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Florianópolis

Picture above is from the top of Morro do Lampião.
Updated January 2024.

Island of Magic

Known to the locals as Floripa, this city is also an island. It is the capital of Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil and notable for being on Santa Catarina Island with beautiful beaches, lagoons, green hills, and historic center. It is part of the Atlantic Forest, offering ample opportunities for hiking and outdoor adventures.

Its name is a tribute to Marshal Floriano Peixoto, the second President of Brazil with the Greek ending of polis meaning city added at the end. Before, it was called Nossa Senhora do Desterro, “Our Lady of Banishment” or simply Destorro.
​

Floripa’s other nickname, Island of Magic, references its beauty, relaxed atmosphere, and variety of cultures from the Portuguese colonizers, the Azorean immigrants, indigenous people, and African slaves.
Tips
1-Day Plan
Museums
Other Activities
Restaurants

Overview

  • 8:00 - 10:00 AM: Hiking - explore the beauty
  • 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM: Lagoa da Conceição 
    • 10:30 - 10:45 AM: Mirante do Morro da Lagoa da Conceição - lookout point
    • 11:00 AM- 12:35 PM: Costa da Lagoa - lunch
    • 12:40 - 1:10 PM: Cachoeira da Costa da Lagoa - waterfall
  • 1:45 - 2:00 PM: Mirante Ahau - lookout point
  • 2:30 - 3:30 PM: Praia da Joaquina - beach known for surfing
  • 4:00 - 4:30 PM: Mirante do Morro da Cruz - lookout point
  • 4:45 - 5:00 PM: Hercílio Luz Bridge - famous bridge
  • 5:15 - 6:15 PM: Florianópolis Public Market - marketplace
  • ​6:20 - 6:30 PM: Plazas​
  • 6:30 - 7:00 PM: Catedral Metropolitana de Florianópolis Nossa Senhora do Desterro e Santa Catarina de Alexandria - church

​Click the star to add the map to your Google Maps!​ To view it, simply open Google Maps, navigate to the Menu, choose “Your Places,” click "Maps", and voila, the map should be added.
 

Tips

Getting To/From the City
The Hercílio Luz International Airport is located north of Ribeirão da Ilha. It is a modern airport that is open 24/7.

They also have a recreational plaza right outside of the terminal and one needs to walk past the plaza to where the rideshare apps will pick one up.

An Uber ride costs about R$35-50 to get to Centro.

Getting Around the City
Picture
​BUSES
Buses are the cheapest form of transit. There are different and affordable bus lines that go directly from Centro to different places around the island. Public buses cost R$3 - R$5 and require one to pay cash to the driver.

If one is staying longer, one can purchase a R$3 Cartão Passe Rápido Turist which is worth it if one rides the bus for 15-20 rides, and can be recharged at bus terminals. It can be a little difficult to navigate the bus system, but one can check out the MobFloripa website. Otherwise, bus schedules are available at any bus station.

Note that on Sundays, to improve accessibility to the beach, buses are free!

UBER
This rideshare app is a more accessible and easy way to get around the island if one has a destination in mind.
CAR RENTAL
To follow the day plan provided, it might be best to rent a car; however, parking can be quite difficult, so it might be easier to 
North Side of the Island
One will note that most of the activities provided aren't in the north, since this is where most of the resorts are located.
 

1-Day Plan

8:00 - 10:00 AM: Hiking
Known for its wildlife, there are so many different places one can visit throughout Floripa. Check out the hiking section for a list of great places to start the day. 
10:30 AM - 2:00 PM: Lagoa da Conceição
One of the two naturally forming picturesque lagoons that has plenty of water activities.
​10:30 - 10:45: Mirante do Morro da Lagoa da Conceição
One of two scenic viewpoints. At the highest point of Lagoa da Conceição, one receives a stunning panoramic view. There is plenty of parking and can be a quick stop. There are also some cool souvenir shops that sell interesting art pieces.
Picture
Mirante do Morro da Lagoa da Conceição
Water Taxi
Ticket to Board (buy a round-trip)
Water Taxi Interior
View of the Costa from the boat
Map of the water taxi
Stops along the route
Restaurants along the lagoon at Stop #16
Restaurante Cabral Parador 19
Trail along the Lagoa
​11:00 - 12:35: Costa da Lagoa
  • On the western shore of Lagoa da Conceição, it has retained its traditional Azorean fishing village charm. Along the waterfront, besides the hiking trail, there are plenty of waterfront restaurant options.
  • Water Taxi: One can pay R$25 (cash or debit card) for a round-trip ticket. It operates at the top of the hour and there are 23 different stops. The taxi won’t stop at every stop unless there’s someone there or if you inform the driver.
  • One can eat at one of the restaurants around the waterfront!

​12:40 - 1:10: Cachoeira da Costa da Lagoa
In the rainforest around the Costa da Lagoa village, it is accessible as a quick 5-10 minute hike from Stop #16 along the trail. It is surrounded by lush vegetation, has good signage, and there is a natural pool formed at the bottom where one can swim and relax.

