Santa Catarina's Unmissable Treasures

Santa Catarina's diverse landscape ranges from the high-altitude plateaus of the Serra Catarinense to the Atlantic coastline. This selection features the dramatic hairpin turns of Serra do Rio do Rastro and the 100-meter drop of Cachoeira do Avencal. In Florianópolis, the list covers historic sites like the 19th-century public market and the colonial-era São José da Ponta Grossa fort. Cultural highlights include the German-influenced architecture and museums of Blumenau, alongside the calm waters of Praia da Daniela and the bustling Lagoa da Conceição.

Santa Catarina's Unmissable Treasures — Map

Agandreta / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Lagoa da Conceição

Large saltwater lagoon in Florianópolis known for windsurfing and boat tours. It is surrounded by sand dunes, hills, and historic neighborhoods.

B

Mirante do Poste 55

Roadside viewpoint on the SC-390 highway, offering a clear perspective of the steep mountain curves descending the range.

Alexandra Breda / CC-BY-SA

C

Serra Corvo Branco

Mountain pass famous for a 90-meter-deep rock cut. It connects Urubici to the southern coast via steep, narrow switchbacks.

Raphael Ribeiro Silva / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Serra do Rio do Rastro

Serra do Rio do Rastro is a mountain range located in the southeast of the state of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil.

Alexandra Breda / CC-BY-SA

E

Cachoeira do Avencal

A 100-meter waterfall in Urubici featuring a glass-bottomed observation deck at the top of the basalt cliff.

Lionel Baur / CC-BY-SA-3.0

F

Our Lady of Exile and St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, Florianópolis

The Our Lady of Exile and St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral Also Florianópolis Cathedral It is a Catholic church dedicated to Our Lady…

Lionel Baur / CC-BY-SA-3.0

G

Fortaleza de São José da Ponta Grossa

Fortaleza de São José da Ponta Grossa is a fort located on the northern end of Santa Catarina Island in the municipality of Florianópolis,…

Tatiana Percevali Rossi / CC-BY-SA

H

Mercado Público Aldírio Simões

Historic 19th-century market in Florianópolis. It serves as a hub for local seafood, crafts, and traditional bars in the city center.

Bruna C. R. / CC BY 4.0

I

Museu Fritz Müller

Former residence of naturalist Fritz Müller. The museum houses biological specimens and documents related to his scientific correspondence with Charles Darwin.

J

Teatro Carlos Gomes

Cultural landmark in Blumenau opened in 1939. It features a distinctive architectural facade and hosts major regional performing arts events.

K

Cascata Salto Donner

A 25-meter waterfall located in Doutor Pedrinho, easily accessible via a short trail near the main road.

L

Cascata da Barrinha

Small waterfall situated at the entrance of Bom Jardim da Serra, characterized by its accessible basalt rock steps and natural pools.

M

Cachoeira Rio dos Bugres

High-altitude waterfall in Urubici with a sheer 220-meter drop into a verdant canyon.

unknow / CC BY-SA 4.0

N

Jurerê

Jurerê is a beach-side neighbourhood on the northern shore of the island of Florianópolis in Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Juan Martin de Leon / CC-BY-SA

O

Praia da Daniela

North-shore beach in Florianópolis known for its calm, shallow waters and lack of strong currents, bordered by mangroves.

peter.alexander.wachholz / CC-BY-SA

P

Vista da Serra do Rio do Rastro

High-altitude lookout point providing a panoramic view of the 250 winding curves of the SC-390 road and the coastal plain below.

Other Lists

Notable Religious Sites Parks and Natural Wonders Scenic Viewpoints and Peaks Stunning Brazilian Waterfalls Regional Flavors & Seafood