Florianópolis guide · Downtown
Downtown Florianópolis guide: history, market and bridge.
Photo: Campeche Lofts
Home / Guides & Trails / Downtown Florianópolis
Downtown is where the city began, and almost everything fits in one walk: the square, cathedral, palace, market and the Hercílio Luz Bridge. From Campeche it makes a good half-day or full-day outing, and it works when the weather turns too. Here is what is worth knowing.
A day downtown, in order.
The main sights are a few minutes on foot from one another, so once you arrive you can skip the car.
- Morning: Praça XV de Novembro, the Cathedral and the Cruz e Sousa Palace, now the Santa Catarina History Museum.
- Midday: the Public Market, next to the old Customs House, for lunch or snacks.
- Afternoon: a stroll along the pedestrian streets of the historic center and a museum if the weather calls for it.
- Late afternoon: the Beira-Mar waterfront and the lit-up Hercílio Luz Bridge.
Historic center and heritage.
The city was once called Desterro, and the old core still holds buildings from the 18th century.
Praça XV de Novembro
The heart of the historic center, known as Praça da Figueira for the centuries-old fig tree in its middle. It has shade and benches and is the natural starting point for your walk.
Metropolitan Cathedral
It stands at the top of the square. The current building was completed in 1773 on the site of the old Nossa Senhora do Desterro church. Worth stepping in, respecting service times.
Cruz e Sousa Palace
The pink building facing the square, once the state government seat, has carried the name of Symbolist poet João da Cruz e Sousa, born in the city, since 1979. It houses the Santa Catarina History Museum (Praça XV de Novembro, 227).
Casa de Câmara e Cadeia
Built between 1771 and 1780, it served as town hall, jail and later the province's first Legislative Assembly. It is one of the oldest buildings downtown and now houses the Florianópolis Museum, run by Sesc-SC.
Felipe Schmidt and Conselheiro Mafra streets form a pedestrian strip with shops, bars and restaurants. As in any big-city center, just keep your phone and bag close.
Public Market and food.
The Public Market opened in 1899 and is still a meeting point for the city.
The building
It sits next to the old Customs House, at Largo da Alfândega, and is split into wings with many food, craft and local shop stalls.
What to expect
Seafood, pastries, snacks and bars, plus regional product shops. Stalls change over time, so we do not recommend any specific one.
Practical tip
Check opening hours before you go, since they vary by weekday and holiday, and avoid leaving Campeche at rush hour.
Hercílio Luz Bridge and Beira-Mar.
Florianópolis' postcard and the waterfront alongside it.
Hercílio Luz Bridge
Opened on May 13, 1926, it is 821 meters long and hangs from eyebar chains (flat steel links) rather than cables. It was closed for 28 years and returned to traffic on December 30, 2019. Today it has footbridges for walking across, LED lighting and the Mirante da Praça Hercílio Luz viewpoint.
Beira-Mar Norte
The North Bay waterfront has a promenade and a bike path, widely used for walking, running and cycling late in the day. It is a good place to watch the sunset.
Trapiche Municipal
A seaside viewpoint on Beira-Mar Norte with a pleasant stroll.
The bridge has maintenance and works closures (for example, vehicle blocks on set days and hours) and rules that change. Crossing on foot via the footbridges is usually kept, but confirm through the state Infrastructure Secretariat (SIE) and city hall channels. The Beira-Mar waterfront also has renovation works planned.
Museums and culture.
Downtown has small museums that are easy to fit into the walk.
Santa Catarina History Museum
In the Cruz e Sousa Palace, it tells the story of the state. It is right on Praça XV.
Florianópolis Museum
In the old Casa de Câmara e Cadeia, Praça XV de Novembro 214. Open to the public since November 23, 2021, run by Sesc-SC. The building's restoration uncovered about 11,000 archaeological pieces.
Victor Meirelles Museum
Housed in the birthplace of the painter Victor Meirelles, a building listed as heritage in 1950 and opened as a museum in 1952. Check that the house is receiving visitors, since the museum has operated from a temporary site.
What if it rains?
Downtown is one of the best outings for a cloudy day.
- Public Market: covered, with places to eat and wander.
- Museums: the Cruz e Sousa Palace, the Florianópolis Museum and others fit in one afternoon.
- Cathedral: a short, quiet stop.
- Bridge: save it for another day in strong wind or rain, when crossing may be restricted.
For more ideas by season, see our article (in Portuguese) Primavera em Florianópolis: a temporada sem multidão.
Getting there from Campeche.
Downtown is across the island, but the route is direct.
- By car or Uber/99: about 15 to 20 minutes without traffic. Summer traffic can change the time a lot.
- Parking: in the historic center it tends to be limited. That is why many people take an Uber or 99 and return the same way. Check options on the day.
- Once there: do everything on foot, in a short walk between square, market and waterfront.
Routes on Google Maps, from the inn: Praça XV · Mercado Público · Ponte Hercílio Luz
To combine with other outings.
Downtown pairs well with the other island guides.
- The Campeche guide covers the beach, the island, the trails and neighborhood life.
- The South of the Island guide covers Armação, Pântano do Sul and around.
- The Ribeirão da Ilha guide brings the Azorean flavor of the island's inner coast.
- The Lagoa da Conceição guide and the east beaches guide round out the east side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Campeche to downtown?
About 15 minutes without traffic, according to our Campeche guide. Other sources say 25 to 30 minutes. In summer, traffic changes everything.
Is the Hercílio Luz Bridge open?
It returned to traffic on December 30, 2019 and has footbridges for pedestrians. There are maintenance closures and changing rules, so check the SIE and city hall channels before you go.
Is the Public Market worth a visit?
Yes. It opened in 1899, sits next to the old Customs House and brings together food, bars and shops. Confirm opening hours first.
What is there to see at Praça XV de Novembro?
The centuries-old fig tree, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Cruz e Sousa Palace (Santa Catarina History Museum) and the Casa de Câmara e Cadeia (Florianópolis Museum).
Can I do downtown on foot?
Yes. The square, cathedral, museums, market and waterfront are close to one another. The tiring part is the trip to and from Campeche.
Sources
- Cover photo: Campeche Lofts
- Estado de Minas — Ponte Hercílio Luz: 28 anos fechada e a volta ao tráfego · accessed October 12, 2026
- Portal Tela — Ponte pensil de 1926, cartão-postal de Santa Catarina · accessed October 12, 2026
- NSC Total — Obras vão fechar a Ponte Hercílio Luz duas vezes por semana · accessed October 12, 2026
- Sesc SC — A Casa de Câmara e Cadeia (Museu de Florianópolis) · accessed October 12, 2026
- Viciada em Viajar — O que fazer no Centro de Florianópolis · accessed October 12, 2026
- Viagens e Caminhos — Centro Histórico de Florianópolis: roteiro com 7 atrações · accessed October 12, 2026
- Melhores Destinos — Beira-Mar Norte · accessed October 12, 2026
- NSC Total — Praias de Florianópolis para chegar em menos de 30 minutos · accessed October 12, 2026
- Campeche Lofts blog — Primavera em Florianópolis: a temporada sem multidão (Portuguese) · reviewed September 10, 2026
Hours, rules and fees change. Confirm recent information before you go.
Staying in Campeche?
Message us and check availability for your dates.
Tell us your dates and how many of you, and we will reply on WhatsApp.