One can also walk along the sides of the rock to get close to the waterfall itself.
View of the waterfall with the natural pool in front
Walking up close to the waterfall
From the waterfall, head to Stop #16 to reboard the water taxi aroune 1:05 - 1:10 PM.
Mirante Ahau
Souvenir Store
Gemstone shop

​1:45 - 2:00: Mirante Ahau
​Near Praia Mole and Praia da Galheta, this hilltop viewpoint provides a panoramic view of the lagoon from the eastern side. The viewpoint also has a small cafe, a souvenir shop, and a rock/gemstone shop.
2:30 - 3:30 PM: Praia da Joaquina
One can drive down the Avenida das Rendeiras towards Joaquina Beach, the location of national and world surfing championships. Along the way, one can stop and check out the Dunas da Joaquina on the side of the road, naturally forming sand dunes where one can try out sandboarding.
​
Praia da Joaquina itself is a beach known for its powerful waves that are the ideal place for surfers. Meanwhile at low tide, there are natural rock formation that create shallow pools which provide calmer environments for children to swim. 
Praia da Joaquina
Dunas da Joaquina
Picture
Mirante do Morro da Cruz (Source: Alans Costa on Google)
4:00 - 4:30 PM: Mirante do Morro da Cruz
​Located on top of Morro da Cruz, the viewpoint provides a panoramic view of the Centro part of Floripa. While one can walk up to the viewpoint, it is easier to arrive by car. It is quite a popular spot for sunsets. 

​​4:45 - 5:00 PM: Hercílio Luz Bridge
This suspension bridge connects the Santa Catarina Island to the mainland, it was the first of its kind, built in 1922. It’s named after the Governor of Santa Catarina. One can drive across the bridge, although there isn't much to do in Estreito. I would recommend heading to the lookout point at Luz Park to see the bridge at sunset.
Hercílio Luz Bridge
Hercílio Luz Bridge at Night
Parque da Luz
​​5:15 - 6:15 PM: Mercado Público de Florianópolis 
  • The original building dated back to 1851 and was used to hide the street vendors from Portuguese royalty as the original goods were exposed and laid out on the beach. The current building was built in 1899 with only one wing, with the other wings, towers, and bridges built from 1928-1931. The roof over the central section was built in 2016.
  • Besides a bunch of restaurants, there are also storefronts selling wares. They are closed on Sundays.
One can enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants here. For seafood, I'd recommend Box 32.
​​6:20 - 6:30 PM: Plazas

​
  • Praça Fernando Machado: This area is where the first streets of Florianópolis were built. One can also find the Memorial Miramar, a monument built in 2001 honoring the former municipal warehouse Miramar, where passengers took the ferry between the island and the mainland.

  • Praça XV de Novembro: The 15th of November Square is named after the date that Brazil was proclaimed. It is a popular meeting space with the massive centenary fig tree in the center remembering those who died in the Paraguay War. 
Picture
Centenary Fig Tree
​​6:30 - 7:00 PM: Catedral Metropolitana de Florianópolis Nossa Senhora do Desterro e Santa Catarinade Alexandria 
Exterior Facade
Altar
Stained Glass Windows
The first chapel was built here in 1673 and the current church was completed in 1773, although it has undergone multiple expansions and renovations. It is dedicated to the patroness of Florianópolis, Our Lady of Exile, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

The neoclassical architecture style has baroque elements with a beautiful façade, columns, and a central dome. The interior has beautiful stained glass windows and is well-maintained.
 

Museums

  • São José da Ponta Grossa Fortress: At the top of Ponta Grossa Hill, this fortress, built in 1765 aimed to defend the island’s eastern side. One can learn some history and have some beautiful views from inside the fortress.
  • Museu Victor Meirelles: Housed in the former home of the local Floripan Brazilian painter Victor Meirelles, this museum showcases his artwork and pieces by other contemporary artists.
  • Museu do Homen do Sambaqui (Open Tuesday through Friday): Natural and cultural history museum with native animal displays and archeological artifacts of the original inhabitants of the island.
  • Palacio Cruz e Sousa: Shows the history of Santa Catarina state and famous individuals. It is located within Cruz e Souza Palace, a former government building.
  • Ecomuseu do Ribeirão (Closed Saturday and Sunday): History of Santa Catarina Island by learning about the Azorean culture and people who arrived in the 18th-century.
  • Museum of Trash: Sadly it’s only open for a few hours in the middle of the day, but it’s a museum that challenges one’s conception of what trash is as it has a collection of itmes thrown away by others.
 

