Table of Contents
About
Located in the south of the country, Florianopolis is a great place to visit in Brazil. It has several tourist attractions such as Casnavieiras and Jurerê.
Florianopolis is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean in all its extension. Known for its paradisiacal beaches, lagoons, dunes and extensive areas of Atlantic forest and lagoons, the island of Santa Catarina has a total of 42 beaches in its extension. Some beaches are possible to practice diving like Jurere beach, while others are more suitable for surfing like Joaquina beach. Also, it has the option of warm and calm waters like Barra da Lagoa.
In the downtown area, it’s also possible to enjoy the sunset while walking along the beach. It’s a city with well-defined temperatures: in the summer the temperature can reach 102ºF and, in winter, it can stay below zero. No matter where you go in Florianopolis, you will always be surrounded by unforgettable landscapes.
History and Culture
In the middle of the 16th century, when Portuguese troops arrived in Florianopolis, the region was already populated by the Indians of the Tupi-Guarani nation. These tribes hunted wolves and other animals in the region to feed themselves. At that time, the island was known as a Meiembipe by the Indians, a word of carijó origin. In 1739, there were territorial disputes between Portugal and Spain. Several war structures were built, like the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, which is today one of the most famous tourist attractions on the island of Santa Catarina.
Today Florianopolis is known for exporting oysters and mullets, which are known worldwide. The inhabitants of Florianopolis, also known as “manezinhos”, are known for being friendly and welcoming.
Things ToDo in Florianopolis
Joaquina Beach
Known as one of the most visited Brazilian beaches in the summer, Joaquina beach is a heavenly place. 18 km away from the city center, this Brazilian beach is famous for its world surfing competitions. Known for its rough sea and its dunes, it’s also possible to practice sandboarding on windy days, making the ride even more exciting! Joaquina beach has three kilometers of extension and is located between Ponta do Retiro beach and Campeche beach.
Hercílio Luz Bridge
Recently reopened after years of restoration, the Hercílio Luz bridge overlooks the sea and the continent. At 15 meters high, it’s possible to see nice spots from the entrance of the pencil bridge built in the 19th century. The first name suggestion for the bridge was Independence bridge. However, shortly after the death of Governor Hercílio Luz, who signed the contract for the construction of the bridge, it was decided to change the name of the bridge to Hercílio Luz as a way to honor him. There are only 3 bridges of this type in the world. The Hercílio Luz bridge has an exclusive pedestrian crossing, making it possible to take incredible photos of the sea.
Lagoinha do Leste
Known as the most beautiful beach in the city, it’s only accessible by trail or boats when the sea is in good condition for navigation. It’s visited by tourists who want to have contact with nature. It’s possible to use two trails to reach it: the Matadeiro trail and the southern Pântano trail. In the first option, it’s possible to observe the Atlantic Ocean, and the second option, it’s possible to see several exotic birds and the Atlantic Forest. When arriving at the beach, the tourist finds an incredible natural landscape.
Many tourists choose to camp on this beach, which offers an area close to the river where it’s protected from wind and rain. Also, you can climb the hill of Coroa, where you have a privileged view of the beach of Lagoinha do Leste. The climb to the top is tiring, but the look is rewarding. And last but not least remember to bring your water and food, because there is no supermarket close to the beach.
Barra da Lagoa
Located in a residential area 20 kilometers from the center of Florianopolis, the region of Barra da Lagoa has a calm sea, crystal clear water, and the option to practice diving in the Barra Channel. It’s a charming region, where you can see rare species of animals such as the socó-dorminhoco and the gavião-de-penacho. About a 15-minute walk from Barra beach, you can visit the natural pools of Barra da Lagoa, a true paradise with calm waters. For the more adventurous travelers, it’s possible to jump from rocks into the sea. But be careful, as the area is not supervised by lifeguards.
The Peri Lagoon
The Peri lagoon is the largest lagoon on the coast of the state of Santa Catarina, with five square kilometers of the area occupied by freshwater. Commonly sought after by tourists who want a quieter place, it’s possible to take all family for boat trips and enjoy nature.
The Peri lagoon is surrounded by Atlantic forest, trails that lead to waterfalls, and ancient structures from the colonization period. The lagoon is the natural habitat of several species such as the macaco-prego and the gralha-azul.
Morro da Cruz
A good option for those who want to enjoy the sunset in Florianopolis from 285 meters high. Considered by natives as the best place to have a panoramic view of the central part of Florianopolis, the Hercílio Luz bridge, the beach of Daniela, and the island of Ratones. It’s about a 6-minute drive from downtown Florianopolis.
Fortress of São Jose da Ponta Grossa
The fortress was built in the 16th century, to increase protection in the north of the island at the time of Brazil’s colonization. The Fortaleza was abandoned for decades. In 1938, it was listed as a World Heritage Site and about 50 years later, reforms were carried out in the main building and the walls. Situated between Forte beach and Jurerê beach, the site has cannons and several warlike artifacts. Tourists who like history will like this place.
Campeche Island
Known by natives as the ‘‘Brazilian Caribbean’’, you can only reach this island by boat. Leaving from Armação beach, it’s a 30-minute trip across the Atlantic Ocean. The crossing is an adventure on the open sea.
On the island of Campeche, the traveler finds reserves of Atlantic forest and see some preserved archaeological sites. There are also crystal-clear waters with visibility up to 13 meters deep and you can see some species of animals threatened with extinction, such as the Quati. The island was designated a national heritage in 1998.
Córrego Grande Municipal Park
Located about 5 kilometers from the center of Florianopolis, the Córrego Grande Ecological Park occupies an area of more than 20 hectares, where the tourist has several leisure options. The park has ecological trails and two lakes, where you can sail in small boats. On Wednesdays, there are free local yoga classes, an ideal option for those who want to rest their body, mind, and have contact with nature.
Palacio Cruz e Souza
With several sculptures and furniture from the time of Brazil’s colonization, the place is rich in culture. In the appointment of the first governor of the state of Santa Catarina, Brigadier José da Silva Paes, it was decided that it was necessary to build a building for the government of Santa Catarina. After years of abandoning, the palace underwent further restoration in 1894, acquiring the architectural characteristics preserved until today. The site was visited by emperors Dom Pedro I and II. Besides, the palace has a beautiful facade, marble staircase, and European chandeliers installed on the outside of its structure. On Sundays, admission is free of charge and on other weekdays it costs one dollar per person.
How to get to Florianopolis
By Air – There are daily flights from Sao Paulo and direct flights from some Latin American cities such as Montevideo and Buenos Aires by LATAM airlines.
By Train – The state of Santa Catarina does not have a train system for long-distance travel.
By Car – Florianopolis is about 1100 kilometers from the city of Rio de Janeiro and about 1300 kilometers from Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. It is important to remember that some roads in Brazil are not safe. Therefore, we recommend using air transport.