Ilhavo: City of the Lamp
Ilhavo, Portugal, is a municipality believed to have been established by Greek colonists in 400 BC. A prominent myth gave it the title “the city of the lamp”. It is renowned for Bread of Vale de Ilhavo, which is handmade and sewed in a firewood oven.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Ilhavo is during the months of April through November, for the perfect weather. The busiest months are usually May, July, and August. Tourists are least likely to visit in November.
What to Do & Area Attractions
One of the most popular attractions in the municipality is Ilhavo Maritime Museum. Established in 1937, it preserves local history associated with the sea. It also promotes maritime culture and identity. Tourists should also visit Portugal dos Pequenitos in Coimbra. It is a park featuring miniature replicas of different monuments in the country and from different parts of the world. These displays are classified into three areas. The first area features traditional architecture from all over the country. The second area displays the Portuguese monuments. The third area has ethnographic artifacts and monuments from different Portuguese-speaking countries. The park also has pavilions dedicated to former Portuguese colonies. Another interesting, nearby site to visit is the National Museum of Machado de Castro in Coimbra. First inaugurated in 1913, it was named after Joaquim Machado de Castro, a Portuguese sculptor. Get to book at some of the finest Ilhavo PT hotels. The 4-star Hotel Ilhavo Plaza offers commendable Portuguese hospitality to meet the needs of guests, whether traveling for business or leisure. Hotel Moliceiro provides affordable yet luxurious accommodation packages year-round.