Santa Catarina Island

Island · Florianopolis, 🇧🇷 Brazil

Area 420 km²

Time zone America/Sao_Paulo

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Featured Lists

Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) / CC BY-SA 4.0

Ilha de Santa Catarina's Absolute Essentials

Ilha de Santa Catarina features a diverse landscape ranging from the surf-heavy dunes of Joaquina to the calm, shallow waters of Daniela. The island’s historic core in Florianópolis contains the neoclassical Palácio Cruz e Sousa and the 19th-century Mercado Público. Regional history is preserved at the Fortaleza de São José da Ponta Grossa and the iconic Hercílio Cruz Bridge. For nature enthusiasts, the central Lagoa da Conceição provides a hub for water sports, while the remote Lagoinha do Leste offers a preserved coastal ecosystem accessible only by trail.

15 places

Juan Martin de Leon / CC-BY-SA

Florianópolis' Best Beaches

Florianópolis offers a diverse coastline ranging from the calm, shallow waters of the northern bays to the high-energy surf of the Atlantic-facing eastern shores. This selection includes Praia da Joaquina, famous for its massive sand dunes and international surfing competitions, and Praia da Daniela, characterized by its tranquil, lake-like conditions. Historic sites like Praia do Forte sit alongside protected natural areas such as Praia da Galheta, providing a comprehensive overview of the island's unique geography and maritime heritage.

11 places

Lionel Baur / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Sacred Sites of Significance

Florianópolis hosts a diverse array of religious architecture reflecting its colonial past and contemporary faith. This list features the landmark Metropolitan Cathedral alongside historic 18th-century parish churches like Nossa Senhora da Lapa and Nossa Senhora das Necessidades, which showcase the island's Azorean heritage. From small rural chapels in Pântano do Sul to modern evangelical temples and Kingdom Halls, these sites represent the cultural evolution and spiritual landscape of Santa Catarina Island.

20 places

Agandreta / CC BY-SA 3.0

Florianópolis Nature Escapes

Florianópolis features a diverse landscape of coastal lagoons, Atlantic Forest reserves, and granite peaks. This collection highlights the expansive Lagoa da Conceição and its surrounding dunes, alongside protected areas like the Rio Vermelho State Park and Carijós Ecological Station. The list includes the island's largest freshwater lake, Lagoa do Peri, secluded beaches like Lagoinha do Leste, and various forest waterfalls including Poção do Córrego Grande and Cachoeira da Solidão.

14 places