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Capital city of Ceará, Brazil
Photo: Governo Federal Brasileiro, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Fortaleza is a major city on Brazil's northeast coast, and the capital of Ceará state. It is one of the largest cities in Brazil and certainly one of the most vibrant. The city is perhaps the most popular domestic package tour destination, and Europeans are following suit. Despite being quite a party town, the carnival in Fortaleza is rather feeble, though growing bigger by the year, with the largest parades being maracatu-style. In 2018, there were 2.6 million inhabitants in the city, and 4.1 million in the metropolitan area.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A theater on the south side of the eponymous square. The architectural landmark of the city, and also declared a National Historic Landmark. Finished in 1912, there are performances almost every evening. Visits every hour on the hour, except noon. R$ 4, 30 minutes.
Igreja da Sé
Its sooty façade gives the cathedral a somewhat brutal look. But it still has nice mosaics, and the 75-m-high towers and its size (its capacity is 5000 persons) are impressive. The main western façade has large windows and the sun lights up the church during the evening mass. French architect George Mounier allegedly was inspired by the Cologne cathedral. Note the 40 year span between the initial works and the inaugural mass, above the main entrance. Masses daily except Mondays.
This mansion, built in 1925 as Vila Morena, and later used as a casino, a restaurant (when its current name was applied) and a rather political bar, is of peculiar architecture. It was virtually rebuilt in the 1990s, and is undergoing another refurbishment to be used for public cultural arrangements.
This former meat market was imported piece by piece from Europe and set up in 1897. Refurbished and now used as a handicrafts fair with a variety of cultural events five days a week from Afro-Brazilian culture and art to contemporary dance and the local forró music style.
Construction of this pier started in 1923, but it has never functioned as a port as intended. Its sunset view is reputedly the best in the city.
Estátua de Iracema
Also known as the Guardian of Iracema, this statue was constructed to honor the author José de Alencar. The statue depicts the protagonist in his novel Iracema. Another one stands in Messejena Lake in the south of the city.
A Catholic seminary with a neoclassical church from the 19th century. If you're interested in the city's local religious history or want to do some genealogical studies, this is the right place to visit.
Estação João Felipe
An all too common sight in South America; Fortaleza has a beautiful railway station... but traffic ended in 1975.
The square at Rua Dragão do Mar is culturally a very lively place. Several artisans are selling their work there, musicians are performing and there are several bars and restaurants with international cuisine as well as night clubs of different styles. Then there's also the cultural center, described below.
The main city square named after the pharmacist Antônio Rodrigues Ferreira and is surrounded by stores, restaurants, a movie theater and plenty of benches. Inaugurated in 1829, it has been rebuilt several times and is surrounded by many buildings of historical importance. The square of today features a time column and a small garden, just like the original version.
Plenty of greenery and the place to catch the city's best street performers. The square, which used to functioned as a bus station, is today frequented by small market stalls and food carts. On the southern side of this square is the eponymous theater building.
Six blocks from Beira-Mar, this square is lined by elegant restaurants and shopping. Major public events are often held here; for instance during the FIFA World Cup 2014 Praça Portugal was one of the venues for the FIFA Fan Fest. In the Christmas season, you will find a huge Christmas tree in the middle of this square.
The Cocó Ecological Park is the city's largest green area, near the Iguatemi-mall. One of the largest urban parks in South America, it's a piece of jungle in the middle of Fortaleza and is the most important showpiece of Fortaleza's ecological heritage. The park is popular for recreation among the locals and the place for seeing some local flora and fauna without leaving the city.
Located in an old prison, now the Centro de Turismo, along with a handicraft market and a tourist information. Displays many fine examples of folk art as well as boats and other cultural relics.
In a late 19th-century seat of state government. Explains the history of the state of Ceará and its capital.
Museu de Miniaturas
More cute than really interesting, this tiny museum has about 25 scale models of Fortaleza's colonial buildings, and also a couple of scale landscapes.
Opened in 1999, the center has 30,000 m2 of attractions including an art museum, a library, a cinema, a planetarium, an amphitheater, art workshops and the Culture Memorial of Ceara. The surrounding offers some of the highlights of Fortaleza's nightlife.
The Museum of Writing was reopened in 2012. As the name suggests, you can see typewriters from different eras, pens, feathers, cartridges and books including a collections of Bibles.
A surf school working at Meireles Wednesday - Sunday afternoons.
Offers surf lessons and surf trips every day of the week. Based at Hotel Vila Galé.
Equipment (Naish dealer) and classes. Helpful with info about out-of-town spots.
South America's biggest water park with the world's biggest toboggan. The park also features a hotel and a concert stage.
Fortaleza´s Salvador-style out-of-season carnival (allegedly the largest in Brazil) kicks off in a purpose-built area near Praia do Futuro. Direct buses from the Papicu terminal. Thursday - Saturday from dusk till dawn. End of July.
A range of Brazilian music and other performances. January.
Although carnival here is rather dull, the city's pré-carnaval is a major happening, all the way from New Year until the real thing starts in February or March. Several venues, the most accessible at Dragão do Mar Saturdays from 15:00. There's also another carnival the last week of July.
The local Gay Parade, officially named Parada pela Diversidade Sexual de Fortaleza, happens along Beira Mar on the last Sunday of June, in memory of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York.
A local (Ceara state) fast food chain — locations all around the city. Brazilian-style sandwiches and salads.
A bar in the Montese district also serving food. Typical Brazilian cuisine with a large selection of beers.
A simple restaurant but with fresh and delicious seafood and fish.
Located right on the beach, this restaurant is Dutch-run. It features typical Dutch and Indonesian cuisine.
Local dishes from seafood to lamb at an affordable price. The service is reportedly fast as well.
A place for informal dining, featuring retro decor and specializing in chicken dishes. Large servings, attentive service, air-conditioned and they also make dishes to go.
Italian restaurant with typical dishes like carpaccio, pizzas, pastas and risottos, that surprisingly also offers a selection of sushi. This restaurant has a particularly good wine selection, the staff is attentive and the ambience is nice. On the downside, some dishes are pricey.
This is arguably the best value Brazilian barbecue restaurant in the tourist area. If you are not too hungry, you can also pay R$ 22 per kilo. Tuesdays and Saturdays there's a stand-up comedian at 21:00, adding R$ 10 per person to your bill.
Italian restaurant with Italian cooks, regarded as a piece of Italy in Fortaleza. Online reviews reveal they make great pizzas. They make dishes to go as well.
also known as Camarões
Shrimp and other seafood and fish in all variations — including large dishes to share. They also have hundreds of wines to choose from.
Perhaps not authentic French, but a varied menu, including escargots, and a selection of wines.
Regional sorvetes, flavors like tapioca and caipirinha.
A sorveteria that has generally received good reviews. Also offers other snacks such as coffee and sandwiches.
Reportedly the best sorveteria in town.
With Belgian and Dutch owners Filip and Marco, has grown into a kind of ex-pats hangout, good food. Free WiFi. Occasional live music.
A crowd of happy tourists (many domestic) dances to forró and axé music. Overpriced at R$ 35. Most large hotels have discounted tickets for their guest (and occasionally others), ask in the reception.
Excellent coffee, some extremely sweet varieties, good bites, and extreme air-conditioning in a pleasant, old-worldly setting. Slow service, though.
The biggest party in town on Wednesdays, when it attracts mostly foreign men and a fair share of working girls. Also opens on Saturdays with a more mixed crowd. Live forro on a big stage and a separate eurotechno-lounge.
Brazilian and international rock and pop cover bands. Later electronica DJs. Thursdays and Sundays (packs from 21:00) good. Mostly well off students.
Gay, transvestite and more.
Gay
Famous for its Chope de Vinho — is it wine or beer after all?
Informal, variety of styles, most famous for its Samba!
Live music on weekends, dancing student crowd.
Thoroughly decorated as a Ceará countryside joint, although the prices are nothing of the kind. Live classic forro. Good spot on Tuesdays. Mainly age 30 and over. Next door restaurant.
Mostly electronica on Fridays.
Located in the "red" district of Benfica, this is a watering hole for members of political organizations, but also university teachers, University Theater students and locals in general. They also serve food like barbecue, green beans and gizzard. Good music and clean bathroom.
Barbecue, beer and outdoor seating. The service is often slow, but on the other hand people come here to relax, not to stress. It's one of the most popular bars in the Benfica district.
Fairly quick service and a wide variety of snacks and meals. On the downside it's slightly more expensive than other bars in the area. On the weekend there are live music and occasionally even full-scale concerts.
Located in the Jose Bonifacio district, in this bar and lounge you have the opportunity to get behind the microphone yourself together with local artists.
A small place, so go early. Beer, drinks, good food and a rustic northeast Brazilian decor. The service is unfortunately slow.
Modern and well-equipped. Rooms with TV and A/C
Refurbished 2010. Basic rooms with TV, private bathroom with shower and A/C. There’s free Wi-Fi in all public areas and buffet breakfast.
Small, conveniently located hotel with nice rooms and friendly staff. The rooms have A/C, refrigerator, TV, phone and private bathroom. They also have private parking. Rates include breakfast and Wi-Fi.
Just up from Holiday Inn at Historiador Raimundo Girao. Convenient for online booking and cancelling. Similar to other Ibis hotels around the world, the rooms are spartan but functional and clean and include TV, phone and private bathroom.
Large rooms with balconies, most with a view to the ocean. Rates include airport transfer, Wi-Fi and breakfast.
Accommodation in large apartments, with bathroom and shower, TV, minibar and phone. Breakfast and Wi-Fi included in the rate. Secure private parking lot.
Upscale and well-equipped rooms (including safe and kettle). On the downside Wi-Fi costs extra. The hotel has two restaurants, a pool bar and a nightclub plus convention and fitness facilities. Online booking.
Standard rooms have the usual equipment of a mid-range hotel room, but the hotel also has large suites. Pool and several restaurants and bars. Online booking.
This hotel advertises the range of amenities one would expect from a luxurious hotel at a beach resort. This includes a pool, several shops, a health center, gym and conference center. There are even some other services like an in-house doctor and a beauty salon. The simplest rooms are spacious and equipped with TV, minibar, phone, bathroom and even bathrobes, while the amenities of the Presidential Suite can be compared to those of an apartment.
Regular amenities for a room in an upper middle-class hotel. Wi-Fi and a light breakfast included in the room rate. Fitness center, pool, conference facilities, laundry and room service.
Rooms have TV, minibar and safe. Restaurant, fitness center, business center and a pool.
Rooms have TV, telephone, minibar and safe. The hotel has a bar and a restaurant. Free Wi-Fi.
There is a very convenient Pão de Açúcar round-the-clock supermarket by the intersection of Av. Abolição and Av. Desembargador Moreira. Although more expensive than most other shops, it has a good selection of groceries, including many imports, and also some fresh foods. Fresh sandwiches and pizzas until 20:00.
For a true abundance of fruits and vegetables, in addition to meat, fish and whatever else you could think of for your kitchen, visit Mercado São Sebastião, at the east end of Av. Bezerra de Menezes, 4 blocks south and 5 west of Praça José de Alencar in the centre. The earlier you arrive, the greater the variety.
Behind a modest façade there is a vast selection of used books, including hundreds of titles in English (although much outdated) and a little something in many other languages.
220 stores on five floors, specializing in brand clothing. Also has a cinema, a food court and covered parking.
85 stores, mostly domestic chains. Has a cinema.
The largest mall in Fortaleza and one of the best. Everything from C&A, to Zoompe and Lacoste. A huge 24-hour supermarket, large food court and the biggest cinema in town.
Six floors of all kinds of stores from fashion, food and sports equipment to different services and entertainment.
In the west of the city, in addition to the stores also features a cinema multiplex including one 3D auditorium.
CEART
Local handicrafts cultural center
CETUR
Central Market
Artesanal center with over 500 vendors. Clothing, food products, books and other art are products you can find at the "Central Market".
By bus
Taxi to Beira Mar is about R$ 15 and 15–20 minutes.
By car
Fortaleza is connected to the rest of Brazil by Federal Highways BR-116, BR-222, BR-020 and BR-304 plus State Highways CE-040 and CE-085.
By subway
br/mapas . The latter is touching on tourist ground. More lines are in construction or planning.60, for students half the price.
By bus
Like any major Brazilian city, Fortaleza can be done almost entirely by bus.
By taxi
All 4000-odd taxis in town run on the same meter system, except the special cabs at the airport. Start price is R$ 5,75, then R$ 2,85 per km on rate 1 and R$ 3,57/km on rate 2.
By moto taxi
e. motorcycles that function as taxis, can be picked up at their own stands, ask locals if you cannot find one. Depending on the traffic flow, this can be a rather scary experience.
By e-hailing
Fortaleza is covered by some e-hailing services, notably Uber.
Rental car
Brazilian city traffic makes this option a bit frustrating for anyone who honks less than once a minute while driving back home.
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