History meets natural beauty in this surfing capital
The capital of the island of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis is surrounded by 42 beaches, each with its own unique beauty. Lakes, sand dunes and small islands sprinkle the landscape here along the coast. Both national and international surfing championships are held here every year – the waves are that good.
Florianopolis is a place of halves, linked by two picturesque bridges. The old suspension bridge, the Ponte Hercilio Luz, is no longer open to the public but is a defining feature of the city's skyline. Across from the mainland, you can explore the historic centre and chic district of Beira-Mar Notre, a must-see during your Florianopolis holiday. Steeped in history, Florianopolis boasts a series of fortresses built to withstand invasion by the Spanish and Dutch during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Earlier, the Azorean Portuguese colonised the city and it retains many traces of this era. The small village of Santo Antonio de Lisboa is an example of the architecture of that period. In Ribeirao da Ilha, the oldest part of the capital, the inhabitants still speak an Azorean dialect. Cuisine has become increasingly sophisticated here over the years, due to the Brazilians and foreigners who moved here. We particularly recommend the delicious seafood, all caught locally.