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Natal is the capital of Rio Grande do Norte in northeastern Brazil, set where the Potengi River meets the Atlantic, famous for its dunes and beaches, the star-shaped Forte dos Reis Magos and the giant dune of Morro do Careca rising above Ponta Negra Beach.
Founded on Christmas Day 1599, which gave the city its name, Natal was held by the Dutch in the 17th century and grew slowly until the Second World War, when its position near the corner of South America made it a vital Allied air base. It later became known as Brazil's space capital. Today the cable-stayed Newton Navarro Bridge spans the Potengi towards the northern beaches.
Visitors swim and stroll at Ponta Negra, ride buggies over the dunes of Genipabu and walk the forest trails of Parque das Dunas. Day trips lead to the giant cashew tree of Pirangi, the reef pools of Maracajaú and the cliffs and dolphins of Pipa. Sunshine almost all year makes it a favourite escape.
Forte dos Reis Magos is the star-shaped fort at the mouth of the Potengi River in Natal, begun on 6 January 1598, the Day of the Kings, which gave it its name. The city was founded beside it on Christmas Day 1599. Its thick stone walls and cannons look out over the reef and the sea.
Newton Navarro Bridge is the tall cable-stayed bridge that crosses the Potengi River in Natal, linking the city with its northern zone and the road to the Genipabu dunes. Its white pylon and cables make a striking backdrop to Forte dos Reis Magos, especially when lit at night.
Natal Cathedral, the Metropolitan Cathedral dedicated to Our Lady of the Presentation, patron saint of the city, is a large modern church in central Natal. Its soaring concrete form rises high above the surrounding avenues, and its spacious, light-filled nave can hold thousands of worshippers.
Centro de Turismo in Natal occupies a 19th-century building on a hill in the Petrópolis district, once the city's public jail. Its former cells now hold craft shops selling lace, bottled coloured sand, hammocks and cashew sweets, and the courtyard hosts forró dancing nights.
Ponta Negra Beach is the most visited beach in Natal, a curving bay lined with hotels, bars and a long seafront promenade. Its name comes from the dark rocks along the shore. At its southern end rises the great dune of Morro do Careca, and the water is warm and good for swimming.
Morro do Careca is a dune about 107 metres high at the southern end of Ponta Negra Beach in Natal and the most famous symbol of the city. Its bare sand face plunges to the sea beside green restinga woodland. Climbing has been banned since 1997 to protect it, but views from the beach are superb.
Parque das Dunas is a reserve of 1,172 hectares of Atlantic Forest on coastal dunes in the heart of Natal, created in 1977 and one of the largest urban parks in Brazil. Guided trails lead through the forest from the Bosque dos Namorados visitor area, and it is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Genipabu is a beach and vast field of dunes about 20 km north of Natal, one of the most famous postcard views of Rio Grande do Norte. Buggy drivers race over the sand hills, dromedary rides cross the dunes, and visitors slide down the sand on boards straight into the freshwater lagoon below.
Cajueiro de Pirangi is a giant cashew tree at Pirangi do Norte beach, just south of Natal, covering about 8,500 square metres, as much as 70 normal trees. Said to have been planted by a fisherman in 1888, it yields some 70,000 to 80,000 cashews each season. Walkways lead under its branches.
Pipa is a lively beach village in Tibau do Sul, south of Natal, set among red cliffs and palm-covered headlands. Dolphins often swim in the Baía dos Golfinhos, sea turtles visit the beaches, and the village's main street is lined with restaurants, guesthouses and bars that stay busy late.
Maracajaú is a beach on the coast north of Natal, famous for its parrachos, offshore coral reefs that form clear natural pools at low tide. Boats carry visitors out to snorkel among colourful fish in shallow, warm water, so check the tide tables before you plan the trip.
Barreira do Inferno Launch Center in Parnamirim, just south of Natal, was the first rocket launch base in South America, opened in 1965. It stands on red cliffs above the sea, from which it takes its name, and it still launches research rockets for Brazilian and international scientific missions.
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