SANTOS (SAO PAULO)

Santos is a coastal city in Brazil with a population of roughly 435,000 people. It’s a popular destination for beach-goers, and it’s also Brazil’s busiest international shipping port.

There are two main beaches on the southern side of the island: Praia do Jose Menino and Praia do Embare. Enjoy walking along the soft sand, or take a stroll along the Santos Oceanfront Gardens—a 3 mi/5km tree lined walkway running parallel to the shoreline. Other sites to see along the beach include the Basilica of Saint Anthony and the Santos Municipal Aquarium. This area of Santos is also teeming with shopping and dining opportunities, which are perfect for a leisurely day.

The centro district, commonly referred to as Old Town, is 1.5mi/2.4km north of the beaches. Here you will find Santos’s most historic and important buildings. The Bonde Tourist Tram is a popular way to see Old Town in its entirety. This 1920s tram does a full loop of the city, and is one of the oldest street railways in the world. For a different perspective, take a trip up to the top of Monte Serrat for sweeping city views and the chance to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Serrat. You can take a cable car to the top or climb up the 415 stairs. Afterwards, get your caffeine fix at The Coffee Museum. Here, you can learn all about the important crop and taste some of Brazil’s most popular brews.

Another key drawcard of Santos is the fact that it’s the birthplace of Pelé, one of the most famous and accomplished football (soccer) players of all time. He led the Brazilian National Football team to 5 world cup victories, and you’ll see murals and memorabilia of him across the city. To learn more about this football superstar, pay a visit to the Pelé Museum in Old Town or head to Urbano Caldeira Stadium, which is home to the Santos Football Club Museum.

 Note: Santos also serves as a gateway to Sao Paulo. However, it is 55mi/88km away from the port, and the journey can take 2 hours each way. Visiting may be possible, but it will depend on how long you’re in port and the time of year.