The city of Florianópolis is well known for its 42 beautiful beaches. Today, the tourist capital of Mercosur attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year, especially during the summer, making it the 2nd most visited Brazilian city by foreign tourists (behind only Rio de Janeiro). However, tourism in the capital of Santa Catarina is not only based on beaches.
The fascination and magic of Florianópolis are some of the many reasons that bring thousands of visitors every year in the summer season and throughout the year to business, cultural, artistic, sports, professional events, symposiums and conferences, consolidating the Capital as an important venue for events.
Tours to do in Florianópolis
anhatomirim Florianopolis
Anhatomirim is an island where a fort was built several years ago to protect the island from invaders. The place is very beautiful and during the journey, you will be able to see the islands of Ratones Grande and Ratones Pequena, where there is also a fort, in addition to the beautiful spectacle in the Bay of Dolphins.
Lagoon Coast Florianopolis
On the coast of Lagoa there are only two options to get there: by boat or on foot. To go by boat, just go to the head of the Lagoa bridge (where you can board and disembark). The tour is cheap, and there are several restaurants along the way, where they usually serve seafood, in addition to a great shrimp pastel.
fortress of san antonio Florianopolis
The Fortress of Santo Antônio, on the island of Ratones Grande, is the second largest in the region. Its construction began in 1740, completed four years later. It remained in ruins until 1990, when its recovery began. Also with Renaissance features, the main buildings are located in a line, bordered by the coast and facing the sea.
The powder magazine, located at the most prominent point on the ground floor, is the only building with two floors. Among the most significant architectural elements of the fortress are the portal, the water source and the aqueduct.
Campeche Island Florianopolis
Campeche Island has a paradisiacal beach, several archaeological sites and is listed by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage. To get to know the island, there are official options: the boats that leave from Praia da Armação and Barra da Lagoa and charge an average of R$ 25 round trip.
And there are alternative options: during the summer, the tip is to go to Campeche beach, right in front of the island, and take one of the boats that make the trip to the island.
The cost of the tour is lower and the length of stay on the island can be negotiated. The advantage is being able to do one of the monitored trails, discover the rock inscriptions and still have time to taste a portion of shrimp in a sensational place.
Conceição Lagoon Florianopolis
Lagoa da Conceição competes with the Hercílio Luz Bridge for being the main postcard of the city. It can also be said that different worlds that inhabit Florianópolis – the cosmopolitan and the countryside – intersect in Lagoa.
Despite not having waves, it is where most surfers live. Despite not having libraries, theaters and cinemas, it is the stronghold of artists and intellectuals. Although it doesn't have a big stage for concerts, its bars have the most distinctive rhythms to rock your nights. Those looking for fun and art cannot miss the Lagoon.
From the hills that surround it, wings and paraglides appear, coloring the sky. On the dunes, from Av. from Rendeiras – where the last strongholds of bobbin lace crafts can be found – to Joaquina, sandboarding is practiced. In its waters, speedboats, jet-skis, windsurfing boards and sailing boats of all types and sizes prevail.
The Lagoon was for a long time connected to several nearby nuclei. Among these are Barra da Lagoa, Costa da Lagoa and Canto da Lagoa, fishing communities that preserve many of the cultural characteristics. A municipal decree declared Costa da Lagoa a Historical and Cultural Heritage.
Morro da Cruz Florianopolis
Morro da Cruz is a great reference point for people visiting the island. Although it is not the highest point on the Island of Santa Catarina, at 450 meters, it is the easiest to access and the one that provides the most complete view due to its location. From there you can have an overview of the two bays, the Hercílio Luz, Colombo Salles and Pedro Ivo Campos bridges.
In addition, from the platform next to the cross, you can see a large part of the island, the Trindade neighborhood, the airport runways and part of the east coast of Florianópolis, bathed by the Atlantic Ocean.
Hercílio Luz Bridge Florianopolis
Construction of the Hercílio Luz bridge began in 1922, under the guidance of American engineers and technicians. Its completion took place four years later, on May 13, 1926, without the governor, under whose mandate the work was carried out and who lent its name, being able to see it completed. It is the only survivor of its model and one of the largest suspension bridges in the world.
It is 819 meters long and has two towers 75 meters high above sea level. It is currently completely closed to all types of traffic, including pedestrians.
