Attractions Nearby Florianopolis, Day Trips and Excursions

(Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil)



The Ilha de Santa Catarina (Santa Catarina Island) lies on the southern coastline of Brazil and comes with many wonderful attractions, easily reachable from Florianopolis. Holiday makers staying in Florianopolis often choose to explore the island's coastline, taking day trips to nearby beaches and coastal attractions.

Excursions to the attractions on the nearby mainland are also popular and these include the cities of Joinville and Blumenau, both of which are just over two hours from Florianopolis, being located to the north and north-west respectively. Further north are the villages of Armacao, Penha and Porto Belo, while to the south, consider an excursion to Garopaba, Guarda do Embau or Laguna.


The main attractions of Joinville include the Museu Nacional da Imigracao e Colonizacao (National Museum of Immigration and Colonisation), the Museu de Arte de Joinville (Art Museum) and the 250-metre / 820-foot Mirante Tower, where 360-degree panoramas can be enjoyed. In nearby Blumenau, Florianopolis day trippers will find a rich German heritage, with Alpine architecture and an exciting Oktober beer festival.

General Information

The northern side of the Ilha de Santa Catarina, between the Praia dos Ingleses and the Praia de Jurere, forms a major part of the island's tourism scene and comes with many typical seaside attractions. On the western shore, Santo Antonio de Lisboa is an especially historic community, with cobbled streets and traditional Azorean buildings, such as the mid-18th century Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Necessidade.

Also to the north of Florianopolis is the resort of Canasvieiras, where the beaches of Praia de Canasvieiras and Praia de Jurere form the main draws, offering attractions such as jet skiing and windsurfing, as well as a vibrant nightlife. On the far north-easterly shore, the Praia Brava and the Praia da Lagoinha are two beaches worthy of a mention. The Praia Brava has strong waves suitable for surfing, while the Praia da Lagoinha is more sheltered. Just a short distance to the south are the popular beaches of the Praia dos Ingleses and the Praia do Santinho, the latter of which is home to the Floripa Surf Camp.

Directly east of Florianopolis and on the eastern coast of the Ilha de Santa Catarina are some quality attractions, located around the village of Barra da Lagoa and the stunning lake, Lagoa da Conceicao. If you are looking for beaches here, then both the Praia da Joaquina and the Praia Mole await.

On the southern side of the island and within easy driving distance of Florianopolis is Ribeirao da Ilha, a tiny village with a strong Azorean history. The top attractions in Ribeirao da Ilha are based around its central square, such as its 200-year-old Igreja Nossa Senhora da Lapa do Ribeirao (Church of Our Lady of the Grotto of Ribeirao). Also in the south are various beaches scattered around Armacao, Campeche and Pantano do Sul.