Discover the lesser-known cities of Brazil: from Paraty to Gramado

Brazil is one of the most visited countries in South America, but despite its large size, tourists often focus exclusively on the two cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Although these cities both deserve attention with their beautiful and diverse attractions, there are countless cities throughout Brazil that can make a different trip to Brazil for you with their pristine nature and unique sights. The largest country in South America has more than 4,000 miles of coastline that includes dozens of national parks and lesser-known places. Here we introduce the lesser known cities of Brazil.

Paraty (Paraty); One of the lesser known cities of Brazil

Paraty is a small city in Brazil that is surrounded by green mountains and a very beautiful emerald sea. In addition to its pristine nature, Paraty has many attractions and entertainment to offer to tourists.

Although this city is small, its white houses, cobbled streets and incredible nature make it a unique place to visit in Brazil. Paraty, along with a beautiful and captivating appearance, has a rather sad past.

Settled in the state of Rio de Janeiro in the 17th century, the city was Portugal‘s safe harbor for the export of gold mined by African slaves from Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, and experienced an economic boom in the 18th century.

Paraty, Ouro Perto and several other cities formed the royal road through which precious stones and gold were sent to Rio de Janeiro and Portugal. Currently, this royal road is still available and you can see its route. But in the 1920s, the economic crisis brought Paraty down and this city entered its darkest days. After a few decades, Paraty has revived and returned to the economic cycle of Brazil. Today, this city is considered as one of the most beautiful, lesser-known cities in Brazil, with its beautiful nature and white houses left over from the colonial period, and welcomes tourists from all over the world. So, if you plan to visit the Amazon forests and Brazilian wildlife, make sure to plan a trip to Paraty.

Culture, nature and local food! They will make your stay in Paraty, Brazil enjoyable. On the cultural front, the city has historic buildings, churches as well as unique festivals throughout the year.

In terms of nature, this city boasts of waterfalls, mountains, forests, beaches and the world’s only tropical fjords, and for food, you can find some of the most delicious Brazilian food and drinks in its restaurants.

Gramado (Gramado); Known as the Switzerland of Brazil

Gramado is a mountain resort town in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil. Heavily influenced by 19th-century German immigrants, this town exudes a Bavarian feel with its alpine huts, chocolate shops and craft shops. Gramado is also known for its Christmas light display and hydrangeas in the spring. In this city, you can experience Lago Negro, rent boats and hike in the forest, and if you are into nature, go hiking or climbing to the Serra Gaucha mountains.

Although Gramado isn’t as glamorous as Ipanema or the Amazon jungle, this small mountain resort that locals call the “Europe of Brazil” is one of Brazil’s most beautiful and lesser-known cities. Gramado actually feels like a mountain village in Switzerland. Avant-garde glass boutiques selling delicious chocolates, restaurants serving local Brazilian cuisine and specializing in fondue, and hotels decorated like Swiss chalets capture the beauty of Gramado. This chocolate fantasy land has a pleasant atmosphere and is known as a small piece of paradise in Brazil with the standard of living.

The village of Santa Claus, the dream house of Hollywood cars, the Harley car exhibition, the chocolate house, and the Gramado sensory garden are some of the most famous tourist attractions of this city.

João Pessoa, Paraiba; One of the lesser known cities of Brazil

Northeast Brazil is home to many of Brazil’s lesser-known beaches, and João Pessoa is one of the most pristine beaches in the region. This city is located in the easternmost point of the Americas, which means that it is the first place in Brazil where you can see the sunrise at 5 am. Also, during low tide, you can dive in several natural swimming pools that are formed around coral reefs.

In addition to its pristine nature, João Pessoa is one of Brazil’s lesser-known cities known for its beautiful sunsets. Tourists can sit on Jacaré Beach and watch the stunning sunset while listening to Ravel’s “Bolero”. Interestingly, every day a musician plays the song while sitting on a boat with the sun setting behind him. Or if you’re looking for a quieter option, head to the Globo Hotel and watch the sun set over the Sanhua River.

Curitiba; One of the lesser known cities of Brazil

One of the lesser-known cities in Brazil that has many attractions is Curritiba. There is so much to do in Curitiba, the capital of Paraná! If you think that this metropolis is only surrounded by buildings and cars, you are completely wrong.

Everywhere in Curitiba is green and there are several parks and natural places. The gardens are meticulously maintained and locals consider them the treasure of their city. Curitiba is known as a model city, and anyone who visits it is surprised by the cleanliness and orderliness that goes on in it. This city is a little more than 400 km away from São Paulo and it takes about 6 hours to get there by car.