Florianopolis Beaches
Barra da Lagoa
THE Barra da Lagoa enchants with the sea of gentle waves, which allow the practice of sports. This happens because the big waves caused by the open sea are stopped by the current of the valued Canal da Barra. An unmissable attraction is the Pênsil Bridge that passes over the Canal da Barra, close to the fishing center that is said to be the largest on the island of Santa Catarina.
On the other side of the bridge, there is a trail that passes between the shacks and will give access to Prainha, a cove surrounded by huge rocks, natural pools and unexplored archaeological sites.
The region has numerous bars and restaurants with international and Azorean cuisine, typical of the island. It is the perfect setting to enjoy Italian, Thai, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Seafood cuisine.
angry
The rough and cold sea, usually with strong waves, is great for surfing and provides excellent bathing. 38 kilometers away from the center, Brava is behind a hill that allows a magnificent view from the top, before reaching the beach. Its length is 1.7 km of soft sand. The sloping sand strip causes the sea to have a considerable depth right at the edge. The commercial options on this beach, which was recently urbanized with the construction of an imposing set of Mediterranean-style buildings, have been increasing year by year.
Canasvieiras
The main stronghold of Argentines in Florianópolis, Canavieira beach is the most cosmopolitan of all on the island of Santa Catarina, to the point of having “portunhol” as an official language during the summer months. It is one of the busiest spots on the island, both during the day and at night. There are bars, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, arcades, camping sites.
In short, all the necessary structure for a comfortable stay and full of options. Equipment is also offered for the practice of various sports and there are a large number of good tennis courts in hotels, clubs and inns. With an extension of 3 km, Canavieira has extremely pleasant and warm waters, as well as calm.
In the spa, you can hire whaleboats which, depending on the wind conditions, take 40 minutes to reach Anhatomirim Island. Closer to the beach is Ilha do Frances, almost entirely dedicated to its sole owner.
Other options on this beach, 27 kilometers from the center, are schooner rides and pedal boat rentals.
English
The beach is certainly the main tourist point of the place. With almost five kilometers in length, the narrow strip of sand is bathed by the open sea, with blue waters and medium swell. In high season the water has an average temperature of 22ºC and guarantees a pleasant bath. On the busiest days, the waves are not big, but they are well formed and surfers enjoy it.
In the colder months, schools of fish that go up the coast looking for warmer waters than those of Rio Grande do Sul to spawn make fishing the main activity of residents of Ingleses. The dunes that separate Ingleses from Santinho are another unmissable natural attraction. Sandboarding is practiced there, a sport created in Florianópolis that consists of going down the dunes on a board, doing maneuvers or not.
To practice, just have balance and rent a board. Those who want to take a different walk can cross the little over four kilometers of dunes on foot. Just don't forget to bring a bottle of water. In terms of infrastructure, Ingleses offers great options for accommodation and food. The service sector is also a strong point.
Joaquina
World famous for its excellent conditions for surfing and for the countless competitions of this sport held there, the dunes of Joaquina offer conditions for a new type of sport – sandbord. Its name originates from a legend in which an old lace maker, named Joaquina, was on its sands performing her trade when she was swallowed by a huge wave. A rough sea beach, 17 km from the center, is called “Joaca” by surfers.
With a length of 3.5 km, it is one of those that offer the best infrastructure to visitors, with hotels, restaurants, bars, a tourist terminal with a police and lifeguard station, public showers and toilets. Swimming requires attention due to large waves and currents. Invariably, Joaquina is full of surfers and bodyboarders with their colorful clothes.
Beach soccer and beach volleyball are constantly practiced there. Equipped with ample paid parking, it also has ice cream parlors and handicraft stores. An efficient lighting system allows surfing and the practice of other sports at night.
Soft
Great option for surfing, Mole is not recommended for children. There are holes right on the edge. Located 15 km from the center, between Lagoa da Conceição and Barra da Lagoa, it has such a name because of the softness of its sands. It also has public parking, showers, toilets and a lifeguard station. There are bars serving seafood and snacks.
With its always cold waters, it is the “point” of fashion in the city. Mainly frequented by young people, it bustles on summer nights with its live music bars.
Ponta das Canas
It follows the natural tendency of the north of the island, which, historically, due to the need to defend against Spanish attacks, was occupied and urbanized on a much larger scale than the south. Distant 34 kilometers from the center, it is characterized by having calm and generally warm waters.
