13 Best Things to Do in Fortaleza, Brazil in 2024
Updated September 27, 2022
The capital of Ceará state in Brazil is one of the main tourist destinations in the country, after all, this place combines natural beauty, culture, historical monuments, and also has an incredible cuisine. That's why we've compiled a list of the best things to do in Fortaleza, Brazil. Check it out below!
In Fortaleza, there are several activities for all tastes, styles, and pockets. After all, it is a city that has a great infrastructure to receive tourists, with many hotels, bars, and restaurants. Among the best things to do are: Fortaleza's Central Market, Praia do Futuro, Beach Park, Theatro José de Alencar, and some others.
With so many places to visit, especially in a different country, it's hard to know what's really worth visiting. So check out the following 13 best sights in Fortaleza and start planning your travel itinerary as soon as possible.
Best things to do in Fortaleza
1. Mercado Central de Fortaleza
The Mercado Central de Fortaleza (Fortaleza's central market) is the largest retail center for handicrafts and regional products in Brazil.
The place covers a five-story building and has more than 600 stores that sell decorative items, typical regional pieces, and common foods in the Northeast.
2. Praia do Futuro
This is one of the most famous and trendy beaches of the city. The Praia do Futuro (future beach) has an incredible beauty, with a clear and fine sand, coconut trees and a sea with crystal clear waters.
Besides that, the place also offers a good infrastructure for the visitors, with many huts, bars, restaurants, and stores.
3. Beach Park water park
Beach Park is located in a city near Fortaleza, called Aquiraz. This place attracts many tourists, because, besides offering attractions for people of all ages, the water park is part of a complex that has three resorts, a hotel, restaurants, stores, and one of the most famous beach huts in the area, which is located on Porto das Dunas Beach.
4. José de Alencar Theater
This is the largest theater in Fortaleza, the structure was built between the years 1908 and 1910. Its architecture follows the Art Nouveau style, which was in vogue at the time.
The theater was named after the writer José de Alencar, who was born in Fortaleza. This author is mainly known for the books O Guarani and Iracema.
5. Centro Dragão do Mar de Arte e Cultura
This place is one of the main tourist attractions in Fortaleza, welcoming about 1.7 million visitors per year. The architecture of the Dragão is also very different and the total area of the place is huge, making room for several attractions.
The Dragão do Mar Center for Art and Culture is home to museums, theaters, cinemas, a library, and a planetarium. And at night you can have a few drinks in the bars of this center.
6. Fortaleza Metropolitan Cathedral
This is one of the main tourist attractions of the city and is located in the center of the city, which is also home to other old buildings.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Fortaleza has a gothic style and was inspired by the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The visit is worthwhile, even for those who are not catholic.
7. Beira Mar Fair
This is one of the most famous markets in Fortaleza. The Feirinha Beira Mar is located between Av. Desembargador Moreira and Rua Nunes Valente.
There you will find many typical handcraft pieces from the region, clothes, and food. It is ideal to get to know a little more about the city's culture.
8. Cocó State Park
This is the largest natural park located in an urban area in the North and Northeast. Parque Estadual do Cocó has 1,571 hectares and is larger than many famous parks, such as Central Park in New York.
There you can enjoy hiking, ecological trails, picnics, boat trips and other outdoor activities.
9. Praia do Morro Branco
Morro Branco beach is located approximately 90 km from Fortaleza and is one of the most visited by those who want to know the Ceará coast.
Besides having a sea with crystal clear waters, the place still has some dunes and cliffs, which make the landscape unique.
10. Theater of Humor in Fortaleza
If you are looking for a different option to have fun in Fortaleza, Brazil, you might like to check out the Teatro do Humor.
Besides hosting comedians, the house also has musical presentations, in which visitors can dance a forró, and a restaurant that serves typical northeastern food.
11. Typical food tasting
A good tip for those looking for activities to do in Fortaleza, Brazil, is to check out the typical cuisine of the region, which has many dishes with ingredients such as seafood and sun-dried meat.
One of the city's traditional dishes is paçoca, which consists of sun-dried meat in butter, onions, and manioc flour. Some of the restaurants where you can get to know a little of the typical local food are:
- Camarada Camarão;
- Chico do Caranguejo;
- Kina do feijão verde.
12. 50 sabores ice cream
The ice cream parlor 50 sabores (flavors) is the most traditional of Fortaleza, with over 45 years in business, the establishment has been delighting the people of Ceará and tourists for decades, with its unique and diverse flavors.
Despite the name, the ice cream shop offers over 130 ice cream options, including some vegan and sugar-free flavors.
13. Iracema beach and statue
The statue of Iracema is a tribute to the protagonist of one of the most famous books by writer José de Alencar.
This monument is located on Iracema Beach, which is one of the best known beaches in the capital of Ceará. However, it is rough and cold, not one of the best and most suitable for swimming. However, you can walk there and admire its beautiful landscape.
When should I go to Fortaleza?
It is usually hot all year round in Fortaleza and the average temperature of the city is always around 27 ºC (80 ºF).
For how many days should I stay in Fortaleza?
In order to make the most of all the attractions in the city, you should ideally set aside at least five days to stay in the capital.
However, now that we've shown you the best things to do in Fortaleza, Brazil, you can prioritize the activities that interest you the most if you can only stay a few days in the city.
How safe is Fortaleza?
Fortaleza is not among the safest cities in Brazil and the violence rate in this city is high. So it is important that you avoid visiting the most dangerous neighborhoods and never lose sight of your belongings.
Also, avoid carrying too much jewelry or accessories that might attract the attention of possible thieves. Also, if possible, do not walk alone at night. With a few precautions, it is possible to have a great trip, with incredible experiences!