Natal

Where should I stay?

Where should I eat?

• Camarões · Ponta Negra · Seafood (shrimp): Long-running Natal restaurant built around shrimp dishes, the city's signature ingredient.
• Mangai · Lagoa Nova · Northeastern Brazilian buffet: Pay-by-weight buffet of sertão food like carne de sol, macaxeira and cuscuz.
• Peixada da Comadre · Praia dos Artistas · Seafood: Classic beachside spot known for peixada, a fish stew served with pirão.
• Casa de Taipa · Ponta Negra · Tapiocas: Casual tapiocaria serving dozens of sweet and savory tapioca fillings.
• Mercado de Petrópolis · Petrópolis · Market stalls, regional food: Neighborhood market where locals eat carne de sol, paçoca and other regional plates.
• Canto do Mangue · Rocas · Fried fish, ginga com tapioca: Riverside fishing spot known for ginga com tapioca, small fried fish in tapioca, a Natal specialty.

What should I do?

• Forte dos Reis Magos · Santos Reis: Star-shaped 16th-century fort at the mouth of the Potengi River, where Natal was founded.
• Praia de Ponta Negra e Morro do Careca · Ponta Negra: The city's main beach, backed by the large Morro do Careca dune (climbing it is prohibited).
• Dunas de Genipabu · Extremoz: Large dune field north of the city, usually visited by buggy with a stop at the lagoon.
• Cajueiro de Pirangi · Pirangi do Norte (Parnamirim): A single cashew tree spreading over about 8,500 m², with walkways and a lookout.
• Parque das Dunas · Tirol: Urban coastal forest on dunes with guided trails and a visitor area.
• Centro de Turismo de Natal · Petrópolis: Former 19th-century jail turned into a crafts market with views over the coast.
• Praia da Pipa · Tibau do Sul: Lively beach village south of Natal with cliffs, coves and frequent dolphin sightings.
• Snorkeling at the Parrachos de Maracajaú · Maxaranguape: Boat trip to offshore reef pools with clear water and tropical fish, best at low tide.