Niteroi Attractions
Niterói
Niterói, formerly capital of Rio de Janeiro state, lies on the east side of Guanabara Bay, opposite the city of Rio de Janeiro, with which it is connected by the Presidente Costa e Silva Bridge (15.5km/9.5mi long, 60m/200ft high).
Bus station
Rua Fróes da Cruz
History
The town was founded in the 16th century under the name of São Lourenço on a piece of land granted by the Portuguese king to an Indian chief named Araribóia, an ally of Portugal against França Antárctica, a colony in Guanabara Bay founded by Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon. In 1819 the settlement was granted the status of vila, and in 1835 it was declared a town. Until 1875, when the states of Guanabara (previously a federal district) and Rio de Janeiro were combined in a single state, it was capital of Rio de Janeiro state.
Niterói, formerly capital of Rio de Janeiro state, lies on the east side of Guanabara Bay, opposite the city of Rio de Janeiro, with which it is connected by the Presidente Costa e Silva Bridge (15.5km/9.5mi long, 60m/200ft high).
Bus station
Rua Fróes da Cruz
History
The town was founded in the 16th century under the name of São Lourenço on a piece of land granted by the Portuguese king to an Indian chief named Araribóia, an ally of Portugal against França Antárctica, a colony in Guanabara Bay founded by Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon. In 1819 the settlement was granted the status of vila, and in 1835 it was declared a town. Until 1875, when the states of Guanabara (previously a federal district) and Rio de Janeiro were combined in a single state, it was capital of Rio de Janeiro state.
Antônio Parreiras Museum
Antìnio Parreiras Museum
Beside the Praia da Boa Viagem are the city districts of Boa Viagem and Ingá, with the Museu Antìnio Parreiras. It occupies the house which once belonged to the artist of that name and contains many of his works.
Beside the Praia da Boa Viagem are the city districts of Boa Viagem and Ingá, with the Museu Antìnio Parreiras. It occupies the house which once belonged to the artist of that name and contains many of his works.
Fort Gragoatá (São Domingos)
Fort Gragoatá
São Domingos
The most interesting beaches and most of the city's sights lie to the south of the center and can be reached on the coast roads running round the bay. 2km/1.3mi from the city center, on the promontory of Ponta da Gragoatá, are Fort Gragoatá (1610) and the church of São Domingos, built from 1652 onwards.
São Domingos
The most interesting beaches and most of the city's sights lie to the south of the center and can be reached on the coast roads running round the bay. 2km/1.3mi from the city center, on the promontory of Ponta da Gragoatá, are Fort Gragoatá (1610) and the church of São Domingos, built from 1652 onwards.
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Fort Santa Cruz
Fort Santa Cruz dates from the mid 16th C and today visitors can see the prison, chapel, and a few cannons.
Ilha da Boa Viagem
Ilha da Boa
Viagem
3km/2mi from the city center is the Praia da Boa Viagem, which is linked by the Ponte Benjamin Sondré with the Ilha da Boa Viagem ("Island of the Good Journey"). On the island are the church of Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem (1683) and a fort.
Viagem
3km/2mi from the city center is the Praia da Boa Viagem, which is linked by the Ponte Benjamin Sondré with the Ilha da Boa Viagem ("Island of the Good Journey"). On the island are the church of Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem (1683) and a fort.
São Francisco Xavier
Between the Praia de São Francisco and the Praia de Charitas is the church of São Francisco Xavier (1572). Nearby is the hill of Viração, on which is the Municipal Park (views).
São Lourenço dos Indios
São Lourenço dos Indios
A few blocks from the sea are the access ramp to the Rio-Niterói bridge and the Jesuit church of São Lourenço dos Indios, built from 1560 onwards on the hill of São Lourenáo. The high altar has a Mannerist retablo of the early 17th century.
A few blocks from the sea are the access ramp to the Rio-Niterói bridge and the Jesuit church of São Lourenço dos Indios, built from 1560 onwards on the hill of São Lourenáo. The high altar has a Mannerist retablo of the early 17th century.
Adam and Eve's Beach
Praia de Adão
e Eva
Near the fort, 12km/7.5mi from the city center, is the unspoiled Praia de Adão e Eva (Adam and Eve's Beach).
e Eva
Near the fort, 12km/7.5mi from the city center, is the unspoiled Praia de Adão e Eva (Adam and Eve's Beach).
Campo de São Bento
A few blocks inland from the beach, between Icaraí and Santa Rosa, is the Campo de São Bento, a spacious tree-planted park with a lake, a fountain, a children's playground and the Pascoal Carlos Magno Cultural Center. There is a craft market in the park at weekends. Beyond this is the Caio Martins Sports Stadium.
Cathedral
Cathedral
In the center of the city are the Estação das Barcas (Marine Station), the landing-stage used by ships sailing between Niterói and Rio, and the Cathedral of São João Batista (1754).
In the center of the city are the Estação das Barcas (Marine Station), the landing-stage used by ships sailing between Niterói and Rio, and the Cathedral of São João Batista (1754).
Historical Museum
Historical Museum
In the Ingá district, housed in the former Palácio do Governo (Government Palace), is the City Historical Museum (pictures, everyday objects and furniture of the imperial period).
In the Ingá district, housed in the former Palácio do Governo (Government Palace), is the City Historical Museum (pictures, everyday objects and furniture of the imperial period).
