Florianopolis

Category:UNESCO Creative CitiesCategory:Has custom banner

Downtown Florianópolis at night.

Florianópolis ("Floripa" for short) is a coastal city in southern Brazil, the capital of the state of Santa Catarina. Most of the city's area consists of the island of Santa Catarina, connected to the mainland by two bridges, and only a small part of the island can really be called urban—the rest is full of gorgeous beaches and nature, including a large lagoon. Though famous for its beaches, Floripa also has great hikes and beautiful forested mountains. Here you can enjoy the outgoing culture and natural beauty of coastal Brazil in a less dangerous place than Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza, or Recife.

Florianópolis gets busy in the summer, when its population of about 500,000 swells with tourists (both domestic and foreign) to 1.5 million. Naturally, this causes lots of traffic and generally strains the local infrastructure, so it's better to come in the off-season if you can. Make sure to visit when the weather is nice so you can enjoy all the outdoor activities.

Understand

Florianopolis is on an island of 424.4 km² (54 km by 18 km) (163.9 square miles) in the Atlantic Ocean, and a small peninsula of 1210 km² on the mainland of southern Brazil. Three bridges link the island to the continent, including the Hercílio Luz Bridge, a landmark of the city.

Florianopolis has become a popular destination in Brazil for people who are looking for superb beaches, beautiful scenery, interesting culture and friendly people. It has also experienced a real estate boom, with Brazilians looking for a better quality of life away from the chaos of the big cities, especially from the states of São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul. The City proper has an estimated population of 420,000 people. The Greater Florianopolis metropolitan area is home to about 1 million people.

The northern beach resorts Jurerê, Daniela, Canasvieiras, Brava and Ingleses get very busy during the summer and there are plenty of hotels, restaurants and other conveniences for the tourist. Eastern beaches, like Joaquina, Mole and Moçambique are among the best surfing beaches and popular with young people. Beaches heading south include Campeche, Armação and Morro das Pedras, which are all very beautiful and also good for surfing. Isolated and unspoilt beaches, like Lagoinha do Leste and Naufragados, can be found at the southern end of the island and can only be reached only by trail. Lagoa da Conceição is a famous natural attraction, and the centerpiece of the island; it is relatively shallow, with high winds making it a world-class location for windsurfing. Peri Lagoon is quieter, on the other hand, and great for nature walks.

Florianopolis is quite modern with large shopping malls, chain and high-end restaurants and many bars and nightclubs. The highway system serving the city is very good, though traffic can get bad in the tourist season.

The island is known as "Ilha da Magia" or Magic Island, probably because of its incredible natural beauty, more than 100 beaches with 42 being well known, rocks, mountains, lakes, lagoons, waterfalls, bays, inlets, rich houses and buildings and young population and visitors. Florianópolis is also known for its high standards of living since it is located in the rich area of Brazil. Since the attraction is also heat, the best months to visit the island are December–March. The winter in South Brazil might be cooler than tourists expect.

Climate

Florianopolis
Climate chart (explanation)
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Source: National Institute of Meteorology (INMET)
Imperial conversion
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Florianópolis has a subtropical climate with defined seasons. There is no dry season, but it rains more in summer. The summer months are hotter, sunny and humid, and in the summer, the sea has a pleasant temperature for swimming. There may be occasional showers of rain, which only last for a few minutes and then sunny weather returns. The average temperature reaches up to 29 ºC (84 ºF) in January and the lows can be 20 ºC (68 ºF) in December.

Winters, despite being drier, are quite cold, windy and unsuitable for spending time on the beach, with the exception of surfers, since at this time the ocean waves get higher. Average temperatures at this time vary between average highs of 21 ºC (70 ºF) and average lows of 13 ºC (55 ºF).

Talk

Although Florianópolis is the second most visited city by foreigners in Brazil, most locals are monolingual Portuguese speakers, as in practically all of Brazil. Due to the strong number of tourists coming from Argentina and Uruguay, Spanish is also used in many hotels and tourist facilities. However, you are unlikely to find English speakers except in a few very touristy hotels.

Get in

By plane

By bus

  • -27.597262-48.557222 Terminal Rita MariaCategory:Has map markers, Av. Paulo Fontes 1101 (in the city center), +55 4832123100. It links Florianópolis to the main Brazilian cities and to most of the cities in Santa Catarina state, as well as capitals and major cities in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. The main bus companies operating in Florianopolis are Catarinense, Reunidas, Santo Anjo and Eucatur. The terminal has free WiFi. OSM directions

Destinations include:

  • São Paulo Many early morning and late afternoon connections for around R$125, 12 hr.
  • Foz do Iguaçu The night trip takes around 12-14 hr. There are several late afternoon/evening connections for R$180-350. Instead of the expensive leito bus, you might just opt for a flight, which costs the same.
  • Ciudad del Este Two daily connections. From Ciudad del Este at 15:30 and 17:00, 14-15 hr, GS.270,000.

