Places to visit in Florianopolis
Sep 2006

 

Florianopolis - Center
Visit the marketplace Mercado Publico where all sorts of fish and seafood is for sale. There is also a large supply of clothing, shoes, books, etc., all to affordable prices.

Visit the famous restaurant Box 32 inside the old building of the Mercado Publico. They are known for its menu that comes in 7 different languages.
Take a stroll along the walkways in the center of Florianopolis, where antique and newer buildings co-exists. There are also many shops, cafes and bars that serve something to drink, as well as the famous Brazilian snack salgado.
Stop by at the square Praza XV de Novembro, and rest for a while in the shadow of the almost 200 years old fig tree.
Visit the olds suspension bridge Hercilio Luz that was designed and constructed by two American engineers during the 1920ths.
Go to the exclusive residential area at Beira Mar Norte and walk along the streets with its small and nice boutiques, and visit the large mall Shopping Beira Mar.
There are also numerous of museums and old buildings to visit in Florianopolis, for example Palacio Cruz e Souza in the picture to the right.
Go to the top of the hill Morro da Cruz from where it is possible to get a full view of the center of Florianopolis.

 

Florianopolis - Northwest and North
Stop by at Santa Antonio de Lisboa, a village full of character, and experience the atmosphere that attracts many artists and writers who are living in the area. Enjoy the nice view from the little beach. Have a lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants in the village, known to be amongst the best ones on the island.
Pass also by Sambaqui, a small village of the same character as Santo Antonio de Lisboa, and visit the famous fish market.
Go to Fortaleza de Sao José, a 250 year old fort that is situated between the beaches Jurere and Forte.
Continue to Jurere Internacional and discover the high standard of living in this area, comparable with many countries in the western world. Try the beach in Jurere and have a swim in the calm and warm water. Finish it up with something to eat in one of the front beach restaurants.
Visit the small beach Canajure and enjoy the ocean view from the restaurant at the Yacht Club.
Take a boat tours for some deepwater fishing and experience the northern coast line from the sea.
Spend a day in Canasvieiras and enjoy the white fine sand and the crystal clear and calm water. Walk around the village for some shopping. Have a dinner and a late night walk in the walk climate.
Take a boat tour from Canasvieiras to the old fort on the Isle of Anhatomirim, and visit the museum. The boat passes by the the Dolphin Bay where you take pictures of the dolphins that are living there.
Visit the eastern end of Ponta das Canas Beach, with its Greek archipelago. Enjoy one of the fish restaurants at the beach.
Visit Praia Brava, a typical tourist resort, and spend a day at the beach with its lively commerce of beach vendors.
Got to Praia dos Ingleses and try the swim conditions right at the center of the beach. Walk around in the little village center and have a buffé in one of the better restaurants in the area.
It's a must to visit the beautiful Praia Santinho, right to the south of Praia dos Ingleses. Try the trails on the hills to the south of the beach.
Play golf at the camp of the hotel Costa de Santinhos.

 

Florianopolis - East
Drive to the 5 mile long desert beach Praia Moçambique, and feel the closeness to the nature. Do some horseback riding in the national park around this beach.
Walk into the national park up to the Moçambique Beach, an implanted pine forest where buildings are not allowed.
Take the boat to Costa da Lagoa and walk around in the small village that cannot be reached by car. Just must have something to eat on the bridge at on of the 15 restaurants, for example shrimps.
Spend a day in the community of Barra da Lagoa. Experience the beach and walk around into the city's historical center. Walk over to the isolated side of the canal through the suspension bridge and continue to the small but charming Pequena Beach.
Stop by the Mole Beach, feel the Surf culture and the power of the Atlantic Ocean. Here you can also do some parachut gliding.
On the way to Lagoa da Conceiçao, from the Mole Beach, stop by at the top and enjoy the view over the lake and the mountains.
On the way to Lagoa de Conceiçao, turn left towards Joaquina Beach and enjoy the surf atmosphere. Try some surfing yourself, or walk along the large and almost deserted beach.
Stop by the sand dunes and try to do some snow board down the dunes, or like it's called here, sand board.
Continue towards Lagoa da Conceição and have a lunch or dinner at one of many restaurants along the lakeshore.

Drive over the bridge and walk around in the ultramodern village at the smallest part of Conceiçao Lake. Stop by at one of several cafes and taste the brazilian coffee. If you wish to, enjoy the lively night live at this place.

Continue up the hill towards the center of Florianopolis and stop by at the view point on the top. Experience the fantastic view over the lake area and the sea. Do not forget your camera!

Now, return down the hill and turn right towards Canto da Lagoa. You will now go south on the west side of Conceiçao Lake. Stop by after some miles and have lunch or dinner on the bridge at the famous restaurant Deca.

 

Florianopolis - South
Continue SC-406 in southbound direction and turn left at Rua Campeche in the direction towards the beach. Pass the Pequena Lake and continue to Campeche Beach. Try the beach and enjoy the view of the Isle of Campeche.
Continue to the south towards the Armação Beach. Stop by at the jesuits convent at the top of Morro das Pedras and enjoy the view over the Armação Beach, maybe the most beautiful beach in Florianopolis.
Pass by the Peri Lake, a sweet water lake located in a National Park. If you are in the mood, you can walk on of many trails in the area.
Go to the old historical center in Armação, at the southern end of Armação Beach. Walk around in the village and enjoy the historical environment. Continue to the peninsula Ponta das Campanhas and enjoy the view over the Atlantic Ocean. Take a swim in the natural swimming pool embedded between the rocks at the north of the peninsula. Enjoy the sun and have something to eat at a restaurant in the area.
Take a boat tour to the paradise island Ilha do Campeche, that leave every day from Armação. Stay a day at this fantastic island to swim in the green-blue water, walk around the island and look at the 5000 years old traces from the indians. Here you can also scuba dive if you wish to.
You must spend a day at Matadeiro Beach. The beach cannot be reach by car and you have to take a pedestrian bridge from Armação. Walk around along the beach and on the beautiful trails on the hill, and imagine how it is to live at this unique place. Have lunch at one of many restaurants on the beach, in the shadow of tree.
If you like to walk a few miles, we recommend that you visit the desert beach Lagoinha do Leste. Enjoy the clean nature at this beach ad try the swim conditions in the clean little lake close to the beach. If you love adventure you can reach top of the hill at the southern end of the beach, and enjoy the fantastic view.
Continue to Pântano do Sul, just to the south of Armação. Visit the small fishing village and have a dinner at the famous fish restaurant Arante, where the ceiling is full of small messages from earlier visitors.
Continue to Solidão Beach at the end of the road, just to the south of Pântano do Sul. Stop by at the beautiful beach and have a swim and work your suntan.
If you like to walk for a few miles you can continue take the trail to the south and visit the small beach Saquinho. A few families are voluntarily living in this place, without electricity and public water. Buy something from them is they sell.
Take a tour with the car through Costa por Dentro, a valley close to Pântano do Sul and Solidão. Enjoy the fantastic nature.
Return to the north and drive towards Ilha de Ribeirão, the oldest village in Florianopolis. Walk around along the historical village and experience the historical atmosphere.
You must visit the restaurant Ostradamus, maybe the most famous of all restaurants on the island. Try their oysters. And accept the invitation to inspect the clean kitchen before the dinner.
Continue to the very south of Florianopolis and walk the 4 miles to the almost abandoned Naufragados Beach. Enjoy the beautiful archipelago from this beach, and do not forget to visit what's left of the little village, the church, the school and the few houses.