6 free trips to take the children
I’m going to tell you something that anyone who lives here has already learned in practice: a child doesn’t ask for an entrance ticket; they ask for space. They ask for grass to run on, a beast to watch over, a bridge to cross, a stall selling pastel. And Florianópolis has all of that for free.
This year the Children's Day in Floripa It falls on a Monday, October 12, and overlaps with Saturday and Sunday on a three-day holiday. It’s possible to plan a day’s program without paying admission to any of the attractions. Spoiler: there’s a tour that It closes exactly on Monday, And it's best that you know that before you leave your house.
In addition to the seven tours, there is one Free event on Saturday of the holiday weekend The girls are going to love it. At the end of the text we leave tips on where to eat and where to stay, because free tours don't pay for lunch (unfortunately) or a bed.
1. Florianópolis Botanical Garden: picnic area open
If there is a place that suits you Children's Day in Floripa, It is the Botanical garden, In Itacorubi. It is 19 hectares of green right in the middle of the city, opened in 2016, and the entrance is also free.
Right at the entrance there is a lake with a “small path” around it, perfect for a child who is in the phase of exploring everything. In the center of the park there are tables and chairs, and It is allowed to bring food in. In other words, just pack a picnic basket and you don't have to spend a single cent.
To keep the children entertained, the park has several themed areas:
- rocky garden and cactus
- sunflower garden
- roseiral
- redário (those hanging nets, which children love)
- Arboreto Fritz Müller
- a community-based vegetable garden that offers a practical learning experience of how composting works
On weekends, the park usually has exhibitions, physical activities, environmental education, guided tours, and the donation of seedlings. For a Saturday or Sunday during the holiday, that’s a real bonus.
- Where: Rod. Admar Gonzaga, 742, Itacorubi
- When: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed on Mondays)
- Entrance: free
- Structure: access for wheelchair users, parking and space designed for children
Attention to the holiday: Since the 12th is a Monday, the Botanical Garden is closed. Book it for Saturday or Sunday.
Extra tip: after the park, the Viewpoint of Morro da Lagoa da Conceição It is 7.5 km away, with a panoramic view of the lagoon. It closes the morning nicely.
2. Parque da Luz: the courtyard of the Center
O Light Park It is the easiest program to fit into the day. It is located in the center, on the high end of Felipe Schmidt Street, it has 37,435 m² and is open all day long.
What the children find there is quite a lot: a playground, a football field, sculptures, a sundial, a bike path, a walking path for pedestrians, and an outdoor gym. There are also benches and tables for dominoes and card games, should the family want to spend some time sitting there.
The highlight is the viewpoint, which offers a panoramic view of the Hercílio Luz Bridge and the waterfront. It’s a great setting for that family photo that will end up on the photo frame.
- Where: R. Felipe Schmidt, Centro
- When: 24 hours
- Entrance: free
- Structure: accepts pets, has access for wheelchair users, parking and space for children
Tip from someone who lives here: o I love Floripa, Next to the bridge head, for those who want a break with coffee or a cold drink.
3. Hercílio Luz Bridge
There's no way to talk about Children's Day in Floripa without passing through the bridge. A Hercílio Bridge Luz was inaugurated in 1926; it was already the largest suspension bridge in the world, with a length of 821 meters, and for decades it was the only connection between the mainland and the island.
After a long restoration, it reopened in 2019, and you can walk on it and enjoy the view of the city and the North Bay. For children, it's an adventure. For adults, it's a history lesson for free. Those with little ones can use the opportunity to tell them that the entire structure is a hundred years old.
- Where: R. Dg. Ponte Hercílio Luz, 606, Centro
- When: 24 hours
- Entrance: free
- Structure: accepts pets and has access for wheelchair users
Perfect combo: the bridge and the Light Park they stand side by side. It starts with one, ends with the other, and the Top Market (Below, in the eating section) rounds off the tour.
4. Public Market: the history and smell of pastel
O Florianópolis Public Market It is over 100 years old and is located in the historic center. Entrance is free and the experience is complete: stalls selling fruits, vegetables, fish, handicrafts and souvenirs. For children, it is a world of colors, smells and sounds.
The highlight is the shrimp cake and the fried fish among the house's delicacies. The atmosphere is lively, with live music on some days of the week.
- Where: R. Jerônimo Coelho, 60, Centro
- When: Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 10 pm; Saturday and Sunday, from 7 am to 5 pm
- Entrance: free
- Structure: It works in the rain, accepts pets and has access for wheelchair users.
Tip from someone who lives here: The parking on the street is rotating; there are also several private parking lots nearby.
Those who want to extend their cultural tour can find it just a few steps away. Praça XV de Novembro and the Palace Cruz e Sousa (Historical Museum of Santa Catarina). The Victor Meirelles Museum and the Museum of Florianopolis they are three blocks from the market.
5. Praia do Ribeirão da Ilha: a walk to enjoy.
Here’s a tip from someone who lives on the island: Ribeirão da Ilha is beautiful, but we do not recommend taking a bath in the sea in this section. What it offers is clean and clear sand, great for walking and strolling, in a district of Azorean colonization.
It is 750 meters of waterfront, and the place has history: it was a cargo port and a place of unloading, and fishing was the main activity of the region for more than two centuries. Today, the Ribeirão da Ilha It is one of the main gastronomic centers of the island and one of the largest producers of oysters in Brazil.
