Vitória Archives - Caffeinated Excursions https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/tag/vitoria/ Blog of a Traveling Coffee Addict Wed, 01 Nov 2023 16:33:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://i0.wp.com/caffeinatedexcursions.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/wp-1555570621336.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Vitória Archives - Caffeinated Excursions https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/tag/vitoria/ 32 32 141833777 The Top 4 Things To Do In Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/the-top-4-things-to-do-in-vila-velha-espirito-santo-brazil/ https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/the-top-4-things-to-do-in-vila-velha-espirito-santo-brazil/#comments Fri, 19 Feb 2021 03:00:00 +0000 https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/?p=14642 If you’re thinking about visiting the Greater Vitória metro region in Espírito Santo, I have one piece of advice: go! There are two main cities on the central coast of ES: the state capital of Vitória, and the large suburb of Vila Velha to the south. Check out this post to learn about the four things you won't want to miss in Vila Velha!

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The Top 4 Things To Do In Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil

The Top 4 Things To Do In Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil

Published June 19, 2020

If you’re thinking about visiting the Greater Vitória metro region in Espírito Santo, I have one piece of advice: go! Although the city of Vitória is smaller than São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, there are a lot of unique attractions in the area. Plus, it’s not an international tourist hotspot, so I would argue that it’s the perfect place to see a side of Brazil that most tourists don’t!

A quick look at a map of the area reveals that there are two main cities on the central coast of Espírito Santo: the state capital of Vitória, and Vila Velha to the south of the Santa Maria da Vitória River. Although the two are connected by a couple bridges, the one you’re likely to cross is Terceira Ponte (which literally means “The Third Bridge”).

Terceira Ponte as seen from the northern (Vitória) side looking towards Vila Velha

Luckily, the four most popular attractions in Vila Velha are all near Terceira Ponte in the northeast corner of the city. You can technically see all four items on the list in one day, but I recommend scheduling two per day for a more leisurely pace. To skip down to any of the four attractions, click or tap on the corresponding link below!

  1. Convento da Penha (Penha Convent)
  2. Farol de Santa Luzia (Santa Luzia Lighthouse)
  3. Praia da Costa (Costa Beach)
  4. Morro do Moreno (Moreno Hill)

1. Convento da Penha

This convent on top of a hill is probably the most iconic symbol of Vila Velha. You can see it from various parts of Vitória towering above the skyline, so it’s really impossible to miss.

The entrance is located here, and the easiest way to get there is to take an Uber (unless you happen to be staying within walking distance). After arriving, you can either hike up for free or pay a small fee for a van ride. The hike is short: only about fifteen or twenty minutes, so I did that.

The entrance to Convento da Penha

Once you get to the top, you’ll be able to check out the church building as well as the amazing panoramic views. From one side, you can look north to see Vitória across the river. From the other, you’ll be treated to a view of Vila Velha and the Atlantic Ocean.

View of Vitória and Terceira Ponte from Convento da Penha
The Vila Velha skyline

A number of locals recommended doing this short hike in the morning. In fact, due to COVID-19, the trail closed (in January 2021) at 4:00 p.m., a couple of hours earlier than it normally would.

2. Farol de Santa Luzia

The second attraction I recommend is a lighthouse. Like the convent, it’s also free to visit and is pretty self-explanatory. You can call an Uber to go directly to the front entrance, which doesn’t require a walk or hike.

A visit to Farol de Santa Luzia only takes about half an hour. As far as I could tell, visitors are not permitted to go up to the top. I would guess this is because the lighthouse is active and not just a historical relic.

3. Praia da Costa

If you’re going to visit Farol de Santa Luzia, it’s a short walk and an even shorter Uber ride to Praia da Costa, the main beach in Vila Velha. Technically, there’s a little portion on the northern end called Praia Curva da Sereia, but Praia da Costa extends for miles and miles southward. It actually curves around, which is why it’s such a beautiful beach.

Praia Curva da Sereia

You definitely don’t need to walk its entire length, and there are plenty of amazing views in the beach’s northernmost section. While you’re there, be sure to check out Pedra da Sereia, a massive rock formation in the water that you can walk out to via a sandbar during low tide.

Pedra da Sereia

4. Morro do Moreno

The last thing you should do in Vila Velha is another hike. It’s a bit longer and steeper than the walk up to the convent, but the views are worth it! Just make sure you wear sneakers.

