Things to do in Florianópolis
The best of the Island of Magic, organized by region and by type of outing.
Updated on October 7, 2026 ✓ Information checked on October 6, 2026 adapted from the Portuguese original
Florianópolis is much more than beaches. On a single trip you can sandboard down the dunes, cross the lagoon by boat, hike to a wild beach, visit 18th-century forts and eat oysters fresh from the bay.
Don’t miss
- Lagoa da Conceição: the lookout, the Centrinho (the little village center) and boats to Costa da Lagoa.
- Joaquina Beach and Dunes: surfing and sandboarding.
- Hercílio Luz Bridge: the city’s postcard view, best at sunset.
- Lagoinha do Leste: the island’s most famous hike.
- Campeche Island: clear water and rock art, with controlled visits.
- Ribeirão da Ilha and Santo Antônio de Lisboa: Azorean villages and oysters.
By region
| Region | Highlights |
|---|---|
| North | calm-water beaches, schooner trips, forts, Santo Antônio de Lisboa |
| East | the Lagoa, dunes and open sea, surfing, nightlife |
| South | wild beaches and trails, fishing villages, Ribeirão da Ilha |
| Downtown | historic downtown, Public Market, Beira-Mar, the bridge |
By travel style
- Nature and adventure: hiking trails and boat trips.
- History and culture: Azorean culture, forts, bobbin lace and the witches of the Island of Magic.
- Food: where to eat and oysters.
- Family: Florianópolis with kids.
- Cloudy days: Florianópolis on a rainy day.
Every place in this guide
Places mentioned
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Free access South of the island Campeche Beach The long beach in the south of the island, facing the open sea, with Campeche Island right in front. See details -
Free accessKids Downtown Hercílio Luz Bridge The 1926 suspension bridge that became the city's symbol, reopened in 2019 after decades closed. See details -
Free accessKids North of the island Jurerê Beach Calm water on the North Bay, with the planned neighborhood of Jurerê Internacional. See details -
Free accessKids East of the island Lagoa da Conceição The large lagoon on the east of the island, between hills, dunes and the sea, with a lively village center. See details -
PaidKids South of the island Campeche Island The island of crystal-clear water and archaeological sites, with controlled visits and a daily limit. See details -
Free accessKids North of the island Canasvieiras Beach One of the busiest beaches in summer, with calm water and the schooner departure point. See details -
KidsTrail East of the island Costa da Lagoa A car-free community on the Lagoa shore, reached by boat or along a historic trail. See details -
Free accessKids Downtown Florianópolis Public Market The yellow two-wing building downtown, a meeting point for locals and visitors. See details -
Free accessKids South of the island Armação Beach An artisanal fishing village with an 18th-century church and boats to Campeche Island. See details -
Free accessKids North of the island Ingleses Beach A long bay in the northeast of the island, with dunes and plenty of tourist facilities. See details -
Free accessKids East of the island Joaquina Beach and Dunes The beach that became famous in world surfing, and the pale dunes where people go sandboarding. See details -
Free accessKids Downtown Praça XV de Novembro, the fig tree and the Cathedral The city's ground zero: the square of the old fig tree and the Cathedral of Nossa Senhora do Desterro. See details -
Free accessKids Downtown Beira-Mar Norte The promenade along the North Bay, for walking, cycling and watching the bridge light up. See details -
Free accessTrail South of the island Matadeiro Beach A small, rustic beach reached on foot from Armação, with waves and a trail to Lagoinha. See details -
Free access East of the island Praia Mole One of the island's most beautiful beaches, between hills and rocks, with surfing and paragliding. See details -
Free access North of the island Santinho Beach An open-sea beach with dunes and rock carvings etched into the headland. See details -
Free accessTrail East of the island Galheta Beach A beach with no buildings, reachable only by trail, inside a protected area. See details -
Free accessTrail South of the island Lagoinha do Leste The wild beach with an S-shaped lagoon, reachable only by trail or by boat. See details -
Free access North of the island Praia Brava A beach of clear water and waves between hills, with buildings facing the sea. See details -
Free accessKids East of the island Barra da Lagoa The fishing village beside the channel that links Lagoa da Conceição to the ocean. See details -
Free accessKids South of the island Pântano do Sul The fishing village at the far south, with seafood restaurants right on the sand. See details -
Free accessKids North of the island Santo Antônio de Lisboa The Azorean village on the North Bay, with historic houses, oysters and a famous sunset. See details -
Free access East of the island Moçambique Beach The island's longest beach, deserted and surrounded by dunes and forest. See details -
Free accessTrail South of the island Naufragados Beach The southernmost beach on the island, reached by a forest trail or by boat. See details -
PaidKids North of the island Santa Cruz de Anhatomirim Fort The 18th-century fort on a small island in the North Bay, reachable only by boat. See details -
Kids East of the island Projeto TAMAR in Florianópolis The visitor center of the project that protects sea turtles in Brazil. See details -
Free accessKids South of the island Ribeirão da Ilha An Azorean village on the South Bay, with colorful houses and oyster farms. See details -
PaidKids North of the island São José da Ponta Grossa Fort The only one of the three North Bay forts you can reach by land, between Jurerê and Praia do Forte. See details
Things to do
In this section
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Florianópolis hiking trails The island's most beautiful walks, from easy to demanding, with safety advice. Read guide - Azorean culture in Florianópolis The legacy of immigrants from the Azores, visible in the villages, the food, the crafts and the legends. Read guide
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Bobbin lace in Florianópolis The lacemakers' art, a Portuguese heritage that became a symbol of the island's crafts. Read guide -
Franklin Cascaes and the witches of the Island of Magic The witch legends that gave the city its nickname, the Island of Magic. Read guide - Florianópolis forts The 18th-century defense system of the North Bay and how to visit each fort. Read guide
- Florianópolis historic downtown on foot A half-day walk through the place where the city was born, ending at the bridge. Read guide
- Florianópolis on a rainy day Ideas for when the beach is not inviting: culture, museums, food and villages. Read guide
- Florianópolis with kids Calm beaches, sea turtles, dunes and boats: the island for family travel. Read guide
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The manezinho frog, the guide's mascot The little leaf-litter frog named after the island's people, and now the guide's mascot. Read guide
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- Florianópolis beaches From the calm water of Jurerê to the trails of Lagoinha do Leste: how to choose your beach. Read guide
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Florianópolis itineraries Plans for 2 to 7 days, organized by region to avoid the traffic. Read guide -
Tours and boat trips in Florianópolis Schooners, boats, dunes and lookouts: the island's most popular outings. Read guide