3 Days in Florianópolis Itinerary: Lagoa, Ilha do Campeche & Azorean Sunset

Because Florianópolis spans 54 kilometres from north to south, the golden rule of a 3-day itinerary is to group your days by geography: central island and eastern dunes on Day 1, the turquoise southeast and colonial south on Day 2, and the historic fortresses and sunset oyster bays of the north on Day 3.

Day 1: Historic Centro, Lagoa da Conceição, Costa da Lagoa, and Joaquina Dunes

• 08:30: Ponte Hercílio Luz and Mercado Público: Begin at the viewpoint of the restored 1926 Ponte Hercílio Luz, then walk down into Praça XV de Novembro to see the centenarian Figueira tree, the 1753 Metropolitan Cathedral, and the pink colonial Palácio Cruz e Sousa. Stop inside the 1899 Mercado Público for an espresso and a warm pastel de berbigão.
• 11:30: Mirante da Lagoa and Cooperbarco Boat to Costa da Lagoa: Drive up the winding Morro da Lagoa road (SC-404), stopping at the viewpoint overlooking Lagoa da Conceição. Board the wooden Cooperbarco boat (Line 680) across the lagoon to Ponto 16 in car-free Costa da Lagoa for a lakeside sequência de camarão lunch and a short forest walk to the Costa da Lagoa waterfall.
• 16:00: Praia Mole and Sandboarding at Dunas da Joaquina: Return across the lagoon to watch surfers at Praia Mole, then finish the afternoon sliding down the white coastal Dunas da Joaquina as the sun dips behind the lagoon hills.

Day 2: Boat to Ilha do Campeche (or Lagoinha do Leste Hike) and Ribeirão da Ilha

• 08:30: Crossing to Ilha do Campeche: Head early to the southern fishing pier at Praia da Armação (a 35-minute fisherman's boat ride) or Praia do Campeche (a 10-minute inflatable boat crossing) to secure one of the daily visitor permits for Ilha do Campeche. Spend the morning swimming in the crystal-clear cove of Praia da Enseada and join a monitored trail walk to see the island's prehistoric basalt petroglyphs. (Alternative for active hikers: tackle the coastal trail from Pântano do Sul over Morro da Coroa to wild Lagoinha do Leste.)
• 16:30: Sunset Oysters in Colonial Ribeirão da Ilha: Drive 20 minutes across the southern hills to the 1748 Azorean parish of Freguesia do Ribeirão da Ilha. Stroll past the 1806 Church of Nossa Senhora da Lapa and dine on fresh Pacific oysters on a wooden pier overlooking the South Bay.

Day 3: Fortaleza de São José da Ponta Grossa, Jurerê, and Sunset in Santo Antônio de Lisboa

• 09:30: Fortaleza de São José da Ponta Grossa and Praia do Forte: Head north to the 1740 coastal fortress designed by Brigadier José da Silva Paes above Praia do Forte, then spend midday swimming in the calm emerald waters of Jurerê Internacional or Praia da Daniela.
• 16:30: Golden Hour in Santo Antônio de Lisboa and Sambaqui: Return south along the North Bay to Santo Antônio de Lisboa, browse local ceramics along the 1698 cobblestone square, and toast your final evening as the sun sinks behind the mainland mountains across the bay.