Get the appSign inSign up
Trip ideas  /  South America  /  Brazil  /  Florianópolis, Santa Catarina  /  3-day itinerary
Archie
Rest & Recharge
Florianópolis, Santa Catarina: 3 days in FlorianópolisPhoto: AlexandreMachado, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Rest & Recharge ExhaleOff the Beaten Path FindTrip idea · Florianópolis, Santa Catarina

3 days in Florianópolis

The 7-day plan, rearranged for 3 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.

3 daysAnyoneEarly March9 places
Copy this plan to your own trips, then change anything you like.
Florianópolis
Photo: Daniel Queiroz, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Florianópolis
Photo: Beto Quissak, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
How many days?Pick yours and the plan rearranges.
Rearranged from the 7 day plan. See it as written

Best time to go

February to May and November to December are the best months for a beach trip.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Arrival day

Before Day 1. The island is long and the traffic can slow you down, so pick a base near the middle and keep the first evening short.Details
From the airport
Florianopolis airport sits on the island, in the south, and a taxi or an app ride takes you to most bases in the middle or the north. Buses also run from the airport to the center. Allow extra time after a long journey.
Getting around
The island stretches from north to south, and the beaches are far apart. A rental car makes the days easiest, and buses and taxis work for single outings. Roads fill up at the start and end of the day, and in the high summer months they can be slow.
Roads and scooters
Island roads are narrow in places and shared with motorbikes, scooters, cyclists and people on foot. Drive slowly, give scooters room and park only in marked places. If you rent a scooter, ride only if you are used to it.
First evening
Settle in, eat something simple and watch the light go down. Day 1 starts in the old center and the Azorean village on the bay, so a base near the middle will keep the rides short.

Day 1. The lagoon and the east coast and the old center and the bay

3 stops · 16.9 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. 1
    MorningWorth the time

    Barra da Lagoa

    A fishing village where the lagoon channel meets the sea. Walk the small wooden bridge, watch the boats and look at the nets drying near the water.

    Go when Morning, when the boats are working.

    Local tip Walk to the end of the channel for the view, then go along the beach on the far side.

    Barra da Lagoa, Florianópolis
    Photo: Kurdish.ice.spice, CC BY 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 11 min by car or transit3.2 km
  2. 2
    AfternoonWorth the time

    Praia Mole

    A wide, popular beach with clear sand and a hill at one end. Spread out a towel and stay until the late afternoon.

    Go when Afternoon, then stay for the warm light.

    Local tip Swim only between the flags where lifeguards are watching, because the waves can be strong here.

    Praia Mole, Florianópolis
    Photo: Lionel Baur, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
  3. Lunch

    A seafood lunch by the lagoon

    Fried or grilled fish, shrimp and rice at a casual table by the water. Share a few plates and take your time.

    Local tip Ask what came in this morning, and share a plate if portions are large.

    About 30 min by car or transit13.7 km
  4. 3
    EveningWorth the time

    Santo Antonio de Lisboa

    A small village on the shore of the bay, founded by settlers from the Azores. Walk the quiet lanes past the old white church, then sit by the water as the sun goes down.

    Go when Late afternoon, then stay for the sunset (about 6:31 PM).

    Local tip Walk the lanes behind the waterfront to see the old Azorean houses, then come back to the shore for the light on the bay.

    Santo Antonio de Lisboa, Florianópolis
    Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5 on Wikimedia Commons
  5. Dinner

    Fresh oysters

    The island is known for its oysters, grown in the quiet bays and served with a squeeze of lemon. A fine start to an evening by the water.

    Local tip Eat them the day they are opened, and start with a half dozen to see how you like them.

If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.

Day 2. The old center and the bay and the lagoon and the east coast

3 stops · 21.9 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. Travel from Santo Antonio de LisboaAbout 28 min by car or transit12.2 km
    Where Day 1 ended.
  2. 1
    MorningWorth the time

    Lagoa da Conceicao

    The big lagoon in the middle of the island, ringed by hills and small restaurants. Walk along the water and watch the boats and the paddle boards.

    Go when Morning, when the air is calm and the water is still.

    Local tip Walk a stretch of the shore, then stop at a small spot by the water for a slow coffee.

    Lagoa da Conceicao, Florianópolis
    Photo: Cleison Cipriani, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 20 min by car or transit8.1 km
  3. 2
    MorningWorth a short visit

    Florianopolis Cathedral

    The white cathedral on the main square of the old center, with a plain front and two bell towers. Step in and sit in the cool for a minute.