There seem to be a couple different pathways up this hill, but the entrance to the main one is located here. From the top, you’ll be able to see Vitória again. The only difference is that Morro do Moreno is to the east of Terceira Ponte, while Convento da Penha is to the west.

Look in the other direction (to the southeast) to see a panoramic view of Praia Curva da Sereia as well as the peninsula where Farol de Santa Luzia is located. This is also an amazing spot for pictures!

There is a small snack and beverage stand at the top, which is a good place to stock up on water. In terms of safety, people from Vitória mentioned that Morro do Moreno is a great place to watch the sunset, but that hiking back down after dark isn’t the best idea. I went on a weekend afternoon to ensure that the path wasn’t devoid of people, which I’d recommend for those who can.

Check out these related blog posts!

If Vila Velha looks interesting to you, be sure to check out my other two blog posts about Vitória! The two cities are a fifteen or twenty-minute drive apart from one another, so you should absolutely explore both if you’re headed this way.

What do you think of Vila Velha?

A trip to the Greater Vitória metro area simply isn’t complete without a day or two in Vila Velha. The views of the bay, the mountains, the city skyline, and the open ocean just can’t be beat. Have you been to Vila Velha before? Would you consider it for your next trip to Brazil? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for checking out Caffeinated Excursions!

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If you're headed to the Greater Vitória metro region in Espírito Santo, be sure to schedule a couple of days to check out Vila Velha! There are four things you won't want to miss here. Check out this blog post to see what they are! #vilavelha #vilavelhaes #vilavelhaespíritosanto #vilavelhaespiritosanto #visitvilavelha #visitespiritosanto #visitespíritosanto #capixaba #turismocapixaba #visitbrazil #visitbrasil #brasil2021 #brazil2021 #caffeinatedexcursions #travelblog #travelblogger #brazil If you're headed to the Greater Vitória metro region in Espírito Santo, be sure to schedule a couple of days to check out Vila Velha! There are four things you won't want to miss here. Check out this blog post to see what they are! #vilavelha #vilavelhaes #vilavelhaespíritosanto #vilavelhaespiritosanto #visitvilavelha #visitespiritosanto #visitespíritosanto #capixaba #turismocapixaba #visitbrazil #visitbrasil #brasil2021 #brazil2021 #caffeinatedexcursions #travelblog #travelblogger #brazil

This post was published on June 19, 2020

Hi, I’m Kevin! I’m a coffee addict from Seattle, and my life revolves around traveling! Caffeinated Excursions is a record of my trips over the past seven years. Since I started blogging, I’ve lived in Mexico, Vietnam, Brazil, and the US. I just moved to Australia and plan to be here a full year. Thanks for checking out my blog!

Upcoming Trips

  1. Bangkok (Sept)
  2. Istanbul (Sept)

Support the Blog!

The post The Top 4 Things To Do In Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

]]> https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/the-top-4-things-to-do-in-vila-velha-espirito-santo-brazil/feed/ 13 14642 The Best Restaurants, Bars, & Cafes in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/the-best-restaurants-bars-cafes-in-vitoria-espirito-santo-brazil/ https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/the-best-restaurants-bars-cafes-in-vitoria-espirito-santo-brazil/#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2021 03:00:00 +0000 https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/?p=14633 Vitória is a relatively quiet, medium-sized city situated on the Atlantic coast of Brazil between Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. As the capital of the state of Espírito Santo, Vitória has a lot to offer, but the number one reason all travelers should check it out is its amazing food scene...

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The Best Restaurants, Bars, &
Cafes In Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil

The Best Restaurants, Bars, & Cafes In Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil

Published February 18, 2021

Vitória is a relatively quiet, medium-sized city situated on the Atlantic coast of Brazil between Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. As the capital of the state of Espírito Santo, Vitória has a lot to offer, but the number one reason all travelers should check it out is its amazing food scene!

There are so many unique dining options in Vitória, and trying each one was so much fun! Most places listed here are located in the Praia do Canto neighborhood, but a few are a short drive north or south of there. Without further ado, here’s the list!

  1. Restaurants
  2. Cafes
  3. Bakeries
  4. A Cool Brewery

1. Restaurants

Alas Restaurante

Address: R. da Grécia, 228 – Santa Luíza, Vitória – ES, 29045-225
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alasrestaurante/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alasrestaurante/

First on the list is an excellent Greek Restaurant that has an on-point dining space to match its delicious food. With a very large outdoor patio overlooking the Santa Maria da Vitória River, Alas feels like dining in Greece from the moment you’re seated.

