The best areas to stay in Florianópolis
Choose your area first and your accommodation second. Lagoa, the east coast beaches, the city and the north beaches each give you a very different trip, and the distances between them are bigger than the map suggests.
Lagoa da Conceição
Best for digital nomads and nightlifeThe lagoon-side neighbourhood in the middle of the island and the heart of Floripa's nomad scene, with the best run of restaurants, bars and cafes to work from, plus coworking spaces and a steady international crowd. Not on the sea, but Praia Mole, Joaquina and Barra da Lagoa are 10 to 15 minutes away by bus or car.
Campeche
Best for a relaxed beach baseA long, wide beach on the south-east coast with good surf, a laid-back village feel and a growing cafe and restaurant scene along the main street. Quieter and more residential than Lagoa, popular with families and surfers, and about 15 minutes from the airport.
Barra da Lagoa
Best for surf and a village feelA former fishing village where the lagoon meets the sea, with a sheltered beach, a surf school on every corner and a walk along the canal to natural pools. Guesthouses and studios rather than hotels, a short bus ride from Lagoa, and still peaceful at night.
Centro and Beira-Mar Norte
Best for city hotels and business tripsThe city proper on the west side of the island, with the waterfront Avenida Beira-Mar Norte, the historic centre, the bridges to the mainland and most of the bigger hotels and offices. Handy for the bus terminal and shopping, with a long promenade for running and cycling, but you will drive or bus to every beach.
Jurerê and the north
Best for upmarket beach holidaysThe northern beaches of Jurerê Internacional, Canasvieiras and Ingleses have calm, warm water and the island's most upmarket resorts, beach clubs and holiday rentals. Lively and expensive in summer, very quiet out of season, and 40 minutes or more from Lagoa and the airport.
Our 6 recommended places to stay in Florianópolis
Booking sites list hundreds of options across the island. These are the six we would look at first, chosen across budgets and areas, with two social hostels, a quiet studio, a garden hotel, a city design hotel and a historic boutique hotel.
Budget pickHostel · Campeche
Graffi Beach House
A beachfront hostel right on Campeche beach, with the sea in front of the terrace, a restaurant and bar, film nights and live music. The staff are warm and helpful, the kitchen and common area are kept properly clean, and you fall asleep to the waves.
- Right on Campeche beach with sea views from the terrace
- Restaurant, bar, film nights and live music
- Best for solo travellers and groups who want a social beach stay
Budget pickHostel · Lagoa da Conceição
Tucano House
One of the island's best-known social hostels, with family dinners every night, daily activities, a garden bar and a pool. Friendly staff, clean and spacious bathrooms and comfortable beds, a short walk from the bars and restaurants of Lagoa.
- Family dinners every night and a garden bar
- Pool, daily activities and a very sociable crowd
- Best for solo travellers and groups of friends who want to meet people
Mid-range pickApartment · Barra da Lagoa
Studio Mar
A spotless 30 square metre studio that feels brand new, with its own entrance, a small garden, a balcony and a fully equipped kitchen down to the spices. It sits in a quiet corner close to the beaches and viewpoints, with free parking and very attentive hosts.
- Private entrance, garden, balcony and a fully equipped kitchen
- Quiet spot close to the beaches, with free parking
- Best for couples and small groups of friends who want a calm, homely base
Mid-range pickHotel · Campeche
Hotel Natur Campeche
A tropical garden oasis about 15 minutes' walk from Campeche beach, with a pool and hot tub, modern well-equipped rooms with strong air conditioning, and a buffet breakfast guests rave about. Free parking, an airport shuttle, and restaurants and shops on the same street.
- Garden, pool and hot tub, 15 minutes' walk from the beach
- Excellent buffet breakfast, free parking and an airport shuttle
- Best for couples and families who want a calm, comfortable stay
Premium pickHotel · Beira-Mar Norte
LK Design Hotel Florianópolis
A modern design hotel on Avenida Beira-Mar Norte, the waterfront avenue in the city, with a rooftop infinity pool, spa and gym. The breakfast is exceptional, the staff are very friendly and the concierge team goes out of its way to help. Free beach towels and bikes.
- Rooftop infinity pool, spa and gym on the waterfront avenue
- Exceptional breakfast and a concierge team that goes the extra mile
- Best for couples and solo travellers who want a premium city stay
Premium pickBoutique hotel · Lagoa da Conceição
Hotel Boutique Quinta das Videiras
A charming 19th-century Portuguese-style house with frescoes, stained glass and a garden, two heated pools, a spa and a hot tub. Egyptian cotton linen, attentive personal service and an excellent a la carte breakfast, two blocks from the bars and restaurants of the Lagoa boulevard.
- Two heated pools, a spa and a hot tub in a historic house
- Attentive personal service and an a la carte breakfast
- Best for couples and solo travellers who want a premium, pampered stay
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Getting to and around Florianópolis
Hercílio Luz airport sits in the south of the island, with direct flights from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago and other South American cities; from Europe you connect through São Paulo. From the airport, Campeche is about 15 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing app, Lagoa da Conceição and the centre 25 to 30 minutes, and the north beaches around 45 minutes. Long-distance buses from Curitiba, Porto Alegre and São Paulo arrive at the Rita Maria terminal in the centre.
Getting around is the one thing to plan. The island is roughly 55 kilometres long, local buses are cheap but slow, and ride-hailing apps are reliable and reasonably priced for shorter hops. A hire car pays for itself if you want to explore the beaches or stay in the north, and most of our picks have free parking. Lagoa, Barra da Lagoa and Praia Mole are close enough to one another to manage by bus and bike.
To stay connected, see our guides to the best eSIMs for Brazil and the best travel insurance for Brazil, and for where to open the laptop, our list of cafes and coworking spaces in Florianópolis.
Still deciding?
Summer dates on the island sell out early. Check availability for our top budget pick, Graffi Beach House, on Booking.com.
Check availability on Booking.com