    Go when Morning, before the center fills up.

    Local tip Walk up the steps at the front and turn around to look back across the square.

    Florianopolis Cathedral, Florianópolis
    Photo: oscar fava, CC BY 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
  4. Lunch

    Pastel de camarao

    A crisp fried pastry filled with shrimp, a favorite snack across the island. Order one with a cold drink in the center.

    Local tip Eat it hot, with a squeeze of lime if you like.

    About 20 min walk1.6 km
  5. 3
    EveningWorth a short look

    Hercilio Luz Bridge

    The long steel suspension bridge that joins the island to the mainland, the symbol of the city. Walk or ride near it in the evening and watch the lights come on.

    Go when Evening, as the lights come on (about 6:31 PM).

    Local tip View it from the waterfront near the old center, where the whole span is in the frame.

If it rains. Florianopolis Cathedral is covered, so keep it. Move Lagoa da Conceicao and Hercilio Luz Bridge to a dry day if you can.

Day 3. The south of the island and the lagoon and the east coast

3 stops · 31.6 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. Travel from Hercilio Luz BridgeAbout 30 min by car or transit14.1 km
    Where Day 2 ended.
  2. 1
    MorningWorth the time

    Ribeirao da Ilha

    An Azorean village on the bay, famous for its oysters, which are grown in the water just off the shore. Walk along the seafront and look at the old houses.

    Go when Late morning, for the oysters.

    Local tip Walk along the waterfront and look out at the oyster beds in the water, then taste them where they are grown.

    About 24 min by car or transit10.4 km
  3. 2
    MiddayCheck ahead

    Campeche Island

    A small protected island with white sand and clear water, reached by boat. Landings and numbers are limited to protect it, and boats do not run in rough weather, so check ahead and have a plan for the day.

    Go when Morning, before the heat and the afternoon wind.

    Local tip The number of visitors and landings are limited to protect the island, and boats stay in port when the sea is rough. Check ahead and leave nothing behind.

    Campeche Island, Florianópolis
    Photo: Lionel Baur, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
  4. Lunch

    Oysters at Ribeirao da Ilha

    The village is the island's oyster capital. Eat them straight from the water, raw with lemon, grilled with cheese or in a hot dish.

    Local tip Choose a place that serves oysters you can see growing close by.

    About 18 min by car or transit7.2 km
  5. 3
    MiddayTry it or watch

    Dunas da Joaquina

    A great field of sand dunes behind Joaquina beach. People slide down them on boards, which you can try or just watch. Ask locally about a safe place to try it, and check ahead.

    Go when Late morning, once the light is bright.

    Local tip Sandboarding is a popular thing to try here. Ask where the boards are rented, check the rules ahead and wear a hat, because there is no shade.

If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.

Departure day

After the last day. You end near the center, a short ride from the airport, so the last morning can stay slow.Details
Last morning
Keep the last morning free. A coffee, a slow walk by the water and a last look at the bay are enough. Ask your host to hold your bags if your flight is in the evening.
Returning the car
Hand back the rental car the day before if you can, or on the way to the airport, and check the fuel rules in the contract. The airport is on the island, so the return is short.
To the airport
The airport is in the south of the island, and the main road to it can back up, especially on Fridays and Sundays and at the end of school holidays. Leave earlier than you think you need to.
A souvenir from the island
Ask before you take shells or sand from a protected beach, because some places do not allow it. A jar of local honey or a piece of handmade lace from a small shop is an easier thing to carry home.

Questions people ask

When is the best time to visit Florianópolis?

By average weather from 2021 to 2025, February to May and November to December are the best months for a beach trip to Florianópolis. This plan is built for early March, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.

How many days does this plan cover?

It covers 3 days in Florianópolis, planned for early March. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.

Who is this plan for?

It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.

Is anything on this plan booked?

No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.

Can I plan my own days like this?

Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.

Can I change this plan?

Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.

How much walking is there?

Each day has about 9.7 to 17.5 kilometers between its stops, and 44.1 kilometers in all across 3 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.

Keep exploring

Nearby trips

More like this

More Rest & Recharge trips ›More trips in Brazil ›

More guides to Florianópolis

Another guide with a page about Florianópolis. It opens in a new tab.

Photo: Kurdish.ice.spice, CC BY 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons

Make this plan yours

Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.

A trip idea · Updated October 2026

Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.