Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Maceió is the capital of Alagoas in northeastern Brazil, set between the Atlantic and the Mundaú Lagoon, famous for its turquoise beaches sheltered by coral reefs, the natural pools of Pajuçara and a coastline of coconut palms that stretches north and south of the city.
Its name comes from a Tupi term meaning "what covers the swamp", and the many lagoons of the region gave the state of Alagoas its name. Maceió grew from a sugar-trading port into the largest city of the state, and today it is one of the most visited beach destinations in the Brazilian Northeast.
Visitors swim at Pajuçara and Ponta Verde, sail out by jangada to the reef pools at low tide, and browse lace and crafts at Pontal da Barra on the lagoon. Day trips lead to Praia do Francês, Gunga Beach, the colonial town of Marechal Deodoro and the Galés reef pools of Maragogi. Seafood such as sururu shellfish and tapioca are local favourites.
Pajuçara Beach is the classic city beach of Maceió, about 2 km from downtown, where offshore reefs keep the turquoise water calm and safe for swimming. Colourful jangada rafts line the sand, and the nearby crafts fair sells lace, hammocks and local souvenirs in the evenings.
Pajuçara Natural Pools form on the coral reefs off Pajuçara Beach in Maceió, and at low tide traditional jangada rafts sail visitors out to them. Clear, warm water fills the pools, where you can float among small fish, and floating bars serve drinks. Trips depend on the tide.
Ponta Verde Beach curves around a point between Pajuçara and Jatiúca in Maceió, with coconut palms, calm green water inside the reef and a little lighthouse standing on the rocks offshore. A wide seafront promenade and cycle path make it a favourite for evening walks and jogging.
Jatiúca Beach is a long urban beach north of Ponta Verde in Maceió, backed by hotels, restaurants and beach kiosks serving coconut water and fried fish. Its open sea has more waves than the sheltered beaches nearby, and the seafront promenade is busy with walkers and cyclists in the evenings.
Maceió Cathedral, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of Pleasures, stands on Praça Dom Pedro II in the historic centre of Maceió. Built in the 19th century, it has a neoclassical facade with twin bell towers and an ornate interior, and it remains the spiritual heart of the city.
Théo Brandão Museum of Anthropology and Folklore in Maceió displays the folk art collection of the folklorist Théo Brandão, donated to the Federal University of Alagoas. Housed in an eclectic building on Avenida da Paz since 1977, it shows costumes of popular festivals, ceramics and crafts.
Mundaú Lagoon is a large estuarine lagoon on the western edge of Maceió, linked to the sea and to Manguaba Lagoon by channels that weave between small mangrove islands. Boat trips leave from Pontal da Barra, a lakeside district famous for its lace crafts, and sunsets over the water are memorable.
Marechal Deodoro is a colonial town on Manguaba Lagoon, about 28 km south of Maceió, and was the first capital of Alagoas. It is the birthplace of Deodoro da Fonseca, the first president of Brazil, and its cobbled streets hold baroque churches and the former Franciscan convent.
Praia do Francês is a popular beach in Marechal Deodoro, about 25 km south of Maceió, where a long reef shelters a calm natural pool at one end while the open sea further along draws surfers. Beach bars line the sand, and weekends are lively with visitors from the capital.
Gunga Beach lies in Roteiro, about 36 km by road south of Maceió, at the mouth of the Roteiro lagoon where it meets the Atlantic. Pale sand, vast coconut groves and calm water make it one of the most photographed beaches of Alagoas, and nearby cliffs offer wide views over it.
Maragogi is a beach town about 125 km north of Maceió, famous for the Galés, natural pools in the coral reefs several kilometres offshore that boats reach at low tide. Snorkellers find clear, warm water full of fish, and the beaches on the shore are long and quiet.
São Miguel dos Milagres is a small fishing town on the north coast of Alagoas, part of the stretch known as the Ecological Route of Milagres. Its quiet palm-lined beaches, reef pools at low tide and small guesthouses make it a peaceful escape about 100 km from Maceió.
No reviews yet. Been to Maceió? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Maceió? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: Original: André Lage Freitas Derivative work: Wilfredor Derivative work: Aristea, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Marinelson Almeida - Traveling through Brazil from Niteroi, Brasil, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Daniel Alves from Brazil, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Bruna Leone Gagetti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Blogilberto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Cleferson Comarela, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Marinelson Almeida - Traveling through Brazil from Niteroi, Brasil, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Sitenl, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Claudiorpmsousa, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Karine Accyoli, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Gustavocrocha, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Daniel Alves from Brazil, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Flaviohmg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Daniel Alves from Brazil, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Tabuba, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: André Lage Freitas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: CivArmy, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: André Lage Freitas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Karine Accyoli, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Luciano Marra, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Daniel Alves from Brazil, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Joannes Paulus, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Blogilberto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Blogilberto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Gustavocrocha, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Gustavocrocha, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Gustavocrocha, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Wilson Dias/ABr, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 br
Photo: MTur Destinos, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: MTur Destinos, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: MTur Destinos, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: André Lage Freitas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Fernanddo Brand from Brazil, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Beto Quissak, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beto Quissak, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beto Quissak, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Flaviohmg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Daniel Alves from Brazil, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Marinelson Almeida - Traveling through Brazil from Niteroi, Brasil, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Marinelson Almeida - Traveling through Brazil from Niteroi, Brasil, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Beto Quissak, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beto Quissak, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Marcos Pereira Júnior, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Otávio Nogueira from Fortaleza, BR, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Every honest review and real photo earns points. Collect 100 and you're in the draw.
No purchase necessary. US residents 18+. Official rules