In fact, this restaurant was so good that I had to go back a second time. They have a large menu of classic Greek dishes and wine. I recommend either the saganaki (fried cheese) appetizer or the feta platter, which comes with tomatoes, olives, and capers.

For the main course, I loved their medusa negra pasta with prawns. For a slightly more budget-friendly choice, go with the souvlaki kebabs, served with fries and pita.

Aleixo Restaurante

Address: R. Aleixo Netto, 1204 – Praia do Canto, Vitória – ES, 29055-260
Website: https://www.dguests.com/aleixo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AleixoRestaurante/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleixorestaurante/

Located on one of the main streets in Praia do Canto, Aleixo feels like the perfect balance of fine dining and a relatively good price. In addition to serving lunch and dinner, they also operate a small cafe next door to the restaurant.

Aleixo Restaurante offers an interesting lunch combo (almoço executivo) for about 70 BRL that includes a starter, main, and dessert. The carne seca rice bowl they served with veggies and farofa was an interesting and memorable dish, and the bruschetta and salad appetizer was both delicious and beautifully plated.

Pier Aleixo Restaurante

Address: R. Aleixo Netto, 1702 – Praia do Canto, Vitória – ES, 29055-260
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restaurante.pieraleixo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pieraleixo/

This restaurant is only a few blocks away from the one mentioned above. They both have similar names, but it’s unclear to me if they’re owned by the same person or not. Regardless, I would still recommend trying both because they have different vibes and different menus. Pier Aleixo Restaurante is located on the northern end of Praia do Canto. If there’s a table open, you can sit right next to the Santa Maria da Vitória River under a covered outdoor dining area.

I decided to be fancy here and ordered their lobster with spaghetti which was really good. I haven’t had lobster since coming to Brazil, so it was definitely a treat.

Los Chicos

Address: Av. Des. Dermeval Lyrio, 56 – Mata da Praia, Vitória – ES, 29065-430
Website: https://www.flipsnack.com/cardapioloschicos/card-pio-los-chicos-2019.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LosChicosES/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loschicoses/

All fans of Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine should be sure to visit Los Chicos! It was better than any of the Mexican restaurants I’ve tried in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, which is saying something! In general, good Mexican food is hard to come by in Brazil, so it’s always amazing to find a place like Los Chicos that does a top-notch job.

Like Alas Restaurante, Los Chicos was too good to only go once. Everything I tried was spot on, from their creative cocktails to their nacho appetizers. If you’re having trouble deciding what to order, I really liked their soft shell tacos especiales, which you can get with carne asada, fish, or “messy pigs” (smoked pork).

Restaurante Papaguth

Address: Praça do Papa – Av. Nossa Sra. dos Navegantes, 700 – Enseada do Suá, Vitória – ES, 29052-150
Website: http://www.papaguth.com.br/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Papaguth/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papaguth/

If you’re interested in trying local dishes, head over to Papaguth! It’s a little out of the way, but well worth the short Uber ride to get to. The restaurant itself is very modern with a large, open-air patio.

As you might expect, food from Espírito Santo (comida capixaba) is heavily seafood based. The most iconic specialty is moqueca, a fish stew that is popular throughout Brazil but has regional varieties. If you’re going to try it here, which you should, be sure to come hungry! It’s served with rice and pirão, a special type of gravy. In other words, moqueca is never going to be a light meal!

Ubud Cafe

Address: R. Joaquim Lírio, 189 – Praia do Canto, Vitória – ES, 29055-460
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ubudcafe.vix
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ubud_cafe/

This is one of my favorite finds in Vitória because this boutique-style cafe is bursting with character, and they serve coffee, cocktails, and full meals! Just check out how beautifully both the inside and outside of Ubud Cafe are decorated!

In addition, you’ll notice that everything on the menu at Ubud is creative. No matter what you order, it’ll surely be a new and exciting culinary experience!

Lastly, this cafe is owned by women who’ve traveled extensively, and that influence can be felt throughout. Everything from the cafe’s name to the decor to the items on the menu will delight travel enthusiasts. I enjoyed trying their rice dumpling appetizer; Southeast Asian food is really hard to find even in Brazil’s biggest cities! The staff are friendly too and will make you feel welcome as a visitor to the city.

