Itapema, Coastal municipality in Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Itapema is a coastal municipality in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, stretching along a series of sandy beaches on the Atlantic shore. The built-up area runs parallel to the sea, with residential blocks, hotels, and local services concentrated close to the shoreline.
Portuguese and Azorean settlers began establishing communities along this stretch of coast in the early 19th century. The settlement grew steadily over the following decades and became an independent municipality in 1962.
Itapema draws mostly Brazilian families on holiday, giving the place a relaxed and domestic feel rather than an international resort tone. Along the seafront, small food stalls and beach vendors follow the rhythm of the waves and the seasons.
The beaches are open all year, but the peak season falls in the Southern Hemisphere summer, from December through February, when the town gets very busy. The flat layout makes it easy to get around on foot along the coast.
Itapema is among the most densely populated municipalities on the Brazilian coast, yet it remains far less known than other beach towns in the country. This density is squeezed into a narrow strip between the sea and the hills behind, giving the town a noticeably vertical skyline of apartment towers right next to the water.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
