16 Top Tourist Attractions in Fortaleza

Fortaleza’s tourist attractions go beyond its beautiful beaches. It’s obvious that tourists want to visit places like Canoa Quebrada and Jericoacoara, which are in the state of Ceara.

But anyone who decides to visit the capital is in for a pleasant surprise, as the city offers cultural and gastronomic attractions and lots of natural beauty. I’ve visited the city a few times, and there are some places you really need to see.

If you want to know what to do in Fortaleza at night or during the day, whether in quiet places to enjoy with your family, to date, or to enjoy with friends, this article is ideal for you. Check out a complete guide on the top tourist attractions in Fortaleza, Ceará.

To understand the city’s tourist map, basically just divide it into 3 regions: Beira Mar, Praia do Futuro and the center. Check out the list of attractions in Fortaleza.

Beira Mar Beaches

Beira Mar (without a hyphen) is not a specific point, but rather the region that concentrates the shores of 3 beaches: Iracema, Meirelles and Mucuripe. It accounts for around 80% of all hotels in Fortaleza.

I can say that the beauty of Fortaleza’s urban beaches is in Beira Mar. That’s why I divided this tourist spot in Fortaleza as one of attractive places to check out.

1. Iracema Beach

A postcard and one of the main points of interest in Fortaleza, you can’t believe that this beach almost disappeared in the 40s due to the construction of a port. This work ended up destabilizing the flow of water, which simply took over the sand and invaded the buildings that were on the shores of the beach.

The result is that a large part of the beach was under water until 1999, when it was filled in. Today, the landfill area hosts events, such as New Year’s Eve, São João, and other cultural shows, and once again features a wide strip of sand.

The neighborhood, which was considered a suburb of the city until the 1980s, with the start of construction of some hotels in the region, became the most upscale area. Currently, Iracema Beach offers the most beautiful sunset in Fortaleza.

Iracema Beach has many hotels and its promenade is a point for residents and visitors, as its waters are not suitable for swimming.

Highlights include Espigao or Píer João Cordeiro, which is a kind of bridge/pier where people come and go on foot, on bikes, roller skates, or tricycles, watching the waves hitting the rocks. 

One of the statues of Iracema, the famous Indian woman from José de Alencar’s novel, is also on this beach. This is also where the Galeria Mario Baratta, Casa da Cultura Digital, Centro Cultural Belchior, Estoril, among other places of interest in Fortaleza are located.

Avoid exposing your belongings, as the region is constantly targeted by robbers.

2. Meireles Beach

Meireles Beach comes just after Iracema Beach and is part of Beira Mar. It is here where the traditional crafts fair takes place, another popular tourist spot. There are 800 stands selling regional products and crafts. It’s not the cheapest place to shop, but you definitely need to check it out.

Meireles is where the Rui Barbosa and Náutico Piers are located. On site, you can take sloop trips along the Fortaleza coastline or go stand-up paddle boarding. On the last Sunday of each month, Beira Mar hosts an itinerant project with a pianist playing live, starting at 5 pm.

3. Mucuripe Beach

Finally, the last beach that forms Beira Mar is Mucuripe Beach. This is where the Fish Market is located, making it one of the best places to visit in Fortaleza. It is here also where the second statue of Iracema on the coast of Fortaleza is located. The highlight of this beach is the many colorful boats that decorate the landscape. An unmissable tip is to visit the Varjota neighborhood, which is close to this beach.

4. Futuro Beach

This beach is not considered an urban beach, as it is further away. To give you an idea, it is 8km from Iracema Beach to it.

Praia do Futuro is ideal for those who want to enjoy Fortaleza as a beach destination. Although, this doesn’t stop you from exploring other areas of the city, such as the center and Beira Mar.

This beach is famous for larger hotels with lots of amenities so you won’t miss staying closer to the urbanized area of ​​Fortaleza. Highlight is the 10km of “tents” scattered along the seafront selling crab dishes and other foods. 

A friendly tip is: don’t choose the biggest stalls, as the service and food won’t impress you. See the more intimate ones (if that’s possible!) to enjoy Ceará’s gastronomy and, if you want to chat, stay away from the ones that offer comedy shows (although this is also one of Ceará’s attractions). 

 5. Sea Dragon of Art and Culture

Located on Iracema Beach, Dragão do Mar is a relatively new complex, which has become the apple of the eye of those who visit the city and want to see other tourist spots in Fortaleza, in addition to the beaches.

There are 14.5 thousand m² of built area, where you will find the Museum of Cearense Culture and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Ceará. In addition, there is the Espaço Rogaciano Leite Filho, the cinema called Arena Dragão do Mar, the Rubens de Azevedo Planetarium, the Sérgio Mota Amphitheater, and Praça Verde do Dragão.

