Ponte dos Laços de Amizade
Aveiro's Friendship Ribbons Bridge, a vibrant symbol of love and connection, adorned with thousands of colorful ribbons.

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Ponte dos Laços de Amizade
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Aveiro's Friendship Ribbons Bridge, a vibrant symbol of love and connection, adorned with thousands of colorful ribbons.
"This modest pedestrian bridge... is covered with thousands of colorful ribbons, creating a vibrant and heartfelt display."
Tie a Ribbon 🎀
Bring your own ribbon to tie on the bridge, continuing the tradition of friendship and love .
Boat Tour Start Point 🚤
This bridge is a great spot to easily hop on a traditional moliceiro boat tour .
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Ribbon Bridge
Cais do Cojo
Thousands of colorful ribbons adorn this bridge, symbolizing eternal friendship and love. A must-see spot for a unique photo opportunity.

Moliceiro Boat Tour
Canals of Aveiro
Glide through Aveiro's charming canals on a traditional moliceiro boat, passing under historic bridges and admiring colorful architecture.
Historic Center Stroll
Aveiro Historic Center
Wander through Aveiro's picturesque streets, admire tiled buildings, and discover quiet churches after visiting the bridge.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Tie Your Friendship Knot
Aveiro's Canal Charm
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Tie a Ribbon 🎀
Bring your own ribbon to tie on the bridge, continuing the tradition of friendship and love.
Boat Tour Start Point 🚤
This bridge is a great spot to easily hop on a traditional moliceiro boat tour.
Walk the Canals 🚶♀️
Enjoy a peaceful walk along the canals, admiring the reflections and architecture.
Capture the Colors :camera:
The vibrant ribbons make for a colorful and memorable photo opportunity.
Tips
from all over the internet
Tie a Ribbon 🎀
Bring your own ribbon to tie on the bridge, continuing the tradition of friendship and love.
Boat Tour Start Point 🚤
This bridge is a great spot to easily hop on a traditional moliceiro boat tour.
Walk the Canals 🚶♀️
Enjoy a peaceful walk along the canals, admiring the reflections and architecture.
Capture the Colors :camera:
The vibrant ribbons make for a colorful and memorable photo opportunity.
Nearby Markets 🛍️
Check for street markets near the bridge, adding to the lively atmosphere on certain days.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the Ponte dos Laços de Amizade to be a charming and symbolic spot in Aveiro, often described as the heart of the city. Its vibrant ribbons create a unique visual appeal, and it serves as a perfect starting point for canal tours and leisurely walks. While some note its proximity to commercial areas, the overall sentiment is one of peace, charm, and a memorable experience.
"This bridge is the heart of Aveiro — from here, you can easily hop on a boat tour or start a peaceful walk through the historic center.
We joined a boat ride right next to this spot, gliding under old bridges and learning about the town's history. After that, we strolled through the nearby square and admired the tiled buildings and quiet churches.
It's calm, scenic, and charming — one of the most relaxing parts of our Portugal trip. Highly recommended."
Alfred Ng
"It’s a beautiful ponte, surrounded by shopping malls, street markets (depending on the day and time), coffee shops and bars. The coffee shops along the river offer the best view, I totally recommend it. It is just a peaceful place to walk alongside of the river."
Ekin
"This modest pedestrian bridge, built with wood or metal, blends seamlessly into the traditional canal setting of Aveiro. In 2014, two university students in Aveiro began tying ribbons to the bridge, turning it into a symbolic place to celebrate friendship and love. Today, the railings are covered with thousands of colorful ribbons, creating a vibrant and heartfelt display. Many visitors continue the tradition, leaving behind their own ribbon as a token of connection and memory."
Seokjin Ham
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Ponte dos Laços de Amizade is centrally located in Aveiro, often referred to as the 'Venice of Portugal.' It's easily accessible by foot from the main train station, which is about a 15-20 minute walk away. The main bus station is also very close to the train station, making it convenient for travelers arriving by bus.
Many visitors find it a pleasant walk through the city to reach the bridge.While there might be parking garages in the vicinity, Aveiro's city center can be busy. If you're arriving by car, consider using a parking garage and exploring the city on foot, as the bridge and surrounding canals are best enjoyed by walking.
Yes, the bridge is well-integrated into Aveiro's canal system. Local buses can get you close to the city center, and from there, it's a short walk to the Ponte dos Laços de Amizade. Many visitors arrive via train or bus and find it easy to navigate to the bridge on foot.
The area around the Ponte dos Laços de Amizade is best explored on foot. You can easily walk along the canals, admire the colorful moliceiro boats, and access nearby shops and cafes. Boat tours also depart from near the bridge, offering a unique perspective of the city.
Absolutely! Aveiro is a very walkable city, especially its historic center and canal areas. The Ponte dos Laços de Amizade is situated in a prime location for pedestrian exploration, allowing you to discover its charm at your own pace.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, the Ponte dos Laços de Amizade is a public pedestrian bridge and does not require an entrance ticket. You can visit and admire the colorful ribbons at any time.
There are no fees for tying a ribbon on the bridge. You can purchase ribbons from local shops or bring your own to participate in the tradition.
