Must-see attractions in Santa Catarina

  • Parque Unipraias

    Santa Catarina

    Camboriú's pride and joy is this six-hectare urban reserve. In addition to 500m of walking trails, the real coup is the amusements, which are sold…

  • Mirante de Joinville

    Santa Catarina

    To get a stupendous 360-degree panorama of Joinville and the Baía da Babitonga, head to the city's 250m-high viewpoint. The lookout, at the top of Morro…

  • Praia do Campeche

    Santa Catarina

    The 3.5km Praia do Campeche is one of Floripa's five-star beaches, an absolute stunner of sun-kissed perfection with wind conditions lending themselves to…

  • Museu Histórico de Santa Catarina

    Centro & the Mainland

    Formerly the colonial governor’s palace, this gorgeous must-see building has ornate parquet floors and extravagant 19th-century ceilings.

  • Mirante da Lagoa da Conceição

    Santa Catarina

    The postcard view of Lagoa da Conceição awaits at this must-stop lookout, which frames both sides of the lagoon, the dunes of Joaquina and beyond.

  • Instituto Juarez Machado

    Santa Catarina

    Joinville's own Juarez Machado gets his due in this new museum dedicated to his fantastic realism and figuratism paintings. Machado, who divides his time…

  • Parque Municipal Lagoa da Peri

    Santa Catarina

    Lesser known and less visited than Lagoa da Conceição, Parque Municipal Lagoa da Peri has wonderful opportunities for swimming and hiking (as well as…

  • Praia Mole

    Santa Catarina

    This is one of the East Island's best and most secluded beaches. It's hidden from SC-406 and accessed by a small trail. The northern end is very popular…

  • Beto Carrero World

    Santa Catarina

    Latin America's biggest amusement park. Attractions are divided among nine themed areas and include plenty of high-adrenaline roller coasters (such as the…

  • Parque Vila Germânica

    Santa Catarina

    Blumenau’s festivals are held at Parque Vila Germânica, part convention hall, part kitschy Alpine village. There are several good bar/restaurants (Bier…

  • Museu de Família Colonial

    Santa Catarina

    Learn about Blumenau’s beginnings in this group of houses that were occupied by the city’s founder, Herman Bruno Otto Blumenau, in the 1850s. His daughter…

  • Projeto TAMAR

    Santa Catarina

    Kids get a kick out of Brazil's non-profit sea turtle conservation organization, which features five tanks. Feedings (3:30pm) and baths (weekend mornings)…

  • Museu do Imigrante

    Santa Catarina

    This 1890 Fachwerk home in Timbó chronicles the history of immigration in the area. Guided visits give context but only in Portuguese, unfortunately. It…

  • Mercado Público

    Centro & the Mainland

    Floripa's historic public market bolted out of a huge refurbishment in 2015 with an improved look. It houses numerous bars and restaurants in addition to…

  • Igreja NS da Lapa do Riberão

    Santa Catarina

    Dating back to 1806, this intimate baroque-inspired church was restored on order from Emperor Dom Pedro II himself, who visited in 1845 and coughed up R…

  • Catedral Metropolitana

    Centro & the Mainland

    You’ll hear the hourly ringing of bells in the Catedral Metropolitana, which sits grandly at the high end of the square and is the only church we've ever…

  • Cristo Luz Statue

    Santa Catarina

    The 33m Cristo Luz statue holds a sombrero from which a spotlight illuminates the city at night, sometimes in streaming colors. During summer, live music…

  • Rua XV Novembro

    Santa Catarina

    Rua XV Novembro is home to the city’s best examples of Germanic architecture, including the Castelinho da XV, a replica of the city hall of Michelstadt,…

  • Praia da Lagoinha

    Santa Catarina

    In the extreme north of the island, pretty Praia da Lagoinha is still home to a traditional fishing colony and calm, shallow seas that form an elongated…

  • Igreja Luterana do Espírito Santo

    Santa Catarina

    Lutheran churches loom over town; the most beautiful is Igreja do Espírito Santo, a gem inaugurated in 1877 that still stands east of the center.

  • Praia da Joaquina

    Santa Catarina

    Joaquina Beach, backed by massive dunes, has 3km of sun-toasted sand and several restaurants serving food on the beach. On the beach's northeast end is a…

  • Praia do Santinho

    Santa Catarina

    Santinho is the north island’s best surfing beach, acclaimed for its consistent waves and uncrowded conditions.

  • Praia Brava

    Santa Catarina

    Praia Brava is a pretty patch of sand bordered by upscale condominiums some 400m back from the beach. It has wilder waves that attracts a steady stream of…

  • Museo Pomerano

    Santa Catarina

    The Museo Pomerano explores the town’s history through household objects, furniture, wooden sculpture, agricultural tools and an impressive collection of…

  • Catedral São Paulo Apóstolo

    Santa Catarina

    Awash in red granite and stained glass, Blumenau's main cathedral is massive and not much of a looker, save its cedar entryway carvings and 45m tri-bell…

  • Praia dos Ingleses

    Santa Catarina

    Once among the island’s finest beaches, Praia dos Ingleses has suffered from its popularity. It’s now crowded with high-rise hotels and overpriced…

  • Igreja de NS do Rosário

    Centro & the Mainland

    The best-preserved colonial church, Igreja de NS do Rosário, sits picturesquely atop the steps at Rua Trajano.

  • Castelinho da XV

    Santa Catarina

    The Castelinho da XV, now a Havan department store, is a replica of the city hall of Michelstadt, Germany.

  • Praça XV de Novembro

    Centro & the Mainland

    The center of town is the inviting Praça XV de Novembro, with its shady walks and 100-year-old fig tree.

  • Mausoléu

    Santa Catarina

    The Mausoléu Dr Blumenau is the final resting place of Dr Blumenau himself, founder of the city.

  • Museu da Cerveja

    Santa Catarina

    The small Museu da Cerveja is dedicated to the city's long history of beer brewing.