The center of town is the inviting Praça XV de Novembro with its shady walks and 100-year-old fig tree. The Museu Histórico de Santa Catarina sits on one side of the square, while the Catedral Metropolitana sits grandly at the high end. The best-preserved colonial church in Florianópolis, Igreja de NS do Rosário, sits picturesquely atop the steps at Rua Trajano.

At the other end of the square, the busy promenade, Rua Felipe Schmidt, is fine for people-watching and window-shopping. Or continue down to the waterfront to the well-preserved Alfândega (customs house) and Mercado Municipal (municipal market).