Begin in the heart of Centro at Mercado Público de Florianópolis, arriving around 11:00. On a Sunday, the market’s restaurant and bar activity is livelier than its retail side, so treat this as a relaxed wander rather than a full shopping stop; hours can vary by stall. Browse the historic aisles, look for local seafood and island specialties, and allow about an hour. From most central hotels, it is an easy walk; by car, avoid relying on market-adjacent parking and use a paid garage in Centro.
Stay inside the market for lunch at Box 32, one of Florianópolis’s classic seafood addresses. Order something from the day’s catch or a traditional preparation and expect roughly R$80–150 per person, depending on drinks and the seafood chosen. Service is informal but popular, so a little patience is normal at midday. After lunch, walk a few blocks to Praça XV de Novembro for an easygoing look at the enormous fig tree, the surrounding cathedral façades, and the square’s shaded paths—about 30 minutes is enough, though Sunday’s quieter pace makes it pleasant to linger.
Continue to Museu Histórico de Santa Catarina, housed in the elegant Palácio Cruz e Sousa beside the square. The rooms and exhibits give useful context to the island’s colonial and political history, and the ornate interior is worth seeing even if you are not a museum enthusiast. Allow about an hour, but check the official Sunday opening schedule before setting out, as museum hours can change seasonally; admission is generally inexpensive, often around R$10–20 or free on selected days. The entire central stretch is walkable, and this is the best time to wander the surrounding streets rather than moving the car.
Finish at Ponte Hercílio Luz, reached by taxi or app car in roughly 10–15 minutes from Centro, depending on traffic. Ask to be dropped near the mainland-side waterfront and walk along the Beira-Mar Norte viewpoints for the bridge’s strongest photographs, especially as the afternoon light softens. Parking is easier around the waterfront than beside the market, but spaces fill on pleasant Sundays. Allow an hour, and bring a light layer: the bridge and bay can feel noticeably windier than the sheltered streets downtown.
Start early at Praia da Joaquina, ideally around 8:30–9:00, before the beach parking areas and access roads become busy. From Centro, allow roughly 25–35 minutes by car or rideshare via SC-404 and SC-406; buses take longer and usually require a connection toward Lagoa da Conceição. August is winter in Florianópolis, so bring a light layer and check the surf and wind before planning to swim—the broad beach is excellent for a brisk walk and watching surfers even when the water feels cold. Spend about two hours on the sand, then walk or drive a few minutes inland to the Dunas da Joaquina. The dune area is free to enter, while sandboard rental generally costs around R$30–60 for a session; wear sunglasses, protect your phone from sand, and avoid climbing barefoot if the sand is warmed by the sun.
Continue roughly 10–15 minutes by car to Lagoa da Conceição, where the waterfront makes an easy transition from the dunes to a relaxed lunch. Settle near the central lagoon promenade for views across the water; a casual lunch with seafood, a drink, and coffee usually runs about R$60–100 per person. Leave time to stroll the waterfront rather than rushing straight on—winter weekdays are calmer, and some smaller businesses keep shorter hours, so confirm lunch service locally. From the lagoon, Praia Mole is about 10 minutes by car or rideshare via SC-406, though traffic can slow considerably on sunny afternoons. Spend around two hours there, following the short path down to the beach for a swim, beach walk, or simply the dramatic headland views; bring water and a towel, since services can be limited outside summer and the sea is often rough.
Return to Lagoa da Conceição for dinner at Bar do Ori, a casual choice beside the lagoon and a good place to finish without adding another long transfer. From Praia Mole, allow 10–20 minutes depending on traffic, and consider a rideshare if you plan to drink; parking around the lagoon can be competitive. Expect approximately R$80–160 per person for seafood and drinks. Check the restaurant’s current opening hours and reserve or arrive early, especially on a pleasant evening. After dinner, take a short waterfront walk, but keep valuables discreet and use a rideshare back rather than walking along quieter roads late at night.
Start at Projeto Tamar Florianópolis in Barra da Lagoa, arriving close to opening time—usually around 9:30, though confirm the seasonal schedule before leaving. Allow about 1½ hours for the turtle rescue and conservation exhibits; admission is typically in the R$40–60 range, with discounts for children and students. From Centro, a rideshare or car normally takes 30–45 minutes via SC-404 and SC-406; parking in Barra is limited, so arriving early helps. Afterward, walk down to Praia da Barra da Lagoa for an easy beach stroll and cross the small canal footbridge—one of the nicest low-effort viewpoints in this part of the island. Leave roughly an hour, keeping an eye on belongings if you stop by the sand, especially outside the busier central stretch.
Continue on foot to the trail for the Piscinas Naturais da Barra da Lagoa. The coastal path takes around 30–40 minutes each way, with uneven rocks and a few exposed sections, so wear proper shoes rather than flip-flops; the pools are tide- and swell-dependent, and they may be unsafe for swimming after rough weather. With the walk and time by the water, plan on about two hours. Then drive or use a rideshare toward Restaurante Rancho Açoriano in Ribeirão da Ilha, allowing roughly 45–60 minutes depending on traffic through the south of the island. For an early-afternoon seafood lunch, budget about R$100–180 per person; ask about the catch of the day and local oysters, and call ahead if possible because weekday winter hours can be shorter than expected.
Finish with a slow walk along the Ribeirão da Ilha historic waterfront, where whitewashed colonial houses, small chapels, and oyster farms give the area a much quieter feel than the northern beaches. Allow 1½ hours to wander without rushing, ideally staying near the shore as the light softens; some historic interiors and small businesses may close by late afternoon, but the waterfront itself is best enjoyed outdoors and costs nothing. Bring a light jacket—August evenings can turn cool—and arrange your return ride before leaving the restaurant, as rideshare availability is thinner here than in central Florianópolis.