Fortaleza Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Fortaleza showing a beach, cbd and a high-rise building
Enjoy a popular Brazilian beach destination that offers warm sea and water sports, a thrilling nightlife and an engaging cultural scene.

Fortaleza is one of the most popular beach destinations in Brazil. The country’s fifth-largest city and capital of the state of Ceará has more than 13 miles (20 kilometers) of white-sand coastline. With surfing, Jet skiing, beach clubs and children’s playgrounds, Fortaleza offers plenty of reasons to spend long days by the sea. The beach isn’t Fortaleza’s only attraction this lively city offers nightlife, museums and theaters.

Beach lovers have much to choose from. Praia do Futurois a 4.5-mile (7-kilometer) stretch popular with swimmers and surfers. Try sand skiing down the dunes of Iguape Beach. Iracema Beach is a wide strip with the city’s largest concentration of beach bars and restaurants.

Behind the coastline is a city center of high-rise office blocks, apartments and shopping malls. Search for the remaining traces of Fortaleza’s early history. Visit the 17th-century Portuguese Forte de Nossa Senhora da Assunção after which the city took its name. Stop at the Museu do Ceará to inspect some of the thousands of artifacts that shed light on the area's history and anthropology.

Fortaleza’s nightlife is easy to find, either in the downtown area or along the beaches. Reserve seats for a play or concert at the Theatro José de Alencar. Sip on a designer cocktail at one of the open-air bars at Dragão do Mar cultural center in the Praia de Iracema area. Linger for dancing in one of the nightclubs or head back to the beach at Praia du Futuro to listen to late-night live music.

Fortaleza’s cultural and coastal attractions can be enjoyed year-round. The state of Ceará is a few degrees south of the equator and is almost always hot. To get to Fortaleza, fly into Aeroporto Internacional Pinto Martins, 4 miles (6 kilometers) south of the downtown area. Fortaleza can also be reached by bus and car from other major Brazilian cities but the distances are long. Rio de Janeiro is 1,615 miles (2,600 kilometers) south of the city.

Where to stay in Fortaleza

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Cumbuco

Cumbuco is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Cumbuco Beach and Cauipe Lake.

Cumbuco
Fortaleza featuring a beach

Meireles

Meireles is popular for its beaches, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Iracema Beach or Meireles Beach.

Meireles
Ponte dos Ingleses showing rugged coastline

Praia de Iracema

Praia de Iracema is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Monsignor Tabosa Avenue and Iracema Beach.

Praia de Iracema
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Porto das Dunas

You'll enjoy the beaches and monuments in Porto das Dunas. You might want to make time for a stop at Beach Park Water Park or Porto das Dunas Beach.

Porto das Dunas
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Praia do Futuro

Travellers like the beaches in Praia do Futuro, and Praia do Futuro is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Praia do Futuro
Metropolitan Cathedral of Fortaleza which includes street scenes and a church or cathedral

Fortaleza Centro

Fortaleza Centro is well liked for its beaches and museums. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Central Market and Passeio Publico are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Jose de Alencar Station or Sao Benedito Station to get around.

Fortaleza Centro
Casa Blanca Hotel
Casa Blanca Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Rua Joaquim Alves, 194, Meireles, Fortaleza, CE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$40 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$40
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Fortaleza. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Popular attractions Monsignor Tabosa Avenue and Iracema Beach are ...
7.6/10 Good! (218 reviews)
A very good hotel for the price
"The staff is very friendly and helpful, the price is right, and the complimentary breakfast is the best--very tasty with lots of variety. I would stay there again."

Reviewed on 10 Apr. 2018

Casa Blanca Hotel
Praiano Hotel
Praiano Hotel
4.5 out of 5
Avenida Beira Mar, 2800, Meireles, Fortaleza, CE
The price is AU$173 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
AU$173
per night
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Fortaleza. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (810 reviews)
"Loved the Hotel, new, clean, great staff."

Reviewed on 13 Mar. 2024

Praiano Hotel
Stop Way Hotel Fortaleza
Stop Way Hotel Fortaleza
3.5 out of 5
Av. Monsenhor Tabosa, 940 - Meireles, Fortaleza, CE
The price is AU$91 per night from 19 Apr to 20 Apr
AU$91
per night
19 Apr - 20 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Fortaleza. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (222 reviews)
"The Wi-Fi is terrible on the 14th floor, I now the Wi-Fi is excelente at the lobby but at 14th need some improvement"

Reviewed on 4 Mar. 2024

Stop Way Hotel Fortaleza
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Vip Beira Mar Residence
Vip Beira Mar Residence
3.5 out of 5
Rua Barão de Aracati, 145, Fortaleza, CE
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Fortaleza. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 7 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Monsignor Tabosa Avenue and Iracema ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (242 reviews)
Flat in Fortaleza
"Amazing place! Clean, comfortable and at a really nice area."

Reviewed on 27 Sep. 2023

Vip Beira Mar Residence
Fortaleza Sul Flat Service
Fortaleza Sul Flat Service
3 out of 5
R. Hil Moraes, 12, Fortaleza, CE
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Fortaleza. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Praia do Futuro and Beira Mar are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
VIAGEM A TRABALHO
"FACIL ACESSO,GARAGEM COBERTA,TIVE UM PROBLEMA COM INTERNET,MAS RAPIDO VIERAM RESOLVER,TUDO LIMPO,ESPAÇO MUITO ACONHEGANTE PARA VIAGEM DE TRABALHO"

Reviewed on 27 Dec. 2023

Fortaleza Sul Flat Service
Residencial Santa Lucia
Residencial Santa Lucia
2.5 out of 5
Rua Padre Justino No. 60, Praia de Iracema, Fortaleza
Stay at this business-friendly apartment in Fortaleza. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Monsignor Tabosa Avenue and Iracema ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (100 reviews)
"They had ants and a roach"

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2021

Residencial Santa Lucia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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