Top 3: hidden spots in Florianópolis

Florianópolis is a magical island in the south of Brazil where I lived for six years. I could say that they were the best years of my life so far. I identified very much with the lifestyle there. It’s not insane like São Paulo, the city where I was born but has significant infrastructure and incredible landscapes. The people over there have a warm and laid-back soul, and I fell in love with it.

For those who don’t know anything about Florianópolis, I will tell you a briefly about this place. With 42 beaches and two lakes, this city,  with a population around 400k, is a paradise located in the state of Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil. Besides its natural beauty, this place has the two biggest public universities in the state and is the headquarters of the state government. It’s a mix of a young atmosphere with a good availability of services, surrounded by breathtaking nature.

Of course, there’s no perfect city in the world. Floripa, as the locals affectionately nickname it, has some problems, especially about mobility. During the summer season, a 15km journey can take 3 hours, for example. But even comparing with other Brazilian capitals, I can say that Floripa is a paradise.

That’s why I decided to share with you my three favourite hidden spots in Florianópolis. It was hard to do it because I love every single inch of the island, but this is just the first post.

1.Solidão beach

If you take a look at Floripa’s map, it’s the southernmost beach on the eastern side of the island. That is why the name is ‘solidão’, which means ‘loneliness’ in Portuguese. This is number one on my list of hidden spots in Florianópolis. During a visit, you will probably see more dolphins than people. Because of the distance from the city, it’s the perfect beach to be far from the crowd.

2. Natural pools at Barra da Lagoa

I don’t know if I can consider it a hidden spot in Florianópolis because during the high season it’s full of people. However, I decided to include it in this list because after summer is over this place is empty. You need to do easy-level hiking to get there, and the view is terrific. It is one of the best options to contemplate the sunset after a surf session on the Barra da Lagoa beach.

3. Canto das Almas

This is my favourite place to meditate. On the banks of Lagoa da Conceição, this spot has become my refuge on the days that I need to think or calm my mind. With friends, it’s an excellent location for a picnic and to practice water sports, like kayak or stand up paddle. I couldn’t leave this out of the list of my favourite hidden spots in Florianópolis.

 

If you know any calm and chill places to relax and enjoy a beautiful sunny day, share your fav hidden spots in the comments below.