By car

  • You should use the Route BR-101 (cross Brazil from north to south), the entrance to Florianopolis will be at km 206. From there read the signs and get the express route BR-282 which leads to Florianopolis.

Get around

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Map of Florianopolis

From the city center, dozens of buses go to all the beaches on the island. The bus system has drawbacks since transfers are necessary at regional terminals to get around. The cost for riding the buses is R$6 (June 2023), and it takes about 35-60 minutes to get from the city center to the beaches. Additionally, there is an air-conditioned yellow bus (Linhas Executivas) that goes direct to downtown from the main beaches for R$15 (June 2023). A car is recommended to explore all the beaches and places of interest. There are car rentals on the island and at the airport. Renting can be expensive (R$120/day with A/C), but can be worthwhile as it makes exploring the island more convenient. During the high season traffic can be intense, and could easily take 2 hours to get to the beach from the city center.

See

Lagoa da Conceição
  • -27.595556-48.5486111 Cruz e Sousa PalaceCategory:Has map markers. Near Praça XV de Novembro. It was built in the 18th century to be the residence and office of Santa Catarina's Governor. Later, it was rededicated in honor of the symbolist poet Cruz e Sousa. Palácio Cruz e Sousa (Q3360846) on Wikidata OSM directions
  • -27.596407-48.5493012 Catedral MetropolitanaCategory:Has map markers. One of the most beautiful buildings in the city, at Praça XV de Novembro. Our Lady of Exile and St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, Florianópolis on Wikipedia Our Lady of Exile and St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, Florianópolis (Q2942664) on Wikidata OSM directions
  • -27.597386-48.5526433 Municipal MarketCategory:Has map markers, R. Jerônimo Coelho, 60, +55 48 3225-8464. The former city market place, this market on Largo da Alfândega still holds some interesting sights. Mercado Público de Florianópolis (Q3289797) on Wikidata OSM directions
  • -27.5935-48.56494 Hercílio Luz BridgeCategory:Has map markers. The postcard symbol of the city, inaugurated in 1926 linking the island to the mainland. Hercilio Luz Bridge on Wikipedia Hercilio Luz Bridge (Q1500721) on Wikidata OSM directions
  • -27.597147-48.4530145 Lagoa da ConceiçãoCategory:Has map markers. A large beautiful lake in the center of the island. Water sports, parcs, restaurants, colonial architecture. Lagoa da Conceição (Q10315759) on Wikidata OSM directions
  • -27.72068-48.5647486 Ribeirão da IlhaCategory:Has map markers. 36 km from the center, this old district of Florianopolis is a testament to Azorean immigration. Its historic center, in Frequesia, has a plaza which contains the -27.718257-48.5632867 Igreja Nossa Senhora da Lapa do RibeirãoCategory:Has map markers (church), and the Category:See listing with no coordinatesEthnological MuseumCategory:Has map markers which houses documents and relics from the region's history. Ribeirão da Ilha (Q3430131) on Wikidata OSM directions
  • Anhatomirim Island and its Fortaleza de Santa Cruz
  • -27.595681-48.5483348 Teatro Álvaro de CarvalhoCategory:Has map markers, rua Marechal Guilherme, 26 (near the Catedral Metropolitana), +55 48 3028-8070, +55 48 3028-8071. In the center of the city, the Municipal Theater is an example of 1870s local architecture. OSM directions
  • Category:See listing with no coordinatesTeatro Ademir Rosa (Teatro do CIC)Category:Has map markers, Av. Irineu Bornhausen, 5600, +55 48 3953-2300.
  • -27.59756-48.549839 Velha FigueiraCategory:Has map markers (Old Fig Tree), Praça XV de Novembro. This centennial Ficus tree is honored in the official municipal hymn of Florianópolis. OSM directions
  • Forts - Constructed as early as 1739, the forts served to protect the city from possible Spanish attacks.
    • Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (1742)
    • Fortaleza de Santo Antônio (1740)
    • Fortaleza Santana (1761)
    • Fortaleza São José da Ponta Grossa (1740)
  • -27.5075-48.519710 Santo Antônio de LisboaCategory:Has map markers. Quite nice little town on the calm west coast of the island. Multiple restaurants are directly at the waterfront. Also it is nice walk along the water heading toards Sambaqui. OSM directions
  • -27.572002-48.42768511 Projeto TamarCategory:Has map markers, Rua Professor Ademir Francisco, . 09:30–17:30 daily. Sea turtle conservation center and museum. The captive turtles in tanks, which are being kept to educate visitors and not to be released into the wild, are kind of sad. But the museum has lots of interesting information in Portuguese and English about sea turtles and conservation, including a 12-minute video. Founded in 2005, it is the most visited museum in the south of Brazil. Money spent for admission and at the gift shop goes to fund research, conservation, and turtle rescue. R$15; half-price for students, teachers, and seniors; free for children under 1.2 meters. OSM directions
  • -27.608911-48.45749312 DunesCategory:Has map markers. A huge area of sand dunes stretching north from Praia da Joaquina and south from the area across the bridge to the east of the Lagoa da Conceição neighborhood. Yes, it's a popular spot for sandboarding, but it's also cool just to wander around and see the natural sand formations and the way the dunes slowly shift with the wind. OSM directions

