[Ílhavo] Cod-Fishing City

Cod is almost a way of life in Portugal, and if ever there’s a place to go to understand this affection, Ílhavo is the right place to start. Fundamentally linked to the Ria de Aveiro lagoon that surrounds it and inevitably facing the sea by two fine beaches – Barra and Costa Nova, Ílhavo has in this connection its main characteristic. 

With about nine and a half centuries of documented life, Ílhavo is considered to be descendants of legendary navigators, possibly Phoenicians, Greeks or former navigators of the North Seas and even Romans. 

But what defines Ílhavo and its people is cod fishing. The history tells us that most of the cod fishing vessels officers, as well the majority of Portuguese cod fishermen were Ílhavo born and bred, and went on epic voyages to the North-Atlantic seas. 

The modern maritime museum will give you all the background, as well as a 1948 trawler turned museum moored for you to visit.