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.

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.

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.

27°37′12″S 48°29′24″W

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.

• -27.595556-48.5486111 Cruz e Sousa Palace. 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.  
• -27.596407-48.5493012 Catedral Metropolitana. One of the most beautiful buildings in the city, at Praça XV de Novembro.  
• -27.597386-48.5526433 Municipal Market, R. Jerônimo Coelho, 60, ☏ +55 48 3225-8464. The former city market place, this market on Largo da Alfândega still holds some interesting sights.  
• -27.5935-48.56494 Hercílio Luz Bridge. The postcard symbol of the city, inaugurated in 1926 linking the island to the mainland.  
• -27.597147-48.4530145 Lagoa da Conceição. A large beautiful lake in the center of the island. Water sports, parcs, restaurants, colonial architecture. (updated Jun 2023)
• -27.72068-48.5647486 Ribeirão da Ilha. 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 Ribeirão (church), and the Ethnological Museum which houses documents and relics from the region's history.  
• Anhatomirim Island and its Fortaleza de Santa Cruz
• -27.595681-48.5483348 Teatro Álvaro de Carvalho, 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. 
• Teatro Ademir Rosa (Teatro do CIC), Av. Irineu Bornhausen, 5600, ☏ +55 48 3953-2300. 
• -27.59756-48.549839 Velha Figueira (Old Fig Tree), Praça XV de Novembro. This centennial Ficus tree is honored in the official municipal hymn of Florianópolis. (updated Jun 2023)
• 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 Lisboa. 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. 
• -27.572002-48.42768511 Projeto Tamar, Rua Professor Ademir Francisco, tamarsul@tamar.org.br. 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. (updated Sep 2017)
• -27.608911-48.45749312 Dunes. 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. (updated Sep 2017)

Beaches

[edit]

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

• North
  • -27.42728-48.46061113 Canasvieiras.  
  • -27.421963-48.43779914 Cachoeira do Bom Jesus.  
  • -27.399-48.41315 Praia Brava.  
  • -27.43714-48.4987216 Jurerê (Jurerê Internacional).  
  • -27.43516-48.3912617 Praia dos Ingleses.  
  • -27.413304-48.42882618 Pontas das Canas. 
• East
  • -27.60251-48.432819 Praia Mole. (updated Sep 2017)
  • -27.59274-48.4254620 Praia da Galheta (nudist beach).  
  • -27.578056-48.4321 Barra da Lagoa. (updated Sep 2017)
  • -27.6405-48.4588122 Praia da Joaquina.  
  • -27.501192-48.401923 Praia do Moçambique.  
• South
  • -27.683056-48.49166724 Campeche.  
  • -27.745675-48.50713125 Armação. 
  • -27.754605-48.49845726 Matadeiro.  
  • -27.781631-48.5092927 Pântano do Sul.  
  • -27.83391-48.56328 Praia de Naufragados.  
  • -27.79387-48.5333129 Praia da Solidão.  
  • -27.80354-48.5362930 Praia do Saquinho.  

• 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 Vista (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. (updated Sep 2017)
  • -27.581003-48.4574662 Trilha da Costa da Lagoa (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 Loquinha built by slaves around 1780, and near a -27.543329-48.46336932 waterfall 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. (updated Sep 2017)
• 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.

• -27.584753-48.5449051 Beiramar Shopping, Rua Bocaiúva, 2468 (Centro, parallel with Av. Rubens de Arruda Ramos, better known as Av. Beiramar Norte), ☏ +55 48 3223-6425. Around 200 shops. (updated Jun 2023)
• -27.585426-48.6140082 Shopping Itaguaçu, Rua Geroncio Thives, 1079, ☏ +55 48 3288-5900. Barreiros. The oldest shopping mall in the state, opened in 1982. In neighboring São José, within ten minutes of the city center. It has 180 shops and 7 movie screens. 
• -27.554492-48.4979693 Floripa Shopping, Rodovia SC 401, ☏ +55 48 3331-1000. Shopping center with 160 shops and 8 movie screens. 
• -27.590061-48.5150654 Villa Romana Shopping, Av. Madre Benvenuta, 687 (at the corner of Av. Beiramar), ☏ +55 48 3231-4900. Bairro Santa Mônica. 200 shops and 7 movie screens. This cinema has one of the largest screens in Brazil. All are modern and stadium seating style. (updated Nov 2021)

• 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.

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.

• Concorde Danceteria, Av. Rio Branco, 729. Centro. Nightclub with two floors, 3 bars, a rotating dance floor, and a room with free internet access. Caters to the gay community. 
• El Divino. Local chain of bars and nightclubs. 
  • Pacha, ☏ +55 48 3282-2054. SC 402 - Rod. Maurício Sirotsky Sobrinho, Km 1 - Jurerê Internacional. 
  • El Divino Beach, Avenida dos Pampos Lote 1E S/N, ☏ +55 48 3282-1816. Open year-round on the boardwalk of Jurerê Internacional. 
• John Bull Pub, Av. das Rendeiras, 1046, ☏ +55 48 3232-8535. Lagoa da Conceição. 
• Scuna Bar, Av. Osvaldo Rodrigues Cabral, 1251, ☏ +55 48 3225-3138. Avenida Beira Mar Norte, under Hercílio Luz bridge. Night club with 2 levels, 3 bars, dance floor, live music, and dedicated parking. Popular with the over-35 crowd. 
• Don't Tell Mama, Rua Tiradentes, 143. A nice gay/lesbian bar downtown, free entrance. 
• Box 32, Publlic Market. Fresh seafood served at the city's fishmarket. Excellent service. Go on Saturday morning. 

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.

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).

• Balneário Camboriú
• São Joaquim
• Laguna
• Garopaba

Curitiba ← Balneário Camboriú ←

N  S

→ Tubarão → São Jorge do Norte