Balthazar

Address: Shopping Day by Day – R. Elesbão Linhares, 15 – loja 18 e 19 – Praia do Canto, Vitória – ES, 29055-340
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balthazarvix/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balthazarvix/

If you’re looking to splurge a bit, Balthazar is definitely one place to do that. It’s probably the fanciest place on this list, but it should be noted that most of the places on this list are more expensive than your typical local restaurant in Brazil. (In general, an appetizer, main dish, dessert, and drink from any restaurant on this list will cost between 100 and 150 BRL).

With that said, Balthazar had some unique offerings, including a custard dessert called Montanhas de Minas Gerais, pictured below. They also serve a burrata with actual truffles (not just truffle flakes or truffle oil), which was my first time trying this famous delicacy.

To be completely honest, the main course I got (lingua no sous vide) was good but not nearly as interesting as the appetizers, drinks, and dessert. So if you’d like to try this restaurant without spending as much, you could perhaps plan more of a happy hour and then get a cheaper, small dinner afterwards.

Casa Graviola

Address: R. Elesbão Linhares, 41 – Praia do Canto, Vitória – ES, 29055-340
Website: http://www.casagraviola.com.br
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/casagraviola
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casagraviola/

I was honestly surprised to learn that this restaurant is a chain with locations in multiple Brazilian states because it felt so on-brand with the food scene in Vitória. With that said, it’s still on my list because the food and drinks here were pretty delicious, and everything seemed healthy and fresh. I especially enjoyed trying their vegan pad thai, which had noodles made out of veggies (i.e., those noodles aren’t noodles at all; they’re actually long strands of squash, zucchini, carrot, etc).

Be sure to save room for dessert at Casa Graviola! They have great brownies and fruit crumbles served with ice cream.

Don Camaleone

Address: R. Des. Sampaio, 263 – Praia do Canto, Vitória – ES, 29055-250
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonCamaleone/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doncamaleone/

There are a lot of good pizza options in Praia do Canto that offer both American- and Brazilian-style pizza with a thicker crust as well as a more Italian-style with thinner crust. While the pizza at Don Camaleone wasn’t exactly what you’d find in Italy, this was probably my favorite that I had in Vitória. I saw burrata cheese on the menu here too, and couldn’t pass that up either!

2. Cafes

Urban Coffee Gourmet

Address: R. Neves Armond – Praia do Suá, Vitória – ES, 29052-280
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbancoffeegourmet/

This cozy little cafe in the Praia do Suá neighborhood is worth a visit if you’re passing through. They have great cappuccinos and cakes, and the owner, Erlan, is very friendly! This cafe is within walking distance of Restaurante Papaguth (mentioned above) and D’Belem – Doçaria Portugesa (mentioned below).

Café Teugrano

Address: R. Joaquim Lírio, 455 – Loja 1 – Praia do Canto, Vitória – ES, 29055-460
Website: https://cafeteugrano.com.br/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cafeteugrano
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafeteugrano/

This was my favorite cafe in Praia do Canto. They open early(-ish) and are conveniently located. They also have a large, semi-outdoor seating area at the entrance to a small shopping center.

The Teugrano menu is pretty standard, but one interesting thing you can try is their “orange coffee,” which is orange juice and coffee served together! I’ve seen this one other place here in Brazil but this is definitely a niche beverage. I actually do like it and find that the sweetness and bitterness sort of balance each other out! Would you be willing to try it?

Café Bamboo

Address: R. Afonso Cláudio, 254 – Praia do Canto, Vitória – ES, 29055-570
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cafebamboo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafebamboo

The artsy vibe of this cafe reminded me a bit of some of the local coffee shops in my home city of Seattle, which is one of the reasons I liked it! I stopped in one rainy morning for a Nutella latte, which was the perfect way to start the day. It’s only a block or two away from Teugrano, so be sure to check it out!

Odara Pão e Café

Address: R. Aleixo Netto, 834 – Praia do Canto, Vitória – ES, 29055-260
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odarapaoecafe

My Airbnb host recommended that I try Odara, and I’m glad she did because it was very good! I’m sure you could stop in for a quick coffee, but they also do a nice little brunch combo with eggs benedict, coffee, orange juice, and a tart for dessert.