Jurujuba Beach
8km/5mi from the city center Avenida Quintino Bocaiuva runs past the beaches of São Francisco and Charitas. Beyond this are the beaches of Preventório, Várzea, Cais and Jurujuba (11km/7mi), with fish factories and fishing villages.
Ponta da Areia
Ponta da Areia
To the north, near the hill of Armação, is the promontory of Ponta da Areias, where whaling ships were built in the 17th century; it is now a fishing center, with boatyards. Here many old houses have survived the passage of time, including some of the 17th century.
To the north, near the hill of Armação, is the promontory of Ponta da Areias, where whaling ships were built in the 17th century; it is now a fishing center, with boatyards. Here many old houses have survived the passage of time, including some of the 17th century.
Praia das Flechas (Praia de Icaraí)
Beyond the Boa Viagem beach are the Praia das Flechas, with the Itapuca Rock, and the Praia de Icaraí, with the Indian's Rock. At Icaraí is the main campus of the Universidade Federal Fluminense, the State University of Rio de Janeiro.
Saco de São Francisco
Beyond the Praia de Icaraí the Fróis road runs along above the bay, skirting the hill of Cavalão, to the Saco (Bay) de São Francisco (which can also be reached through a tunnel). From the end of the Praia de São Francisco the Estrada da Cachoeira continues to the beaches at the mouth of the bay.
Niteroi Surroundings
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Araruama, Brazil
Araruama is a very popular oceanside resort that contains numerous hotels, fine beaches, and lots of entertainment options.
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Itaipu
A view out over the water to Copacabana beach greets visitors to the sand dune fringed Itaipu beach.
Itaipuaçu
Itaipuaçu
The Itaipuaçu beach, 25km/15mi south-east of Niterói, extends from the Ponta de Itacoatiara almost to Maricá. It is cut in two by a channel which drains the Maricá lake district. The beach is reached on a road which branches off the roads to Itacoatiara and Itaipu. It can also be reached from farther inland by taking RJ 106 to Inoã and an unsurfaced track from there.
The Itaipuaçu beach, 25km/15mi south-east of Niterói, extends from the Ponta de Itacoatiara almost to Maricá. It is cut in two by a channel which drains the Maricá lake district. The beach is reached on a road which branches off the roads to Itacoatiara and Itaipu. It can also be reached from farther inland by taking RJ 106 to Inoã and an unsurfaced track from there.
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Marica, Brazil
The town of Maricá is considered a historical center and is located in the Lake District, 60 km east of Rio de Janeiro.
Piratininga
Piratininga
13km/8mi south-east of Niterói are the beach and lagoon of Piratininga, reached by a side road branching off the road to Itaipu. On the opposite side of the bay can be seen the Praia Vermelha and Mt Leme, at the end of Copacabana beach. One of the most popular stretches of the Piratininga beach is the Praia da Prainha, a small inlet with calm water between the sea and the lagoon, with the Baleia Crag.
13km/8mi south-east of Niterói are the beach and lagoon of Piratininga, reached by a side road branching off the road to Itaipu. On the opposite side of the bay can be seen the Praia Vermelha and Mt Leme, at the end of Copacabana beach. One of the most popular stretches of the Piratininga beach is the Praia da Prainha, a small inlet with calm water between the sea and the lagoon, with the Baleia Crag.
Praia de Camboinhas
Camboinhas
The Praia de Camboinhas, next to Piratininga beach, is fringed by immense dunes which until the 1970s remained almost untouched, with only the occasional fishing village. These villages, however, have a long history: on the road to Piratininga is the church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso, which dates from 1684. They are now surrounded by the most densely populated suburbs of Niterói.
The Praia de Camboinhas, next to Piratininga beach, is fringed by immense dunes which until the 1970s remained almost untouched, with only the occasional fishing village. These villages, however, have a long history: on the road to Piratininga is the church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso, which dates from 1684. They are now surrounded by the most densely populated suburbs of Niterói.
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Saquarema, Brazil
The town of Saquarema is a hot spot for anglers because of its lagoon. It is also a popular area for water sports, including surfing.
Beaches
Beaches
Estradas da Figueira, da Cachoeira and Dr Caetano Monteiro meet in Large da Batalha, from which Estrada Velha de Itaipu leads to the beaches at the mouth of Guanabara Bay and to the lagoons, also fringed by beaches, enclosed by granite rocks reaching out into the sea and by long lines of dunes.
Estradas da Figueira, da Cachoeira and Dr Caetano Monteiro meet in Large da Batalha, from which Estrada Velha de Itaipu leads to the beaches at the mouth of Guanabara Bay and to the lagoons, also fringed by beaches, enclosed by granite rocks reaching out into the sea and by long lines of dunes.
Ubatiba, Brazil
Ubatiba
At Ubatiba, 7km/4.3mi from the town, are the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Saúde (1850) and the handsome Fazenda Rio Fundo, which dates from the colonial period. At São José do Imbaçaí (8km/52mi) is the church of São José (1675).
At Ubatiba, 7km/4.3mi from the town, are the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Saúde (1850) and the handsome Fazenda Rio Fundo, which dates from the colonial period. At São José do Imbaçaí (8km/52mi) is the church of São José (1675).
