historic center · Morretes, PR
Centro Histórico de Morretes
18th-century colonial houses along the Rio Nhundiaquara, full of restaurants serving barreado (slow-cooked beef stew) in a clay pot. It is the must-stop for anyone coming down by train.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Centro Histórico de Morretes
The Centro Histórico de Morretes (historic center) is the old heart of town, spread along both banks of the Rio Nhundiaquara, at the foot of Paraná's Serra do Mar. Cobblestone streets, preserved mansions and old churches form a small ensemble you can explore on foot at an easy pace, almost always with Pico do Marumbi (peak) in the background.
Morretes was born in the 18th century as a riverside settlement, and the river was long a route for goods between the Curitiba plateau and the ports of the bay. The Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Porto, dedicated to the town's patron saint, holds Stations of the Cross painted in oil by Theodoro de Bona. Nearby is the Igreja de São Benedito, linked to an old brotherhood of enslaved people.
The meeting point is Rua das Flores, the riverside pedestrian street, full of restaurants and shops selling crafts, sweets and cachaça. This is where many people try barreado, the classic dish of the Paraná coast, slow-cooked in a clay pot and served with cassava flour and banana. The Ponte Velha and the Ponte Metálica (bridges) link the two banks and are good spots to see the houses reflected in the water.
Short boat trips on the Nhundiaquara leave from downtown, and the town is the final stop of the train ride down the Serra do Mar from Curitiba. The ground is flat and easy to walk, but the stone paving is uneven for strollers and wheelchairs.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Half a day is enough to stroll downtown, see the churches and have a relaxed lunch; if you arrive by train, you will usually spend the afternoon.
Best time
On dry days in fall and winter, when the heat and humidity ease off and Marumbi appears without clouds; in the morning the streets are quieter, before the lunch crowd and the train arrive.
How to get there
Morretes is on the Paraná coast, about 70 km from Curitiba. You can drive via the BR-277 or the Estrada da Graciosa, take a bus from the Curitiba bus station or ride the train down the Serra do Mar. The historic center is next to the station and easy to explore on foot.
Tip
On weekends and holidays the riverside restaurants fill up at lunchtime: arrive early or eat after the rush. Barreado is usually served for more than one person, so it is worth sharing.
A look at the place
Centro Histórico de Morretes in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Centro Histórico de Morretes
What is there to do in the historic center of Morretes?
Stroll along Rua das Flores beside the Rio Nhundiaquara, cross the Ponte Velha and the Ponte Metálica, visit the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Porto, take a short boat trip on the river and have a barreado lunch at one of the restaurants downtown.
How long should I stay in Morretes?
One day is enough for the historic center and a relaxed lunch. If you want to include the Rio Nhundiaquara, Porto de Cima and the mountain trails, allow two days.
Can I explore downtown Morretes on foot?
Yes. The historic center is small and flat, and everything is near the train station. The stone paving is uneven, so wear comfortable shoes.
What is barreado from Morretes?
It is the classic dish of the Paraná coast: beef cooked for many hours in a sealed clay pot, served with cassava flour, rice and banana. Several restaurants in the historic center serve it.
How do I get from Curitiba to the historic center of Morretes?
By car, via the BR-277 or the Estrada da Graciosa, about 70 km; by bus, from the Curitiba bus station; or by train, on the ride that descends the Serra do Mar and stops next to the historic center.