3. Bakeries

D'Belem - Doçaria Portugesa

Address: R. Ferreira Coelho, 113 – Praia do Suá, Vitória – ES, 29052-210
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/docesalgadovitoriaes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/docaria_portuguesa

This is one of the places on the list that’s a little out of the way, but you should absolutely take an Uber over to the Praia do Suá part of town to visit this Portuguese bakery. Whenever I see pastel de nata (egg tarts) here in Brazil, I make sure to get my fill as they’re not super common here. What’s more, the owners of this small bakery are actually from Portugal, so it’s the real deal!

Empório Joaquim

Address: Rua Elesbão Linhares, 15, Shopping Day By Day, Lojas 01 e 02 – Praia do Canto, Vitória – ES, 29055-340
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emporiojoaquim/

Empório Joaquim is an interesting place because it’s both a small restaurant and a deli where you can buy wine, meat, cheese, and other items to go. I stopped here for a quick coffee and a salmon on brioche sandwich on my last morning in Vitória.

4. A Cool Brewery

Vikings Cervejaria

Address: R. João da Cruz, 322 – Praia do Canto, Vitória – ES, 29055-250
Website: https://www.goomer.app/vikings-beer-and-burger-vv/menu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VikingCervejaria
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vikingscervejaria

Last but not least on my list is a brewery! I don’t know about you guys, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I feel like my alcohol consumption has been a lot lower than in years prior. Furthermore, proper breweries don’t seem to be so common in Brazil, which is why I had to check this one out when I walked by it.

In addition to having good beer, one interesting thing about Vikings is that they have self-serve taps. You load credit onto a card, then swipe the card on whichever brew you want and pay per milliliter. It was an interesting experience for sure!

The only caveat with this is that you basically have to know how much you want to drink beforehand. I suspect that they wouldn’t issue a refund if you had a couple reais left on the card. I’m also not sure if you could hold onto the card and use it some days or weeks later, but hopefully it doesn’t expire overnight.

Curious about Vitória? Check out these other posts!

If you’re planning to visit Vitória, congratulations: you’re in for a real treat! To see some other recommendations besides food and drink, check out one of the blog posts below!

Have you tried any of the restaurants listed here? Do you have any questions? Leave a comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading, and bom apetite!

Share This Post With Fellow Travelers!
If you're heading to Vitória, you're in for a treat! The city has an amazing food and drink scene that you'll want to check out. Read this post to learn all about the best eateries! #vitória #espíritosanto #vitóriaes #vitóriaespíritosanto #vitoriabrazil #vitoriabrasil #vitoria #vitoriaes #vitoriaespiritosanto #visitespiritosanto #visitvitoria #visitvitoriabrazil #foodguides #foodandtravelguide #restaurantguides #visitbrazil #visitbrasil #brazil2021 #brasil2021 #braziltourism If you're heading to Vitória, you're in for a treat! The city has an amazing food and drink scene that you'll want to check out. Read this post to learn all about the best eateries! #vitória #espíritosanto #vitóriaes #vitóriaespíritosanto #vitoriabrazil #vitoriabrasil #vitoria #vitoriaes #vitoriaespiritosanto #visitespiritosanto #visitvitoria #visitvitoriabrazil #foodguides #foodandtravelguide #restaurantguides #visitbrazil #visitbrasil #brazil2021 #brasil2021 #braziltourism

This post was published on Feb 18, 2021

Hi, I’m Kevin! I’m a coffee addict from Seattle, and my life revolves around traveling! Caffeinated Excursions is a record of my trips over the past seven years. Since I started blogging, I’ve lived in Mexico, Vietnam, Brazil, and the US. I just moved to Australia and plan to be here a full year. Thanks for checking out my blog!

Upcoming Trips

  1. Bangkok (Sept)
  2. Istanbul (Sept)

Support the Blog!

The post The Best Restaurants, Bars, & Cafes in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

]]> https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/the-best-restaurants-bars-cafes-in-vitoria-espirito-santo-brazil/feed/ 11 14633 Should You Visit Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil? Yes, And Here’s Why. https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/should-you-visit-vitoria-espirito-santo-brazil-yes-and-heres-why/ https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/should-you-visit-vitoria-espirito-santo-brazil-yes-and-heres-why/#comments Wed, 17 Feb 2021 03:00:00 +0000 https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/?p=14578 Have you ever heard of the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo? If you haven’t, that’s okay; I didn’t know about it before coming to Brazil either, but I’m so glad I decided to check it out! The state’s capital, Vitória, should be on the bucket list of serious travelers who want to get to know Brazil beyond its tourist hotspots...