Other Activities

Hiking
Picture
Map of Hiking Locations
  • Morro do Lampião: 30-minute hike to see one of the best views of Campeche, as one can stand atop a large rock to see one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the area.
  • Trilha de Naufragados: 45-minute hike through the Atlantic rainforest starting at Rodovia Baldicero Filomeno to the Naufragados beach, a natural protected zone.
  • Lagoinha do Leste: Located in the southern part of Santa Catarina island, it is one of the most well-preserved beaches. The 1.5-hour hike through the Atlantic rainforest with beautiful ocean views and a secluded beach at the very end. A boat service does run between the two trailheads of either Praia Matadeiro or Panatano do Sul.
    • Morro da Coroa: The main attraction of this hill is the famous Pedra do Surfista rock, which looks like a surfboard.
  • Dunas da Joaquina: One can explore a restinga environment (coastal, tropical broadleaf forest that only forms in sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soils. One can walk around in the dunes before heading to the beach. Note that one will need to wade through the Campeche aquifer.
  • Morro da Aranha: Nicknamed spider hill, the 1.5-hour hike starts from Praia Santinho heading south towards the trailhead where one can see archaeological drawings. One can either climb to the top of the hill or walk along the coast to Praia Moçambique.
  • Cachoeira do Sertão do Ribeirão: A 1-hour round-trip hike from the Ribeirão da Ilha along Rodovia Baldicero Filomeno to see the waterfall along this path.
Viewpoint from Morro do Lampião
Dunas da Joaquina
Dunas da Joaquina (Campeche Aquifer)
Morra da Coroa (Source: Agora Viage)
Cachoeira do Sertão do Ribeirão (Source: trilhaesemsc)

Beaches
There are over 40 beaches throughout Floripa. Here are some of the popular ones.
Lagoa Beaches
  • Praia Mole: Known as a beach for the gay community and patricinha, slang for high-class girls who are at the beach not to enjoy the beach.
  • Praia da Galheta: Partial nudist beach as people don’t need to be naked there.
  • Praia da Barra da Lagoa: Family-friendly beach next to the canal that has calmer waves and a few tidepools around the area.
  • Praia Gravatá: Secluded, small beach that requires a hike to get to, but there is easy swimming and isn’t too crowded
  • Praia do Campeche: This beach is 7.5 miles long and is just south of Praia Joaquina
Picture
Praia do Caldeirão
Picture
Praia do Campeche

​North Beaches:
  • Praia dos Ingleses: Very crowded beach that is popular among foreigners.
  • Praia do Santinho: Recreational beach with strong waves and a long strip of sand. There is easy parking nearby, but there aren’t as many restaurants in the area.

South Beaches:
  • Praia do Caldeirão: A beach that is dangerous to swim in the waters as the waves are quite strong, but it is a great stretch of sand for people to sunbathe and relax.
  • Praia Naufragados: White sand beach that requires a hike to get there, but is a lovely secluded beach.
  • Praia da Lagoinha do Leste: Secluded beach that can be accessed through the Lagoinha do Leste trail, which can take at least 50-minutes along steep paths.
Campeche Island
Campeche Island is the island right off the eastern coast of the island. The island is recognized as an Archaeological and Landscape Heritage Site. One can take a round-trip boat ride for R$90-R$150. One can leave from Praia do Campeche (15 minutes) or Praia da Armação (40 minutes) – the more popular location.

On the island, one can visit the entire island where one can spend time at the one beach (Praia da Enseada) and snorkel in the crystal clear water. There are also archaeological sites and trails that one can visit which one usually needs to hire a guide to visit. The cost can be from R$10-R$25.
 

Restaurants

Centro:
  • The Seville Baker: A lovely bakery with self-service shelves and is mostly used for takeout orders.
  • Centro Bugio: Cozy bar with a great atmosphere and is known for its samba.
  • Forneria Catarina: Delicious pizzeria that also has delicious cocktails and friendly staff.
  • Taberna Ibérica: Serves Portuguese food and is known for their codfish which takes 45 minutes to prepare. It also has a great view of the Ponte Hercílio Luz.
  • Box 32: Located in the Mercado, they serve a delicious oyster platter.

​Campeche:
  • Pão da Madre: Bakery where one should try their cinnamon, cocoa cappuccinos and their natas, but they also have a lot of great food options.
  • Café Cultura: With multiple locations, this coffee shop is a great place to work and has delicious coffee.
  • Cervejaria e Pizzeria Refúgio: Serves local beers along with freshly baked pizzas in a green, outdoor space.
  • BOTÃNICO – Colheita Criativa: A delicious vegetarian restaurant with vegan options for food.
  • Puerto Escondido Rio Tavares Comida: Delicious burritos and other Mexican food.
  • Matura Floripa: A local brewery in an intimate outdoor setting often with live music.
  • Paradoxo de Fermi – Alien Bar: Bar that has delicious craft beer with good vibes and music. They also have light snacks which are delicious.

Ribeirão da Ilha: Visit here for some of the most delicious oysters as they farm them right off the coast. The area itself also has some great colonial vibes.
  • Rancho Açoriano: Authentic seafood, where one needs to try their oysters. It is considered one of the best restaurants in Floripa, and one can eat on the pier overlooking the water.
  • Porto do Contrato: Another exceptional place to eat oysters and delicious seafood.
​
Lagoa:
  • Dolce Vita Restaurante: A great option for seafood that has a mix of Italian and English based food.
  • Mar Massas: Delicious pasta with some exceptional views.
  • Restaurante Cabral Parador 19: A restaurant right on the lake at stop #19, they have delicious caipifrutas and Milanesa shrimp.
  • Barracuda Restaurante: A seafood restaurant known for the delicious shrimp and lobster.

Other Resources

  • Visit Floripa - a tour agency offering great guides
  • To Do in Floripa - Brazilian-run guide to Floripa

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