The city of Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Brazil, especially during the Christmas and high summer season. The city is famous for its paradisiacal beaches, impressive dunes and rich northeastern culture.
Natal RN is built on top of the dunes, Natal overlooks its long and beautiful coastline with its back to the Potengi River – the old Rio Grande do Norte, which gave its name to the captaincy, the province and, finally, the state.
The city of Natal developed on the left bank of the river, a region originally inhabited by the Potiguares Indians.
The city of Natal is the starting point for those who want to explore the famous dunes of Genipabu, to the north of the Potengi river, and the magnificent coastlines to the south and north, which can be travelled by traditional buggies.
Videos – Tourist attractions and things to do in Natal RN
Main sights and activities in Natal RN
Natal is the starting point for those who want to explore the famous dunes of Genipabu, to the north of the Potengi river, and the magnificent coastlines to the south and north, which can be travelled by traditional buggies.
- Natal’s main beaches and their attractions
- Ponta Negra
- Morro do Careca
- Genipabu: Dunes, Lagoons and Sea
- Parrachos de Maracajaú
- Forte dos Reis Magos
- Mãe Luiza Lighthouse and Parque das Dunas
- Upper Town
- Ribeira neighbourhood
- City of the Sun
- Cabo de São Roque
- Boat trip along the Potengi River
- Local Gastronomy
1. Natal’s Main Beaches and their Attractions
1.1. Ponta Negra Beach
- Description: Natal’s most famous beach, known for the iconic Morro do Careca (Bald Hill), a 120 metre high dune.
- Activities: Sea bathing, surfing, kitesurfing, walks along the shore, bars, restaurants, vibrant nightlife.
- Highlights: Morro do Careca, bars and restaurants on the seafront, craft markets.
1.2. Artists’ Beach
- Description: An urban beach known for its strong waves, popular with surfers and visitors in search of a bohemian atmosphere.
- Activities: Surfing, swimming, live music in bars and restaurants.
- Highlights: Lively promenade, bars with live music.
1.3. Praia do Meio
- Description: Located between Praia do Forte and Praia dos Artistas, it is a central beach with calm waters.
- Activities: Sea bathing, walks on the promenade, kiosks by the sea.
- Highlights: View of the Reis Magos Fort, kiosks with typical food.
1.4. Praia do Forte
- Description: Next to the Reis Magos Fort, it has calm waters and natural pools at low tide.
- Activities: Swimming, snorkelling, visit to the Forte dos Reis Magos.
- Highlights: Reis Magos Fort, natural pools at low tide.
1.5. Genipabu Beach
- Description: Famous for its dunes and lagoons, it is one of Natal’s most popular tourist destinations.
- Activities: Buggy rides, dromedaries, esquibunda, aerobunda, swimming in the sea.
- Highlights: Mobile dunes, Genipabu Lagoon, buggy rides ‘with emotion’.
1.6. Redinha Beach
- Description: Divided into Redinha Velha and Redinha Nova, this is a popular beach with locals.
- Activities: Sea bathing, fishing, visit to the Natal Aquarium.
- Highlights: Redinha Market, where you can try the traditional ginga with tapioca, Natal Aquarium.
1.7. Areia Preta Beach
- Description: Known for its rock formations and dark sands, this is a quieter and less frequented beach.
- Activities: Sea bathing, relaxing, hiking.
- Highlights: Rock formations, tranquillity.
1.8. Búzios Beach
- Description: Located to the south of Natal, it is a beach known for its strong waves and unspoilt nature.
- Activities: Surfing, hiking, swimming.
- Highlights: Strong waves, unspoilt nature.
1.9. Pirangi Beach
- Description: Famous for the largest cashew tree in the world, Pirangi Beach is divided into Pirangi do Norte and Pirangi do Sul.
- Activities: Sea bathing, boat trips, visit to the world’s largest cashew tree.
- Highlights: Largest cashew tree in the world, natural pools.
1.10. Cotovelo Beach
- Description: Located to the south of Natal, it is known for its cliffs and tranquillity.
- Activities: Sea bathing, relaxation, hiking.
- Highlights: Cliffs, tranquillity.
2. Ponta Negra
Ponta Negra is Natal’s most famous beach, known for its seafront full of bars and restaurants where visitors can enjoy fresh seafood.
2.1. Nightlife in Ponta Negra
With the exception of Ribeira, the neighbourhoods and central areas of Natal are deserted and dark at night, in contrast to the coastal districts.
The nightlife is mainly concentrated on the promenade in front of Ponta Negra beach, close to Careca hill, which has been closed off to preserve the dune from erosion.
On this stretch, shops, restaurants and bars with music are open until late, attracting mainly tourists, the ‘buggy drivers’ who accompany them and groups of young people from Natal.
