Tourism Center

A building that once was a penitentiary today houses several shops of crafts and souvenirs, an art gallery, restaurants, bars, and events, such as Forró com o turista (Forró with the tourist). The original architecture was restored by The National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN), and the beautiful sights of Praia do Meio alone are worth the visit.

Mother Luiza’s Lighthouse

Built in 1951, on top of the neighborhood of Mother Luiza, the lighthouse is 37 meters high, with a light range of 44 meters. From the top you have a panoramic view from the beach of Genipabu to Ponta Negra, a good option for those seeking beautiful images of Natal.

Church Of The Rooster

Another architectural treasure of the capital is St. Anthony’s Church and Monastery, popularly known as "Church of the Rooster." Built in Baroque style in 1766, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Museum of Sacral Arts, which adds an attraction to the Church.

Alberto Maranhão Theater

Located in the heart of Natal’s oldest neighborhood, the Ribeira; the Alberto Maranhão Theater was built in the late nineteenth century. Preserving lines and elements of the French architecture at that time, the TAM is a registered land monument by Historical and Artistic Patrimony of Rio Grande do Norte. TAM is a major cultural attraction, not only for its effervescent programming, but also for its historic representation.

Fort of The 3 Wise Men

The Fort competes with Morro do Careca for the title of best-known post card of Natal. Landmark of the Portuguese settling in the State, its construction started in 1598, and came to be occupied by the Dutch between 1633 and 1654. It is located in the vicinity of where of the Atlantic Ocean meets to the mouth of the Potengi River. Besides its history, the beauty of the fort and the views it provides are unique.

Inferno’s Barrier

First rocket launch base in Latin America, the Inferno’s Barrier gets this name because it sits on top of a very high reddish cliff. Today, the Military Base conducts space research and receives groups of visitors by previous appointments.

Dune Park

The second largest urban park in Brazil, it has an area of preservation of 1,172 hectares, which shelters one of the last remnants of Atlantic forest in the country. The park extends across the Via Costeira to the Bosque dos Namorados, where guided nature trail walks can be taken. Perfect for those who enjoy being in nature.

Ponta Negra

Ponta Negra is a mandatory stop for all tourists who come to Natal. During the day, visitors enjoy refreshing dips in its water and the beautiful view of the Morro do Careca. At night, there are several bars, pubs, and beautiful people mingle. And that’s not all:  the streets around it are usually full and happening even on weekdays. The place to be is Rua Dr. Manoel de Araújo, called the "Salsa Street" by locals, a reference to Salsa bar, one of the best around. The Taverna Pub, located in the Full Moon Hostel (Albergue Lua Cheia)  is one that draws a lot of attention, because the hostel is a replica of a medieval castle.

Cajueiro de Pirangi

This "genetic aberration" (according to scientific research) is one of the most beautiful and fascinating trees anywhere. With a trunk taking up 8.400m2, the largest Cashew tree in the world produces 60 thousand cashews (cajus) each season. There are also souvenir shops, restaurants, and guided tours nearby.

Pipa Beach

Located some 85km from Natal, Pipa Beach is not to be missed by those seeking adventure during the day and exciting nightlife after hours. It was chosen by the Quatro Rodas Guide as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches of Brazil. Pipa Beach mixes the beauty of the cliffs and coves, with charming inns, crafts shops, bars, and restaurants. It is famous for the Ecological Sanctuary hiking trails, as a Mecca for local surfers, and for the “hot” nightlife, frequented by tourists from around the world.

Genipabu Beach

Genipabu is a mandatory stop for all tourists, especially those who take the sand-buggy tours. The beautiful dunes promise and deliver plenty of thrills: lagoons you can sand surf into, bold maneuvers from the buggys drivers, and even dromedary rides. With several restaurants on site stunning views, Genipabu is one of the most famous beaches and postcards of the Brazilian coastline.

Maracajaú Beach

Often compared in international magazines to beaches in Tahiti and the Caribbean, this beach is home to a coral reef along its coast called “Parrachos de Maracajaú”. The corals are a sight to behold, a wonderful place in which to dive and explore the native marine flora and fauna, or simply to swim around in. The reef is located 7km off the coast and it is reached by powerboat.

Jacumã Lagoon

Also located in the north shores of the state, the Jacumã Lagoon is famous for the beautiful views created by the gigantic dunes around it. Another attraction is the "aerobunda” where you can slide on a cable that takes you from the top of the dunes right into a refreshing dip into the clean waters of the lagoon, located near Jacumã beach, in the north shore.

Carnatal

Every year, during the month of December, Natal virtually stops and  Carnatal takes over the streets. The festival is one of the pioneers of the “micaretas”, or out-of-season Carnival parties that are now popular all over the country. It all started 15 years ago and it has become the biggest party of the year in Natal, gathering over one million people on the streets around Machadão stadium over four days. 13 bands with the biggest stars in Brazilian music, such as  Ivete Sangalo, Chiclete com Banana, Babado Novo, and Asa de águia, among others, make this party really come alive.

NIS - Natal International Show

Yet another fabulous nightlife option in Natal is NIS (Natal International Shows), a concert hall that presents the spectacle Coração do Brasil (Heart of Brazil), a guided tour of the fascinating regional dances of a country famous for getting down. Among the dances showcased are capoeira, samba, forró, and many more.

Forró com o Turista

Forró com Turista has been taking place every Thursday night at the Centro de Turismo for almost 20 years. It is the best way to experience this fun regional dance in its forró-pé-de-serra version as well as its variations: xote, xaxado and baião. On top of that, the Art, Dance, and Movement Company (Cia. de Dança Arte e Movimento) makes several of their dancers available to teach the various styles of this simple and lively traditional dance.  Local food and beverages, hotel transfers, and other services are available.

Zás-Trás

Zás-Trás is the oldest tourist complex in town, entertaining visitors for over 20 years. It boasts an array of local cuisine restaurants, 10 arts and crafts and souvenir stores, and its main attraction: several music and regional dance shows, such as the “emboladores de côco, maculelê and capoeira.”

Toa Toa Tour - www.toatoapasseios.com

This wonderful boat tour offered by ToaToa Nautical Tours visits some of the most famous spots in Natal. It leaves from the Yacht Club, going through Ponte Nova, Forte dos Reis Magos, Praia Da Redinha, Mangues, the Naval Base, Pedra do Rosário, Cais da Tavares de Lira, Port of Natal, all framed by a beautiful sunset.  The boats are equipped with bathrooms, bar, and all comfort needed for up to 25 passengers.