Hidden pearl close to Porto. I even met Poles there

– Do you think we’ll get to Porto by bus? – I hear a snippet of dialogue between a pair of Poles at a stop at the Portuguese town of Costa Nova.

Countrymen are literally everywhere – we already know that. Our meeting only confirms this.

Because Costa Nova is not obvious. To this picturesque, seaside town located in Central Portugal, in the Aveiro district, just above the Atlantic Ocean – out of season – many tourists do not look. You can breathe from the bustling streets of larger cities.

Costa Nova. Wide beach and fabulous ocean

What is special in this tiny settlement inhabited – according to some sources – for about a thousand people?

The answer is simple. Palheiros, or colorful houses characterized by vertical or horizontal stripes in juicy colors – including red, green or blue. Once warehouses and shelters for fishermen, today charming summer hut. They are characterized by wooden construction and large verandas. Their unique style has become recognizable in the whole area.

I walk around the main promenade. Fairy tale. Here is the slogan: “throw everything and go into the Bieszczady” can be changed to “Costa Nova”. Calm, beautiful architecture, palm trees and – most importantly – a huge beach with a breathtaking ocean.

I go on small, light sand. It is slightly warm, pleasantly warms my feet. I return exactly to this place after seven years and many dreams in which Costa Nova appeared.

I feel peace and admiration for the power of nature. I don’t know why, but that’s where I appreciate her very much.

I rely on stones forming a breakwater and observe the surroundings. There is really little lack to complete happiness.

After an hour spent on the beach, I still hook up on a nearby cafe. Pastéis de Nata taste great here. I eat them for the first time. The dough is slightly crunchy and the cream has an ideal consistency.

How to get there from Porto?

One of the most convenient and economical ways to reach Costa Nova with Porto (distance is about 80 kilometers) is the combination of travel by train and bus.

We start it at one of the two main railway stations in Porto – São Bento, located in the very center of the city, or Campanhã, with which other districts and metro lines are well connected. You will set off from any station, the goal is Aveiro – a picturesque town, often called “Portuguese Venice”. The train journey lasts about an hour and 15 minutes. You can buy tickets both online and directly at the station.

After reaching Aveiro, change to the bus to Costa Nova. The stop is located a short distance from the train station – a short walk is enough. Those towards Costa Nova run regularly, especially in the summer season, and the journey itself takes about 40 minutes.

Poles are everywhere

Although there is no crowds in Costa Nova (mid -May), I experience a funny situation. Among the literally a few passengers waiting for the bus to Aveiro I hear a dialogue in Polish. It turns out that the couple of young people mentioned at the beginning of the article is delighted with this town like me. A day later – quite by accident – we meet at the bus station, waiting for the bus to Lisbon.

The world can be surprisingly small, and you will even fall on Poles at the end of Europe!