How to Spend 1 Day in Fortaleza

With just one day in Fortaleza, you’d be forgiven for spending the entire time on the beach, but the city offers plenty to tempt you inland. Plan ahead to make the most of your time in this sprawling and packed city, and stay up late to sample the buzzing nightlife. Here’s how to spend one day in Fortaleza.

Morning: Seaside Sightseeing

A city tour offers the ideal introduction, ensuring that you cover all the highlights and don’t waste time in transit—Fortaleza is one of Brazil’s largest cities, so private transportation is essential if you want to see it all. Visit landmarks such as the Metropolitan Cathedral and the President Castelo Branco Mausoleum, learn about Fortaleza’s history and rich cultural heritage at the Museum of Ceara, and make a photo stop at the Statue of Iracema.

After a scenic drive along the palm-lined Avenida Beira Mar, looking out over Iracema and Meireles beaches, spend the rest of the morning browsing the stalls at the Central Market or shopping for traditional handicrafts at the Center of Tourism.

Afternoon: Relax at the Beach

A variety of beachside bars and restaurants offer a myriad of options for lunch. Fortaleza is particularly renowned for its excellent seafood; to sample the catch of the day, head to the Fish Market at the end of Avenida Beira Mar. Afterward, head to one of Fortaleza’s four urban beaches. Mucuripe, Meireles, and Iracema are the closest to downtown, but it’s worth hopping in a taxi to Futuro Beach, just east of the center. This is a popular spot for surfers, so stick to the lifeguard-patrolled areas if you want to swim, or just grab a sunbed at one of the beach bars and order yourself a caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail.

A fun alternative for families is Beach Park, the largest water park in Latin America, just south of Futuro Beach—book your tickets in advance to avoid the queues and enjoy round-trip transfers.

Night: Sunsets and Sundowners

If you’re in town on a Thursday night, stay at Futuro Beach for a crab dinner. Thursdays mark the start of the weekend and are renowned as “crab night” throughout the city; locals arrive in droves to tuck into a local preparation called caranguejada.

Alternatively, head to the Ponte dos Ingleses at Iracema Beach in time for sunset—the historic pier is one of the most popular spots in town to watch the sun go down. The nearby Dragão do Mar cultural center is a great place to enjoy Fortaleza’s nightlife; it offers a wide range of bars, restaurants, and live music venues where you can experience traditional Brazilian forró music and dance.