Stripes and Sea Breezes in Costa Nova

Posted byDerbyshire GalPosted inportugalTags:, , ,

There are places that feel like they’ve been quietly waiting for you, and for me, Costa Nova was exactly that kind of place.

Tucked along Portugal’s silver coast, this little seaside village is a love letter to slow mornings, salty air, and the kind of charm that doesn’t try too hard – because it doesn’t need to.

Colorful striped houses with a large banner displaying 'Propostas até 30 de Junho' against a clear blue sky.

Costa Nova stretches out between the ocean and the Aveiro Lagoon, giving you two personalities in one place.

A close-up view of a vibrant red door with two small windows, leading into an interior decorated with patterned tiles and green accents.
A decorative window with white frames and a flower box featuring red geraniums, set against a striped green and white wall.
A person sitting on a large, oversized blue and white deck chair sculpture, with arms outstretched, against a clear blue sky.

On one side, waves roll in with a steady rhythm that surfers adore. On the other, the lagoon glimmers softly, perfect for peaceful walks and watching fishermen glide by in their colourful boats

Smiling woman wearing a straw hat and sunglasses in front of colorful striped beach houses.

You can’t talk about Costa Nova without talking about the palheiros – iconic candy‑striped houses that look like they leapt straight out of a storybook.

Two distinct houses with striped facades: one black and white, the other red and white, featuring porch areas and white fencing.

Red and white, blue and white, yellow and white… each one feels like a cheerful postcard come to life.

Colorful striped houses featuring black, red, and yellow designs with white balconies and railings under a clear blue sky.

Originally built as fishermen’s storage huts, they’ve become the village’s signature look.

Wandering among them is half the joy of being here. Every corner is photogenic, but more importantly, it’s just fun. There’s a lightness to the place that’s hard to resist.

Two-story house with red and white striped facade and decorative details, featuring a balcony and patterned fence.
A charming red and white striped house with a small balcony and a bright blue sky in the background.
A brightly colored yellow house with white vertical stripes, featuring a wooden balcony and an umbrella over a patio area decorated with flower pots.
A smiling woman wearing a straw hat and sunglasses, posing for a selfie in front of a blue and white striped building.
A brightly colored building with yellow and white stripes, featuring a balcony with wooden railings, decorated with flowers. A white umbrella is positioned over a table below.
View of a striking black and white striped house with a balcony and white shutters under a bright blue sky.
A two-story striped house with green and white vertical stripes, featuring a small balcony and double doors on the ground level.
A house with distinct red and white vertical striped exterior, featuring a balcony, window shutters, and a red door with the number 120 on it.
Front view of a white house with red vertical stripes, featuring a balcony, two front doors, and decorative stonework at the base.
A coastal house with a striped white and blue exterior, featuring a front balcony adorned with flower pots, large windows, and a decorative plant in a white pot at the entrance.

Costa Nova isn’t loud or flashy. It doesn’t demand your attention. Instead, it gently invites you to unwind—to sit by the water, to wander without a plan, to savour simple pleasures.

And honestly, that’s its magic.

