Did you know that the second oldest city in Brazil is on the coast of São Paulo? We’re talking about Itanhaém, in Baixada Santista, about 110 km from the capital. Founded in 1532, the city was born as a small settlement on the banks of the Itanhaém River, at the foot of Morro do Itaguaçu.
Today, Itanhaém is a popular tourist destination, especially for its beaches and breathtaking natural landscapes. In addition, the city offers cultural activities and various historical attractions that allow you to immerse yourself in its almost 500 years of history.
Are you curious? Check out five of the city’s sights below – including the famous “supernatural portal”.
What to do in Itanhaém? Get to know Brazil’s second oldest city!
Beautiful beaches
The city’s flagship is certainly its beaches. In total, the municipality has almost 30km of coastline, divided into 14 strips of sand. Get to know some of them below:
- Boca da Barra: With few waves, this is the perfect beach for those who want to practice sports such as kayaking and the like. It also offers boat trips and banana boat rides;
- Praia da Saudade: This is a river beach on the Itanhaém River. The ideal destination for those who want to relax, as it is known for being quiet and peaceful;
- Praia dos Pescadores: Also known as Prainha, this is one of the best beaches for surfing;
- Praia dos Sonhos: This is one of the beaches most frequented by locals and tourists alike, and the night lights allow you to swim at the end of the day too;
- Pocinho de Anchieta: At the foot of Morro do Paranambuco, its natural well allows for a peaceful dip with children, making it the perfect option for families.
Historic center
The city’s historic quarter allows you to immerse yourself in Brazil’s colonial history. There, you’ll find three well-preserved historical sites that give you a glimpse of the architecture and customs of the time. They are the Igreja Matriz de Sant’Anna, the Convento Nossa Senhora da Conceição and the Museu Conceição de Itanhaém, formerly known as the Casa de Câmara e Cadeia.
Walkway and Anchieta’s Bed
Next up is one of Itanhaém’s most visited tourist attractions. The footbridge offers a beautiful glimpse of Itanhaém’s sea, and at the end, you can visit the Cama de Anchieta, a rock formation where São José de Anchieta used to rest during his time as a missionary in Brazil in the 16th century.
Paranambuco Hill
During your visit to Itanhaém, don’t miss the view from Morro do Paranambuco, one of the most beautiful in the city! This natural viewpoint offers a panoramic glimpse of the sea and the city from the top of its famous rock formations.
The site is also popular with those interested in ufology. After all, it is home to the “Mystic Portal”, where unidentified beings and supernatural lights have supposedly appeared.
Pinacoteca
Like its São Paulo counterpart, the Itanhaém Pinacoteca has traveling exhibitions. In this case, with works by artists from the region, valuing local cultural production.
