Boatbuilding in Pardilhó is not just a thing of the past: boats for the sea and lagoon, including moliceiros, are still built here. This enduring craft gives the town a distinct cultural focus. Other highlights include the history of a former boatyard, textiles woven entirely by hand and the construction history of the Igreja de São Pedro. For outdoor activities, the flat landscape and lagoons offer different options from the craft-related attractions.

Boatbuilding and its history

Near Ribeira das Bulhas, you can see moliceiros, bateiras and Xávega boats being built and painted at two boatyards. Pardilhó is therefore known not only for its continuing boatbuilding tradition, but also for the chance to experience how the boats are made and decorated. The three types of boat illustrate the breadth of this work; building and painting are the activities they have in common.

The former traditional wooden boatbuilding site in Pardilhó offers a different perspective on the past. It was rebuilt and converted into the Centro de Interpretação da Construção Naval. The conversion marks the difference between the former boatyard and the boatbuilding that continues today. This lets you explore the subject from two perspectives: as a craft still practised today and as the history of a former wooden boatbuilding site.

Church, weaving and market

Construction of today’s Igreja de São Pedro de Pardilhó began in 1812. On St Peter’s Day in 1835, two baptisms were celebrated there for the first time. A little over two decades passed between the start of construction and the first baptisms—a span of time that forms part of the church’s history. The Igreja Paroquial de Pardilhó, also known as the Igreja de São Pedro, is a church dating from the 19th and 20th centuries, with a nave, chancel and sacristy. Both its historical context and its architectural features are part of the story of the church.

Handcraft is also on display at Casa do Tear, where weaving is done entirely by hand. The building is a weaving museum with live workshops, adding a textile craft tradition to the boatbuilding heritage. Pardilhó’s weekly market takes place on Sunday mornings. It features local handicrafts such as wooden clogs and mats made from bunho reeds. At the boatyards and Casa do Tear, the focus is on making things; at the market, you can see the finished products. If you’re visiting on a Sunday, you can set aside the morning for the market.

On foot, by bike or on the water

Pardilhó’s flat landscape is ideal for walks and bike rides. Routes to explore include the Grande Rota da Ria de Aveiro and the Bio-Ria circular trail. There are also opportunities for stand-up paddleboarding on the lagoons. If you’re deciding how to spend time outdoors, you can choose between a walk, a bike ride and a water sport.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Pardilhó, you can start by deciding what you’re most interested in: boatbuilding, weaving and church history suit a focus on culture and crafts, while trails and stand-up paddleboarding offer a different emphasis. This helps you choose a destination that matches the things you want to explore on your trip.

Discover more destinations: Fermelã, Estarreja.

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