Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Florianopolis?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Florianopolis?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the scenic city of Florianopolis, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the beaches, the hiking, the cuisine, and the nightlife scene. Many tourists set aside three to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Florianopolis below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Florianopolis?

Most people spend three to four days in Florianopolis during their visit. The scenic city offers amazing highlights such as the beaches, the hiking, the cuisine, and the nightlife scene.

Florianópolis is the capital city of Santa Catarina, which is predominantly an island state. The area is filled with beautiful beaches and resort areas which are popular with tourists. The city has many great restaurants and wonderful outdoor activities that visitors can enjoy.

Do you have one or two days to visit Florianopolis? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Florianopolis?

Florianopolis is a fun city that is somewhat popular with tourists because of its great list of sights and attractions. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the beaches, the hiking, and the cuisine. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is probably needed even though it's not a huge city. Many travelers opt for three to four days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in Florianopolis

The beautiful beaches await you in Florianopolis, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There are miles of beautiful beaches that are popular for surfing. Joaquina Beach is one of the most popular beaches, particularly with surfers, but Mole Beach is quickly catching up in popularity. Campeche Beach is one of the widest and longest stretches of beach on the island.

A few tour suggestions include:

Surf Lesson with Qualified Instructor in Florianópolis ($35)
Campeche Island - Fast Boat ($49)
Tour Balneario Camboriu and Laranjeiras Beach TELEFERICO INCLUDED ($32)

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. Perhaps the most popular local dish is feijoada, which is a stew that's slow cooked in a clay pot. It's a great dish for sharing and it originated in the region's African slave population. Another common food is pão de queijo, which is a dough that is made from cassava root flour. Also make sure you try the seafood, which is available in many restaurants around town.

Public transit in Florianopolis is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There are buses around town, including buses that travel between the downtown and the beaches.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Florianopolis?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the scenic city of Florianopolis, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the beaches, the hiking, the cuisine, and the nightlife scene. Many tourists set aside three to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Florianopolis below.

Florianopolis, Brazil

How to spend 2 days in Florianopolis

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Florianopolis will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Known for it's hiking, Florianopolis sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The island is filled with beautiful jungles, striking beaches, and many dramatic settings that make it a great place to hike. The hikes also vary in length and skill level, so there really is something for everyone.

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The nightlife scene can vary between peak tourism times and the low season. There are plenty of bars around town that cater to the locals, and you can expect these to be open year round. Alternatively, there are also places that specifically open during the summer months and will close during the off season.