In which quarter house in Fortaleza?

Are you leaving for the northern coast of Brazil and the state of Ceará? Discover the neighbourhoods where to stay in Fortaleza, the city of Light.

Nicknamed “City of Light” due to its 2,800 hours of sun per year, Fortaleza, the 5th city of Brazil, has a dreamt tropical climate and 34 kilometers of splendid sandy beaches in the immediate vicinity of the center. The city is located in the northeast of Brazil, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, and has a population of 2.6 million inhabitants. World famous for its dunes landscapes, beaches and the Bahia carnival, Fortaleza enjoys a buzz of noctambules that come to celebrate all year round. Between the low houses in the city centre and the skyscrapers catering the clouds in the edge of the ocean, two souls express themselves: tradition, which inexorably and progressively collapses in front of the uttered modernity that replaces the traditional house with concrete coastline. Nevertheless, Fortaleza has many advantages: its climate, its cultural and musical heritage (the Forro), its long golden beaches, its historical monuments.

Between the neighbourhoods of the centre, the coastline, the business district, residential areas and the outskirts, there are a multitude of different atmospheres. Accommodation in Fortaleza will cost as much as in Portugal or in a French region outside Île-de-France. This is our presentation of the neighborhoods where to stay.

Centro

The city centre of Fortaleza – the "sunny" – is very likely to seduce both the barouders and lovers of relaxation and thirsty noctambules. The city centre of Fortaleza stretches from the Pont des Anglais on the beach on Antonio Pompeu Street, which serves as a border with the José Bonifacio district. Numerous museums, places and theatres will seduce architecture and culture enthusiasts (Ceara Museum, Culture Museum, Digital Culture Museum, José de Alencar Theatre, Capistrano Square in Abreu). To stroll around, go to some parks in the neighborhood: Parque das Crianças, Praça dos Martires. Don't miss the crowded evenings of Monday night – a must-see tradition – at the Pirata Bar, near the Pont des Anglais. The beach of Iracema is very popular.

To Praça do Ferreira and Praça Clóvis Beviláqua, there is the Gothic Cathedral of the city: Igreja da Sé. The center is a labyrinth where everything is intertwined: the shops where to go shopping, the bars where to go out in the day and evening, or the Centro Dragão do Mar (two museums, cinema and theatre rooms, a library and a planetarium, where many Brazilians go). However, target other neighbourhoods than the center if you are looking for calm, especially since the offer of accommodation to stay in Fortaleza will be more substantial.

Meireles

In the east of the centre, Meireles is a very busy area, with feet in the water and presenting the advantage of concentrating many hotels along the avenue da Abolição. At the Avenida Beira Mar, the beach of Meireles attracts many parties loving to enjoy tropical evenings feet in the sand.

Praia do Futuro

Long sandy bench located east of Fortaleza, the beach of the future and its huge waves make it a popular spot to make kite surf and surf. The district is therefore very appreciated by the Brazilians. Many restaurants, bars and hotels are on the coast, especially between Avenida Clovis Arrais Maia and the long Avenida Dioguinho. Staying in Praia do Futuro I and II is an excellent choice if you like both beach, water activities and partying.

Main photo credit: Flickr – # Jorge Brazilian #