Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Florianopolis?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Florianopolis?

Most people spend three to four days in Florianopolis during their visit. The vibrant 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days 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 three days, 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 3 days 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.

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.

A few tour suggestions include:

Tour Pub Crawl in the Center of Florianópolis ($50)

Perhaps the most famous place in Florianopolis is Praia Mole, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Florianopolis.

Is 4 days enough time in Florianopolis?

Many visitors spend four days in Florianopolis, and this is a good amount of time to see the vibrant city's major attractions such as the beaches, the hiking, and the cuisine. This smaller city can be explored in four days, which would give you enough time to see the major sights. Below, we have a few suggestions of things to do.

Florianopolis, Brazil

How to spend 4 days in Florianopolis

Having 4 days in Florianopolis will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

This city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. There are a number of science and cultural museums in the area that will introduce you to the region's local wildlife and history.

Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.

Is 5 days enough time in Florianopolis?

Five days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Florianopolis, as it's not as large as some other cities. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. Swim at the beach, go hiking, dine out at amazing restaurants, and take advantage of the local nightlife. You could also use Florianopolis as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.

How to spend 5 days in Florianopolis

With 5 days in Florianopolis, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Shopping in Florianopolis is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. You'll find shopping malls and boutique retail shops that make for a great shopping experience.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Florianopolis, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.