Here is why you need to add this watery wonderland to your itinerary. Yes, Venice has gondolas. But Aveiro has Moliceiros (pronounced moo-lee-say-rosh ).

Whether you are gliding down a canal in a singing boat, licking egg yolk syrup off your fingers, or staring at striped beach houses as the Atlantic crashes nearby—Aveiro will capture a little piece of your heart.

Imagine a thin, wafer-like shell (shaped like a barrel, a clam, or a fish) filled with a thick, golden syrup made only of egg yolks and sugar. It is intensely sweet, intensely yellow, and intensely Portuguese. This recipe dates back to the 16th century, when nuns in local convents used egg whites to starch their habits, leaving behind a surplus of yolks.

These long, slender boats are painted like a moving canvas. Each one features a vibrant, hand-painted scene on the bow and stern. Historically, they were used to harvest seaweed (molico), but today, they are the city’s beloved tourist taxis.

Nicknamed the "Venice of Portugal," Aveiro is a shimmering mosaic of canals, art nouveau architecture, and colorful boats. But don’t let the nickname fool you—this isn’t a copycat. Aveiro has a rhythm, a flavor, and a charm that is entirely its own.