Is it worth staying in the center of Florianopolis?
If, besides beaches, you like history, culture, partying, or even a good local bar or pub, the answer is: yes! Read this article before booking a hotel.
October 13th, 2023
A few days ago, leading a group on a bike tour at Avenida Beira Mar (Seaside Avenue), one of the tourists asked me: “Is it safe to stay in a hotel in downtown Florianopolis?”. The answer is not so simple, so let’s look at the list of things you should take into account before choosing your hotel in the city.
History
The city center is home to many museums. The indigenous history is portrayed in the Museu do Homem do Sambaqui while some of the city’s black history can be accessed at Cruz e Sousa Palace. The museum is named after the first black journalist and poet in Santa Catarina and houses his collection. The palace was the seat of the state government until 1985 and today it still preserves its architecture and interior as at the time.
The history and geography of the city, the Azorean immigration, and the social formation of the islanders, is very well displayed in the City Museum. Located in the old Town Hall and Jail, it is very interactive and informative, making it a great option for a family visit. The local café is also a good choice.
A good alternative to get to know the city’s history and culture in a quick and fun way is by taking a guided tour. One of the options is our Walking Tour – History and Hidden Bars. It’s a 2-hour walk interpreting the historic center and its monuments with the help of a local historian. To top it off, the tour ends in the best bars on the Island.
Culture
The historic center of Florianópolis is an open-air museum. The culture and tradition of Azorean immigrants is displayed in the mosaics on the floor of Praça XV, but also experienced in the domino games in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral. At the Public Market you can learn about bobbin lace and local lacemakers. In Largo da Alfândega there are even rap battles.
On Saturdays the center also has a Samba party accompanied by feijoada in Canto do Noel, the final attraction of the Walking Tour – History and Hidden Bars.
Bars and clubs
The nightlife in the center of Florianópolis is quite agitated. The highlights are Rua Victor Meirelles and Avenida Hercílio Luz, where most of the pubs in the downtown area are located. Once you get there, just walk around a little and find the bar that best suits your vibe. My favorite is Bugio, which has an underground vibe and its own award-winning craft beer. The bar also has tables in the middle of the street which is closed to pedestrians. Good beer, great music and the perfect vibe.
If you are looking for something more ‘gourmet’ for a nice drink, I suggest the bars near Beira Mar Shopping Mall in a newer and fancier area of the city center. If you still prefer to continue in the historic center, the cocktail bar No Class is a great alternative. And contrary to what the name suggests, it is very ‘classy’.
Well, let’s say you’ve already warmed up at Bugio or No Class and are ready to enjoy a night out. You don’t even need to take an Uber to get to Don’t tell mama, just walk about 100 meters. At this club the party can last until 4 am. Go there and tell us what you think, but, please: don’t tell mama.
Security
I’ve already told you that the center of Florianópolis is really worth the visit. But now let’s talk about security. Floripa is known as the safest capital in Brazil. This does not mean, however, that you will not see the problems that all large Brazilian urban centers face: homelessness, social inequality, pollution and poor basic sanitation, for example.
The crime rate, such as robberies and thefts, is low. During the day, the movement of the streets gives us a feeling of security. At night and on Sundays, when local businesses close, there is a feeling of greater insecurity.
Basic safety precautions, such as only walking on busy roads and times, can ensure your peace of mind. But if you still don’t feel safe, a guided tour could be a good option.
Beaches and transportation
Well, unfortunately the center no longer has bathing beaches. The pollution in the north and south bays makes swimming impossible, but there is a breathtaking sunset, especially with the view to Hercílio Luz bridge.
So, if you stay in the city center, you will have to move around to enjoy the many paradisiac beaches on Santa Catarina Island. The good thing is that the center is within easy reach of almost all beaches. A 20 to 40 minutes’ drive will take you anywhere you want on a day without traffic.
A good option is to rent a car. But be very careful with traffic. To avoid getting stuck in the car and ruining your vacation, one possibility is our Private Driving Tour. On this tour, the local guide will know how to take you to the best attractions, considering factors such as traffic, weather and distance.
Where to stay in the center of Florianópolis?
If you’re already convinced about staying in the city center, it’s time to book a hotel, hostel or Airbnb.
Avenida Beira Mar has the most diverse and refined options. Hotel Majestic and LK design are great options with a great view to the bay and the sunset, while Castelmar has the best view to Hercílio Luz Bridge.
As a more affordable option, I suggest the Innbox Hotel and Hostel which is located exactly around the corner from the best bars in the historic center.
For other options, it’s worth accessing booking.com.
Conclusion
The historic center is a great option if you want to visit cultural attractions, such as museums and samba parties, or if you want to enjoy the nightlife in bars and clubs. It’s also a great alternative if you want to explore the whole Island. You can easily reach the 4 corners of the Island in a maximum 40 minutes’ drive without traffic.
However, if your goal is sit at the beach to have some coconut water, beer and shrimp, I suggest choosing a hotel on a beach of your choice. But it’s worth taking at least a day to get to know the city center and its history.
NOTE: You may have noticed that there are some affiliate links in this post. If you have used our links to book your trip, thank you very much! This is how we keep the blog up and running, as we are paid a small commission for it.
Isaac Ribeiro
Author
As a Historian I’m interested in bringing to light stories that have been concealed from public knowledge. As a bohemian poliglot I like to share a cup of coffee or a beer with whoever is willing to sit with me by the sea.
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