Beaches

Praia Mole ("Tender" Beach)
Praia da Armação (Armação Beach)

There are a total of 42 beaches in Florianopolis. The best known are:

Do

  • Paragliding at Mole Beach, Lagoa da Conceição
  • Scuba-Diving at Praia Mole, Praia do Santinho, Praia dos Ingleses
  • Sandboarding at Joaquina, Lagoa Sandboard
  • Surfing at Barra da Lagoa, Praia da Joaquina, and Praia Mole
  • Windsurfing at Lagoa da Conceição
  • Kitesurfing at Lagoa da Conceição
  • Hiking at Lagoa do Peri, Naufragados, Lagoinha do Leste, Costa da Lagoa, Barra da Lagoa
    • -27.577009-48.421551 Trilha da Boa VistaCategory:Has map markers (To get to the trailhead, take the bridge east from Barra da Lagoa, turn right, and follow the signs that say "Trilha"). A challenging trail of around two hours from near Barra da Lagoa up through the mountains, with beautiful views of the ocean, that takes you to the beautiful Praia da Galheta. OSM directions
    • -27.581003-48.4574662 Trilha da Costa da LagoaCategory:Has map markers (To get to the trailhead, follow Rua João Henrique Gonçalves all the way north). A roughly two-hour hike through the forest along the side of the lagoon, passing through some small fishing villages that are only accessible by trail and boat. It also takes you past a historic building, the -27.55606-48.46419131 Sobrado da Dona LoquinhaCategory:Has map markers built by slaves around 1780, and near a -27.543329-48.46336932 waterfallCategory:Has map markers a little ways away from the lagoon (follow the signs for cachoeira). A bit after the waterfall, you'll reach a town with some shops and restaurants serving very fresh seafood, at which point you can take a 45-minute boat back to Ponte da Lagoa (the bridge) for R$10 (pay when you get off), leaving about once an hour. On the boat ride, you can see the lovely little fishing villages on the water, followed by kitesurfers when you get close to Lagoa. OSM directions
  • Stand-up paddleboarding at Lagoa da Conceição

Florianópolis is a destination for beaches and outdoor activities—when it rains, there's not much to do.

Buy

Eat

  • Seafood - This coastal city is known widely for its fresh seafood.
  • Portuguese Food - The city had been colonized by the "cultura açoriana". Their food is delicious.
  • Italian Food - Macarronada Italiana is the main spot. Great. But there are many other good choices as well.
  • Downtown- There are great "per kilo" buffets with amazing food, salads, and fruit. You can get a full meal with a fresh juice for under R$6. It's good for the budget traveler and to get a sense of where many locals get a quick bite.

Budget

City center

  • -27.596365-48.5508471 Restaurante Natural Tsan TheCategory:Has map markers, Parthenon Center II, R. Ten. Silveira, 111 - 206. Vegan oriental restaurant. Food is creative, fresh and tasty. A lot of variety. OSM directions
  • -27.596028-48.5512532 Mini KalzoneCategory:Has map markers, R. Ten. Silveira, 153. Sensational calzone. Lots of options. Clean place, quick service. Also branches in other locations. OSM directions
  • -27.596103-48.5526023 Restaurante SobradoCategory:Has map markers, R. Felipe Schmidt, 268. Restaurant with well-diversified buffet of homemade food. Simplicity and good service. Clean and organized environment. OSM directions
  • -27.596019-48.5540564 Estilo RestauranteCategory:Has map markers, R. Conselheiro Mafra, 400. Good food, with that taste of home cooking. Air-conditioned environment and excellent service. Very good atmosphere. OSM directions
  • -27.594726-48.5530765 Restaurante Canto AzulCategory:Has map markers, R. Ten. Silveira, 396. Homemade food, well made and with the right seasoning. It has an upper part with good ventilation for sunny and hot days. OSM directions
  • -27.594061-48.5521036 Kulturas RestauranteCategory:Has map markers, R. Esteves Júnior, 50. Cozy place with well-seasoned food. Always diversified menu, very tasty. Plenty vegan options. OSM directions