• Address: Rua Dragão do Mar 81, Praia de Iracema;
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, from 8 am to 10 pm; from Friday to Sunday and holidays, from 8 am to 11 pm. Box office: Tuesday to Sunday, from 2 pm;
• Cinema do Dragão: Tuesday to Sunday, from 2 pm to 10 pm. Museums: Tuesday to Friday, 9 am to 7 pm; Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 2 pm to 9 pm;
• Multigallery: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 2 pm to 9 pm;
• Attention: on Mondays, cinemas, cafes, museums, multi-gallery and ticket offices are closed;
• Price: most attractions are free. Some charge symbolic prices.

6. Beira Mar Fair

Beira Mar Fair, on Meireles Beach, is a mandatory stop, especially for people who are in Fortaleza for the first time. There are 800 stalls that sell everything: from typical Ceará products, such as food, straw, colored sand, souvenirs, decorative objects, beachwear and various other products. With all these all at one place, a visit here is definitely one of the best things to do in Fortazela.

As it is a very busy area, especially at night, be careful with your belongings, although there is a police station in the area. The prices are high for tourists, and it may be worth purchasing typical products at the Fortaleza Central Market. Leave it to the market only for small purchases.

• Address: Av. Beira Mar, s/n – Meireles;
• Opening hours: 5 pm to 10 pm, every day;
• Price: free.

7. Fortaleza Central Market

The Central Market of Fortaleza, like most markets, is where you will find the best prices for shopping for souvenirs, clothes, and gastronomic delicacies that are typical of Ceará, such as chestnuts, rapaduras, and cajuinas.

Furthermore, there is a lot of local crafts and it is possible to buy leather and lace items, as well as works of art by artists from Ceará. There are 4 floors with all types of regional products distributed in more than 600 stalls. A great place for you to shop in Fortaleza. 

Typical Ceará products such as leather, lace, and nuts are cheaper at the Central Market, and this makes it one of the most visited tourist attractions in Fortaleza, both by tourists and local residents.

Do you want an unmissable tip? Buy your souvenirs and products on the top floors. On the ground floor and first 2 floors everything is more expensive. To get to the top, use the stairs, ramp or elevator.

• Address: Av. Alberto Nepomuceno, 199. Centro;
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 6 pm. On Saturdays, it closes an hour earlier, and on Sundays only until 1 pm;
• Price: Free.

8. Fish Market

This is another one of Fortaleza’s tourist attractions that is ideal for tourists who want to enjoy fresh seafood, either at home or at the beach.

There are 45 stalls for selling seafood and another 4 for preparing delicacies. All of this faces Mucuripe Beach. An interesting tip is to stop by here at the end of the day or at lunchtime. If it’s a Sunday, even better, as from 5 pm onwards, performances by local musicians take place.

• Address: Av. Beira Mar, 3479. Mucuripe Beach;
• Opening hours: Every day, from 5:30 am to 10 pm;
• Price: Free.

9. Emcetur (Ceará Tourism Center)

The Ceará Tourism Center, Emcetur, is worth a visit just to see up close the old prison where the space operates. The building dates back to the 1800s and was the first prison in the state.

Today, the historic building houses several small shops that operate inside the old cells. There are shops and artisanal products, such as hammocks, embroidery, cashews, chestnuts, cachaças, and other regional products.

• Address: Rua Senador Pompeu, 350. Centro;
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 6 pm. Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 8 am to 12 pm;
• Price: free.

Other Attractions in Fortaleza

10. José de Alencar Theater

This is the largest theater in Ceará and the best preserved. Theatro José de Alencar is one of Fortaleza’s tourist attractions in the most central area. The building dates back to 1910 and preserves all the glamor of the time in an art nouveau style.

You can visit the space and enjoy the largest performance room, which is divided into three floors and has a space for 800 people. It often hosts cultural performances.

• Address: Rua Liberato Barroso, 525, Praça José de Alencar, Centro;
• Opening hours: Specific guided tour on Sundays and public holidays at 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm and 5 pm;
• Price: Free guided tour; shows to check out.

11. Public Promenade

This is the city’s first square, so it couldn’t be left out of the list of Fortaleza’s tourist attractions. This public promenade is a space to rest between one tourist attraction and another, and is itself an interesting place to visit, especially with children.

In fact, this place looks more like a park where there is a large green area for rest and also for sports. Only stop there if you have free time.

• Address: Praça dos Mártires – Center;
• Opening hours: 24 hours;
• Price: Free.

12. Crafts Center of Ceará

Here, you will find stores gathered in a space for displaying and selling products made by the hands of people from Ceará. Options for furniture, decoration, and beautiful pieces made from clay, wood, threads, fabrics, plant fiber, paper, and leather add charm to the place, which is colorful and full of great shopping options.

• Address: Av. Santos Dumont, 1589 A, Aldeota;
• Opening hours: 9 am to 9 pm; Sunday, from 2:30 pm to 8:30 pm;
• Price: Free.

