Get to know Natal
"Rio Grande do Norte is the Land of the Sun, white sand beaches, dunes, palm trees and lots of peace. A place to relax and admire the beauty of the landscape. Here, summer lasts all year long and the heat is tempered by a constant breeze. With 400 km of coastline, the state has beaches with calm water, with natural pools formed by reefs, but also beaches with waves, good for surfing and almost desert beaches with dunes and palm trees."
These are the most important suburbs:
Tirol
Tirol-Noble suburb located nearby downtown. In Tirol it can be found several high standart buildings and also residences. There you will find the attractions such as Camara Cascudo Museum , Santa Terezinha church and the biggest shopping mall in town: The Midway Mall, with its more than 230.000 sq meters, 10 big department stores and more than other 200 stores
Petrópolis
Petrópolis-Several great restaurants and leisure options are found in Petropolis. It´s located between downtown and a beach called “Praia do Meio”. It is considered the most forested suburb in Natal and there are a lot of luxury buildings. It is also in Petropolis the best brands can be found in very nice little shopping malls such as “CCAB Petropolis” and “Alamanda Mall”.
Morro Branco
Morro Branco- It’s known by its tranquility and proximity to “Parque das Dunas”, a huge reserve of Altlantic forest which surround the whole city. It’s very well located, nearby the most important places in city and just besides the shopping center “Midway Mall”. There it will be found good residences and medium and high standard buildings.
Lagoa Nova
Lagoa Nova-Central suburb with a lot of commerce. There will be also found a lot of residences and two of the biggest supermarkets in town : “ Hiper Bom-Preço” and “Nordestão”. It is in this suburb that is located one campus of Unp- Potiguar University.
Candelária
Candelária-It is located in the highest region of city what makes of it one of the most ventilated areas in town, Candelaria has several buildings, being some of them very luxurious. Natal Shopping, the second biggest shopping mall in town is located in this suburb, with 43.694 sq meters one big department store and other 136 stores.
Capim Macio
Capim Macio- Located by the border of the most valuable avenue in town, the “Engenheiro Roberto Freire” avenue, which is the main access to the Ponta Negra Beach. There are medium and small standard shopping malls, such as “ Shopping Cidade Jardim”, “CCAB Sul”, “Orla Sul” and “Sea way”, well known for its nice open air food court.
Cidade Jardim
Cidade Jardim- This Suburb is located in the opposite side of “Capim Macio”, also very close to Engenheiro Roberto freire Avenue. That’s a typical residential suburb, with nice and spacious houses, just beside UFRN – The Federal University.
Ponta Negra
Ponta Negra- One of the most popular suburbs in town, especially for foreigners. There you will find one of the most famous beaches of Rio Grande do Norte Coast: Ponta Negra beach known for its natural beauties, bars, restaurants and shopping malls. It can be found there a shopping mall called “Praia Shopping” with 8 movie theaters.
Nova Parnamirim
Nova Parnamirim- Only five minutes far from Ponta Negra, this suburb has been very demanded due its tranquility and growing valorization of its properties. A lot of residential condominiums can be found there with great infra-structure and big leisure areas.
In Natal, in addition to great urban beaches, the tourist has a lot of entertainment options: from exciting nightclubs to cultural activities such as museums and visit to monuments.
Check it out some attractions in Natal:
Torurism Center- In a building that used to be a jail a lot of craft and souvenirs stores can be found nowadays. There is also a art gallery, several bars and restaurants and a especial “forró” party ( typical Brazilian dance). The Original architecture has been restored by IPHAN ( National Institute of Historical Patrimony). Only the beautiful views to “Praia do Meio” are already enough to make the tripe worth.
Mãe Luiza Lighthouse
Built in 1951, on a high location known as Mãe Luiza, the Lightsouse is 37 meters height and its latern able to reach up to 44m meters of distance. From the top of it it’s possible having a panoramic view over Natal, from “Genipabu” beach till “Ponta Negra” beach. That’s a great option for those who are looking for great view of the city
The Galo Church
Another architectual treasure in Natal is the Santo Antonio Church, Known by the population as “Galo” church. In this baroque style building, from 1766, the visitor will have the opportunity of getting to know the “Artes Sacras” Museum, which makes the place even more interesting.
Alberto Maranhão Theater
Located in the oldest Natal´s suburb, the “Ribeira”, The Alberto Maranhão Theater was built in the end of XIXth century. Having in its architecture the lines and elements of the French architecture from that age, the Theater is considered a very important building for the history of the city. A attractive cultural location, not only for its very exciting schedule of plays but also for the history it brings.
