Florianópolis

Florianópolis occupies most of Santa Catarina Island and is ringed by more than forty distinct beaches ranging from calm, surf-free bays in the north to powerful open-ocean breaks in the south. The historic centre on the island's western side preserves Azorean colonial architecture around the Mercado Público and the Cathedral Metropolitana. Lagoa da Conceição, a brackish coastal lagoon in the centre of the island, is a hub for windsurfers and paddleboard enthusiasts.