Santos Travel Guide
Facts and practical information
Santos, located in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, is a city that harmoniously blends its historical roots with a modern, vibrant lifestyle. Known primarily for its expansive port, Santos is a key player in the global trade network and serves as a gateway to the economic powerhouse of São Paulo state.
The city's rich history is palpable in the Centro Histórico (Historical Center), where visitors can explore the Coffee Stock Exchange, a remnant of the time when coffee was the mainstay of the Brazilian economy. Today, this building houses the Coffee Museum, which offers insightful glimpses into the coffee trade that once dominated the region.
Santos is also celebrated for its picturesque beachfront garden, recorded by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest beachfront garden in the world. The garden stretches along the beach for several kilometers, providing a lush and scenic backdrop for the soft sands and the inviting Atlantic waters. Visitors and locals alike enjoy the beach for leisure activities, from sunbathing and swimming to beach volleyball and cycling along the adjacent promenade.
The city's cultural offerings are diverse, featuring institutions like the Santos Aquarium, which showcases the rich marine life of the Brazilian coast, and the Orquidário Municipal, a botanical garden that is home to a stunning variety of orchids and other plant species.
For football enthusiasts, Santos is synonymous with the legendary Pelé, who played for the local Santos FC. The Vila Belmiro stadium is a pilgrimage site for fans eager to celebrate the club's storied history and its contributions to Brazilian football.
Gastronomy in Santos reflects the coastal influence with an abundance of seafood. Traditional dishes such as 'moqueca' (a Brazilian fish stew) and 'casquinha de siri' (stuffed crab shells) are local favorites, offering a taste of the Atlantic's bounty.
An important aspect of Santos' allure is its proximity to São Paulo, making it a convenient coastal escape for city dwellers. The city is also a starting point for cruises along the Brazilian coastline, with its port serving as a hub for international cruise ships.
Santos Attractions - What to See and Explore
Santos offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Basilica of St. Anthony, Estádio Urbano Caldeira, Engenho dos Erasmos, Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.
Things to See and Do in Santos by Category
Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Santos.
Shopping
Shopping Pátio Iporanga
SantosShopping Shopping centre 
Benedicto Calixto Art Collecion
SantosMuseum Art gallery Shopping 
Embaré Shopping
SantosShopping Shopping centre
Other categories
MuseumSantos – popular in the area (distance from the center)
In the vicinity of Santos, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Ibirapuera Park (São Paulo), Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo (São Paulo), São Paulo Museum of Art (São Paulo).
Best Time To Visit Santos
Learn when is the best time to travel to Santos weather-wise and what to expect in each season.
Best Ways to Experience the City
Food & drink
CuisineA guide to some of the best local dishes and drinks that you will meet in the region.
Moqueca
Moqueca is a delightful traditional Brazilian seafood stew, slowly simmered to perfection in a terracotta casserole. This flavorful dish can be made with shrimp or fish and is infused with a mix of tomatoes, onions, garlic, lime, and coriander.
Brazilian dish
Picanha
Picanha is a cherished cut of beef in regions like Tucumán in Argentina, as well as in Portugal and Brazil. While it has not gained widespread recognition in the United States, it may be found under names such as top sirloin cap, rump cover, rump cap, or culotte.
Pastel
The term "pastel" is prevalent across Spanish and Portuguese-speaking regions, but its meaning varies significantly based on the locale.
Dish
Bacalhau
If you've ever dined in Portugal or its former colonies like Cape Verde, Angola, Macau, Brazil, or Goa, you've likely encountered "bacalhau." This term refers to dried and salted cod, a staple in Portuguese cooking. Fresh cod, by contrast, is known as "bacalhau...
Catupiry
Catupiry is a cherished brand of requeijão, a creamy cheese, in Brazil. Created by Italian immigrant Mario Silvestrini in Minas Gerais in 1911, the name "Catupiry" means "excellent" in the Tupi language. This cheese is soft with a mild flavor, making it incredibly...
Cheese
São Paulo