Forte dos Reis Magos
The Reis Magos fortification competes with “Careca” sanddune for the tittle of “the most popular post card in town”. It’s a landmark of the Portuguese colonization in the state. It started being built in 1598 and was occupied by the dutch between 1633 and 1654. It’s located nearby the meeting of Atlantic Ocean And “Potengi” River. Besides the history behind this fortification that’s a very beautiful building.
Barreira do Inferno
First spaceship base in Latin America, the “ Barreira do Inferno” has its name ( the hell barricade) due its location: on top of a very height sea cliff, which is red. Nowadays the base realizes several studies and is open to visitation (under scheduled time)
The Sanddunes Park
The Second biggest urban park in Brasil, has a preservation area of 1.172 hectars, in this park it is possible to find one of the last areas of Atlantic forest in the country. The Park begins by the sea ( in the via costeira) and lasts up to “Bosque dos namorados”, a very peaceful urban park. Ideal for those who enjoy being by the nature.
Ponta Negra
Ponta Negra is the hub for the tourists visiting Natal. During the day it’s possible to enjoy the beach and the beautiful view from “Morro do careca”. In the evening, a lot of pubs and a lot of beautiful people. That’s not only by the sea! A lot of locations in the suburb are crowded even during the week! A good hint is the “ Manoel Araujo street” known as “Salsa street” ( reference to one of the pubs located there). The Taverna pub is a very close copy to a medieval castle
Pirangi Cashew
Pirangi Cashew tree-This “genetic aberration” (as long as scientific researches say) is one of the most beautiful and fascinating trees. It’s Crown has 8400 sp meters, the biggest cashew tree in the world produces up to 60 thousand cashew by season. Around the tree there are a lot of craft stores
Praia de Pipa
Situada a cerca de 85km de Natal, a Praia da Pipa é imperdível para quem busca aventura durante o dia e badalação à noite. Eleita pelo Guia 4 Rodas como uma das 10 mais belas do Brasil a Praia da Pipa concilia a beleza das enseadas e falésias, à infra-estrutura, com charmosas pousadas, lojinhas de artesanato, bares e restaurantes. É famosa pelas suas caminhadas pelo Santuário Ecológico, por ser a Meca dos surfistas Potiguares e por sua noite "caliente", frequentada por turistas do mundo todo.
Genipabu Beach
Genipabu Beach is a very popular place for those who are in a buggy trip. The beautiful sabddunes bring a lot of emotions: lakes with “aerobunda” e “esquibunda” and rides on the dromedaries. A lot of restaurants are found nearby and great views are provided by the meeting of the sand dunes and the sea, one of the most popular post card in Rio Grande do Norte.
Pipa Beach
Located 85 km far from Natal, Pipa Beach is unlosable for those who are after adventure during the day and party in the evening. Chosen by the “ Guia 4 rodas” as one of ten most beautiful beaches in Brazil Pipa Beach counts on the meeting of beautiful bays with great sea cliffs and good infra structure. A lot of nice little hotels (called “pousadas”), stores, pubs and restaurants. It’s famous for the tracks trough the ecological sanctuary and for the great beaches for surfing, also for its “hot” evenings, attended by tourist from all over the world
Jacumã Lake
Still on the North Coast, Jacuma Lake is famous for ita bestiful views: Huge sanddunes around it, furthermore the “aerobunda” is another great attraction, it’s close to the Jacumã Beach.
Carnatal
Every year during Decemeber, Natal stops: it’s Carnatal! The party is pioneer in the country among the “out of age carnivals”. Happening Since 1990 the party is the biggest in town, and during its four days, brings around one million people to the streets. A lot of Brazilian singer stars are present in the party, such as: Ivete Sangalo, Chiclete com Banana, babado novo, Asa de Aguia, among others.
NIS - Natal International Show
Natal International Shows- Another option in the evening is the NIS- Natal International Show- a show house that presents the show “ brazilian heart”, with presentation of the most typical dances in the country, such as capoeira, samba, forro and much more!
“Forró” with the tourist
Almost 20 years ago the “Forro” with the tourist began; it happens every Thursday in the “Centro de Turismo”. That´s the best chance of knowing the truly “Forro” and its variations: “xote”, “xaxado” and “baiao”. Further more, the Dance Company “Arte e Movimento” has dancers that are trained to teach tourists how to dance. Typical food and drinks, transfer e other services are provided.
