Rio Grande do Norte has wonderful tourist routes, with beaches surrounded by dunes, archaeological sites and religious shrines, and unique attractions that go far beyond the capital Natal.
Spectacular is one of the adjectives that easily describes Rio Grande do Norte.
The most northeastern part of Brazil has natural and cultural riches capable of impressing any traveller, going far beyond the famous buggy rides through the dunes around Natal.
The state has attractions of all kinds, on the coast and inland, topped off with the friendliness of Potiguar people and the delicious local cuisine.
For those planning their next trip – whether as a family, couple or with friends – the destination is a guarantee of memorable days full of unique experiences.
If you’re still in doubt, just check out our suggested eight-day itinerary for the state and be amazed by the diversity of attractions.
Rio Grande do Norte is one of the most complete destinations in Brazil, as it offers experiences in all tourism niches and segments.
8-day tourist itinerary in Rio Grande do Norte
- Natal
- South Coast
- Interior
- North Coast
- Natal
1. 1 Day in Natal
– Day 1 in Natal
Although there are special places all over the state, you can’t give up the luxury of having the beautiful capital Natal as your starting point.
It’s no wonder that so many foreigners disembark there every year, and many even stay, such is the beauty of Natal.
7 Passeios Imperdíveis em NATAL e Região07:36
NATAL - Drone - Rio Grande do Norte
Genipabu em Natal - Guia Turismo
Natal RN - Guia de Turismo
Forte dos Reis Magos em Natal RN
Genipabu - Dicas de Viagem
Natal RN - Guia Completo26:18
Forte dos Reis Magos em Natal RN09:06
Pontos Turísticos de Natal no RN01:00
Parque das Dunas em Natal - RN01:22
Dunas de Genipabu no RN03:50
The tip is to start your trip with a city tour, visiting places like the beach and the Redinha market, the Forte dos Reis Magos and the Praias do Forte, Artistas and Areia Preta.
Next up is the Parque das Dunas, the largest reserve of original Atlantic Forest in an urban park in the country.
For the evening, it’s worth sampling a typical Potiguar dish, such as prawns, and enjoying Beco da Lama, a street where bohemia reigns amidst graffiti panels with local themes.
2. 3-day itinerary along the south coast of RN
Natural Features and Landscapes of the Southern Coast of RN
- The beaches of the South Coast are known for their colourful cliffs, dunes, lagoons and Atlantic Forest vegetation.
- The Pipa region, one of the most famous on the south coast, stands out for its red cliffs, sheltered bays, natural pools and the presence of dolphins and sea turtles.
- The South Coast also has freshwater lagoons, such as the Guaraíras Lagoon, where you can watch the river meet the sea and enjoy spectacular sunsets.
Praia de Pirangi no RN 03:48
Praia de Curumupim no RN01:43
Praia da Pipa - RN02:51
Praia do Madeiro em Pipa no RN02:51
Praia do Amor no RN02:30
Barra do Cunhaú RN - Guia Turístico
Barra do Cunhaú - Guia de Turismo
Barra do Cunhaú - Kitesurf04:22
Jacuzzi natural em Barra do Cunhaú03:16
Litoral Sul do RN - Reportagem03:30
Baía Formosa – RN03:29
– Day 2 on the South Coast of RN
Further south of the capital, still on the coast, you can see the cashew tree of Pirangi, considered to be the largest on the planet.
- Parrachos de Pirangi: Opposite are the boats that take you to the Parrachos de Pirangi, one of the region’s best-known walks: these are coral reefs just 1.5 kilometres from the beach, forming beautiful natural pools with clear, warm waters. Just up the road is the Mirante dos Golfinhos, a cliff with a breathtaking view of the sea, from where you can see dolphins swimming.
- Camurupim Beach: Nearby, at Camurupim Beach, thanks to the breaking of the waves on the reefs, coves with calm waters form, perfect for relaxing. To round off the day, a stop at the Arituba Lagoon guarantees a lovely swim in the fresh, clear water. For dinner after a day’s sightseeing, the best option is to try a dish of carne de sol with green beans.
– Day 3 on the South Coast of RN
Another unmissable attraction from Natal are the buggy rides that offer a unique experience along the sands of deserted beaches, heading for the Guaraíras Lagoon.
- Tibau do Sul: From there, a ferry leaves to the town of Tibau do Sul and its fantastic Praia da Pipa, one of the state’s most famous seaside resorts – where it’s worth staying overnight to enjoy the lively nightlife with bars, restaurants and beach clubs.
– Day 4 on the South Coast of RN
Day to visit the beautiful beaches of the region of Pipa.
- Praia do Madeiro: Praia do Madeiro is an excellent start, a cove that can be reached by descending a wooden staircase in the middle of the cliff.
- Praia do Amor: The small effort is nothing next to the reward: the view is jaw-dropping! Then comes Praia do Amor, which enchants with its wilder feel.
- Barra do Cunhaú: Going a little further down the map, aboard a buggy or 4×4 car, is Barra do Cunhaú, the kitesurfing paradise of the South Coast. With the sea and the Curimataú River meeting, the landscape along this stretch is unrivalled in its beauty, mixing ocean, river, dunes, coconut palms and mangroves.