The post Should You Visit Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil? Yes, And Here’s Why. appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

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Should You Visit Vitória,
Espírito Santo, Brazil?
Yes, And Here’s Why.

Should You Visit Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil? Yes, And Here’s Why.

Published February 17, 2021

Have you ever heard of the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo? If you haven’t, that’s okay; I didn’t know about it before coming to Brazil, either! I also didn’t know I’d be visiting until about a month ago, but I’m so glad I decided to check it out!

Espírito Santo is surrounded by two massive states (Minas Gerais to the west and Bahia to the north), the Atlantic Ocean to the East, and Rio de Janeiro to the south. It’s no wonder that many travelers overlook ES since all three states mentioned are popular tourist destinations. However, the state’s capital, Vitória, should be on the bucket list of serious travelers who want to get to know Brazil beyond its tourist hotspots.

There are a surprising number of unique attractions in Vitória, a medium-sized metropolis that might seem nondescript before you start exploring. Keep reading to see what you shouldn’t miss on your visit to this mellow seaside city!

An Amazing Culinary Scene

This might come as a surprise, but the number one reason I recommend visiting Vitória is its impressive collection of restaurants and cafes. Small and medium-sized cities in Brazil tend to have good food but not a lot of variety. Luckily, Vitória has both! Most of the boutique eateries I recommend are in the Praia do Canto neighborhood. In fact, the food scene here was so good that I wrote a separate blog post specifically about that! Be sure to check it out by using the image link below!

Neighborhoods

Below are some brief introductions to four parts of the city that you might spend time in as a visitor.

Praia do Canto

My first impression of this upscale residential area was that it was very quiet without anything to do. It is indeed calm, but it’s also home to many of the city’s best restaurants and is about as centrally located as you can get. Foodies will want to explore each and every street with eyes peeled for dining establishments that look interesting.

Given that “praia” means beach, it shouldn’t be surprising that this neighborhood’s eastern edge is a small beach with a palm-lined promenade. To learn more about Vitória’s beaches, check out the section about them below.

Ilha do Frade

This small island is connected to the mainland by a short bridge. It’s one of the most unusual parts of the city because it’s probably the wealthiest neighborhood I’ve seen in Brazil so far. Some of the houses here are really over the top, with massive walls and security guard booths in front. It’s honestly surprising that this isn’t a gated community, but visitors are free to enter. It’s hard to feel welcome though due to dozens if not hundreds of massive signs everywhere reminding you that you’re being filmed for security reasons.

If you’re willing to walk to the far end of the island, you can check out Prainha do Meio (the only easily accessible beach here) as well as the small park in the middle of the island. Even if technically the other small beaches on Ilha do Frade are public, they really don’t feel like it. I wasn’t interested in being accused of trespassing onto private property, so I stuck to walking on the main roads.

Prainha do Meio

Unless you’re really curious about exploring the entire island, I would recommend crossing the Av. Des. Alfredo Cabral bridge (which offers great skyline views of the city) and visiting the first two beaches you encounter, Praia da Ilha do Frade and Praia dos Barcos. These are very clearly public beaches where you’ll almost certainly see other people relaxing.

View of Vitória from the Avenida Desembargador Alfredo Cabral bridge (looking south)
Praia da Ilha do Frade
Praia dos Barcos

Ilha do Boi

Despite its name, this area is actually not an island but a peninsula directly south of Ilha do Frade. It seems pretty residential and has a couple of small beaches, but there’s really not a lot to do here other than walk. The main beach here is Praia Grande on the peninsula’s northern side.

Enseada do Suá (Praça do Papa)

In this area, you can find a waterfront park called Praça do Papa (Pope’s Square) which is a large open plaza with views of the city of Vila Velha to the south across the Santa Maria da Vitória River.

Praça do Papa

Centro

Normally “Centro” in Portuguese refers to a town or city’s downtown, but in Vitória, Centro is actually not centrally located at all. It should probably be thought of more as a historic and government center than the business or commercial center, which is arguably in Praia do Canto. In any case, Centro is worth a visit if you have the time but not an absolute must-visit.

The most notable attraction here is the Palácio Anchieta, a fancy government building with a history going back to the 1500s. They actually offer tours to visitors, which is a good way to learn a little bit about the building as well as the city’s history.

Another thing to check out here is the Catedral Metropolitana de Vitória, a grand church with gothic spires.

