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Traveller Information

City and Region Getting there Attractions  Cuisine

The City of Vitória 

Located in the southeast of Brazil and surrounded by small islands, the coastal city of Vitoria was officially founded in 1551, making it the third-oldest city in the country. Today the capital of Espirito Santo, it is known as "Cradle City", due to its beauty and location at the point where two rivers meet. This island-city has one of the busiest ports in the country, and most of the produce of Espirito Santo and its neighboring states passes through here.

With an abundance of gardens, parks, mangroves, and protected areas, Vitoria is widely regarded as the greenest city in the state. It is also blessed with stunning beaches, such as Camburi, Canto, and Curva da Jurema, as well as Frade Island and Praia da Castanheira, where the chestnut and palm trees provide shade from the hot sun.

Getting There 

Access to the state is by air, sea, road or ferry. The main roads are the BR 101 which connects the South and Northeast of Brazil with the metropolitan area of Vitoria; the BR 262, connecting the Middle West to Vitória; and Rodovia do Sol (Sun Road), ES 060, which connects the regional sea side.

The main entry way is the Vitória Airport. The Ferry Way Vitória-Minas (EFVM) also transports passengers between Belo Horizonte and the cities in the East of Minas Gerais to the metropolitan area of Vitória.

Sea access is by small boat, international freighters and especially the cruise ships  that lay over at  Vitória Harbor during the high tourism season.

Attractions 

The city of Vitoria offers a wide variety of attractions. Visitors can enjoy its gorgeous beaches, ride a bike along the coast, savor the local food and unwind underneath a palapa at the beach while looking out over the ocean. The best options for a night out in Vitoria are the famous “Bermuda Triangle” area and the "Rua da Lama" in the Jardim da Penha district, filled with bars and restaurants.

Beaches 

Don't miss out on the beautiful beaches along Vitória's coastline. Praia do Canto is especially ideal for a walk, a run or a bike ride. This beach hosts the Oceanic Fishing World Championship every year, right next to the Espírito Santo Yacht Club. The gorgeous Ilha do Boi Beach resembles a natural swimming pool. Its peaceful location surrounded by a hill and stately mansions makes it a popular beach among locals and tourists. Ilha do Boi Beach is the perfect spot to watch the sunrise, with a great view of nearby islands. The most famous beach is the four-mile-long Camburi Beach, where you can take part in a huge variety of both cultural and sport activities, which are promoted and supported by the city government. On the beach, you'll find many hotels, bars and restaurants serving both international cuisine and traditional local dishes such as the "Torta Capixaba" (a local savory pie made with seafood) and the famous "Moqueca" (a seafood stew).

Cidade Alta, 'High City' 

In the Cidade Alta district, you'll come across the Metropolitan Cathedral. Its interior is illuminated by beautiful stained-glass windows; a basement chapel  holds the tombs of local bishops. Cidade Alta is also home to many architectural masterpieces dating back to the 16th century. They highlight both the character and beauty of this amazing city.

Frade Island 

Frade Island is connected to Vitória by the Ponte do Camelo (Camel Bridge). This island is known for its small, intimate beaches and luxurious houses. The most well-known beach here is Praia da Castanheira (Chestnut Beach), a gorgeous spot hidden amongst the island's rocks and trees. This beautiful, almost unspoilt beach is surrounded by chestnut trees, which provide visitors with welcome shade. It is ideal for families, with natural pools formed along the rocks where children can play, and the calm sea is perfect for swimming and snorkeling

Architectural Gems 

The city of Vitória offers many fascinating buildings to explore, such as the Solar Monjardim, the former residence of the Baron of Monjardim. It is a beautiful example of 18th century local rural architecture in the Jucutuquara District. The Capela de Santa Luzia (Saint Lucia Chapel) is the oldest building in the city, built even before Vitória was officially founded. Today, it is considered part of Brazil's national heritage and has been converted into an art gallery and research center for Espírito Santo University. The Anchieta Palace, built in the 16th century, is now the administrative centre of the state government in the Cidade Alta area. Up until 1760 it was the home of Saint James College, which was run by Jesuits. The tomb of the Jesuit missionary Saint Jose de Anchieta is located in this beautiful building. The Carlos Gomes Theater is also worth mentioning, built in 1927 in Costa Pereira Square in downtown Vitória.

Vale Museum

The Vale Museum, located in the city's old train station, is home to a 330-foot-long model train line, with scale models of trains threading their way through the mountains and the jungle. If you like the model, then you should try the real-life route by taking the train from Vitória to the city of Cariacica, or to Belo Horizonte.

Garoto Chocolate Factory

One Vitoria attraction that can't be missed is the Garoto Chocolate Factory, founded by a German immigrant in 1929. The guided tour is an hour long, and will show you how the chocolates are made and packaged, , which are very famous in Brazil. The best part is that you can try everything for free! You can also visit the Garoto Museum, displaying the machines and products that tell the story behind this magical factory.

Associacao das Paneleiras de Goiabeiras (Goiabeiras Pottery Co-op)

Located in the Goiabeiras neighborhood, this company has been creating traditional native pottery for over 400 years. They even sell beautiful pots which are certified by City Hall. These pots make great gifts or souvenirs from your trip to Vitoria. The art of pottery making has been an important craft for Indian communities for centuries, and has been passed down from generation to generation.

Morro do Moreno (Moreno’s Hill)

The Moreno’s Hill is located in Vitoria’s neighboring city, Vila Velha. The hill is 274 meters high, and it has fishing spots, free flight ramp, mineral water headspring, natural lookouts filled with virgin flora. It has three hiking ways: two facing the Third Bridge and one facing the Praia da Costa. Fringed by some of the remaining vegetation of the Atlantic forest, where many people go to take pictures, hike or make picnics.

Convento da Penha (Penha’s Monastery)

The Penha’s Monastery is one of the oldest religious santuaries in Brazil, located in the neighboring city of Vila Velha. It lays on the top of a clif, at 154 meters high, being one of the most ancient churches in the state, whose work advanced slowly and began around 1558, by order of Fr. Pedro Palácios. The place has a beautiful vies of Vitoria’s coast side, as of Vila Velha’s city.

Gastronomy and Typial Cuisine

The traditional local cuisine in Vitória features a rich combination of Brazilian recipes and fresh seafood, primarily incorporating regional fish and locally grown natural ingredients for incomparable flavor. When a typical Vitória meal is brought to your table, you will be tempted by its mouth-watering aromas. Here, you'll also find cuisine from all over Brazil and across the world, offering a wide variety of dining options for every traveler.

Moqueca and Torta Capixaba

The most popular dishes in Vitoria are Moqueca and Torta Capixaba, both prepared in a traditional clay pot using a process that many local cooks have mastered to perfection. Moqueca uses a variety of fish along with cilantro, chives, tomato, lime, oil and pepper. All the ingredients are cooked together in a clay pot, resulting in a delicious stew. On the other hand, Torta Capixaba is prepared with various seafood ingredients like shrimp, oysters, mussels and cod. This recipe is particularly popular during Holy Week celebrations.