Discover Florianópolis: Nature, Water and History

Florianópolis offers a range of ways to enjoy a trip: a guided hiking trail with an opportunity to encounter wildlife, activities on lagoons, cycling trips, and places of historical and cultural significance. When planning your holiday, the main question is which of these experiences you want to shape your stay: nature and wildlife, getting out on the water, or discovering the history of the area.

Experience Nature and Discover Culture

The Trilha Ecológica do PAERVE is a guided hiking trail in Florianópolis. Along the trail, visitors can learn about some of the wild animals that have been treated at the Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres. The experience combines a hike with an encounter with animals that have been treated there. If you want to make nature and wildlife the focus of your trip, this offers a concrete starting point for planning.

Ilha do Campeche offers a different cultural focus. It is part of the municipality of Florianópolis and is home to some of Brazil's most significant rock inscriptions. This brings a cultural interest to the fore that differs from a guided nature trail: here, the rock inscriptions themselves are the special attraction. Together, these two examples show different sides of the destination, without necessarily appealing to the same travel interests.

Water Activities and Cycling Trips

Excursions and water sports are available at Lagoa da Conceição. At Lagoa do Peri, kayaking and rides in inflatable boats are among the activities on offer. The options described differ in detail: excursions and water sports are described in general terms for Lagoa da Conceição, while two specific ways of getting around on the water are mentioned for Lagoa do Peri. When considering water activities for your trip, you can think about whether you prefer a broader range of options or are specifically looking for kayaking and boat trips.

Cycling trips and mountain biking are also part of the visitor offering in Florianópolis. These activities complement the water-based options with another way to shape your trip. If you enjoy cycling, you can consider this alongside your interests in nature, water and culture. These different themes give you a range of experiences to consider when deciding what matters most for your stay in Florianópolis.

Historic Sites with Different Historical Contexts

The former Casa de Câmara e Cadeia was built in the colonial style between 1771 and 1780. Its later history includes two other important dates: its restoration was completed in 2018, and the renovated building opened as the Museu de Florianópolis in 2021. This one site lets you distinguish between its colonial-era construction, its later restoration and its conversion into a museum. If you are interested in the city's history, you can keep these different periods in mind as you explore the building.

Another historical landmark in Florianópolis is the Fortaleza de Santo Antônio de Ratones, built in 1740. Together with the former Casa de Câmara e Cadeia, it provides a way to explore different historic buildings: the fortress is associated with its construction in 1740, while the Casa stands out for its construction between 1771 and 1780 and its later restoration and museum history. Ilha do Campeche adds another dimension to these cultural themes with its rock inscriptions, offering a different focus from the historic buildings.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Stay

When looking for a holiday apartment in Florianópolis, you can start by sorting out your travel interests. A guided trail and the chance to learn about some of the wildlife that has been treated there appeal to different interests than water sports, kayaking or mountain biking. For cultural and historical discoveries, you can choose from the rock inscriptions on Ilha do Campeche, the Museu de Florianópolis and the Fortaleza de Santo Antônio de Ratones. Deciding which of these themes matters most to you can help you choose a destination that suits your holiday plans.

More destination pages: Fragosos, Campos Novos, Brusque, Nova Trento, Gaspar, Volta Grande, Canoinhas and Alfredo Wagner.

Back to the overview of destinations: Santa Catarina.