Florianopolis

Florianopolis spans several islands and is the capital city of Santa Catarina state in southern Brazil. With its residents known to enjoy a high quality of life, the coastal destination is often thought of as Brazil's best city to live in. Visitors tend to relish the colourful colonial charm of its older districts.

Florianopolis is home to 60 beaches and is a very popular among surfers and sun-worshippers. In fact, the city is perfect for surf breaks, offering a range of waves to delight both complete amateurs and experienced professionals. Barra da Logoa is the ideal surfing beach for beginners. Ingleses Beach is favoured by tourists and sand boarders. Campeche Beach is a superb surfing beach, with white sands and often turbulent waters. Joaquina Beach has excellent tourist infrastructure, while Santinho Beach is a peaceful, unspoiled stretch where nature-lovers will find joy and inspiration.

The city is also renowned for its fun and energetic nightlife, its unique culture and folklore, and the great seafood provided by the various fishing villages along the coast. The main island, Santa Catarina, is connected to the mainland by three bridges. The old Hercilio Luz Bridge, now closed to traffic, is one of the city's most recognisable landmarks, gracing many postcards.

From a tourist perspective, the city's north is its busiest, most picturesque, and most popular area. It contains sites such as the historic city centre, a 19th century market, and the ornate Museu Histórico de Santa Catarina.