Ilha de Santa Catarina

Barra da Lagoa

The blue-painted houses of Barra da Lagoa, a village near the Lagoa da Conceição on the east side of the island, also seem to have been transferred here from the Azores. The church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição dates from 1730. The villagers live from fishing and the delicate pillow lace made by the women, and also from tourism. The Lagoa da Conceição nature reserve is one of the most visited places on the island.

Cidade das Abelhas

12km/7.5mi north of the town on the road to Canasvieiras is the Institute of Apiculture, known as the Cidade das Abelhas ("City of the Bees"), where visitors can buy honey and see details of the life of the beekeepers.

Beaches East of Florianópolis

To the east of Florianópolis are some of the best known and most popular beaches on the island, including the Praia de Joaquina and Praia de Moçambique, two long beaches looking out on to the open sea, and the beaches of Barra da Lagoa and Lagoa da Conceição.

On the Praia da Lagoa, which is fringed by dunes, there are hotels, restaurants and camping sites, and boats can be hired.

17km/10.5mi from Florianópolis is the Praia de Joaquina, on which surfing competitions are held.

Santo Antìnio de Lisboa

The village of Santo Antìnio de Lisboa, in the north of the island, gives an excellent impression of Azorean architecture with the church of Nossa Senhora da Necessidade (1750) and the Casa Aáoriana (cultural center).