Things to do in Maceió
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Sorveteria Bali
Grab an outdoor table and enjoy Maceió’s best ice cream. Among favorites are walnut, guava and tapioca.
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Nove Ilhas Tour
From the nearby village of Pontal da Barra, schooners leave at around 09:00 and 13:00 on the Nove Ilhas (Nine Islands) tour. The trip lasts four hours and, in addition to cruising the Lagoa Mundaú, you'll stop at the outlet of the lake into the ocean. Departures are from Pontal da Barra's lakefront restaurants, such as O Peixarão or Alípio. A five-person minimum is required, so call ahead.
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Museu Théo Brandão
The Museu Théo Brandão is housed in a handsomely renovated colonial building on the seafront. Excellent exhibits cover the state’s history and popular culture; the most impressive displays are festival headpieces modeled after churches, which are loaded with mirrors, beads and multicolored ribbons and weigh up to 35kg. Traditional dance performances are staged some evenings.
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Jangadas
Jangadas sail out 2km at low tide to natural pools formed by the nearby reef. On a busy day, the pools fill up with people (clouding the water for those interested in snorkeling) and waiters run around serving drinks from floating bars. You can arrange trips with any boat captain - stop in early to find out when the boats are sailing. Embark at Praia de Pajuçara.
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Praia de Ponta Verde
The most popular and beautiful of the city beaches is Praia de Ponta Verde. Protected by an offshore coral reef, Maceió's ocean waters are calm and a deep emerald color.
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Mercado Praia de Pajuçara
The Mercado Praia de Pajuçara is an enclosed craft market on Pajuçara's waterfront selling lacework, hammocks, baskets and ceramics.
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Wanchaco
This highly acclaimed Peruvian restaurant serves excellent seafood in a cozy, creatively decorated setting.
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Pontal da Barra
If you are interested in doing some shopping for Alagoas' characteristic filé crochetwork, head for Pontal da Barra , a fishing/crafts village beside the Lagoa Mundaú. Women weave outside the shops that line the streets, and prices are generally the lowest around. To get there, catch any bus heading south with Barra in its name.
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Mandala Café e Restaurante
In restaurant-starved Centro, this hip eatery, which doubles as an art space and acoustic music venue, is a traveler’s oasis. Fill up your plate at the self-service lunch or come in the evening to support local arts while enjoying a cold cerveja (beer).
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Sarah’s Esfihas
Great for a light snack, Sarah’s is a popular Middle Eastern joint with outdoor tables that fill at night with young people eating esfihas (fluffy breads topped or filled) to order. The quatro queijos (four-cheese esfiha) is divine.
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Orãkulo
In an old building in Jaraguá, this dancehall is a favorite destination for Maceió's many forró lovers. The plaza in front is a lively meeting spot on weekends, with casual drink and snack stands in an otherwise barren neighborhood.
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Divina Gula
A Maceió institution, Divina Gula specializes in the hearty cuisine of Minas Gerais and the Northeast. The picanha (steak) is excellent as is the carne de sol with plantains, corn and zucchini.
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Hamburgueria
This stylish bistro has drawn a loyal following with thick, tasty sandwiches, salads and juices amid colorful, vinyl-loving ambience. Electronic music plays overhead – a counterpoint to the slow service.
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Foca Bier
This castle-like bar and music venue hosts live Música Popular Brasileira (MPB) and forró bands throughout the week. Come for the outdoor seating and good happy-hour specials from 4pm to 8pm.
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O Peixarão
This casual restaurant is a longtime local favorite for its filling seafood dishes. Grilled fish with shrimp sauce and caldeirada (Portuguese seafood stew) are top picks.
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Stella Maris
For feasting on a budget, it’s hard to beat Stella Maris, a no-nonsense churrascaria (barbecued-meat restaurant) bringing juicy grilled meats to your table.
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Mercado do Artesanato
You’ll get a good deal at the Mercado do Artesanato. To get there, catch a bus that stops in front of the antigo (old) Cine Ideal.
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Mai Kai
This Polynesian-themed bar features live pop, rock or axé (Bahian pop music). The crowd can be young, especially on axé nights.
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Massarela
This is the place to come for homemade pastas and brick-oven pizzas. Decor consisting of hanging cheese and decorative plates adds authenticity.
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Rei do Choppe
The 'king of beer' is a beachside spot serving a good selection of grilled fish, meat and seafood. There's live music some nights.
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Lampião
A mix of locals and tourists gather at this well-known beachfront spot for dancing to Northeastern beats on the breezy shoreline.
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New Hakata
Maceió’s top Japanese restaurant is a popular spot for sashimi and sushi, particularly on Tuesday’s all-you-can-eat buffet night.
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Surya
One of the city’s best vegetarian restaurants, Surya provides a peaceful setting to enjoy healthy salads, sandwiches and juices.
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Rapa Nui Choparia
Happy-hour specials and a stylish tropical design draw a nightly crowd to this beachfront bar. Features live music on weekends.
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Nakaffa
This cool, contemporary café specializes in frothy cappuccino, light salads and sandwiches and decadent chocolate desserts.
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