13. Fortress of Our Lady of the Assumption

This is the historic building that gives the city its name. The Fortress of Our Lady of the Assumption is the birthplace of the capital of Ceará. Currently, the space is the Historic Site of Fortaleza and is located right in the city center, close to public promenade and Emcetur.

Behind the walls of the old military fortification there is the Brigadeiro Sampaio Museum, the Monument to Martim Soares Moreno, the Brigadeiro Sampaio Pantheon, Espaço Bárbara Alencar among other pieces of Ceará history.

The fort was started by the Dutch in 1649 but was expanded by the Portuguese in 1654.

• Address: Av. Alberto Nepomuceno, s/n. Center;
• Opening hours: 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday, and until noon on weekends;
• Price: Free entry.

14. Museum of Photography

Few tourists are aware of it, but in Fortaleza, there is a Photography Museum. Administered by the Paulo e Silva Frota Institute, there is a collection of photographs of Brazil on site.

The collection has historical photos, photojournalism, portraits, landscapes, and chronicles of the history of photography.

• Address: Rua Frederico Borges, 545, Varjota neighborhood;
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, from 12 pm to 5 pm;
• Price: Children under 18 and over 60 have free entry. Entry is free for all visitors on Wednesdays.

15. Ceará Events Center

The Ceará Events Center is not an attraction in Fortaleza in itself, but many people go to Fortaleza to participate in the events that take place in the city. It is a huge space with the capacity to host 44 events simultaneously.

There are 76 thousand m² of multipurpose space to host fairs, exhibitions, and other types of events. Certainly, if you are going to a large event in Fortaleza, you will visit this space, which also hosts exhibitions and has an interesting cultural program.

Just check the calendar at the time of your trip to Fortaleza.

• Address: Av. Washington Soares, 999;
• Operation and price: depends on the event.

16. Beach Park

Beach Park is not even in Fortaleza but in Aquiraz. However, it is often included as a tourist attraction in Fortaleza, as it is only 26km from the capital. The numbers are impressive: more than a million visitors, 18 rides, restaurants, shops, and a complex entirely designed for tourists to enjoy many days of fun.

Most visitors choose a day to visit this tourist spot in Fortaleza. I think it’s enough, especially if you don’t have children. It’s really worth it because every year there’s something new. It’s almost the Disney of the Northeast!

• Address: Rua Porto das Dunas, 2734. Aquiraz;
• Opening hours: The ticket offices open at 10:30 am, and the Water Park opens from 11 am to 5 pm;
• Price: Children R$ 225; Adults R$240;

How to Get to Fortaleza Attractions

It was my friend who took me to the main attractions in Fortaleza, Ceará. I didn’t have to worry about transportation, opening hours, or strategic stops. However, there are many ways to get to Fortaleza’s tourist attractions. Check out!

Fortaleza tourist bus

Fortaleza gained integrated tourist buses. The traditional double decks, in the hop-on hop-of system, are now part of the city’s itinerary. The Fortaleza Bus route is still short, but it is an opportunity to see most of Fortaleza’s tourist attractions in a single day.

It’s no secret that this is one of my favorite things to do on the first day in a new place. You get to know the basics on board the Fortaleza tourist bus and then choose what to do more calmly on the other days.

Another advantage is that, unfortunately, the city center and even some regions of Praia de Iracema are not safe for free movement. This way, observing everything from the bus and only getting off in the busiest places is very practical and safer.

The places that the Fortaleza tourist bus passes through are Praça do Ferreira, Espigão Rui Barbosa, Dragão do Mar, Feirinha da Beira Mar, Praia do Futuro, Mercado dos Peixes, Rio Mar Fortaleza, Av. Dom Luís, Parque do Coco, Praça Portugal, Estoril and Central Market. 

Uber

This is another best way to get to know Fortaleza’s attractions, as public transport is not recommended for reasons of safety and practicality. 

 An average of Uber values ​​are:

• Iracema Beach to Praia do Futuro: from R$19 to R$25;
• Iracema Beach to the Central Market: from R$ 9 to 12;
• Center to Varjota: from R$ 19 to 26.

Is it worth traveling to Fortaleza?

I’ve been to Fortaleza’s tourist attractions a few times and I have some impressions. The first time, it was just fun: Beaches, Beach Park. The second time I got to know other places of interest better, such as the city center, and I was a little afraid due to the lack of security, which unfortunately shares the scene with the beauties of the capital of Ceará.

The third and last was the best experience, as I had time to learn more about the city’s culture, such as the incredible history of Dragão do Mar, the gastronomy,and the art of these welcoming and literary people. After all, we are talking about from the land of José de Alencar and Rachel de Queiroz, people!

It’s really worth getting to know Fortaleza and extending to the state’s coast. In fact, read about the main beaches in Ceará that are worth visiting.