To take a break from the hustle and bustle, you can walk to the opposite side of the hill along the pleasant Portuguese stone promenade, enjoying the sea breeze.
3. Morro do Careca
This is one of the city’s postcards, a white sand dune that descends directly into the sea. Although it is forbidden to climb the dune in order to preserve it, you can admire its beauty from different points on the beach.
4. Genipabu: Dunes, Lagoons and Sea
On the other side of the Potengi River, in the municipality of Estremoz, is Genipabu, famous for its dunes (access via the RN-302 and RN-304 or by ferry, which takes 20 minutes from Natal, at the place known as the ramp, to the landing in the Redinha neighbourhood).
The Genipabu lagoon is dark and contrasts beautifully with the landscape of dunes. The various lagoons in the region are pieces of sea that have somehow been dammed up in the middle of the dunes.
The similarity between the Genipabu dunes and the Sahara desert gave rise to the idea of bringing dromedaries to Brazil. The dromedaries ended up becoming the postcard of Genipabu and can be seen at Dromedunas (Genipabu beach).
The Genipabu Dunes are famous for their huge sand dunes, where you can take thrilling buggy rides (with extreme manoeuvres) or thrill-free buggy rides (more relaxed). It is also possible to ‘esquibunda’ and ride a dromedary.
The Genipabu Lagoon is a great place to relax after a walk along the dunes.
5. Parrachos de Maracajaú
Known as the ‘Brazilian Caribbean’, Maracajaú is famous for its coral reefs and crystal-clear waters. It is an ideal place for diving and snorkelling, where you can observe marine life in natural pools.
The main attraction of Maracajaú, a fishing village 60 kilometres north of Natal, is its precious stretch of coral – called ‘parrachos’ – which occupy an area of 13 by 2.5 kilometres about 7 kilometres from the sandy beach.
Boats reach the parrachos at low tide, when the depth varies between 1 and 3 metres, allowing good visibility for those who dive into the warm, crystal-clear water with only a fin, mask and snorkel.
You can see shoals of fish, rays and, if you’re lucky, lobsters and prawns. On Maracajaú beach, full of dunes, coconut trees and lagoons, the sea is calm. The restaurants are grouped together in front of the Teresa Pança Lighthouse.
Trips to Maracajaú can be made from Natal (there are agencies that offer day trips).
6. Reis Magos Fort
Built in 1598 by the Portuguese, the Reis Magos Fort is an important historical and cultural site in Natal. In addition to its historical importance, the site offers a spectacular view of the Potengi River meeting the Atlantic Ocean.
The Forte dos Reis Magos in Natal RN was strategically located at the point where the Potengi flows into the sea. The Forte dos Reis Magos, in the shape of a five-pointed star, began to be built in rammed earth on King’s Day 1598 – hence its name – to protect the city from French invasions.
In 1628 the rammed earth was replaced by stone. Well preserved, the building can be reached by a footbridge stretching some 800 metres over the mangrove swamp. The view from the fort – the city of Natal, the sea and the river – is unforgettable.
The historic Marco de Touros, a lioz stone with the cross and shield of the king of Portugal, originally set up on what is now known as Marco beach, in São Miguel do Gostoso, to mark the possession of the land by the Portuguese, can be seen in the armoury.
In the captain’s former quarters there is a small exhibition of objects found during excavations. In the dungeon are the three impressive torture rooms – in one of them you can still see the deep hole, which filled with the rising tide, where the prisoners were drowned (av. Café Filho, s/n, Praҫa do Forte).
7. Mãe Luiza Lighthouse and Parque das Dunas
One hundred and fifty steps on a spiral staircase lead to the highest point of the Mãe Luiza Lighthouse, also called the Natal Lighthouse, inaugurated in 1951.
The building is 37 metres high, but because it is located on a dune, it is 87 metres above sea level, with a range of around 39 nautical miles (72.7 kilometres). The 360-degree view is one of the most beautiful in the capital (Rua Camaragipe, s/n, Mãe Luiza).
From the lighthouse you can see part of the pleasant Parque Estadual Dunas de Natal (or simply Parque das Dunas), Rio Grande do Norte’s first conservation unit, created in 1977.
Since 1994, the park has been part of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve and occupies a strip of coastline covering 1172 hectares of wooded, well signposted and cared for dunes.
There is a walking track, children’s playground, amphitheatre, picnic area and visitor centre, where you can book a visit to the nursery.
With a permanent exhibition of photos of the park, the centre has a library, toilets and drinking fountains.
There are guided trails to Perobinha (800 metres round trip, easy level, suitable for children), Peroba (2800 metres round trip, including a visit to the Barreira Roxa viewpoint) and Ubaia Doce (4400 metres round trip, difficult level, with steep slopes). Av. Alexandrino de Alencar, s/n, Morro Branco).