The bridge is accessible 24/7 as it's a public walkway. However, the surrounding shops and cafes will have their own operating hours.
To experience the bridge with fewer people, aim for weekday mornings. Late afternoons can also be pleasant, offering beautiful light for photos, though it might be busier.
Yes, many moliceiro boat tours and walking tours of Aveiro include a stop or pass by the Ponte dos Laços de Amizade, offering historical context and insights into the ribbon tradition.
📸 📸 Photography
Late afternoons offer beautiful golden hour light, making the colorful ribbons pop and creating a magical atmosphere. Early mornings are also great for fewer crowds and soft light.
Focus on the vibrant ribbons, the bridge's structure, and the reflections in the canal. Capture yourself or your companions tying a ribbon for a personal touch.
Drone regulations can vary. It's advisable to check local rules and regulations for Aveiro before flying a drone in the area to ensure compliance.
Besides the bridge itself, the colorful moliceiro boats docked nearby and the reflections in the canal offer excellent photographic opportunities. The surrounding historic buildings also add to the charm.
While you can photograph the general scene, it's always respectful to ask for permission before taking close-up photos of individuals or groups.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, the area around the Ponte dos Laços de Amizade is lined with cafes and restaurants. Many offer lovely views of the canal, making them perfect spots to relax and enjoy a meal or coffee.
Don't miss trying 'Ovos Moles,' a traditional sweet pastry made with egg yolks and sugar. Seafood is also a highlight in Aveiro, given its coastal location.
While traditional Portuguese cuisine can be meat and fish-heavy, many restaurants in tourist areas like Aveiro are increasingly offering vegetarian and vegan options. It's always a good idea to check menus or ask staff.
You can find more affordable options by exploring slightly away from the immediate canal-side restaurants. Look for local 'tascas' or bakeries for snacks and lighter meals.
Several coffee shops along the river offer the best views. Enjoying a coffee while watching the moliceiro boats glide by is a highly recommended experience.
🎫 💡 Onsite Experience
The tradition started in 2014 with two university students tying ribbons to symbolize friendship and love. Visitors continue this practice, leaving their own ribbons as tokens of connection and memory.
A visit to the bridge itself is brief, perhaps 15-30 minutes to tie a ribbon and take photos. However, it's often combined with a boat tour or a walk along the canals, which can take an hour or more.
The bridge is a central point for exploring Aveiro's canals, moliceiro boat tours, the historic center with its tiled buildings, and nearby shopping areas.
As a pedestrian bridge, it is generally flat and accessible. However, the surrounding canal paths might have some cobblestones or uneven surfaces.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as you'll likely be walking along the canals. The weather in Aveiro can be mild, so layers are a good idea.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Combine your visit with a moliceiro boat tour, which is usually a hit with children. The gentle ride through the canals offers a different pace and allows them to see the city from a new angle. The surrounding areas are also great for a leisurely stroll, with plenty of open spaces for kids to move around.
❤️ Couples & Romantic Getaways
Follow up your bridge visit with a romantic moliceiro boat ride through the canals, especially during sunset for an unforgettable experience. Enjoying a coffee or a meal at one of the canal-side cafes offers a peaceful setting to connect and soak in the charming 'Venice of Portugal' atmosphere.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Experiment with different angles, focusing on the details of the ribbons or the wider canal views. The golden hour light in the late afternoon can create stunning shots. Don't forget to capture the traditional moliceiro boats and the charming architecture that lines the canals.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Story Behind the Ribbons
Over the years, this initiative blossomed into a widespread practice. Today, the bridge is adorned with thousands of colorful ribbons, each representing a unique bond, a cherished memory, or a hopeful wish. Visitors continue to participate, adding their own ribbons as a personal mark of affection or friendship, making the bridge a dynamic and heartfelt display.
This tradition transforms the bridge into a living art installation, a place where personal stories are visually shared. It’s a beautiful, low-cost way to engage with the local culture and leave a small, colorful piece of yourself behind in Aveiro.
Aveiro: The Venice of Portugal
The city's unique character is further enhanced by its colorful Art Nouveau architecture and the iconic moliceiro boats. These flat-bottomed vessels, once used for harvesting algae, are now painted with vibrant scenes and witty inscriptions, offering a delightful way to explore the canals.
Walking along the canal banks, especially near the Ponte dos Laços de Amizade, provides a tranquil experience. You can admire the reflections of the buildings in the water, enjoy the gentle breeze, and soak in the peaceful atmosphere that sets Aveiro apart from more bustling European cities. It's a place where history, culture, and natural beauty converge seamlessly.
Experiencing the Canals by Moliceiro Boat
As you drift along, your guide will often share stories about Aveiro's history, its salt pans, and the significance of the moliceiro boats themselves. The boats are easily identifiable by their colorful paintings, which often depict daily life, historical events, or humorous scenes.
Many boat tours depart from areas close to the Ponte dos Laços de Amizade, making it a convenient activity to combine with your visit to the bridge. It's a relaxing and informative way to see the city's highlights, including its charming bridges and historic architecture.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit