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Like your classic sandy beach with palms and corniche lining the side.
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Praia da Costa
Soothing albeit sometimes crowded beach that ends in a succulent-adorned rocky point called Pedra de Sereia to the south.
Continuation of the long sandy beach of Praia da Costa marked with restaurants playing live music and palms, benches, umbrellas. Tends to be less affected by the Vale mining runoff and sewage pollution than beaches further north.
Really small regional museum that captures the history of the area from the time Vasco Fernandes Coutinho first founded Vila Velha and then Vitoria as the seat of Espiritu Santo State through the slaveholding period and up to the industrial phases of today. Includes a small replica of Coutinho's 1535 Sant Maria ship that he commanded, along with a trolley outside. And don't miss the Museu Atelier Homero Massena (Homero Massena Workshop Museum) just a couple of houses to the west that relives the life of this painter from Vila Velha.
A 30 minute hike up this coastal hill will reward you with some truly wonderful views of the coastal area, including the Third Bridge (Terceira Ponte) to the east and Praia da Costa to the south. You can also ride a zip-line or abseil here. Take care because the trail can be a bit precarious in spots.
Tiny pocket beach alongside cottage fishing industry that is serenely set below Morro do Moreno but unfortunately quite polluted.