Barra da Lagoa

  • -27.574879-48.4313287 Magrão LanchesCategory:Has map markers, Reduzino vergilino teixeira, 32. Fantastic burgers. very good homemade green mayonnaise. Everything very fresh, clean and tasty. It is hidden behind a green residence on a small street at a dead end street. OSM directions

Lagoa da Conceiçao

  • -27.605271-48.4663768 Restaurante QuerubimCategory:Has map markers, R. Henrique Veras do Nascimento, 255. Great Brazilian homemade food. Nice atmosphere. Attentive and efficient service OSM directions

Mid-range

  • -27.591895-48.6111539 Mein Haus ChurrascariaCategory:Has map markers, Rua Papa Joao XXII, 25, +55 48 3241-4739. Campinas - São José. It is further across the bridge but worth the effort. The restaurant offers a nice cheap à la carte barbecue with free garlic bread and salad. OSM directions
  • -27.781832-48.50800410 Bar do AranteCategory:Has map markers, +55 48 3237-7022. Praia do Pântano, in the south of the island. Interesting restaurant where the custom is for customers to hang slips of paper on the wall to mark their passage. The custom comes from pre-electricity days when people would use the slips to let friends know what part of the beach to find them in. Specializing in seafood at moderate prices. Try the Tainha Grelhada. OSM directions

Splurge

  • -27.593725-48.56285111 Pier 54Category:Has map markers, Av. Osvaldo Rodrigues Cabral (Beira Mar Norte) 1251, Centro (under the Hercílio Luz bridge), +55 48 3225-3138, +55 48 3225-2419, . This restaurant serves local cuisine from 19:00. Pier 54's cellar contains over 250 labels of different wines and champagnes. The restaurant offers a wide range of healthy dishes, made from ingredients local to the region. OSM directions
  • -27.589616-48.43587812 Bistrô Isadora DuncanCategory:Has map markers, Rodovia Jornalista Manuel de Menezes, 2658 - Barra da Lagoa, +55 48 3232-7210, +55 48 9980-4428. Named after a famous ballerina, this bistro is a great romantic spot for two. It only has five tables and some veranda space. The bistro offers a wide variety of cuisine, ranging from leafy green salads to filet mignon. Alcohol is also served on this cozy, beach front bistro. OSM directions
  • -27.592075-48.4361313 Ponta das CaranhasCategory:Has map markers, +55 48 3232-3076. Estrada da Barra da Lagoa, 2377 - Barra da Lagoa. Restaurant in the margins of Lagoa da Conceição offering traditional dishes. Try the "Congrio Chileno à Moda do Chef". OSM directions

Drink

Most of the nightlife is concentrated around the beaches in the summer. During the winter, the night life is concentrated in Lagoa da Conceição, where most of the bars and clubs are located.

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Stay safe

As a coastal tourist town and a summer tourist destination, Florianópolis is safer than most large Brazilian cities. Many tourist areas are well policed and safe, and you'll see people walking around and using their phones outside, even at night. But this is still Brazil, there are still favelas, and robberies do happen, so know where you're going and take sensible security precautions:

  • Be mindful of your personal belongings, especially in busy tourist areas, beaches and on public transport;
  • Pay special attention to your valuables, such as cash, passports and electronic devices;
  • Don't trust strangers, especially those who seem excessively helpful;
  • Avoid showing valuables such as clothes, jewelry or expensive watches that make you stand out;
  • Avoid withdrawing and carrying large amounts of money.

Currents

Some beaches in Florianópolis can have strong currents, especially in the winter months, between May and September, when the waves tend to be bigger, and on the beaches to the east of the island (such as Joaquina, Ingleses, Praia Mole, Barra da Lagoa, Armação and Campeche), which are more directly exposed to ocean winds. It is important that you follow the advice of local lifeguards, respect safety flags and avoid swimming in unsupervised areas.

Stay healthy

As elsewhere in Brazil, some beaches in Florianópolis are not suitable for bathing, and conditions can change from day to day. On the day of your visit, check the map of the bathing report (in Portuguese, relatório de balneabilidade) of the state's Environment Department (IMA).

Go next

Routes through Florianopolis
Curitiba Balneário Camboriú  N  S  Tubarão São Jorge do Norte
Category:Has routebox


Category:Grande FlorianópolisCategory:All destination articles

This city travel guide to Florianopolis is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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