Maritime Museum of Ílhavo

Maritime Museum of Ílhavo (Museu Marítimo de Ílhavo) is a museum in the town of Ílhavo, in the Aveiro region on Portugal's Atlantic coast, devoted to the relationship between local people and the sea. It is best known for its focus on cod fishing and for the neighbouring Cod Aquarium, which makes it one of the more unusual maritime attractions in the country.

What is the Maritime Museum of Ílhavo?

The museum was founded on 8 August 1937, born from the wish of the local community to preserve its memories of the sea and of fishing. Ílhavo has long been a town of seafarers, and the collection reflects that identity. In 2001 the museum was renovated and expanded, and today it occupies a building of modern architecture that sits comfortably alongside the historic story it tells.

What can you see inside?

The exhibitions cover Portugal's maritime identity in a broad sense. A central theme is cod fishing, presented through fishing vessels from the 19th and 20th centuries, which show how demanding and dangerous the long Atlantic campaigns were for the crews who sailed from this coast.

Another highlight is the colourful painted decoration of the moliceiros, the traditional boats of the Ria de Aveiro lagoon that were used to harvest seaweed. The paintings on their bows are a distinctive piece of regional folk art.

In the Sala dos Mares, the boat is treated as the main object of sea and river heritage. Several types of traditional Portuguese boats are on show, with particular attention to those connected with the migrations of the people of Ílhavo.

The museum also holds a wide art collection, a seaweed collection, and what is described as the largest collection of shells in Portugal.

What is the Cod Aquarium?

The Cod Aquarium (Aquário dos Bacalhaus) was inaugurated in January 2013. It is an exhibition of biological heritage dedicated to the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, a fish that the Portuguese have caught and eaten for centuries. The main tank holds 120 cubic metres of water. Seeing the living animal gives context to the boats, tools and stories displayed in the museum galleries, and connects the history of fishing with the biology of the species.

Why visit?

• It is a compact way to understand why cod, known in Portuguese as bacalhau, occupies such a central place in the country's culture and cuisine.
• The collection combines boats, art, natural history and local heritage in one visit.
• The museum works well as a stop when exploring Ílhavo and the wider Aveiro lagoon area.
• The location is easy to combine with other sights of the region, such as the moliceiro boat trips and the canals of Aveiro.

Practical tips

The museum is located in Ílhavo at coordinates 40.604333, -8.666087, a short trip from the city of Aveiro. Opening hours and ticket prices change, so check the museum's official channels before you go. Allow enough time to see both the museum galleries and the aquarium, especially if you like reading about history and boats in detail.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Maritime Museum of Ílhavo founded? It was founded on 8 August 1937 and was renovated and expanded in 2001.

What is the museum known for? Mainly for its exhibitions on cod fishing, traditional boats such as the moliceiros, and its large shell collection.

Is there an aquarium? Yes. The Cod Aquarium opened in January 2013 and has a 120 cubic metre tank dedicated to the Atlantic cod.

Where is it? In Ílhavo, near Aveiro, in the centre region of Portugal.

Is it worth visiting for people not interested in fishing? Yes. The mix of art, shells, seaweed, boats and a living-fish exhibition gives it a wider appeal than the name suggests.