As one of the first students from the University of Liverpool to study in Aveiro, I was initially unsure of what to expect — but I was pleasantly surprised. Studying in Aveiro turned out to be incredibly rewarding, giving me a much deeper understanding of Portuguese society, history, and, most importantly, the language.
Aveiro is a beautiful city, and I found it quite easy to settle in, especially after having spent a semester in Bilbao. One initial challenge was switching back to using Portuguese daily, since I hadn’t studied it while in Bilbao. So, as obvious as it sounds, try to keep practising your other languages even when you're on placements where they’re not required. That said, once classes began, it didn’t take long to get back into the rhythm.
Life in Aveiro is relaxed, as it’s not a large city, but its central location is a major advantage. During my time there, I took day trips to Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, and Nazaré, and even managed a holiday to Madeira — thanks to cheap flights from Porto! We often went on nights out in Porto too, sometimes with events organised by Aveiro’s ESN (Erasmus Student Network), which were perfect for times when Aveiro felt a bit too quiet. Getting to explore different parts of Portugal gave me a broader perspective of the country, and made me appreciate Aveiro even more.
My favourite class was my Portuguese language class. We studied B1 Portuguese, but have been told that in Aveiro, the content they teach covers the level above too (so keep this in mind when picking your classes!) I found this class to be very engaging and at a good level, especially having not formally studied Portuguese since my second year in Liverpool. I would recommend looking at classes taught in the first semester, as there seems to be more choice with regards to culture modules.
Some of my highlights in Aveiro include endless beach days and gorgeous sunsets at Costa Nova or Praia da Barra (just 10 minutes from the city centre), attending Primavera Sound in Porto and seeing favourite artists like Fontaines D.C. and Charli XCX, and joining ESN-organised picnics.
If you're planning to study in Aveiro, here’s some advice:
- Be punctual for classes — but don’t be surprised if they start late (especially the Portuguese language classes, often held from 6–8pm).
- Get involved with ESN activities, especially in the first few weeks. They’re a great way to meet people outside your classes, particularly since there aren’t many Erasmus students studying languages.
- Choose your classes carefully, especially those taught in Portuguese — they can be quite challenging.
- Stick with courses in the Línguas e Culturas department whenever possible.
I couldn’t recommend Aveiro enough. I feel incredibly lucky to have studied there and to have spent five months making memories in this underrated city.
