Praia Grande, on the south coast of São Paulo, is one of the most popular destinations on the coast of São Paulo. Just 78 km from the capital, or about an hour’s drive, the city stands out not only for its proximity to the capital, but also for its beautiful beaches and complete infrastructure.
With 22 km of urbanized coastline, Praia Grande is the perfect destination for those who want to relax by the sea without completely disconnecting from the big city. After all, the municipality is the second most populous on the coast, behind Santos. As such, tourists will find coastal tranquillity combined with a great infrastructure of bars, restaurants and other attractions.
It’s not for nothing that it was recently called the “Brazilian Miami”. The comparison came from actor Caio Castro, who used to visit it during his childhood, during a talk on the “Ticaracaticast” podcast. So if you want a vibrant and busy coastal stay, check out our guide to beaches and cultural attractions to check out in Praia Grande!
What to do in Praia Grande (SP)?
One of the city’s favorite beaches is Praia da Aviação. With a long stretch of sand, coconut trees and a playground, the place is popular with families who want to enjoy a day of sun and games.
The waves there are usually strong and medium-sized, which also attracts fans of surfing and other water sports. However, this characteristic also makes it necessary to take extra care when entering the water, especially with children.
Meanwhile, Praia da Guilhermina has several kiosks, restaurants and a charming little market! The only downside is that it tends to get very crowded during the high season. Just like Praia do Boqueirão, which has weaker waves but also attracts many tourists and locals. So it’s best to leave these two last on your itinerary if you don’t like a lot of excitement.
For the quiet, there’s no better choice than Praia do Solemar. Being further away from the center, near Mongaguá, it attracts fewer people and allows for a quieter swim. It also has an incredible view of the Serra do Mar and perfect waves for surfing and other sports.
Beyond the beaches: check out the cultural attractions
Praia Grande is not all about sand and coconut water! During your time there, don’t forget to check out the Peace Square. The place has large statues of people who fought for world peace.
There you’ll find, for example, busts of Nelson Mandela, Gandhi and Jesus Christ, each about 10 meters high.
The Itaipu Fortress is also a must-see. Built in 1902, it covers more than 2 million square meters and has three forts, which currently house a military organization.
Despite the military activity, the fortress is open to the public. Embedded in the middle of the Atlantic Forest, the building guarantees an incredible view of the beach and the surrounding nature. It also hosts cultural events and activities from time to time.
Plan your visit!
As it’s only an hour away from São Paulo, Praia Grande is the ideal choice for those looking for a day trip. However, if you want to enjoy its beauty more calmly and peacefully, we recommend staying there for a weekend.
For those planning to go by car, the route is via the Rodovia dos Imigrantes or Anchieta. Remember that when you go down to the coast on the Imigrantes (SP-160), the toll costs around R$33.80 (one way).
If you prefer to go by bus, however, the Piracicabana and Cometa bus companies ply the route from the Jabaquara Terminal, with tickets starting at R$44 (as of 27/12/24). Check out all the departures at this link.
