Sergipe Travel Guide

About the State of Sergipe, Brazil

Sergipe is the smallest state in Brazil by area, covering just over 21,900 square kilometers, and has a population of around 2.3 million people. Located in the northeastern region of the country, Sergipe borders the states of Bahia and Alagoas and has a short but significant coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. The state capital is Aracaju, a planned city founded in the mid-19th century to replace São Cristóvão as the administrative center. São Cristóvão, one of the oldest towns in Brazil, preserves colonial architecture and is home to São Francisco Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that reflects the integration of urban planning and Franciscan religious influence in the early Portuguese settlement of the region. Sergipe’s cultural calendar includes traditional forró festivals, June celebrations (Festa Junina), and religious events like the Festa de Bom Jesus dos Navegantes.

Geographically, Sergipe features a mix of low coastal plains, river deltas, and dry interior plateaus, offering a range of tourism opportunities despite its size. The coastline includes calm beaches such as Atalaia in Aracaju, known for its wide waterfront promenade, and Praia do Saco, a quieter beach in the southern part of the state. The mouth of the São Francisco River, on the border with Alagoas, is a popular destination for boat tours through mangroves, sandbanks, and river islands. Inland, the semi-arid sertão region includes towns like Canindé de São Francisco, a base for visiting the Canyons of Xingó, a striking landscape of red rock cliffs and clear waters formed by the São Francisco River after the construction of the Xingó hydroelectric dam.

Sergipe was historically part of the sugarcane plantation zone during the colonial and imperial periods, and its economy long depended on agriculture and livestock. Today, Sergipe’s economy is relatively small but diverse, with key sectors including agriculture, petroleum, natural gas, and services. The state produces sugarcane, citrus fruits, and cassava, with irrigated farming practiced especially along the São Francisco River in the west. Offshore oil and gas exploration has become increasingly important since the late 20th century, particularly near the cities of Carmópolis and Japaratuba. The state has also invested in expanding its tourism infrastructure and improving transport connections, including roadways linking the capital to coastal and interior destinations.