Centro is home to a lot of other interesting architecture as well as Parque Moscoco and the Espírito Santo Museum of Art. However, in all honesty, the area feels a bit run-down. Centro also really clears out in the late afternoon. If you’re going to check it out, aim to visit in the morning or during lunch hour and keep a close eye on your personal belongings.

Parque Moscoco

Vila Velha

If you’re running short on time and have to choose between Centro and Vila Velha, go with the latter! Vila Velha is actually a different city that’s separated from Vitória by the Santa Maria da Vitória River. It’s a sprawling suburb, so I’ve put together a separate blog post about the four things you should do there, which is linked below! Plan to spend between one and two days in “VV” depending on how tight your schedule is.

This is perhaps the most iconic attraction in Vila Velha. Check out that post to learn what it is!

Beaches

Vitória has three main beaches that are near each other. It’s easy to walk along the coastline for an hour or two to see all three of them.

Praia do Canto

This beach is located in the neighborhood that shares the same name. It’s bounded on the north by a few small boat docks and on the south by the Av. Des. Alfredo Cabral bridge. It’s a pretty calm shoreline that only takes a few minutes to walk the length of.

Curva da Jurema

Locals seemed to prefer this beach over Praia do Canto, located a short distance south of the bridge to Ilha do Frade. It does seem like a slightly better place to relax or swim, and there are a cluster of kiosks selling snacks, drinks, and fast food.

Praia de Camburi

Camburi Beach is a long, yellow-sand beach with bluer waters than the two mentioned above. It runs along the eastern side of the Jardim da Penha and Mata da Praia neighborhoods in the north of the city. It’s nice to go for a walk along this beach, but there are fewer restaurants and businesses in this area.

A Final Note on Beaches

In all honesty, the beaches in Vitória are nice but not spectacular. In fact, I think the main beach in Vila Velha is a lot nicer than these three.

Praia Curva da Sereia in Vila Velha

Another famous beach destination in Espírito Santo is Guarapari, a smaller town about 60 kilometers south of the capital. I would’ve loved to check it out, but I didn’t have time. If you’ve been to Guarapari, leave a comment below and let me know how it was!

Tips

How long should you stay?

I spent two weeks in Vitória but was working remotely some mornings and evenings, and I got rained in for about three or four days of the trip. In other words, you definitely don’t need that long to see everything. If you’re going at a leisurely pace, five days would probably be good. If you’re really efficient, you could probably see most of what’s mentioned here in three days.

Where should you stay?

The city itself is not massive, so everything I recommend in this post is a short (twenty minute or less) Uber drive away from everything else. With that said, I really recommend finding accommodation in Praia do Canto. It’s the perfect area: close to the beach, safe, upscale, home to most of the city’s best restaurants, and centrally located.

Vitória may not look like the most exciting destination at first glance, but I suspect that it will grow in popularity this decade and beyond. That’s because it’s ideal for remote workers, digital nomads, and long-term travelers. I expect all of these trends to take off post-pandemic, and I think international travelers will come to love quieter, more local cities around the world just like this!

What do you think? Would you spend a week or so in Vitória? Have you been here before? Leave a comment and let me know! Thanks so much for reading, and see you next time!

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Most visitors to Brazil only see the country's biggest cities. But if you're interested in seeing a side of Brazil that few international tourists do, consider checking out Vitória! This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know! #vitória #vitoria #espíritosanto #espiritosanto #vitóriaespíritosanto #vitoriaespiritosanto #visitvitoria #visitespiritosanto #capixaba #turismocapixaba #vitoriaes #vitóriaes #visitbrazil #visitbrasil #brasil2021 #brazil2021 #caffeinatedexcursions Most visitors to Brazil only see the country's biggest cities. But if you're interested in seeing a side of Brazil that few international tourists do, consider checking out Vitória! This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know! #vitória #vitoria #espíritosanto #espiritosanto #vitóriaespíritosanto #vitoriaespiritosanto #visitvitoria #visitespiritosanto #capixaba #turismocapixaba #vitoriaes #vitóriaes #visitbrazil #visitbrasil #brasil2021 #brazil2021 #caffeinatedexcursions

This post was published on Feb 17, 2021

Hi, I’m Kevin! I’m a coffee addict from Seattle, and my life revolves around traveling! Caffeinated Excursions is a record of my trips over the past seven years. Since I started blogging, I’ve lived in Mexico, Vietnam, Brazil, and the US. I just moved to Australia and plan to be here a full year. Thanks for checking out my blog!

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