Natal - Recife

Nicknamed the "city of the sun" for its bright, year-round climate, Natal stretches along Brazil's northeastern coast amid golden beaches and shifting dunes. Its seaside heart is Ponta Negra, dominated by the silhouette of Morro do Careca, a towering dune that slides straight into the sea. To the north, the dunes of Genipabu invite thrilling buggy rides among sand and lagoons, while to the south the little town of Pipa charms with cliffs, dolphins and a bohemian mood. In the city, the star-shaped Forte dos Reis Magos, a fortress facing the ocean, recalls its colonial origins, and the Parque das Dunas protects a rare patch of urban Atlantic forest. With constant breezes, fresh fish and sunsets over the Atlantic, Natal offers the essence of a Brazilian tropical holiday.

Praia da Pipa is one of the most beloved beach resorts in northeastern Brazil, a destination of cliffs and golden sands in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, south of Natal. Grown from an old fishing village, it has kept a bohemian soul of pedestrian lanes, seafront restaurants and a lively nightlife that comes alive at sunset. The cliffs plunging into the Atlantic guard spectacular bays such as Baía dos Golfinhos, where dolphins are often spotted among the waves, and the romantic Praia do Amor, popular with surfers. Between swims, visitors wander among boutiques and bars, savour fresh fish and specialities of the sertão, or head out to the nearby nature reserves and dunes. Praia da Pipa blends nature, sea and a laid-back atmosphere in a stretch of coast that wins you over at first sight.

Crossed by rivers and canals that have earned it the nickname “Brazilian Venice,” Recife is the lively capital of Pernambuco state, facing the Atlantic. The historic district of Recife Antigo preserves baroque churches, colourful squares and colonial architecture, while the nightlife and the musical scene of frevo and maracatu enliven its streets. Nearby, the UNESCO World Heritage town of Olinda enchants with its historic centre perched on the hills. Between the urban beaches of Boa Viagem, craft markets and a cuisine rich in seafood, Recife offers a vibrant encounter of history, culture and sea.

Counted among Brazil's most beautiful beaches, Porto de Galinhas lies along the coast of Pernambuco, south of Recife, and is famous for its natural pools of crystal-clear water. When the tide retreats, the offshore coral reef holds the sea in warm, transparent basins, reached by the traditional sailing jangadas, where you swim among colourful fish just metres from the shore. The village keeps a tropical, intimate atmosphere, its lanes lively with craft shops, seafood restaurants and the painted little roosters that have become its emblem. Along the coast stretch broad, palm-shaded beaches such as Maracaípe, loved by surfers and known for the seahorse nursery in its estuary, where you can paddle by canoe among the mangroves. Amid fresh coconuts, long walks on the sand and sunsets over the ocean, Porto de Galinhas is the ideal destination for those seeking warm seas, colour and relaxation in the heart of Brazil's Nordeste.