Discover Serra: Culture, nature and creative spaces

Serra combines nature experiences with cultural history and artistic spaces. The 833-metre-high Mestre Álvaro offers hiking trails of varying difficulty; there is also a park with sports and play areas, as well as historic sites and cultural venues. This gives you several options when planning your trip: exercise, architectural history, local culture or the waves at Jacaraípe. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can start by deciding which of these aspects you want to shape your stay.

Hiking, sport and environmental education

Mestre Álvaro reaches a height of 833 metres. Its hiking trails vary in difficulty and can be accessed via Serra-Sede, Pitanga, Queimado and Furnas. The differences in difficulty and the access points give you two practical criteria for planning a hike: the level of challenge you want and the most suitable starting point.

Parque da Cidade is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. It has a tennis court, multi-purpose sports courts, a walking path, a playground and a skatepark. The facilities therefore include sporting activities, a path for a stroll and space to play.

The Centro de Estudo, Pesquisa e Conservação de Bromeliaceae e Outras Herbáceas do Município da Serra offers another way to connect with nature. It combines environmental education with a bromeliad garden and a plant nursery. The activities are aimed primarily at schools, but the site is also open to visitors. Here, the focus is on plants and their care, while hiking is the main draw at Mestre Álvaro.

Architectural history and cultural traditions

The Museu Histórico da Serra is housed in one of the oldest buildings in Serra-Sede: a mansion belonging to the Castello family, one of the few surviving examples of 19th-century architecture. In Carapina, the Capela São João Batista de Carapina and the ruins of a mansion tell the story of the area's settlement. Together, these sites offer different ways to explore architectural and local history.

Another significant Jesuit architectural complex is the Igreja e Residência dos Reis Magos in Nova Almeida. The first chapel was built on 6 January 1557, and the church was completed in 1580. These two dates illustrate the complex's long construction history and provide a specific point of reference for exploring the region's heritage.

Serra also has a place for living culture. The Associação das Bandas de Congo da Serra (ABC) in Serra-Sede is one of the key institutions dedicated to protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of Espírito Santo. Vila das Artes in the Bairro São Francisco/Jacaraípe is a collection of creative and artistic spaces; its origins are closely linked to Casa de Pedra.

The Santuário das Formigas Bordadeiras, also known as Santuário de Nossa Senhora das Lágrimas, displays embroidered leaves in galleries. The site also has information panels and a prayer area; Masses are held in a sanctuary. The cultural range therefore extends from architecture and local history to handicrafts and religious traditions.

Surfing and food in Jacaraípe and Manguinhos

Jacaraípe is known as the “Vila do Surf”; the waves there are consistent for almost the entire year. If you want to make the surfing scene a central part of your trip, it offers a distinct focus alongside the historical and cultural attractions. In Manguinhos, the traditional Manguinhos Gourmet festival brings together chefs, restaurants and lovers of good food. If you want to include the festival in your plans, check the event dates before you travel.

The locations and themes offer different focuses: for a hike, the access points to Mestre Álvaro are relevant; for architectural history, Serra-Sede, Carapina and Nova Almeida are good options. Jacaraípe is known for its surfing, while Manguinhos is associated with the gourmet festival.

Discover more destinations: Piúma, Alfredo Chaves, Domingos Martins, Vila Velha, Rio Bananal, Ibatiba, Guarapari, Aracruz.

For the overview of the wider region: Espírito Santo.