With a child, we combine the tour as follows: a walk along the waterfront, looking at the boats, visiting the Church of Our Lady of Lapa and stretch to the Mirante do Sertão do Ribeirão, which offers one of the most beautiful views of the South Bay. All this without paying an entrance fee.
6. São Pedro de Alcântara Cycling Circuit: for families who love to pedal
The seventh tour is for families with older children and teenagers. The São Pedro de Alcântara Cycling Circuit It is less than 40 minutes from the island and has almost 48 km of well-marked roads. Free access.
The route passes through rural properties, waterfalls, and typical scenery of the interior of the state of Santa Catarina, as well as showing the culture of German colonization present in the municipality. The starting point is the Leopoldo Francisco Kretzer Square, in Saint Peter of Alcantara.
It's 48 km, so this program is for those who already ride regularly or want to do a section slowly.
Free event on the holiday: Cultura Mané (Saturday, 10/10)
In addition to the tours, there is a free event that falls right on the holiday: the Mané Culture, no Saturday, October 10, at the Celso Ramos Square.
O Mané Culture It is a traveling event, supported by the Municipality of Florianópolis, that transforms public spaces into a day of celebration for the family and promotes the Manézinha culture, especially among the younger generations. What the children find, according to Visite Floripa:
- pineapple cow
- children's recreation
- Inflatable toys
- face paint
- craft fairs and gastronomy
- cultural exhibitions and musical performances
And what happens on the 12th (which is not free)?
So that you won't be caught off guard, there are also 2 events that They are not free:
- Fenaostra Kids (12/10, CentroSul): The last day of the 24th Fenaostra, from October 6 to 12, is all dedicated to children, with Maria Clara & JP, Boi de Mamão, workshops and entertainment. Free tickets, with advance purchase and 1 kg of non-perishable food, are valid. Only on 7, 8, 9 of october. For the 12th, the prices vary depending on the schedule.
- Samba for Children's Day, Família Moadir (12/10, 12h): at Rancho do Bastião, in Santo Antônio de Lisboa, with tickets starting from R$ 30.
If your budget is tight, stick with the seven tours and the Cultura Mané. If you have some extra money left over, these two are great holiday programs.
Quick itinerary for the weekend (3 days, no entrance fees)
- Saturday (10): Mané Culture in Celso Ramos Square and, if time permits, Botanical Garden with picnic.
- Sunday (11): Centro. Parque da Luz, crossing the Hercílio Luz Bridge and lunch at the Public Market (remember that on weekends it closes at 5pm).
- Second (12th, holiday): A walk in the Ribeirão da Ilha one afternoon.
With this scheme, you avoid bumping into the closed entrance of the Botanical Garden.
Where to eat on Children's Day in Florianópolis
Free tour, but a child's stomach demands food right away. These are the options indicated in the same itineraries:
At Fazendinha. The space houses three restaurants of different styles, from traditional dishes to something more sophisticated, as well as a mini-market with selected products.
At the Public Market. Prawn pasties and fried fish are the classic dishes, and the atmosphere is relaxed, with live music on some days.
At the Top Market, in the center. It is a boulevard that occupies the structure of the former Hoepcke embroidery factory, very close to Parque da Luz and the bridge. It operates from Monday to Tuesday and on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and from Wednesday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. Among the restaurants are El-Kik (Lebanese cuisine), Trattoria Carbone (Italian), Guacamole Taqueria, Hot Dog Afonso, Uni Sushi and The Coffee, so there is an option for every palate at the same table.
At Ribeirão da Ilha. The district is one of the main gastronomic centers of the island and a reference for oysters. We recommend the Azorean Ranch, one of the best seafood restaurants in the city, with a small pool for the little ones to enjoy themselves.
For a coffee break. O I love Floripa, Next to the head of the bridge, it serves drinks and various snacks.
Where to stay in Florianópolis with a child
Here we have two recommendations that are suitable for families:
Costao do Santinho Resort (Praia do Santinho, north of the island). It is one of the most awarded resorts in Brazil, with activities for all ages, live shows, heated pools and a well-regarded spa. It is located in an area of environmental preservation and has architecture inspired by the Azorean colonization.
Pousada Casa da Lagoa (Lagoa da Conceição). It is located 50 meters from the lagoon, with spacious rooms, air conditioning, cable TV, king-size beds, and breakfast with fresh and local ingredients. The service is provided directly by the owners.
Tip: in the “Where to stay”When visiting Floripa, you can filter by breakfast, pool, parking, and free Wi-Fi. For those traveling with a child, these filters save a lot of time when searching. And the “Kids” filter in the “What to do” tab shows more ideas for sightseeing.
Quick tips to avoid getting stuck
- Confirm schedules: Especially for the holidays. The opening hours may change, so it's worth checking the website before leaving.
- Light snack and water: The Botanical Garden releases food, and that helps a lot with children.
- Arrive early at the Center: The Public Market closes earlier on weekends.
- Rain? The public market works even in the rain. It's worth having a plan B.
The best gift is the day
What we like most about this itinerary is that it fits in any pocket and leaves a good memory. A child remembers the day they saw the papaya cow at Cultura Mané, or crossing the bridge looking at the bay below. They almost never remember the cost of the ticket.
If you came here to find out what to do Children's Day in Floripa Without breaking the budget, it already has 6 tours, a free event, a three-day itinerary, and tips on where to eat and where to stay. All that’s left is to choose the first destination.
And if you want more ideas, Visite Floripa has them Full agenda and the filters of “What to do”On the website. Everything is up to date and done by someone who knows the island well.
Good Children's Day, and enjoy it to the fullest!
