The Costa Nova coastline retains the traditional charms that have long attracted Portuguese families in summer. Magnificent and little known beaches lie between the golden dunes and the open blue seas, beginning at Costa Nova in the south and Torreira in the north.

Make sure you drop in on Barra, with its 19th century breakwater and lighthouse. Admire the famous houses finished in red and blue stripes before embarking for a trip on one of the seaweed-gathering vessels that still ply in the Aveiro estuary.

In both summer and winter you can take sailing or windsurfing lessons in the estuary itself, or there is an equestrian centre on the coast with horses available for lessons when required.

And for those interested in the local wildlife, the S. Jacinto Dune Nature Reserve includes a series of footpaths and observation points for bird watching.

Make sure you get an ice-cream cone for all the family from one of the famous old vans, and don’t even think of leaving before trying some of the local sweet speciality, the sweet egg based ‘ovos-moles de Aveiro’.