatman uses a slender figure to paddle the boat slowly through the blue waterway, it feels like graceful swans swimming through the water, lingering in the light of dreams.

The Morisillos along the canal is a major attraction for tourists visiting Aveiro. Each boat is brightly painted with different colors and patterns. The boatmen use bold colors, with some drawing red and yellow flowers on the hull of the boat, while others spread blue and yellow in a large area to represent the sea and sunlight, respectively.

The painted bow positions are full of Portuguese style. Every year in March, Aveiro holds a beauty contest for the colorful boats, with the most beautiful Morisillo being crowned the winner.

Although the Morisillo colorful boat was originally used as a seaweed harvesting boat in the lagoon marsh near Aveiro, it has now become a popular tourist attraction. The boatmen used to stand on the boat and use a fork and rake to scrape the seaweed that had sunk to the bottom of the lagoon and bring it back to the shore to be dried and sold to farmers as fertilizer.

Nowadays, mass-produced artificial fertilizers have replaced traditional seaweed fertilizers, causing the number of seaweed harvesting boats to decrease rapidly.

Aveiro is often compared to Venice in Spain due to its charming canals. Until recently, the canals were used to transport seaweed and salt across three passages. In addition to its canals, Aveiro boasts Art Nouveau architecture and various religious monuments. The city also offers the atmosphere of a university town, excellent beaches, and the comfort of a small city.

The Aveiro Lighthouse is another attraction that visitors should not miss. Located on the beach of Barra, it is the highest lighthouse in Portugal and the second highest in the entire Iberian Peninsula. The lighthouse has been in operation since 1893, and its light range reaches 23 nautical miles.

Costa Nova is a small village facing the lagoon, located about 7 kilometers from Aveiro. It has fine white sandy beaches, and beautiful parks, and offers amusement services such as yachting or flying a parachute.

Aveiro is a charming water city in Portugal, with a unique history and culture. Its colorful boats, canals, and Art Nouveau architecture, make it a popular tourist destination. Visitors should not miss the Aveiro Lighthouse and the nearby village of Costa Nova, which offer stunning views and exciting activities.