Praia do Francês & Maceió Tour: Beach and Colonial Architecture
Walk Maceió's squares and plazas, then swim in the protected reef pool at Praia do Francês
A nine-hour tour of Maceió combines the city's colonial landmarks with a full day at Praia do Francês, the turquoise-water beach on the southern Alagoas coast. You visit Dom Pedro II Square, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Church of the Martyrs and its surrounding government buildings, then travel to the beach where a coral reef creates a natural pool on one side and surfers ride waves on the other. A professional guide speaks Spanish or Portuguese, and hotel pickup is included.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Explore Maceió and South Coast Beaches
- Visit Praia do Francês beach
- Lunch at Tropical Restaurant (not included)
- See audiovisual heritage site
- Explore Dom Pedro II Square
- Visit São Gonçalo do Amarante chapel and viewpoint
- Tour Praça dos Martírios and surrounding buildings
- Shop at Pavilhão do Artesanato
What’s included
- Roundtrip transfer from your hotel.
- professional tour guide in Spanish or Portuguese.
- access to Praia do Francês and the city's colonial squares, cathedrals and museums.
- visit to the Pavilhão do Artesanato on Pajuçara Beach.
Times
- Every day 08:00
Before you book
Operated by Gray Line Brazil
Prices and times updated yesterday
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The experience
Praia do Francês sits in the municipality of Marechal de Deodoro, about an hour south of Maceió. The waters shift from turquoise to dark green depending on the light and depth. One side of the beach is sheltered by a coral reef, forming an extensive natural pool where the water stays calm. The other side faces open ocean and draws surfers from across Brazil for its big, tubular waves. You'll have time to swim in whichever section suits you, and the Tropical Restaurant overlooks the seafront if you want to eat (lunch is on your own).
The Maceió portion of the day moves through the city's architectural and cultural center. Dom Pedro II Square anchors the downtown, ringed by the Public Library, the Legislative Assembly, the Ministry of Finance and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Nearby, Praça dos Martírios (now called Marechal Floriano Peixoto) holds the Floriano Peixoto Palace, the Church of the Martyrs and the Palace of the Eagles, which houses the Pierre Chalita Museum of Sacred Art. You'll also visit a viewpoint over the city and the historical Chapel of São Gonçalo do Amarante. The tour ends at the Pavilhão do Artesanato on Pajuçara Beach, where local artists sell handcrafted work.
Hotel pickup and drop-off cover most hotels in Maceió, and your guide speaks either Spanish or Portuguese depending on which option you choose at checkout. The full day runs nine hours, and the specific departure time will be confirmed when you book. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a swim suit, sandals and a towel. Hiking boots or tennis shoes are recommended for the city walking sections.
Is this one for you?Choose the morning departure if you want to reach Praia do Francês while the light is strongest on the turquoise water and the reef pool is at its calmest. The nine-hour length means you spend real time at the beach rather than a quick stop, and the guide's knowledge of both the city's architecture and the coast's geography makes the route coherent instead of scattered.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in Spanish and Portuguese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.
What is Praia do Francês like for swimming?
Praia do Francês has two distinct sections: one side is protected by a coral reef and forms a calm natural pool perfect for swimming, while the other side faces open ocean and is popular with surfers for its big waves. The water color shifts from turquoise to dark green depending on depth and light.
Which colonial buildings and squares does the Maceió city portion include?
The tour covers Dom Pedro II Square with the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Public Library and the Legislative Assembly; Praça dos Martírios (Marechal Floriano Peixoto), which is surrounded by the Floriano Peixoto Palace, the Church of the Martyrs and the Palace of the Eagles housing the Pierre Chalita Museum of Sacred Art; a city viewpoint; and the Chapel of São Gonçalo do Amarante.
Does the tour include lunch?
Lunch is not included in the tour price. The Tropical Restaurant at Praia do Francês offers regional dishes with a seafront view, and you can eat there on your own or bring your own food.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, roundtrip hotel pickup and drop-off are included for most hotels in Maceió.
Praia do Francês & Maceió Tour: Beach and Colonial Architecture
9h · ES · PT · at your hotel
from US$ 16.66 per person
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