Its length is 1.9 km of white and fine sand. A good option for water sports, it is one of the most popular resorts for Argentine and Uruguayan tourists.
Ponta dos Naufragados
To get to this beach, travel 28 km from the center to Ribeirão da Ilha and another 12 km on a dirt road to Caieira da Barra do Sul. Afterwards, it is necessary to walk for 3 km to reach the final destination, which corresponds to the most extreme point in the south of the Island.
Despite the effort, the ride is pleasant. The name of the beach is linked to a shipwreck that occurred there in 1715 with a boat carrying Azorean immigrants. With an extension of 1500 meters of white sand, it is a beach with rough seas and generally cold waters.
Much sought after by wild camping enthusiasts and surfers. For those who prefer greater convenience, there is access by sea from Ribeirão da Ilha. The boat trip is of rare beauty, as the journey takes place along the shores where the island's vegetation is very well preserved.
Ponta do Sambaqui
Belonging to the district of Santo Antônio de Lisboa, Sambaqui is an option for those looking for tranquility in one of the most pleasant areas for leisure and rest. 17 km away from the center, its beach is 1.10 km long.
The name Sambaqui originated from the pile of shells dispersed in its sands, calling the attention of researchers for revealing, from time to time, some fossilized animal or plant, as well as remnants of indigenous communities that inhabited the region. Its clear waters are calm, almost still.
The beach line presents a relief formed by cliffs. A place on the island where the folkloric dance of the boi-de-mamão still survives, Sambaqui has several bars on the beach and good restaurants.
Longing
On the mainland, facing the island, there are beautiful beaches with calm seas. They give their names to neighborhoods in the city and were popular in the 50s and 60s. The ones in the Coqueiros and Estreito neighborhoods are not usually used for bathing.
On the other hand, in the case of Coqueiros, they offer great views, such as Saudade, Sorriso, Meio, Itaguaçu and Palmeiras beaches, in addition to Bom Abrigo, located in the homonymous neighborhood. In Estreito is the Balneário beach, an option for walking and practicing sports.
holy card
Almost untouched by humans, Praia do Santinho is sought after mainly by tourists who enjoy nature and the tranquility of the place. Enraptured by its paradisiacal beauty, they consider Santinho to be the best beach in the North of Santa Catarina Island for surfing.
Despite being 40 kilometers away from the center of Florianópolis, Santinho is worth a visit. It is there that one of the most famous hotels in Florianópolis is located: the Costão do Santinho Resort.
The resort's most curious attraction is an open-air museum, which displays inscriptions made by the Carijós Indians, the first residents of the northern region, over 4,000 years ago.
Sport and Ecotourism in Florianopolis
Keeping fit in Florianopolis is not difficult at all. From geography to urban interventions, the island is perfect for practicing sports in and out of the water.
For those who don't have experience, the little schools encourage the first steps with classes for beginners – there are surf instructors in Joaquina and windsurfing instructors in Lagoa da Conceição. And more: “baptism” in diving at Ilha do Arvoredo and rental of equipment for sandboarding.
From the region's hills, tandem paragliding flights depart, while the trails lead to wild beaches accessible only by those who face, on foot, ups and downs amidst dirt and many stones.
How to go to Florianópolis?
O Hercilio International Airport Luz is located in Florianópolis and operates daily connecting the city to the main Brazilian capitals and Mercosur countries.
All major Brazilian airlines have daily direct flights to Florianópolis. There is only one road access to the Island via the BR 101 and the Pedro Ivo Campos bridges that connect the mainland to the island and Colombo Sales that makes the opposite way, offering one of the most beautiful panoramas of the Island.
When to go to Florianopolis?
The traveler who chooses to visit Florianópolis can do so at any time of the year.
In summer, when temperatures reach 40ºC, Florianópolis becomes the ideal environment for water sports, hiking, sandboarding, mountain-biking, among others.
In autumn, the milder temperatures and less movement of tourists make the island the perfect place for those looking for peace and a more intimate atmosphere.
With lower temperatures, winter brings an even more romantic atmosphere and enhances the aromas and flavors of the local cuisine.
In spring, the rise in temperature is an invitation to return to the beaches and activities related to nature.
How is the weather in Florianopolis??
The climate is humid with significant and well-distributed precipitation throughout the year. There is no dry season. The highest rainfall occurs from January to March and the lowest values occur from June to August. The average temperature varies between 20 and 24 degrees centigrade.
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