Fortaleza offers a range of points of interest to help you plan your trip: urban heritage, markets, coastline and local food culture. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can start by deciding which of these aspects matters most to you. The places and themes below show the many ways to shape your stay.

Culture and History in Fortaleza

The Theatro José de Alencar is protected as a national heritage site by Iphan and has six performance spaces. Passeio Público is also part of the city’s historical and cultural heritage and is considered Fortaleza’s oldest square. Mercado dos Pinhões has both an architectural and a legal designation: it is an example of iron architecture in Ceará and was protected as a heritage site by Municipal Decree No. 11.962 of January 11, 2006.

Centro Dragão do Mar de Arte e Cultura includes a planetarium, a theater, a cinema, a studio and museums with a range of exhibitions. Memorial do Paço presents the artistic, political and geographical history of Fortaleza and the state of Ceará. It is located in Paço Municipal in the Centro district. Museu do Bode Ioiô tells a city story all its own: its subject is the famous goat that was elected to Fortaleza’s city council in 1922. In 2024, the museum was relocated to the basement of Casa do Turista in Mercado Central. If you plan to visit the museum, check its current visitor status beforehand.

Markets, Crafts and Local Cuisine

Mercado Central is considered Brazil’s largest handicrafts market. There you’ll find regional products, crafts and typical local cuisine. Ramps, elevators and stairs are available to visitors on every floor. Feirinha da Beira-Mar is one of Fortaleza’s major tourist attractions. Its stalls sell handicrafts, clothing, accessories, paintings, crochet and lacework, as well as local products. The two markets offer different experiences: Mercado Central includes food and regional goods, while Feirinha offers a wide selection of crafts and other items for sale.

Quinta do Caranguejo is also a specific culinary point of reference: the tradition is for several restaurants in Fortaleza to serve caranguejada on Thursdays. Which restaurants take part may change. So check where the dish is currently available before your visit.

Coastline and Outdoor Activities

At Praia do Futuro, beach bars are part of the visitor facilities; there are also schools and nongovernmental organizations for water sports. A zone identified in 2023 as having potential for sustainable tourism development covers a section of Praia do Futuro. At Praia de Iracema, the promenade offers views of the sea and the fishermen’s jangadas. Ponte dos Ingleses, also known as Ponte Metálica, was inaugurated in 1921. Over the years, it became one of the capital’s most visited tourist spots and a popular place to watch the sunset.

If you’d like to include a park in your plans instead of the beach and promenade, Parque Rachel de Queiroz has a walking path and a two-way cycle path. These different locations give you several ways to shape your stay, from coastal views and water sports to paths through the park.

Getting There and Planning

The VLT airport branch connects Mucuripe with Pinto Martins International Airport. The opening of the branch was reported in February 2026. If you plan to use the connection for your journey, check the timetable before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Nova Russas, Barroquinha, Aracoiaba, Jaguaribe, Graça, Pacajus, Amontada, Mauriti

For the broader travel overview: Ceará.