Many factors influence Curitiba’s climate, but overall Curitiba is the coldest capital in Brazil, with well-defined seasons and an average summer temperature of around 21°C.

Curitiba’s attractions include the Botanical Garden, Opera House, Oscar Niemeyer Museum, Bosque do Papa, Santa Felicidad neighborhood, Panorama Tower, and Bosque Alamo Park.

Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná; Home to one of the largest waterfalls in the world

Foz do Iguaçu, a city in the Brazilian state of Paraná, is the main base for visiting the famous Iguaçu Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world. This waterfall, which is 2.7 kilometers long and is located on the border with Argentina, contains hundreds of waterfalls, including the 80-meter Devil’s Throat. Riding in rubber boats is a popular way to see the waterfall.

Iguazu Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world, located on the border between Brazil and Argentina. The city of Foz do Iguaçu hosts this unique waterfall in Brazil. Those travelers who choose to visit the falls on the Brazilian side can stay in Foz do Iguaçu and even book accommodations directly overlooking the falls. Resting here for a few days will give you the chance to see different angles of the falls and visit other parks in the city, including the Bird Park, one of the largest parks in Latin America. Although most tourists are satisfied with a one-day trip to Fozdwaiguasu, some prefer to stay in this city for 2-3 days and visit other attractions of the city in addition to the waterfall.

Read more: Introducing the attractions of Iguazu, Brazil

Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco; From the beautiful islands of Brazil

During the Brazilian dictatorship (1964-1985), the Fernando de Noronha archipelago was used as a prison for political prisoners due to its remote location. But decades later, this island with its beautiful beaches became the most pristine beaches in the world to spend a dream vacation. The coastline of this area is never crowded, cruises are prohibited and flights to the island are limited. Fernando de Noronha is one of the lesser-known cities in Brazil because of its amazing underwater world, its name has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is a popular destination among professional divers.

Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte (Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte); The most pristine beach village in Brazil

Many tourists who visit Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, often dedicate their trip to Pipa, a lively coastal village that really deserves praise and captivates tourists. There are so many attractions in this village that you can even dedicate 3 whole days to stay and explore it. Much of the village’s entertainment revolves around the beaches, where you can go surfing, watch dolphins jump from the water, or drink caipirina. Pipa also has impressive cliffs overlooking the ocean, a great place to see the full moon at night.

Marajó Island, Pará (Ilha do Marajó, Pará); Buffalo Island

Located in the state of Pará, Marajo is one of Brazil’s lesser-known cities that can be reached by boat due to its location. But this island is so beautiful and pristine that it is worth a 3-hour boat ride on the sea! Marajo is one of the largest river islands in the world, meaning it is surrounded on one side by the Amazon and Tocantins rivers and on the other by the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the weather conditions, it is possible to visit the island all year round, and another positive point is that it presents a completely different view in each season. Marajó is also famous for its large buffalo herds that blend in perfectly with the scenery.

Read more: Introducing the tourist attractions of Sao Paulo – Brazil

Balneario Camboriu, Santa Catarina; From the coastal destinations of Brazil

The most beautiful Brazilian beaches can be found in the south of the country, and Balneario Cambiriu in Santa Catarina has the title of the most pristine beach in the region. Although this city is on the list of lesser-known cities in Brazil, it is very popular among South American tourists. Residents of South American countries can easily drive to Santa Catarina from Argentina or Uruguay. Varied recreations, water sports and Camborio parks are among the most popular attractions of this coastal city. Santa Catarina is also a great destination for New Year’s Eve, which lasts all night and only ends at sunrise the next day.

final word

If you plan to travel to Brazil, don’t limit yourself to the two cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo! Because this country has many pristine places that have been able to attract the attention of tourists in recent years. Brazil’s lesser-known cities, with lush forests, stunning beaches and a peaceful atmosphere, offer a completely different trip to tourists. The last point is that in order to book a tour of Brazil and enjoy the pure sights of this country, you can contact our colleagues in the foreign tours department.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most famous tourist cities in Brazil?

The 4 cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and Fortaleza are among the most famous tourist cities in Brazil. But if you want to experience a different trip, you can visit the lesser known cities of Brazil.

What are the best cities to live in Brazil?

São Paulo as the financial and business center of Brazil, Fortaleza as a city with affordable costs, Natal, Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba are some of the best Brazilian cities to live in.

What is the most developed city in Brazil?

In 2022, Curitiba was recognized as the leading smart city in Brazil with a score of 38.57. Florianopolis came in second place that year with 37.93 points. Meanwhile, Brazil’s most populous city, São Paulo, ranked third with a score of 36.88.