State offers experiences that combine lush nature and striking culture
By Donna Richardson
Espírito Santo is a destination that surprises with preserved landscapes, unique cuisine and a strong cultural identity, offering diverse experiences, far from the most obvious tourist routes. Between paradisiacal beaches and charming mountains, each stop in Espírito Santo reveals a welcoming Brazil that is ready to receive visitors from all over the world.
“Espírito Santo represents a Brazil that enchants with its diversity and moves with its authenticity. It is a state that brings together untouched nature, vibrant culture and an infrastructure that is increasingly ready to welcome visitors from all over the world. Our invitation, as a country, is for international tourists to discover these unique destinations, which show a Brazil beyond the postcards, where each experience is unforgettable and each encounter reinforces how welcoming we are”, explains Marcelo Freixo, the president of Embratur (Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion).
Located between Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Bahia, the state is the ideal setting for three to seven-day itineraries, covering a wide range of attractions in a single trip. Here is a selection of eight unmissable attractions to include Espírito Santo on your itinerary through Brazil.
1- Vitória: island, culture, gastronomy and life by the sea
The capital of Espírito Santo is made up of an archipelago of 33 islands and a continental portion, with urban beaches, green hills and a charming historic centre. The city offers several outdoor leisure options, such as cycling along the coast between the beaches of Camburi, Canto and Suá, stopping at the Iemanjá Pier and Praça dos Namorados.
The beaches of Guarderia, Curva da Jurema and Ilha do Boi have calm and clear waters, ideal for relaxing. Schooner rides, visits to the Tamar Project, a world reference in the conservation of sea turtles, and humpback whale watching (between the months of July and October) bring visitors closer to the local biodiversity.
In the historic centre, it is worth visiting the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Anchieta Palace and the Carlos Gomes Theatre. To complete the experience, Vitória is the ideal place to try the authentic moqueca capixaba, a symbol of local cuisine, prepared in clay pots and served in seaside restaurants, such as on Ilha das Caieiras.
See how the famous clay pots of Espírito Santo are made
2- Praia da Costa: crystal clear sea and urban energy
In Vila Velha, just 11 km from Vitória, Praia da Costa combines calm and crystal clear sea, white sand and excellent infrastructure of kiosks and restaurants. It is one of the most beloved beaches on the Espírito Santo coast. Just a few minutes away is the Penha Convent, one of the most important tourist attractions in the state, which offers one of the most beautiful views in the region and preserves centuries of history.
3- Guarapari: medicinal sands, beaches for all tastes and diving
55 km from Vitória, Guarapari is one of the most famous resorts in Espírito Santo, known for its monazite sands with therapeutic properties. With 52 beaches, the city pleases families, surfers and divers. Among the ecotourism options, highlights include the Paulo César Vinha State Park and the Morro da Pescaria Natural Park, with lagoons, viewpoints, trails and beautiful beaches. For those who enjoy adventure, Guarapari offers diving in crystal clear waters with rich marine life and famous shipwrecks, such as the ships Bellucia and Victory 8B. The city’s historic centre preserves the old main church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição.
4- Itaúnas: dunes, wild beaches and the rhythm of forró
In the far north of the state, Itaúnas is a hidden treasure. Known for the famous Itaúnas National Forró Festival, which takes place every June, the village attracts dancers from all over Brazil who enjoy the nights to dance authentic forró pé de serra.
The highlight of the region is the Itaúnas State Park, considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which brings together a diverse range of ecosystems, such as beaches, mangroves, sandbanks, wetlands, Atlantic forest, rivers and dunes up to 30 metres high. It is the perfect setting to watch the sunset and experience incredible moments of direct contact with nature.
5- Piúma: tranquillity and breathtaking landscapes
Piúma invites you to contemplate, combining beaches with calm waters and churches that preserve part of the local history. Known for its tranquility all year round, the city becomes one of the busiest destinations in Espírito Santo during the Brazilian summer. With 8 km of coastline and a tropical climate softened by sea winds, it attracts visitors looking for sun, sea and relaxation. Four islands close to the coast — Gambá, Meio, Cabritos and Franceses — complete the scenery, forming natural landscapes of great beauty and great options for boat trips.
6- Pico da Bandeira: the summit of the Brazilian Southeast
Located in the Caparaó National Park, on the border between Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, Pico da Bandeira is the highest point in the entire Southeast Region of Brazil and the third largest mountain in the country, at 2,892 metres above sea level. It is an unmissable destination for lovers of trekking and mountaineering. The hike to the summit, whether at dawn or during the early hours of the morning to watch the sunrise, reveals breathtaking landscapes and starry nights considered among the most beautiful in Brazil.
7- Espírito Santo mountains: mild climate, culture and good food
For those who prefer a mountain climate, the mountain towns are the right choice. Domingos Martins offers a European climate, trails, waterfalls and the iconic Pedra Azul, whose colours change throughout the day. Santa Teresa, known as the birthplace of Italian immigration, combines art studios, colourful murals, good food and traditional festivals, such as the Grape and Wine Festival — which always takes place in winter. Venda Nova do Imigrante, the capital of Espírito Santo’s agrotourism, is a must-see for tasting award-winning specialty coffees, artisanal cheeses, exploring farms and experiencing rural culture.
8- Matilde Waterfall: adventure, history and movie sets
In Alfredo Chaves, 95 km from the capital Vitória, the Matilde Waterfall — officially the Engenheiro Reeve Waterfall — forms a series of waterfalls reaching up to 70 metres. It is a paradise for those who enjoy rappelling, light trails and paragliding flights that start in the mountains and can end on the beaches of Guarapari and Anchieta. The bucolic district of Matilde preserves the old Mathilde Railway Station and the Enchanted Tunnel, which can be explored on foot on a pleasant and safe trail.
Discover Espírito Santo and experience Brazil with all your senses. You will want to come back!
How to get to Espírito Santo from the UK
British Tourists are connected to Brazil by direct flights from London to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. From these airports, there are domestic flights to Vitória, with an average flight time of 1h30 to 1h50.