Facade of a two-story house with red and white striped walls, featuring a balcony, two main doors, and a checkerboard patterned step.
Front view of a blue and white striped house with a balcony adorned with flower pots.
A row of colorful houses featuring a central building with a red balcony and white walls, flanked by blue and white homes with decorative balconies.
A blue window with a flower box full of blooming petunias in various colors, set against a striped white wall.
Close-up of a vibrant blue wooden door with a decorative fish-shaped wall hanging, reflecting a scenic view through the glass panels.
A woman wearing sunglasses and a straw hat poses for a selfie in front of a blue and white striped building with flower boxes and a balcony.
Three colorful striped houses with balconies, featuring red, green, and blue stripes against a clear blue sky.
A vibrant blue and white striped house with a balcony and multiple windows under a clear blue sky.
A large house with black and white striped exterior, featuring a balcony and double doors, set against a clear blue sky.
A man standing in front of a blue and white striped house with a balcony on a sunny day.
A man stands in front of colorful striped houses, featuring blue and white stripes, with a white picket fence and bright blue sky above.
A traditional striped house with black and white paint, featuring two upper balconies, large windows, and flower pots on the ground, situated in a sunny setting.
A colorful two-story building with a traditional architectural style, featuring ornate yellow trim, large windows, and a decorative balcony. The front yard has a low black fence and cobblestone pavement.
A charming house featuring a distinctive gabled roof, decorative eaves, and a checkerboard patterned facade. The front porch is enclosed by a white railing, with two large windows that brighten the entrance.
A front view of a distinctive house with a checkered black and white facade, featuring a gabled roof and decorative trim, situated between two neighboring buildings.
Front view of a red and white striped house featuring a small balcony and white door with windows.
Front view of a yellow and white striped house with a balcony adorned with plants, featuring white double doors and a small table with potted plants outside.
A yellow and white striped building featuring decorative windows and a balcony with hanging plants.
Colorful striped houses with red and blue patterns, featuring balconies and white railings under a clear blue sky.
Close-up view of a window framed by red and white striped wall, featuring lace curtains.
A historic building featuring a decorative tiled facade, with a balcony and large wooden windows, surrounded by a metal fence.
A blue coastal house with white trim, featuring a balcony with decorative railing, two shuttered windows, a central door, and a white picket fence.
Front view of a two-story striped house with a balcony and white fence, featuring large windows and potted plants.
A charming red and white striped house with a decorative gate, featuring a sign that reads 'Vivenda 204'.
A window with a white frame featuring a flowerbox filled with purple and white flowers, set against a striped blue and white wooden facade.
A vibrant yellow building with white architectural details stands next to a striped black and white house, showcasing contrasting architectural styles.
Front view of a house decorated with blue and white tiles, featuring a door and a shuttered window, with other houses visible in the background.
A row of colorful houses featuring a blue house, a green house with a door numbered 112, and a yellow striped house, all under a clear sky.
A vibrant blue house exterior featuring a black door and a house number 114. The area around the door is adorned with lush green plants and colorful flowers.
Colorful striped houses with red and white, and yellow and white patterns, showcasing ornate blue tiled wall in the background.
A house with an exterior featuring vertical yellow and white stripes, including two windows with white frames and decorative curtains, and a central door.
Colorful striped houses with balconies and white railings, featuring red, blue, and yellow patterns, set against a cloudy sky.
A vibrant image of two adjacent houses featuring colorful striped exteriors, one in light blue stripes and the other in red and white stripes.
Colorful striped houses in a vibrant street setting, featuring blue, red, and yellow facades with balconies and decorative railings.
Close-up of a house exterior featuring intricate blue and yellow tile patterns, with a metal door and a window covered by shutters. The adjacent house is painted green with a red tiled roof.
Colorful blue and white striped house with white doors and a bench, surrounded by various potted plants and succulents.
Clothesline with various garments hanging outside a blue-patterned house, featuring a white balcony and potted plants.
Wall featuring decorative blue and white tiles with an image of Nossa Senhora da Saúde (Our Lady of Health) in the center.
A man standing in front of two multi-story houses with blue patterned facades. The ground floor has a white fence, and clothes are hanging on a line in front. The sky is partly cloudy.
A decorative wall featuring blue and white tiles, with a central ceramic panel depicting a scene with figures and a winged angel, alongside a balcony railing.
A brightly colored house with red and white striped siding, featuring decorative blue tiles on the lower part of the exterior. The house has two windows with white shutters and a red door at the center, with potted plants near the entrance.
Colorful houses with distinct architectural styles, featuring red and patterned facades, situated in a quaint neighborhood under a partly cloudy sky.
A colorful house featuring intricate tile patterns, with a yellow top and decorative elements, surrounded by lush greenery and potted plants.
A colorful house with intricate green patterned tiles, featuring a large religious image on the wall. The white front door is framed by plants and flowers, with white shutters on the windows. A small green and white storage area is visible at the bottom.
A close-up view of a decorative house facade featuring intricate blue and gold patterned tiles, a door with a lace curtain, and two flower pots on a stone wall.
Wall adorned with decorative tiles in blue and yellow patterns, featuring a white door with metal bars and a closed window with shutters.
Decorative ceramic tile pattern featuring intricate blue and gold designs with floral and geometric motifs.
A colorful house with striped blue and white walls, featuring a wooden door and several potted plants in the foreground. A patterned fabric drapes nearby.
A blue and white striped door on a building with a small staircase in front, surrounded by potted plants.
A wall covered in intricate blue and white patterned tiles featuring a religious image of a mother with child at the center.
A close-up view of a white and green building wall featuring various black bird sculptures mounted on the surface.
A decorative mailbox designed to resemble a small house, featuring a red tiled roof, green door, and the label 'Cartas' on the front.
A brightly painted house with yellow and white vertical stripes, featuring a white door and windows with wooden shutters, and a decorative railing.
A vibrant image of two houses with distinct striped facades; one in red and white stripes, the other in yellow and white stripes, showcasing colorful architecture.
Exterior of a building featuring a striped design in alternating red and white colors, with windows and a front door visible.
Facade of a decorative house with a distinct style, featuring pink and patterned walls, a wooden door, and two windows with shutters.
A building with a decorative tiled facade featuring blue patterns, red accents, and a distinct gable roof. Two scooters are parked in front, alongside several plastic water bottles.
A close-up of decorative tiles featuring intricate blue and white patterns, set against a textured pink wall.
Close-up of a window with a blue stucco frame and white rolling shutters, against a background of decorative blue and white patterned tiles.
Close-up view of a house with a pink exterior and decorative white trim, featuring a double door and a sign above the entrance.
A man standing in front of a bright yellow house with blue window frames and a door, featuring a flower box under a window.
A vibrant yellow house with blue accents and a decorative gable, situated between two other buildings: one with red and white stripes and the other with a more traditional facade.
A person wearing sunglasses and a straw hat smiles in front of a bright yellow house with a blue door and window, adorned with a small flower box.
A green and white striped building with a textured wall, featuring several windows and doors. A red stop sign with stickers is positioned in front.
A close-up view of a tiled bathroom wall featuring geometric patterns in yellow, black, and blue, with a central blue and white religious mural depicting angels and a heavenly scene.
A bright entrance featuring a white gate with vertical slats, adorned by vibrant pink bougainvillea flowers cascading over an archway and a tiled wall with blue decorative tiles.
A vibrant yellow house with blue accents is situated next to a red and white striped house, featuring dark wood elements and a small balcony.