- Bía Formosa: At low tide, when you cross the Curimataú by ferry, you can also reach the beach of Baía Formosa, the fishing village that revealed the surfer Ítalo Ferreira, one of the best Brazilians currently on the world surfing circuit.
- Lagoa da Coca Cola: To finish off, a relaxing dip in the soda-dark (but clear) waters of Lagoa da Coca Cola, in the middle of an original and unspoilt Atlantic Forest reserve, is a good idea.
3. 1-day itinerary in the interior of RN
– Day 5 in the interior of RN
The interior of Rio Grande do Norte (RN) also offers a number of tourist attractions that highlight the state’s culture, history, nature and traditions. Unlike the well-known beaches and coastline, the interior of RN offers a different experience, characterised by historic towns, hinterland landscapes, cultural manifestations and religious events.
It’s time to get to know the interior of the state, with all the cultural and historical baggage of the northeastern hinterland.
Cidade de Santa Cruz no RN e Santa Rita de Cássia04:38
Seridó - Sertão do Rio Grande do Norte04:34
Conheça o cânion dos Apertados em Currais Novos
Mina Brejuí em Currais Novos RN
Castelo Di Bivar - Carnaúba dos Dantas RN
- Santa Cruz: The suggested route begins with a stop in the town of Santa Cruz, where the Sanctuary of Santa Rita de Cássia is located. At 56 metres high, even more imposing from the top of a mountain, it is the largest Catholic statue in the world – 18 metres more, for example, than Christ the Redeemer in Rio. It’s possible to reach the saint’s feet by car and soon there will also be an option to go up by cable car. From religious tourism, the journey moves on to archaeology and geology.
- Seridó Geopark: The next destination is the Seridó Geopark. This is an amazing region that is home to fossils of prehistoric animals dating back more than 10,000 years, as well as cave paintings dating back more than 9,000 years with reddish tones depicting human and animal figures, as can be seen at the Xique-Xique Geosite in Carnaúba dos Dantas.
- Caicó: On leaving the park, the recommendation is to try the cuisine of the Seridó, with lunch in the town of Caicó. Butter cheese, buchada and roast goat are some of the typical dishes.
4. 2-day itinerary along the north coast of RN
Natural Features and Landscapes of the North Coast of RN
- It is characterised by a more desert-like setting, with extensive white sand dunes and beaches with warm, calm waters.
- The North Coast is famous for its ‘sheets’ of sand, as in Genipabu, where there are mobile and fixed dunes that can be explored by buggy.
- The region is also home to curious rock formations, such as the ‘Cajueiro de Pirangi’, the largest cashew tree in the world, and the Pedra do Rosário, a rock formation on the high seas.
Day 6 – North Coast of RN
- Genipabu: Back on the coast, to the north of Natal are the dunes of Genipabu, one of the postcards of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, where you can take the most traditional buggy ride and ski down the sands.
- Lagoa de Pitangui: It’s pure fun and adrenaline! And afterwards, to catch your breath, you can relax in the fresh water of the Pitangui Lagoon.
- Parrachos de Maracajaú: Next up are the beaches of Muriú and Jacumã, on the way to the next stop, the Parrachos de Maracajaú. This is a reef formation about 7 kilometres from the beach. The place offers incredible diving, with crystal-clear water teeming with marine life such as fish, lobsters and corals.
- São Miguel do Gostoso: The journey then continues to São Miguel do Gostoso, an hour away, where we recommend staying overnight to enjoy the town’s haute cuisine for a special dinner. On the way to the city, it’s worth making a pit stop in Touros, where Praia do Marco is located. On these sands, in 1501, the Portuguese set the first stone landmark to legitimise Portugal’s ownership of the lands they had discovered, making it the oldest monument in the country. It is this point in Rio Grande do Norte that gave rise to the phrase ‘Everything begins here’, the state’s slogan.
– Day 7 on the North Coast of RN
- São Miguel do Gostoso: Day to enjoy the good energy of São Miguel do Gostoso, considered the best beach for kitesurfing in Brazil. With its beautiful scenery, first-class cuisine and the rustic charm of a fishing village, the town has become a hotspot for discerning travellers. Quiet for much of the year, on New Year’s Eve, in particular, it becomes a trendy destination that attracts thousands of young people from the south and south-east of the country.
- Galinhos: From São Miguel, you can also take a day trip to another fascinating place in the region, Galinhos. Little explored by mass tourism, this little piece of the state is practically untouched, with unrivalled nature: a peninsula of sand, with deserted beaches and a lighthouse at the tip, surrounded by blue waters, dunes and a salt pan. The best definition of paradise.
5. Back to Natal
– Day 8 in Natal, RN
Back in the capital, on the last day of the itinerary, you can’t miss a leisurely stroll along the city’s most famous beach, Ponta Negra, and a dip in the warm waters in front of its most iconic attraction, Morro do Careca.
Ponta Negra em Natal no RN
And to round off this unforgettable trip, it’s worth sampling some of the local cuisine in one of the many restaurants in Ponta Negra. You’ll certainly want to come back.
Tourist Route in Rio Grande do Norte – Tourist Guide to the Brazilian Northeast
