Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Portugal / Murtosa / Pousada Ria, Aveiro
Pousada Ria, Aveiro
Murtosa, Portugal · Pousadas de Portugal · Accessible Luxury
Built in 1959 and opened in 1960 on the narrow Torreira spit between the Atlantic and the Ria de Aveiro lagoon, this was the second pousada in the state's coastal Beira-Mar series, a nature inn rather than a converted monument. An L-shaped, two-storey block of about 20 rooms and suites faces the lagoon, where moliceiro boats still work the reeds and salt marshes. The São Jacinto dunes nature reserve sits across the water.
- 24 rooms
- Opened 1960
- Neighborhood: Torreira
About Pousada Ria, Aveiro
- Portugal's Construction and Conservation Services built the inn in 1959; it opened in 1960 as a Natureza-category pousada rather than a historic-monument conversion.
- The L-shaped plan puts a two-storey wing parallel to the lagoon, with balconies and terraces over the water, plus 20 rooms including two suites.
- Traditional moliceiro boats, once used to harvest seaweed from the Ria, still pass in front of the rooms.
History
The Pousada da Ria sits on a narrow strip of land at Torreira, between the sea and the tranquil waters of the Ria de Aveiro lagoon on Portugal's central coast. Built in 1959 and opened in 1960, it was conceived as a nature-oriented pousada taking full advantage of its waterside setting, with rooms and balconies oriented toward the lagoon where traditional moliceiro boats glide by.
Part of the state-founded Pousadas de Portugal network (today operated by the Pestana group), the property falls within the Natureza category of pousadas, prized for its landscape rather than a historic monument. It is a small, intimate hotel of around twenty rooms and suites, offering a quiet retreat amid the reeds, salt marshes and birdlife of the Aveiro lagoon.
The setting
Torreira spit between the Atlantic and the Ria de Aveiro lagoon, Murtosa.
Restaurants and bars
- Búzios — Restaurant · Portuguese seafood
- Bar Garça — Bar
Experiences
- Kitesurf and Windsurf Lessons — Introductory kitesurf and windsurf lessons on the Aveiro ria, in a private school area with shallow waters.
- Pela Ria Adentro — Discover the flora of the Aveiro ria and take part in the traditional shellfish gathering.
- Moliceiro Boat Ride Through the City Canals — Guided tour of the Aveiro canals by traditional moliceiro boat, with a minimum of 2 people.
- Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride — Carriage ride along the NaturRia route in Murtosa.
- São Jacinto Nature Reserve Walk — Guided walking tour through the São Jacinto Nature Reserve.
- Rota Azul — Trail through riverside fauna and flora, with herons, ducks and migratory birds.
Amenities
- Pool
- Pet-friendly
- EV charging
- Private beach
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