The historic center of São Francisco do Sul lies on the shore of Baía da Babitonga. It includes the country’s largest architectural ensemble protected by IPHAN, with about 400 buildings dating from the 18th century onward. The center can be explored on foot.
Historic Center and Directions
A notice published in 2020 described a self-guided tourist route with 11 information signs. It began at the Museu Histórico and led to points within the protected historic district. If you plan to use this route, check in advance whether the signs are still in place.
Restinga, River and Trails
The Trilha Mirante do Rio Acaraí passes through a beach landscape and a dune field before reaching the Rio Acaraí. Along the way, visitors cross herbaceous, shrub and tree restinga vegetation and reach lowland rainforest. At the natural viewpoint, formed by a dune and a bend in the river, visitors can see how brackish water enables the formation of a mangrove area. The sequence of coast, river, restinga and rainforest is the route’s connecting theme; the viewpoint adds the role of brackish water to the landscape.
The Trilha Vila do Casqueiro offers a different theme: it leads to significant archaeological and historical-cultural features connected with the region’s earlier settlement. At 150 meters, Morro do Pão de Açúcar, also called Morro da Cruz, is the highest point in São Francisco do Sul. The two destinations offer different emphases: the trail leads to features of earlier settlement, while the hill provides a clear geographic reference as the highest point.
The open-sea beaches in São Francisco do Sul are suitable for surfing and sport fishing. This means that, in addition to the walkable center and themed trails, visitors can also choose activities on the open sea.
Culture and Nature Across the Wider Destination
Across the wider destination of São Francisco do Sul, the original town center, with 400 properties, was protected as a historic site by Iphan in 1987. The Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora da Graça was built starting in 1699 with mortar made from sand, lime, shells and whale oil. The former facilities of Forte Marechal Luz are among São Francisco do Sul’s historic landmarks; Boi de Mamão is one of its cultural traditions.
Vila da Glória lies in the mainland part of the wider destination of São Francisco do Sul. It has beaches, waterfalls and mountains, and the area is part of the Grande Reserva Mata Atlântica. Prainha and Praia Grande are considered the area’s main surfing beaches and are known for their larger waves. Sandboarding is possible on the dunes of Praia Grande in Parque Estadual do Acaraí. For trekking, options include Morro da Esperança and the trail or rocky shoreline at Prainha; check the conditions for each route in advance.
Discover more destinations: Quebra Dentes, Pereque, Pingador, Brusque, Sangão, Timbó, Quilombo, Porto Belo
View the wider travel overview: Santa Catarina.
