CE · Brazil
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
A capital with sunshine almost all year, a waterfront of urban beaches and the jangada (traditional sailing raft) as its symbol. Praia de Iracema and Avenida Beira-Mar are the late-afternoon stroll, with the craft fair; the Centro Dragão do Mar brings together museums and a cinema; the Mercado Central sells lace and cashews; and Praia do Futuro has the city's best-known beach huts. From here, tours leave for Cumbuco, Canoa Quebrada and Jericoacoara.
This destination brings together 1 city: Fortaleza.
A look at the place
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
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One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
The local experience
Opened in 1910, it has a cast-iron structure imported from Glasgow, Scotland, and an art nouveau auditorium. Listed by Iphan, it has gardens designed by Burle Marx in 1975.
Discover Theatro José de Alencar
Opened in 1999, it brings together in about 30,000 square meters the Museu da Cultura Cearense, the Museu de Arte Contemporânea, a planetarium, cinemas and a theater. The name honors the abolitionist jangada sailor Chico da Matilde, known as the Dragão do Mar (Sea Dragon).
Discover Centro Dragão do Mar de Arte e Cultura
Built between 1938 and 1978, it was designed by Frenchman George Maunier in an eclectic style dominated by neo-Gothic, inspired by the cathedrals of Cologne and Chartres. It holds 5,000 people, and its towers reach 75 meters.
Discover Catedral Metropolitana
The current building, opened in 1998 next to the Cathedral, has more than 550 stalls spread over five floors. It concentrates Ceará's crafts, such as bobbin lace, embroidery, leather goods and miniature jangadas.
Begun in the early 1920s by an English company to replace the port's old metal pier, it never worked as a dock. On Praia de Iracema, it reopened in 2024 after renovation and is a traditional sunset spot.
A stretch of about 8 kilometers in the East Zone, between Mucuripe and Sabiaguaba, it is one of the most popular swimming beaches in the capital. It is known for its seafood beach huts and the traditional crab night on Thursdays.
Officially created in 2017, it protects about 1,575 hectares of mangrove, dunes and riverside forest along the Rio Cocó. It has trails ranging from 135 to 1,350 meters, sports areas and boat rides on the river.
Discover Parque Estadual do Cocó
In 1879 it received the official name Praça dos Mártires (Martyrs' Square), in memory of revolutionaries of the Confederation of the Equator executed there in 1825. Listed by Iphan in 1965, it has century-old trees, including a baobab, and a view of the sea.
Discover Passeio Público (Praça dos Mártires)
Your base to explore
Where you stay is part of the trip. Choose the area that best fits your itinerary.
A large hotel on Avenida Beira-Mar, facing Mucuripe beach, with a rooftop pool, two restaurants and a spa. It caters to leisure and business travelers who want to stay on the waterfront, with a gym and event space.
A 202-room hotel on Avenida Beira-Mar, in Meireles, across from the waterfront craft fair. It has a pool, a gym and a restaurant, and suits those who want to walk along the boardwalk and the Beira-Mar bar and restaurant area.
A hotel on Avenida Beira-Mar, in Praia de Iracema, facing the sea and near the neighborhood's bars, restaurants and attractions. It has a pool, a gym, a restaurant and bike rental, and suits those who want to explore the waterfront on foot.
Flavors of the destination
A pioneering beach hut on Praia do Futuro, opened in 1987 by Francisco Querino Lourenço, known as Chico do Caranguejo, and tied to Fortaleza's Thursday crab tradition. It serves crab in coconut milk sauce with farofa (toasted cassava flour), shrimp and fish stews, with beach facilities for families during the day and music and comedy at night.
A traditional Northeastern restaurant on Rua Torres Câmara, in Aldeota, that also works as a cultural space with live music. The signature dish is Ceará-style chicken, alongside carne de sol with cassava, boneless fish and panelada (tripe stew), for those who want regional food away from the waterfront circuit.
The Avenida Beira-Mar branch of the seafood chain born in Fortaleza, whose first restaurant opened in 2001 in Meireles. The most popular dish is Coco Bambu shrimp, with catupiry (creamy cheese), and the dining room has tables facing the sea, good for groups and families who want dinner on the waterfront.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
Through Pinto Martins International Airport, near downtown. Jericoacoara is about 300 km away.
From July to December, the dry and windy season. Rain is concentrated from February to May.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
