Stays in Aveiro

I would suggest the Palacete Valdemouro to families who want a five-star stay with a pool open all year. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, spa facilities and a wellness centre, with a sauna, a fitness centre, a sun terrace, a restaurant and a bar. Rooms are air-conditioned with minibars and city views. Guests rate it 9.5 across 900 reviews, an outstanding score.

Hotel das Salinas is in Aveiro's city centre, with rooms and apartments that overlook the central canal, and I like it for families who want to self-cater. Kitchen facilities make meals with children easier, and the spa gives parents a break. Free WiFi runs throughout, and the University of Aveiro and Forum Aveiro are both within walking distance, so a stroll along the canals fills an afternoon without a car. Guests rate it 8.7 over nearly 1,200 reviews.

Hotel Aveiro Center is only 200 metres from Aveiro's Canal Central, yet its street is quiet, and that balance is why I suggest it to families. Children can watch the moliceiro boats on the canal minutes after leaving the room, and nights stay calm. Rooms have flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities and free Wi-Fi, simple but practical. The atmosphere is described as family-friendly, and an 8.7 score from 1,812 reviews supports that.

A quiet countryside setting with Vagueira and Costa Nova beaches within easy reach is why I would suggest Hotel Santiago Vagos to families on a simple budget. It is family-friendly and pet-friendly, so the dog can come along, and the ria boardwalks nearby suit an easy walk with children. Aveiro and Ílhavo are close for outings. This is a 2-star hotel rated 8.7 by guests, so families expecting a pool or resort facilities should look elsewhere.

Hotel Afonso V & SPA sits a short walk from central Aveiro, close enough to reach the canals and cafés on foot with children in tow. The spa gives parents a reason to stay in for an hour, and the bar's snooker table is an easy evening distraction for older kids and teenagers. Rooms are en suite with cable TV, practical rather than spacious. An 8.7 rating across more than 10,000 reviews suggests it delivers consistently, and I would pick it for a central, no-fuss family base.

Meliá Ria Hotel & Spa is a recently renovated four-star hotel in central Aveiro, next to the Congress Centre. It has a restaurant with views of the Ria, an indoor swimming pool, and a spa and wellness centre. Rooms and suites are air-conditioned with an LCD TV, a minibar and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is family-friendly and pet-friendly. Guests rate it 8.5 across more than 2,200 reviews.

Veneza Hotel occupies a 1930s townhouse in central Aveiro, within walking distance of the train station, so families arriving by rail can drop bags without a taxi. Its 49 rooms are spacious and air-conditioned, which helps when sharing with children. The buffet breakfast sets everyone up before a day along the canals, and shops and cultural sights are close on foot. An 8.5 rating across more than 5,000 reviews shows steady quality, and I would choose it for a car-free family visit.

TURIM Aveiro Palace Hotel occupies a 1937 building in Aveiro's centre, and its bright rooms overlook the Central Canal, where children can watch the painted moliceiro boats go by. Rooms are soundproofed, so the town centre stays outside at bedtime, and some have spacious seating areas, handy for families. The rich breakfast buffet sets everyone up for the day. An 8.5 rating across more than 3,700 reviews is solid, and I would book it for a central family stay.

I would book Davila Peixinho 204 for a family that wants a kitchen and its own front door in Aveiro. Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning and a private bathroom, so meals and early nights are easy. The Congress Centre and the Old Captaincy are nearby, and from there the canals, the moliceiro boats and the striped houses of Costa Nova make easy outings.

Soldouro Train Suites has family rooms with private bathrooms, which already sets it apart for parents in Aveiro. The shared kitchen and outdoor dining area make simple meals easy, a real help with young children or picky eaters. Rooms are soundproofed and air-conditioned, and the street is quiet, so early bedtimes are realistic. The Aveiro Congress Centre is an eight-minute walk away. There is no on-site restaurant, so I would plan on cooking or eating out nearby.

Hotel do Mercado is a short walk from Fórum Aveiro and the riverside, so families can reach the shops and canals without a car. Rooms are colourful and air-conditioned, with private bathrooms and cable TV for a quiet hour, and some have a balcony. The on-site spa is a rare extra for a two-star. With an 8.4 rating across more than 4,500 reviews, I would choose it for a central, good-value family stay.

Galeria Suite Hotel in Aveiro occupies the former residence of the politician José Estevão. This family-friendly hotel has air-conditioned rooms, some with balconies, and tea and coffee facilities in each room. It stands just a block from Aveiro's Central Canal, and Praia da Barra beach is a short drive away. Guests rate it 8 across more than 2,400 reviews. The historic building and central position are the main reasons to choose it.

Costa do Sal Hotel Boat Lounge sits on the water in Aveiro, with lake views from the rooms and a sun terrace for slow afternoons. The restaurant serves traditional cooking and offers vegan dishes, and there is also a bar. A continental buffet breakfast is served every day, and rooms have private bathrooms. The beach is a short walk away. Guests rate it 8 across more than 4,100 reviews.

I would suggest Hotel As Américas to families who want a bright, renovated base in central Aveiro. The hotel blends Art Nouveau and modern design, with light, airy rooms that have free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and a minibar. Breakfast is served in an Art Nouveau-style room, and there is a lounge bar and a library. Guests rate it 7.9 across 734 reviews, a fair score for a four-star.

Hotel João Padeiro is a family-friendly city hotel 6 km from Aveiro, with a restaurant and a blend of classical decor and modern architecture. It was renovated in 2012 and offers bright rooms with LCD TVs and private bathrooms. A buffet breakfast is served and the restaurant offers local cuisine. Guests rate it 7.8 across more than 2,600 reviews. It suits visitors who want a quiet base outside the city with local food on site.

Hotel Palmeira is a family-run hotel in the historic centre of Aveiro. It offers comfortable rooms with cable TV, a traditional breakfast and free wired internet in public areas. Praia da Barra is a 15-minute drive away. Guests rate it 7.5 across more than 2,200 reviews, a modest score that fits a simple stay. It suits visitors who want to explore the city and value a personal, family-run welcome.

Hotel Imperial is a family-friendly three-star 300 metres from the Ria de Aveiro canal. It has air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant serving local and international cuisine, and a panoramic rooftop terrace with Atlantic Ocean views. A spa is available and pets are welcome. Guests rate it 7.4 across more than 2,000 reviews, a modest score that fits a simple stay close to the canal.