Santa Catarina offers a variety of discoveries side by side: historic fortifications, protected mountain landscapes, and routes that explore the coast or smaller communities. You can get to know the region through specific places and experiences—from the history of Florianópolis to the landscapes of the Serra Catarinense.

Fortresses and Historic City Centers

The Sistema de Fortificações da Ilha de Santa Catarina was built in the 18th century to consolidate Portuguese rule in the south of the continent. Today, it is one of Florianópolis’s most important tourist and cultural attractions. The fortifications thus connect a visible part of the island’s history with a place to visit in the city.

Historic city centers also tell the story of the coastal region’s development. In Laguna, the protected center grew around the original port and includes about 600 buildings. São Francisco do Sul’s protected original city center contains 400 buildings. Its historic heritage includes colonial houses, sambaquis, and old churches; around 150 houses and monuments are protected at the federal level.

In Joinville, Centreventos Cau Hansen was used as a performance venue for the 43rd edition of the Festival de Dança in July 2026, along with squares and other locations around the city. Performances and presentations were therefore spread across various stages throughout the city.

Mountain Nature and Distinctive Landscapes

Parque Estadual da Serra Furada is a fully protected conservation area. It extends across Grão-Pará and Orleans, protecting lush vegetation and several springs on the slopes of the Serra Catarinense. The park and its surroundings offer views of pointed mountain peaks and the Serra Furada geological monument. Visits are possible daily from 08:00 to 17:00; registration is required at least 48 hours in advance. Be sure to allow for this lead time when planning your visit.

Serra do Rio do Rastro showcases another facet of the mountain landscape: it is considered a spectacular landscape in Santa Catarina, with opportunities for ecotourism and adventure tourism. Together with the Serra Furada conservation area, it gives a sense of the different ways to experience the region’s mountain nature—here, with protected vegetation and springs; there, with a landscape associated with outdoor activities.

Coastal Trails, Wildlife and Routes

Caminhos da Baleia Franca is a 172-kilometer regional hiking trail along the coast of Santa Catarina. A five-day hike takes you through dunes, hills, lagoons, islands, and rocky coastal stretches. Activities along the route also include running, surfing, kitesurfing, skydiving, and canoeing. The variety of landscapes makes the trail a way to experience different types of coastline on a multi-day trip.

APA da Baleia Franca is a breeding ground for southern right whales. It is also home to sea turtles, migratory birds, otters, and botos-da-tainha. Land-based observation is preferred for whale watching, with viewpoints in Imbituba and Garopaba. Those interested in marine wildlife will find a distinct focus on wildlife and land-based observation here, alongside the coastal hike.

Those who prefer to travel by bike can consider the Circuito Vale Europeu de Cicloturismo. This 297-kilometer route connects landscapes and culinary experiences in eight smaller communities in Santa Catarina. It starts in Timbó and passes, among other places, waterfalls and lagoons. Along the way, visitors can discover local crafts, visit crystal factories, and attend folk festivals if one takes place during their trip. Unlike the five-day coastal hike, this route focuses on cycling and connects several smaller communities.

The Rota dos Vinhos Finos de Altitude offers another way to bring together places and culinary themes. It passes through nine cities: São Joaquim, Água Doce, Videira, Campo Belo do Sul, Urupema, Urubici, Bom Retiro, Rancho Queimado, and Treze Tílias. The route includes 22 wineries in the Serra de Santa Catarina. It offers those interested in wine and landscapes a different way to explore the region than the hiking and cycling routes.

Beto Carrero World is another specific place to visit: it is located at Armação Beach in the municipality of Penha. Santa Catarina’s range of discoveries thus stretches from historic centers and mountain landscapes to coastal trails, cycling routes, and individual attractions.

Discover more destinations: São Bento Do Sul, Santo Amaro Da Imperatriz, Joinvile, Jaraguá Do Sul, Itapema, Florianópolis, Chapecó, Campos Novos, Blumenau, Balneário Camboriú, Palhoça, Governador Celso Ramos, Volta Grande, São José, Piratuba, São Francisco Do Sul, Bombinhas, Garopaba, Barra Velha, Imbituba, Laguna, Corupá, Itajaí, Porto Belo, Pomerode, Tubarão, Navegantes, Bom Jardim Da Serra, Fraiburgo, Piçarras, Lages, Timbó, Itapoá, Criciúma, Urubici, Penha, Otacílio Costa, Ituporanga, Indaial, Águas Brancas, Gaspar, Gravatal, Nova Veneza, Concórdia, Joaçaba, Forquilhinha, Treze Tílias, Canoinhas, Bom Jesus, Brusque, Rio Do Sul, Guaramirim, Jacinto Machado, Capinzal, Itá, Caçador, Rodeio, Rio Negrinho, Tapera, Rio Dos Cedros, Pirabeiraba, Balneário Barra Do Sul, Alfredo Wagner, Doutor Pedrinho, Grão Pará, Nova Trento, São Joaquim, Vargem Bonita, Sambaqui, Grota Funda, Quebra Dentes, Xanxerê, Pingador, Ôlho D'água, Pereque, São Bonifácio, Pinhalzinho, Videira, Hercílio Luz, Araquari, Mafra, Coronel Freitas, Araranguá, São Lourenço Do Oeste, Curitibanos, Ibicaré, Jaguaruna, Vidal Ramos, Faxinal dos Guedes, Garuva, Abelardo Luz, São José do Cedro, Balneário Arroio do Silva, Turvo, Papanduva, Biguaçu, Ascurra, Quilombo, Siderópolis, Tijucas, Lajeado Grande, Urussanga, Sangão, Fragosos, Orleans, Pouso Redondo, Urupema, Rancho Queimado, Rio Fortuna, Palhoça, Guaraciaba, Presidente Nereu, Canelinha, São Francisco do Sul, Arroio Trinta, Imaruí, Florianópolis, Bocaina do Sul, Turvo, Meleiro, São Pedro de Alcântara.

For the broader travel overview: Brazil.