'Venice of Portugal' just a short flight from England has temperatures up to 29 degrees has and £1.80 pints

If you're looking for a taste of Venice without astronomic costs and less crowds, this Portuguese city might be for you.

There might not be Italian gelato on tap, but there is certainly enough cheap beer to make you forget about that.

Globetrotters have dubbed Aveiro the 'Venice of Portugal', thanks to its canals, colourfulness and gondola-like boats.

Although it's half the size of the Italian city, it has twice the room to mill about in as the streets aren't clogged up with mobs of holidaymakers.

The Portuguese port city still has many of the same allures as Venice though - such as vibrant boats, a thriving fishing industry and nouveau architecture.

They both boast an estuary that runs in the centre of the city where vessels gather, as well as three canals which split the city into different areas.

Aveiro has plenty of nautical activities to sink your teeth into, such as water tours or exploring Portugal's central coast.

There are loads of sandy beaches to catch some rays on as well, including the stunning Barra Beach and São Jacinto Beach.

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Summer is the best time to visit, as temperatures can top 29C.

But if trying out the local tipples is more you're speed, you will be happy to hear a night on the town won't cost an arm and a leg.

You can feed and water the family for a fraction of what it would cost you in Venice.

A pint of beer can set you back as little as €2 (£1.74), meaning a booze up in the sunshine won't break the bank.

A meal at a reasonable restaurant can cost just €8 (£6.98), according to The Sun, so you can fill your boots even if you're on a tight budget.

But if you're still unconvinced about considering swapping Venice for Aveiro, just have a browse of the prices of flights and hotels.

You can bag a direct flight to the closest airport, Porto, with both Ryanair and easyJet from a string of UK cities.

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You can fly from the likes of London, Leeds, Bristol, Belfast, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

Return tickets can cost you just £26 and it only takes two and a half hours to get there.

You will have a one-hour drive to the city after arriving, but the journey will fly by when you think of what good value your in for.

Your hotel stay won't cost extortionate amounts either, as a room at the four-star beachfront Costa do Sal Hotel Boat Lounge can be as low as £27.50 per person, based on two people sharing a room, for one night.

On the other hand, it would cost you at least double that to cover your accommodation in Venice.

If you love a bargain and have a fondness for canals, add Aveiro to your list of must-visit destinations.