8. Cidade Alta
The settlement of Natal was concentrated in the highest part of the Potiguar territory, today known as Cidade Alta.
The lower part received the rainwater that came down from the upper part until it met the Potengi River. This gave rise to the Ribeira neighbourhood.
The two parts are home to the city’s oldest buildings and squares, which are sometimes overlooked by tourists eager to explore the attractions of the coast; buildings and landmarks often open and close their doors every day, receiving few visitors.
The building that houses the Historical and Geographical Institute of Rio Grande do Norte stands out on the route between the Ribeira and Cidade Alta neighbourhoods: in neoclassical style, it has a collection of rare books, as well as an old font from the parish church.
On the doorstep is the Capitoline Column, with which Benito Mussolini presented Natal with a gift for the welcome given by the locals to two Italian pilots who landed there in 1928 (Rua da Conceiҫão 622, Centro).
The tour should include a visit to the tiny Café Filho Museum, with objects and books by the Potiguar who was president of Brazil between 1954 and 1955 after the suicide of Getúlio Vargas.
The museum is housed in a mansion listed by Iphan, built between 1816 and 1820 and known as the ‘bridal veil’ because its roof, painted white, has a steep slope (Rua da Conceiҫão, 601, Centro).
The Alberto Maranhão Theatre, founded in 1904 by the governor after whom it was named, is the most important in Rio Grande do Norte.
Hydraulic tiles, large crystal mirrors and eye-catching chandeliers welcome visitors, who then come across an area with a small garden, benches, a café and a souvenir shop.
The theatre itself is very pleasant, with a bluish floor brought from Belgium, wooden armchairs and a two-storey audience with 642 seats (Praҫa Augusto Severo, s/n, Ribeira).
9. Ribeira neighbourhood
A walk along the beautiful cobbled Chile Street is worth the trip to the historic Ribeira neighbourhood, located in the lower part of the city. By day, the harbour bustles and the fishing boats on the Potengi River are the main attractions.
At night, the nightclubs attract a young crowd. The so-called Pedra do Rosário or Paço da Pátria is located in Ribeira, actually a deck over the waters of the Potengi where there is a replica of the image of Our Lady which, according to Câmara Cascudo, was found in a crate that ran aground there on 21 November 1753, the day of Our Lady of the Presentation, patron saint of Natal.
The original saint is in the city’s cathedral.
The deck is the ideal place to enjoy the sunset amidst the many little boats at anchor.
Nearby is the well-known Canto do Mangue, a small pier where fishermen arrive in the early hours of the morning bringing fresh fish to do business.
In the surrounding bars, they drink beer and eat fried fish accompanied by tapioca with coconut.
10. City of the Sun
During Christmas, the city gets a special illumination and various cultural attractions. Events include musical and theatre performances and craft fairs, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere.
11. Cabo de São Roque
Cabo de São Roque is the point on Brazilian territory closest to Africa after Ponta do Seixas, in Paraíba.
50 kilometres from Natal, after the beach of Barra de Maxaranguape, the part of the continent that juts out into the sea, known as the ‘corner of Brazil’, has 6 kilometres of dunes, coconut trees, rocks and cliffs in its landscape.
There you’ll find the São Roque Lighthouse and the ‘tree of love’ – actually two gameleiras perched on top of a dune, whose branches intertwine to form the image of two hearts. The beach, full of rocks, is not good for swimming.
Like the entire north coast, Cabo de São Roque can be visited by buggy or four-wheel drive from Genipabu.
12. Boat trip along the Potengi River
A boat trip along the Potengi River offers a different perspective of the city, including views of the Reis Magos Fort and the Newton Navarro Bridge, especially at dusk.
13. Local Gastronomy
Be sure to try the typical dishes of Northeastern cuisine, such as carne de sol with manioc, prawns in moranga, and the famous ginga with tapioca, traditionally sold on the beaches.
Practical Tips
- Climate: The climate in Natal is warm all year round, with average temperatures ranging between 25°C and 30°C. During the Christmas period, the weather is especially pleasant, with little rainfall.
- Best Time: September to February is the ideal period, with the months of October and November offering good weather, fewer tourists than in the high season at the end of the year, and more reasonable prices.
- Avoid: If possible, avoid the months of June and July due to the rain. However, if you don’t mind occasional rain and want to save money, these months can also be a good choice, especially for those who prefer a quieter experience.
- Transport: The city is well served by public transport, but to explore the more distant beaches, car hire or guided tours are recommended.
- Accommodation: Natal offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels in Ponta Negra to charming pousadas in quieter areas such as Genipabu.
The city of Natal in Rio Grande do Norte is a marvellous choice for those who wish to combine stunning beaches, rich culture, and a festive atmosphere during Christmas.
