At the Orla de Santarém, look out over the meeting of the Tapajós and Amazon rivers. The waterfront also offers walking paths, historical collections and places to observe nature. This makes it possible to get to know the city from different perspectives: with river views and sunsets, archaeological and religious heritage, or a focus on wildlife.
Walks, River Views and Urban Green Spaces
The Orla de Santarém is a pleasant place for walks and watching the sunset. It also offers views of the meeting of the Tapajós and Amazon rivers. If you’d like to combine a walk with a striking river view, you can find both in one place here.
Parque da Cidade adds opportunities for leisure, sports and environmental education. It also has space for walks and family picnics. The two locations offer different highlights: sunsets and river views take center stage at the waterfront, while the park offers a range of recreational and educational activities.
Ceramics, Handicrafts and Architectural History
Centro Cultural João Fona houses a valuable collection of archaeological ceramics from the Tapajós culture, as well as exhibitions on the history of the region’s ancestors. Museu Dica Frazão has a different focus: it displays more than 150 pieces made from roots, fibers and seeds, including a famous patchouli dress. The two collections offer different ways to explore regional culture—through archaeological ceramics on the one hand, and crafted objects and materials on the other.
Museu de Arte Sacra preserves religious objects from the 18th and 19th centuries and is located next to Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora da Conceição in the historic center. The cathedral itself is also an important landmark: construction began in 1754, it is one of Santarém’s oldest buildings, and it is considered a historic, religious and architectural landmark. Masses are still held there. The museum and cathedral stand side by side, bringing together a collection of religious art and a building that continues to host religious services.
River Transport, the Market and the Surrounding Area
Terminal Fluvial Turístico is a boarding point and also a place to watch the sunset and see handicraft exhibitions. River transport is particularly important in Santarém for both passenger and cargo travel. Medium-sized vessels travel along the rivers to Belém in the state of Pará, Manaus and Macapá. Routes and operators may change; check current services if you’re planning a specific boat trip.
Mercadão 2000 offers regional fruits, fresh fish, cassava flour, medicinal herbs and handicrafts. Its selection therefore includes both produce and handmade items. If you’re interested in regional products, the market is a destination in its own right, alongside the museums and viewpoints.
The surrounding area offers other points of interest, too. Lago do Maicá is near Santarém and is an important place to observe birds, river dolphins, caimans, sloths and monkeys, especially in the flooded forest. Across the river from Santarém lies Igarapé-Açu. There, you can take canoe trips to riverside restaurants and observe the landscape, birds and artisanal fishing.
ZooUnama promotes environmental education and nature conservation and is home to animals from the Amazonian fauna. If you’re planning to visit ZooUnama, check the latest opening information beforehand. This will help you match your interests in wildlife observation and environmental education with the city’s cultural and scenic highlights.
Discover more destinations: Una, Mosqueiro, Primavera, São João de Pirabas, Capanema, Joanes, Soure and Dirceu.
Go to the overview of destinations: Pará.
