Last updated on December 19, 2023.

I wasn’t too impressed with Fortaleza, the fifth largest city in Brazil. It’s very modern, doesn’t have much to see, but it has beautiful urban beaches. The fact it has beaches doesn’t exactly warrant a visit to this city in the northeast. Also, the humidity was terrible, at least for me. It didn’t bother my friend Mike at all.

 

Meireles

The beachfront promenade along Avenida Beira Mar at Meireles Beach (Praia de Meireles) was my favorite thing about Fortaleza. It goes on for several blocks and has a lot of small restaurants and snack stands along the way. You’ll even find locals selling crafts and souvenirs.

Meireles, Fortaleza, Brazil
Meireles
Meireles, Fortaleza, Brazil
Meireles

The beach is nice and many people were swimming, but it was recommended not to swim there because of pollution. Futuro Beach (Praia do Futuro), to the east of the city, is supposedly the best beach for swimming.

Praia de Meireles in Fortaleza, Brazil
Meireles Beach
Praia de Meireles in Fortaleza, Brazil
Meireles Beach

 

Mercado Central

Fortaleza’s sights are few and unimpressive. The most interesting thing I saw was the street market at Mercado Central. All kinds of goods were strewn along the streets for a few blocks. It was fun to watch the locals haggling with each other.

Mercado Central in Fortaleza, Brazil
Mercado Central

Across the street from the market is the Fortress of Our Lady of Assumption (Fortaleza Nossa Senhora de Assunção). It’s an active military base. Interestingly, it was built by the Dutch in 1649 as Fort Schoonenborch and captured by the Portuguese just a few years later in 1654. Also near the market is the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana).

Forte Nossa Senhora de Assunção in Fortaleza, Brazil
Fortress of Our Lady of Assumption
Catedral Metropolitana in Fortaleza, Brazil
Metropolitan Cathedral

 

Martyrs’ Square

To the west of the fort there is a nice, shady park, Martyrs’ Square (Praça dos Mártires). Laid out in 1890, it has a couple fountains in disrepair, but I enjoyed relaxing on a bench under the trees for a good 20 minutes. Next to the park is a refurbished colonial hospital, Santa Casa da Misericordia.

Praça dos Martires in Fortaleza, Brazil
Martyrs’ Square
Santa Casa de Misericordia in Fortaleza, Brazil
Santa Casa de Misericordia

 

Centro de Turismo

Further down from the hospital is the Centro de Turismo. This large red building complex was formerly a prison, but now holds small craft shops in the cells.

Centro de Turismo in Fortaleza, Brazil
Centro de Turismo

 

Ferreira Square

A few blocks south from all of those places is Ferreira Square (Praça do Ferreira). It’s an important square surrounded by a few colonial buildings and connected with several streets full of shops.

Praça do Ferreira in Fortaleza, Brazil
Ferreira Square
Praça do Ferreira in Fortaleza, Brazil
Ferreira Square

 

Theatro José de Alencar

Perhaps the most important landmark in Fortaleza other than the fort is Theatro José de Alencar. It is a beautiful theatre that opened in 1910. It was undergoing restoration during our visit.

Theatro José de Alencar in Fortaleza, Brazil
Theatro José de Alencar

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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