Florianópolis, aka “Magic Island”, Beach Capital of Brazil’s South

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The capital of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, is affectionately known as “Island of Magic” and after you get to know the city, you will understand why.

The city is one of the three capitals located on islands of Brazil, and features an excellent infrastructure of a large city while integrating with an exuberant nature that surrounds the region. There are 436,5 km² that shelter more than 100 idyllic beaches, lagoons, dunes, trails in the middle of the Atlantic Forest, historical houses and archeological sites.

The coast boasts clear waters and the landscape changes in different regions of the island. The beaches are always surrounded by hills, dunes and large areas of Atlantic forest.

The city hosts tourists from all over the world and is always very busy, especially during high season, such as Carnival and New Year’s Eve (a time when the number of people on the island tends to quadruple).

Florianópolis can be divided into 4 regions: in the east are the famous beaches Mole and Joaquina, surf and luaus are the hallmarks of the place. To the north of the island, Jurerê attracts the youngest to enjoy the nightlife.

The south side of the island is for quieter folk looking for more deserted and rustic beaches like Lagoinha do Leste. The center is the historical, political, commercial and cultural landmark of the city.

It is impossible to walk around the island and not be inspired. The charms of Magic Island are many, the capital Florianópolis encourages the practice of various activities in and out of the water, such as sandboarding, windsurfing, kite surfing, trekking or simply a quiet walk along the charming shores of Santa Catarina.

In the capital, development also hit, skyscrapers and a good variety of hotels and restaurants are there, catering to all tastes. Known as Meiembipe by the Carijó Indians, Florianópolis has numerous cave inscriptions whose oldest records date back to 4800 BC.

What to do in Florianópolis

Florianópolis Beaches

This region’s abundant nature has been extremely generous. In Florianópolis, you can find beaches with powerful waves, calm waters, long beaches, small beaches and natural pools that please the visitors. Joaquina Beach is on the list of the most famous on the island. The powerful waves in this area of the coast attract many surfers looking for a region with strong winds. Another attractions are the dunes that accompany the beach.

Praia Mole is yet another postcard of the state. It is a place of fun, athletic bodies and many youths strolling along the soft sands of the beach. Surfing championships are also frequent, even in low season. The beach has an average length of 900 meters surrounded by low vegetation. Open to the Atlantic Ocean, the beach is toppled by powerful, long waves and icy waters.

The most populated and bustling resorts are Canasvieiras and Ingleses, which are most sought after by tourists from Mercosur and families searching for a little warmer and calmer waters; on this side of the island, you will find everything, great hotels, options of restaurants and beaches like Jurerê Tradicional and Daniela, which are mainly used by families with small children, precisely due to a serene sea.

If you want to enjoy beautiful, wilder beaches with few people, the beach of Armação is more peaceful and reserved for those fleeing the crowds. Adventurers will fall in love with Lagoinha do Leste, which boasts an extensive and beautiful trail with views that make up for all the effort to get to the place.

Conceição Lagoon

The Conceição Lagoon features a small and bustling center, particularly at night. Surrounded by great bars and restaurants, the huge lagoon can be considered the heart of the “Magic Island”. During the day families and friends gather at the edge of the lagoon to picnic and practice sports like stand-up paddle.

São José da Ponta Grossa Fortress

The São José da Ponta Grossa Fortress is a must if you are on Jurerê International. The construction interconnected by ramps with thick walls was completed in 1740 and is listed by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage.

Azorean Villages

Some neighborhoods of Florianópolis are embellished with Azorean-style architecture that dominates the landscape in some neighborhoods. Among them are downtown and the neighborhoods of Santo Antônio de Lisboa and Ribeirão da Ilha, with many well-preserved houses.

Municipal Public Market

The Florianópolis Public Market was built in 1899, replacing the old market that existed in Largo da Matriz. The space includes 140 stalls that sell various products, including handicrafts, utensils and foods typical of the region.

Hercílio Luz Bridge

The Hercílio Luz Bridge has been inactive for more than 20 years, but it is the most important postcard in the city. Used to connect the island to the mainland, it was inaugurated in 1926 and is 819 meters long with two towers that measure 75 meters high. Now undergoing complete repair and renovation, the city is predicting a re-opening in early 2020.

Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim Fortress

The largest fort on the island was built between 1739 and 1744 on Anhatomirim Island. The fort is considered the most important of the three that formed the old defensive triangle of the north of the city.

Santo Antônio de Ratones Fortress

Designed by José da Silva Paes to defend the northern entrance of Santa Catarina Island, its construction began in 1740 and was completed in 1744 on the island of Raton Grande, the name given by the Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca because the island resembles the shape of a mouse.

Customs House

The Casa da Alfândega (Customs House) is home to the Handicraft Gallery project, which is home to approximately 120 artisans from various regions of the state who sell different pieces in the area. A great stop to buy a souvenir from the island.

Sant’ana Fort

Dating back to 1765, the Sant’ana Fort houses the Military Police Weapons Museum. The fort is easily accessible and well known in the region, located under the Hercílio Luz Bridge.

Campeche Island

Calm waters in an immense sea that usually ranges between green and turquoise. Campeche Island is an ideal attraction for families with small children, couples and divers in love with a rich and preserved marine life. The tours usually start from three points, with departures from Barra da Lagoa, Campeche Beach and Armação Beach.

After sailing 1,5 km, you can reach the small island. With only one beach of fine sand, the quasi-desert scenery still surrounded by native Atlantic Forest is impressive.

Hercílio Luz Square

Attractive for residents and tourists, the Hercílio Luz Square was recently renovated and has a viewpoint that has the same name. Very close to the Parque da Luz in front of the sea of Florianópolis, the spot has been receiving more and more visitors who seek a pleasant environment to enjoy the afternoons of the capital of Santa Catarina in the open air.

Other tourist attractions in Florianópolis

Metropolitan Cathedral of Florianópolis
Historical Center
Beira Mar Avenue
XV de Novembro Square
Morro da Cruz
Church of Our Lady of Needs
Victor Meirelles Museum
Historical Museum of Santa Catarina
Ponto de vista Viewpoint
Tamar Florianópolis Project
Cruz e Sousa Palace
Museum of Archaeology Costão do Santinho
Arvoredo Island
Álvaro de Carvalho Theater
Our Lady of Lapa Parish

How to get to Florianópolis

By air

The state’s main airport, Hercílio Luz, welcomes international and domestic flights from the main capitals of the country.

By car

Access by BR-101 from Curitiba (approximately 303 km)
From Porto Alegre: 457 km with access by the same highway.

By bus

The city hosts daily buses from several Brazilian capitals. For updated information on which companies operate to Florianópolis, call the bus station in the city of Santa Catarina.
Florianópolis Bus Station
Tel: (48) 3212-3100

Best time to visit Florianópolis

The capital of Santa Catarina shelters an infinity of wonderful beaches for all the tastes, therefore the tourism in the city is directed at appreciating the region’s natural beauties. It is in the summer (December to February) that the waters bathing the island are at their best temperature, but it is also the time that Florianópolis reaches its peak of visits generating traffic jams and some crowded attractions.

The months of March and April are still fine for pleasant dips and the island is less busy, a great opportunity to know the capital far from the hustle and bustle. The winter is usually harsh with temperatures not exceeding 22° C (72° F). The months of September, October and November are unpredictable and can attract cloudy and rainy weather.