Home
>
States of Brazil
>
Santa Catarina
Santa Catarina Travel Guide
Southern Brazil
Santa Catarina combines Atlantic beaches such as those on Florianópolis Island with European-influenced towns like Blumenau, known for hosting German festivals such as Oktoberfest.
About Santa Catarina, Brazil
Santa Catarina is a state in southern Brazil known for its European-influenced culture, strong industrial base, and varied climate. It has a population of approximately 7.6 million people and spans around 95,700 square kilometers. The capital, Florianópolis, is situated on an island and is best known for its surf beaches, safety, and high quality of life. Florianopolis, with its more than 40 beaches, is a major tourist destination for both Brazilians and foreigners, and is a growing digital nomad hotspot. Colonisation in Santa Catarina was shaped by waves of German, Italian, Austrian, and Polish immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the Itajaí Valley and the mountainous interior. This immigration history has left a lasting mark on the state’s architecture, cuisine, festivals, and language, with many towns maintaining bilingual signage and cultural associations. Cities like Blumenau and Joinville are known for hosting major cultural events such as Oktoberfest and the Dance Festival of Joinville, respectively—both among the largest of their kind outside of Europe.
Geographically, Santa Catarina is characterized by coastal plains, mountainous highlands, and river valleys, making it a visually diverse and ecologically rich destination. The Atlantic coast features a mix of urban beaches and preserved natural areas, including Ilha do Campeche (Campeche Island), just off the coast of Florianopolis, known for its crystal-clear waters and archaeological sites. Nearby, Praia do Rosa is a popular destination for surfing and whale-watching during the southern right whale migration season. Guarda do Embaú is a well-known spot for surfing, river kayaking, and camping, in a preserved natural setting. Inland, the Serra do Rio do Rastro offers dramatic mountain scenery, winding roads, and viewpoints over the Atlantic Forest. The towns of Urubici and São Joaquim, located in the highlands, are among the few places in Brazil that regularly experience snowfall, attracting winter tourism. The interior of the state is home to the Vale Europeu (European Valley), where visitors can explore cycling trails, colonial architecture, and German- and Italian-inspired cuisine.
Santa Catarina has one of Brazil’s most diversified and productive economies, ranking high in indicators of industrial output, export volume, and social development. The state is a leader in sectors like textiles, ceramics, machinery, and food processing. Its agribusiness sector is also significant, and it is Brazil’s largest pork producer and a major exporter of poultry and dairy products. Ports such as Itajaí and São Francisco do Sul are crucial to the state's export of frozen meats and industrial goods. Additionally, the state has developed a competitive tech industry, centered around Florianópolis. High rates of literacy, infrastructure development, and public safety contribute to the state’s high standard of living.
Quick Facts: Santa Catarina
Population of Santa Catarina: Approximately 7.3 million (IBGE 2022 estimate)
Area of Santa Catarina: 95,346 square kilometres
Nicknames: People from Florianópolis are called florianopolitanos, while people from anywhere else in Santa Catarina State are called catarinenses or barriga-verde.
Major Airports in Santa Catarina
Hercílio Luz International Airport (Florianópolis)
Navegantes Airport (Navegantes)
Joinville Airport (Joinville)
Chapecó Airport (Chapecó)
Criciúma Airport (Forquilhinha)
Climate and Best Time to Visit Santa Catarina
Humid subtropical climate
Cooler winters with occasional frost and rare snowfall in higher areas
Rainy season: September to December
Drier season: April to August
Best time to visit: October to March
Top Tourist Attractions in Santa Catarina
Surf Beaches: Mole, Joaquina, Campeche (Florianopolis)
Lagoinha do Leste hiking trail (Florianopolis)
Blumenau Oktoberfest
Serra do Rio do Rastro Scenic Route
Balneário Camboriú Beach and Cable Car
Vinyards and apple orchards (São Joaquim)
Parque Nacional de São Joaquim
Beto Carrero World Theme Park (Penha)
Pomerode German heritage town
Laguna Historic Centre and Anita Garibaldi Museum
Camping at Vale da Utopia (Guarda do Embau)
Archeological sites at Ilha do Campeche (Florianopolis)
Must-try Regional Dishes in Santa Catarina
Santa Catarina’s cuisine uniquely blends the traditions of European immigrants from Germany and Portugal, with local coastal and mountain ingredients. It features dishes rooted in German fermentation, Azorean seafood, plenty of oysters fresh from the local oyster farms, and hearty alpine cooking found only in Santa Catarina.