There’s also a beautiful beach, if the stripes are not enough to tempt you!

A man walking on a wooden boardwalk through sandy dunes with grassy patches and an overcast sky.
A man walking on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by sandy dunes and sparse vegetation under a cloudy sky.
A sandy beach scene featuring dunes with sparse grass and a weathered wooden railing in the foreground.
A woman wearing a straw hat and sunglasses smiles for a selfie while walking on a wooden boardwalk leading to the beach, with a man in the background walking shirtless.
A man with a tattoo stands on a sandy beach overlooking the ocean, with beachgoers and umbrellas in the background under a cloudy sky.
A smiling woman wearing a straw hat and sunglasses stands on a sandy beach with the ocean in the background. People can be seen enjoying the beach and colorful umbrellas dot the scene.
A man walking on a wooden boardwalk through sand dunes under a cloudy sky.
A woman smiling in the foreground, wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, taking a selfie on a beach boardwalk. In the background, a man with his shirt off is playfully gesturing while standing on the boardwalk.
A woman wearing sunglasses and a straw hat smiles for a selfie on a boardwalk leading to the beach. A man walks in the background, shirtless, on the same boardwalk.
A sandy beach landscape showing dunes covered with grasses and a wooden railing in the foreground, under a cloudy sky.
A shirtless man with a tattoo stands on a sandy beach, overlooking the ocean. Beachgoers relax under colorful umbrellas in the background.
A smiling woman wearing a straw hat and sunglasses stands on a beach with waves in the background. The sandy beach features several people and colorful umbrellas.

This beautiful windswept, icing sugar fine beach reminds me of the beaches in Florida along the gulf of Mexico that we visited a few years ago.

A man in a sleeveless shirt and denim shorts stands on a wooden walkway near the beach, with sand and ocean visible in the background.
A man standing on a wooden walkway leading to a sandy beach, wearing casual shorts and sunglasses, with a clear blue sky in the background.
A sandy beach scene featuring a sparse beach grass, a wooden structure, and a bent branch reaching towards the sky, with gentle waves in the background.
A person jumping joyfully on a wooden boardwalk leading to a beach, wearing shorts and sunglasses, with a cloudy sky in the background.
Two groups of people relaxing on the beach, one under a colorful umbrella and another in a shaded area with black panels.

Published by Derbyshire Gal

World traveller, proud auntie, bit of a liability.

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