Its city beaches, forró music and nightlife, and long stretches of sand lined with barracas serving fresh seafood.
Discover Authentic Fortaleza: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
Most city guides are written by people who've never lived there. This one isn't. Recommended by the team at Mercure Fortaleza Meireles. The Fortaleza picks below are theirs — the spots they'd send a friend to, updated as the city changes. Use the interactive map to find your way, and check the FAQs for what guests ask us most.
Our map pins local favourites such as the Sabiaguaba dunes, Cocó State Park and the Dragão do Mar cultural centre, alongside our Mercure hotel.
Top 5 Things to Do in Fortaleza
Praia de Iracema
Fortaleza's most iconic urban beach, with a promenade of bars, restaurants and street art and the landmark Iracema statue for sunset photos. It has a bohemian, slightly worn-in charm — come in the late afternoon as the light turns gold over the water.
Mercado Central
A city landmark since 1809, spread over several floors and packed with lacework, hammocks, leather goods, cashews and artisanal cachaça. It's the place for souvenirs that are actually made in Ceará rather than imported filler.
Dragão do Mar Center of Art and Culture
A cultural complex housing a contemporary art museum, a planetarium and the Memorial da Cultura Cearense. It's a good rainy-day or midday option when the beach sun gets too much, and it gives real context to the region's folklore and art scene.
Avenida Beira-Mar
The coastal avenue that comes alive after dark — open-air kiosks, seafood restaurants and, on Thursday and Sunday nights, the Feirinha da Beira-Mar craft fair. Expect live forró music drifting between stalls and joggers weaving through it all.
Praia do Futuro
About 15 minutes from the center, this stretch of beach is known for its barracas — beach clubs serving grilled fish and cold beer right on the sand, many with live music. It's less about sightseeing and more about settling in for a few hours.
Explore Fortaleza's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in Fortaleza
We've mapped local spots around Fortaleza, from dune sunsets to the culture of Ceará.
Dunes & nature
Sabiaguaba Dunes
A few kilometres from the centre, the Sabiaguaba dunes are one of Fortaleza's best sunset spots. Climb the soft sand with a coconut water, try sandboarding and look out over the city and the Atlantic. Free entry.
Sabiaguaba · Dunes · Perfect for sunsets
Buggy tours from Cumbuco
From Cumbuco beach, 20 km northwest of Fortaleza, buggies race over the dunes to Banana Lagoon for a swim, past the kitesurfers on Cauípe Lagoon and on to Taíba Beach. Hold on tight.
Cumbuco, 20 km from Fortaleza · Buggy tour · Made for adventure
Cocó State Park
A conservation area on the Cocó River with forest trails, mangrove boat tours, picnic lawns, sports courts, a zipline and a playground.
Fortaleza · State park · Great for families
Culture
Centro Dragão do Mar de Arte e Cultura
A vast cultural complex with a cinema, theatre, museum, library, planetarium, cafés and a rooftop. Check what's on – exhibitions and live music fill the week.
Praia de Iracema · Cultural centre · Perfect for culture
Casa José de Alencar
The tiny childhood house of 19th-century novelist José de Alencar, now a cultural centre with exhibitions, the ruins of Ceará's first steam mill and music at weekends.
Fortaleza · Cultural centre · Ideal for history
Museum of Image and Sound of Ceará
A small, free museum telling the story of media in Ceará through rare recordings, photos and vintage equipment. Hands-on exhibits for every age.
Fortaleza · Museum, free entry · Great for families
Food & markets
Restaurante Maria Chica
A farmhouse-style buffet of northeastern cooking, starring baião de dois.
Restaurant · Perfect for regional food
Centro das Tapioqueiras
Twenty-six stalls, more than 60 fillings, one star: tapioca pancakes, served daily from 6am to 11pm. Sweet or savoury?
Snack stalls · Ideal for brunch
Incantori
Food and 'potions' inspired by myth and magic, served by staff in costume. Kids love it.
Themed restaurant · Great for families
Mercado dos Peixes
Pick your fish, lobster or shrimp at this beachfront market, then have it cooked at a restaurant next door. Fresh doesn't get fresher.
Mucuripe · Seafood market · Made for seafood lovers
Feirinha da Beira Mar
More than 700 beachside stalls of crafts, jewellery, beachwear and souvenirs. Take an evening stroll and browse.
Beira Mar · Craft market · Perfect for souvenirs
FAQ
Praia de Iracema is central and best for sunset and nightlife on the promenade; Praia do Futuro, about 15 minutes away, is better for a full day at a beach club with food and music.
Grilled fish, shrimp dishes, and tapioca — a manioc-flour staple of northeastern Brazilian cuisine sold from stalls all over the city.
Climb the Sabiaguaba dunes, a few kilometres from the centre, for views over the city and the Atlantic. Entry is free.
Take a buggy tour from Cumbuco beach, 20 km away, across the dunes to Banana Lagoon and Taíba Beach.
The Dragão do Mar cultural centre, the house of José de Alencar and the free Museum of Image and Sound of Ceará.
Where to Sleep in Fortaleza
This Mercure hotel appears on our map:
- Mercure Fortaleza Meireles