You already know Paranapiacaba, the picturesque English village in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. But did you know that the São Paulo coast also has a charming English-style village? Vila de Itatinga is in Bertioga, just 2.5 hours from the capital, and is one of those hidden treasures that we love so much here at São Paulo Secreto!
Get to know Vila de Itatinga!
Its history began in 1910 with the foundation of the Itatinga Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP). The village was inspired by 20th century English-style architecture and was intended to house the plant’s workers . Houses, a bakery, a school – all in one place, creating a small community within Bertioga.
Today, 115 years later, the HPP is still going strong. We can mention that 30% of the energy of the Port of Santos – the largest port complex in Latin America – comes from Itatinga, for example. Likewise, the village is still standing, housing the plant’s employees in the same facilities as it did in the last century.
The site is home to around 70 dwellings – small wooden houses with flower gardens, scattered along cobbled streets. Open to visitors since 2024, Vila de Itatinga takes us through a veritable time tunnel to a hundred years ago, with architecture and atmosphere preserved from that era.
In addition to all this, the journey to the village is already a walk in itself. First you have to cross the Itapanhau River by boat, and then cross the Serra do Mar on a historic cable car. Once there, it’s time to explore the village: from the little houses to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, or the Atlético Clube field, there’s plenty to see!
How to visit?
The Bertioga Tourism Office and the Santos Port Authority (APS) have opened up Vila de Itatinga to visitors, but there are a few rules to keep in mind. Visits take place on Saturdays and Sundays, in the morning and afternoon, and must always be accompanied by an accredited guide.
If you are interested in visiting, you should contact a local guide or, if you prefer, an accredited tourist agency. You can also contact the Bertioguense Ecotourism Association (ABECO), who will be able to tell you about the tour. Guided tours cost an average of R$100 to R$200, with discounts for Bertioga residents.