10 Must-Try Regional Dishes in Santa Catarina:
Ostras de Florianópolis – Farmed oysters from the clean, cold waters of the island, often served raw with lime or lightly grilled. Florianópolis is Brazil’s top oyster-producing region.
Marreco com Repolho Roxo – A signature dish in cities like Blumenau and Joinville, featuring roast duck (often stuffed with apples or farofa) served with sweet-and-sour red cabbage.
Einsbein (Joelho de Porco) – A crispy, slow-roasted pork knuckle that reflects Santa Catarina’s strong German roots. Commonly served with sauerkraut and boiled potatoes in the Itajaí Valley region.
Arroz de Marisco à Moda Açoriana – A seafood rice dish typical of the Azorean communities along the coast, especially in Florianópolis, made with shrimp, mussels, and fish in a tomato-and-wine base.
Anchova Assada na Brasa – A whole bluefish (anchova) grilled over coals, a specialty on the beaches of Santa Catarina’s coast, especially during fishing season.
Sopa de Siri – A creamy crab soup flavored with coconut milk, tomato, and local spices.
Linguiça Blumenau – A heavily smoked, fermented pork sausage from the city of Blumenau, known for its strong garlic flavor and dense texture, typically eaten with bread or cassava.
Pato com Polenta – A dish rooted in northern Italian immigrant traditions, featuring slow-cooked duck in a rich tomato and wine sauce, served over creamy polenta; especially common in the mountainous regions like Nova Veneza.
Rosquinha de Polvilho – A crunchy tapioca-based ring cookie with origins in Santa Catarina’s countryside
Cuca Alemã – A crumb-topped yeast cake made with banana or apple, traditionally prepared by German descendants and served with coffee throughout the state.
Festivals & Events in Santa Catarina
Oktoberfest de Blumenau: The second-largest Oktoberfest in the world outside of Germany, this 18-day celebration draws over 500,000 people annually with traditional German music, dance, cuisine, and beer in a lively Bavarian-style atmosphere.
Parada da Diversidade Florianópolis: One of the biggest LGBTQ+ pride parades in southern Brazil, celebrating diversity and inclusion with vibrant street parties, music, and activism in the capital city.
Festival de Cultura e Gastronomia da Ilha - Florianopolis: A popular event highlighting Florianópolis’s culinary scene, especially seafood and traditional island dishes, combined with live music and cultural workshops.
Florianópolis Surf Festival: An annual surfing competition held at Praia Mole and Joaquina beaches, attracting national and international surfers, alongside beach parties and eco-awareness activities.
Marejada – Itajaí: One of Brazil’s biggest Portuguese heritage festivals, held in October, celebrating Azorean maritime culture with seafood dishes, folk performances, and traditional music.
Fenarreco – Brusque: A regional German-influenced festival known for its signature duck dish ("marreco com repolho"), beer, and polka music, attracting thousands during the October festivities.
Festa do Pinhão – LagesA winter festival celebrating the pine nut (pinhão), native to the region, with traditional foods, serrano music, and major Brazilian musical acts, set in the mountain town of Lages.
Festival de Dança de Joinville: Recognized by the Guinness Book as the largest dance festival in the world by number of participants, this July event hosts thousands of dancers in ballet, jazz, folk, and ballroom styles.
Festa das Flores – Joinville: A floral exhibition and celebration of gardening and horticulture held each November, with parades, competitions, and displays of thousands of orchid and flower species.
Kerbfest – São Bento do Sul: A Germanic celebration of beer and family traditions, this festival features colorful parades, folk dancing, and typical German cuisine in the heart of Santa Catarina’s timber region.
Schützenfest – Jaraguá do Sul: A traditional German marksmanship festival featuring shooting competitions, cultural parades, music, and traditional foods, rooted in 19th-century immigrant customs.
Natal Luz – Pomerode: A picturesque Christmas event in the "most German city in Brazil," with Advent markets, illuminated parades, nativity scenes, and festive performances celebrating European holiday traditions.
Festa Nacional do Marisco – Penha: A seafood festival honoring the region’s shellfish industry, especially oysters and mussels, with music, cultural shows, and ample tasting of local maritime cuisine.
