In Fundão, waterfalls, cultural history, road routes and coastal spots are among the municipality’s varied attractions. When looking for a holiday apartment, start by asking yourself: Do you want nature to shape your stay, are you especially interested in the history of the town centre and its districts, or are you drawn to the water at Praia Grande and along the Rio Reis Magos? Local destinations offer different focal points, without prescribing a set itinerary.
Road route and directions
The Rota das Orquídeas is a 13-kilometre paved road. It passes through Três Barras, Duas Bocas and the Beira Rio neighbourhood in the municipal seat, and leads to Parque Municipal do Goiapaba-Açu. The BR-101 is especially important for road connections to Fundão; it links the municipality with the north and south of the state of Espírito Santo. There is also a cluster of stalls along the BR-101 selling local tangerines and tangerines from the interior. Tourists often call it “Shopping das Mexericas.”
Waterfalls and nature
Cachoeira de Fundão is one of the town’s attractions. It consists of small waterfalls stretching over more than 500 metres. Cachoeira do Jarrão is different: it is considered one of Fundão’s best-known waterfalls, with visitor facilities. Its pool is suitable for swimming, and the waterfall generally has some supporting infrastructure. So, when it comes to waterfalls, the focus is on both a series of small cascades and a pool suitable for swimming.
Parque Natural Goiapaba-açu is a sustainable-use protected area in the district of Irundi, on the border between Fundão and Santa Teresa. More than 130 bird species have been recorded in the APA and Goiapaba-Açu Park, including some endangered species. This biodiversity offers nature lovers a distinct focus beyond the waterfalls. The Rota das Orquídeas also leads to Parque Municipal do Goiapaba-Açu; the road and the protected area are different points of reference.
Local history and architecture
The origins of Fundão are closely linked to the Rio Reis Magos, also known as the Rio Fundão. The construction of Igreja Matriz São José is also closely tied to the development of the town centre. The church is considered a symbol of Fundão’s identity and represents the faith and traditions of the families who built the town from the former Fazenda Taquaraçu.
Escadaria Crysantho de Jesus Rocha connects the lower part of town near the railway with the upper area around Igreja Matriz São José. Together with Casa da Cultura, built around 1882 as the headquarters of Fazenda Taquaraçu, it points to the history of the town centre. The former residence of the Agostini family is also listed as civil architecture in the state heritage register.
The districts also have striking buildings. Capela de Nossa Senhora da Vitória in Irundi was built in 1878 and is an example of religious architecture from the coffee-growing era in the interior of Espírito Santo. Igreja Bom Jesus da Lapa was built in the early 20th century on a rocky hill. It is a prominent landmark and part of the landscape associated with Área de Proteção Ambiental de Goiapaba-Açu.
Culture and local cuisine
In the district of Timbuí, Casa de Memória Antenor Neto supports Congo culture in Fundão. It serves as a meeting, rehearsal and organisational space for the Bandas de Congo de Fundão, including the Associação das Bandas de Congo de Fundão (ABC). Workshops on making casacas and other instruments are held there regularly. The traditional celebrations in honour of São Benedito and São Sebastião are considered the municipality’s most important cultural expression; Igreja Nossa Senhora da Penha plays a central role in them.
Cuisine offers another way to experience local culture. Dishes in Fundão feature ingredients from both the interior and the sea. These include handmade pasta, polenta and fish, as well as traditional recipes passed down through generations. Together with the churches, Casa de Memória and waterfall destinations, these create a varied picture to help you choose the focus of your stay.
Discover more destinations: Divino de São Lourenço, Serra, Nova Venécia, Baixo Guandu, Pedro Canário, Angra dos Reis, Mimoso do Sul.
Go to the main travel overview: Espírito Santo.
