With traces of settlement dating back to about 5000 B.C., Albergaria-a-Velha was founded by Queen Teresa, mother of the first King of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques. It is a charming destination for nature tourism aficionados, offering the largest number of classified water mills in Europe, as well as a deeply dazzling natural heritage.
The City of Albergaria-a-Velha has a prime location in natural surroundings between the Vouga river and the Ria of Aveiro and it benefits from the proximity to the coast, an extensive area of plains and also a mountainous area of varying altitudes. This diversity of natural scenery makes this city attractive for visits, being very close to urban centers like Aveiro, Porto, Coimbra and Viseu.
Pateira de Frossos is the greatest natural attraction of Albergaria-a-Velha. This natural ecosystem presents the typical biodiversity of Aveiro Lagoon, showcasing an absolutely unique landscape and high ecological value. The natural conditions have allowed for the settlement of diversified species, namely a large colony of storks (Ciconia ciconia).St. James' Way is very meaningful for the cultural identity of this hospitable town.