Santos Attractions

On Avenida Bartolomeu de Gusmão is the Municipal Aquarium (Aquário Municipal) and the Fisheries Museum (Museu de Pesca), all housed in the Department of Agriculture building.

Avenidas Presidente Wilson and Bartolomeu de Gusmão run along the coast to Santos's 7km/4.3mi of beaches, including the Praias José Menino, Gonzaga, Boqueirão, Embaré and Ponta da Praia.

Rua 15 de Novembro runs into Praça Barão do Rio Branco, in which are the Carmelite Convent (1589) and the Chapel of the Third Carmelite Order (1760). Note particularly the paintings by the monk Jesuíno de Monte Carmelo and Benedito Calixto. The burial chapel of the Andrada family contains the mortal remains of José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva (1763-1838), the "father of Brazilian independence", and his brothers.

Adjoining the station, on Praça dos Andradas, is the old Câmara Municipal and Cadeia Pública (Town Hall and Gaol) of 1830-60, which now houses the Casa da Cultura. Close by, in Rua 15 de Novembro, is the imposing Coffee Exchange (Bolsa de Café; 1922).

In the José Menino district is a viewpoint on the Morro de Santa Terezinha (reached from Rua João Caetano).

The José Menino district is in the south-west of the town, near São Vicente and the island of Porchat. On Praça Washington is the Municipal Orchidarium (Orquidário Municipal), a small park with a tree nursery, a pond, a waterfall and an aviary in which an orchid show is held annually in November.

On the right of the road at the entrance to the town are the Morro São Bento and Monte Serrat. On the Morro São Bento is the monastery of São Bento (1650), with a Museum of Sacred Art.

On Rua República do Equador, is the Museum of the Sea (Museu do Mar), with specimens of marine animals, shells and corals, and technical apparatus used in oceanography.

A funicular runs up Monte Serrat, on the summit of which is the chapel of Nossa Senhora do Monte Serrat (1603).

Avenida Bartolomeu de Gusmão ends in the Ponta da Praia district. From the Ponte dos Práticos in this area there are cruises round Santos Bay.

At the entrance to the town, on Largo Marquàs de Monte Alegre (to the left, near the sea), is the Federal Railways (Rete Ferroviária Federal) station, built in 1867 and modeled on London's Victoria Station.

Rua 15 de Novembro ends on the seafront, near the Rampa do Mercado, from which boats sail to Vicente de Carvalho. Immediately to the right of this is the harbor quay. At Warehouse 16 is the landing-stage for passenger ships. In Warehouse 15 is the Casa do Café, where every imaginable kind of coffee can be sampled and bought.

On Avenida Bartolomeu de Gusmão is the church of Santo Antônio do Embaré.

On the same square as the railway station are the church and monastery of Santo Antônio do Valongo, built between 1640 and 1691.

Bertioga

Bertioga, 41km/25mi north of Santos (ferry to São Paulo, 108km/67mi north-west), has altogether 44km/27mi of beaches. The most interesting are to the north of the town - São Lourenço (21km/13mi from town center), Guaratuba (32km/20mi) and Boracéia (35km/22mi).

Forte São João

On the Praia da Ensada, in the Bertioga harbor basin, is Forte São João (1547), attached to which is the João Ramalho Historical Museum. One of the most popular local events celebrated in the coastal towns is the Festa da Tainha (Festival of the Grey Mullet) in July.

Mongaguá

The little town of Mongaguá, established in 1959, is 41km/25mi from Santos and 88km/55mi from São Paulo. It offers the attractions of its 12km/7.5mi of beaches with calm water and the lush natural vegetation of the Serras de Guaperuvi, do Barigui and de Mongaguá; but its principal attraction is the floating artificial island of the São José bathing station, 400m/440yds off the coast and 8km/5mi from the town center.