Santa Catarina, located in the southern region of Brazil, enchants visitors with its diverse landscapes and cultural influences. Colonized by Portuguese, Germans, Italians, Dutch, Austrians, Swiss and Gauchos, as well as indigenous populations, the state preserves traditions and offers itineraries that appeal to all types of travelers.
This variety of attractions is distributed across ten tourist routes, presented below, allowing you to explore the state according to your interests in leisure, fun, sports, history and culture.
- Greater Florianópolis Itinerary
- Route of the Sun Itinerary
- Emerald Coast Itinerary
- North Coast Itinerary
- Route of the Princes
- European Valley Itinerary
- South Coast Itinerary
- Itinerary of the Santa Catarina Mountains
- Southern Paths Itinerary
- Friendship Route Itinerary
Route of the Sun Itinerary
With beaches, theme parks and leisure options, tourism is the main activity in this region. Balneário Camboriú receives thousands of visitors each season, offering everything from ecotourism to lively nightlife. Itajaí stands out as an economic and port center, preserving traces of Portuguese colonization. Navegantes is home to the international airport that serves the entire north of the state.
Main Municipalities: Balneario Camboriu, Itajai and Navegantes.
Emerald Coast Itinerary
This stretch of coastline, famous for its greenish sea, is home to more than 30 beaches with crystal-clear waters, ideal for diving. Located close to the Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve, it attracts divers from various regions.
Main Municipalities: Firecrackers, Itapema and Porto Belo.
Route of the Princes
With strong German, Italian, Polish and Swiss influences, this region preserves the architecture and hospitality of its colonizers. In addition to lush nature, it has industries and a railway. Joinville, the largest city in the state, is an industrial hub, while Jaraguá do Sul is ideal for extreme sports.
Main Municipalities: Joinville, Jaraguá do Sul, Rio Negrinho, Sao Bento do Sul, Mafra and Canoinhas.
Itinerary of the Santa Catarina Mountains
The coldest region of Brazil is famous for its winter landscapes, where you can see snow and frozen waterfalls. Lages, the largest city in the mountains, was a stopping point for cattle drivers in the 18th century.
Main Municipalities: The cities of Lages, Urupema and Bom Retiro are located in the northeastern part of the country.
Greater Florianópolis Itinerary
A mix of modern urbanization and natural beauty, this region is home to Santa Catarina Island and the capital Florianópolis, famous for its beaches and lush green hills. Tourism, technology and the service sector drive the local economy.
Main Municipalities: Florianópolis, Palhoça, Santo Amaro of the Empress, Governor Celso Ramos, Saint Joseph and Saint Peter of Alcantara.
South Coast Itinerary
Renowned for its unspoiled beaches and natural beauty, the southern coast is home to Laguna, with its historic center, and Garopaba, famous for its beaches and surfing culture. A region with a strong fishing tradition, it also attracts visitors for its ecotourism and seafood-based cuisine.
Main Municipalities: Lagoon, Garopaba and Imbituba.
Southern Paths Itinerary
With a strong presence of Italian immigrants, Criciúma is a prominent region in the coal and ceramic tile industries. Tubarão is known for its hot springs and the Railway Museum. Small towns such as Urussanga and Nova Veneza preserve Italian culture with festivities and typical cuisine.
Main Municipalities: Araranguá, Criciúma and Tubarão.
European Valley Itinerary
A region influenced by German and Italian immigrants, cities such as Blumenau and Pomerode keep their traditions alive. Blumenau is home to Oktoberfest, while Pomerode is considered the most German city in Brazil. The region is also known for its ecotourism and its landscape full of valleys and mountains.
Main Municipalities: Blumenau, Pomerode, Brusque, Nova Trento, Indaial and Rio do Sul.
Friendship Route Itinerary
This tourist route passes through cities that offer unique experiences, such as the Austrian influence of Treze Tílias and the thermal waters of Piratuba. The route is also known for its wineries and the hospitality of its inhabitants.
Main Municipalities: Thirteen Linden trees, Piratuba, Joaçaba, Tangará and Grapevine.
North Coast Itinerary
The main attraction of this region is the beaches. São Francisco do Sul, located in Babitonga Bay, is home to a preserved historic center and the National Maritime Museum. Penha is home to Beto Carrero World, one of the largest theme parks in the world. Barra Velha, Itapoá and Barra do Sul combine the tranquility of fishing villages with the hustle and bustle of summer tourism.
Main Municipalities: The cities of São Francisco do Sul, Itapoa, Penha, Piçarras and Barra Velha are located in the northeastern part of the country.
Source: Santa Catarina Guide (https://guiasantacatarina.com.br)
