Pernambuco coast map: north coast beaches and towns

Published on January 11, 2013 · Updated on November 2, 2026

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The north coast of Pernambuco runs from Olinda to the border with Paraíba and brings together beaches, forts and some of the most important historic sites in the Northeast of Brazil. In addition, it is more densely populated than the south coast of Pernambuco: much of it is urbanized, from the Região Metropolitana do Recife all the way to Goiana.

Quick summary – north coast of Pernambuco

Municipalities: Olinda, Paulista, Igarassu, Itapissuma, Ilha de Itamaracá and Goiana.
Historic towns: Olinda, a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1982, and Igarassu, founded in 1535.
Forts: Forte Orange, in Itamaracá, and Forte de Pau Amarelo, in Paulista.
Main beaches: Maria Farinha, Pau Amarelo, Forte Orange, Coroa do Avião, Catuama and Carne de Vaca.
Distances from Recife: about 30 km to Igarassu, 50 km to Itamaracá and 60 km to Goiana.
Other attractions: the Projeto Peixe-Boi, in Itamaracá, and also the Veneza water park, in Maria Farinha.

Map of the Pernambuco coast

First of all, the map below shows the entire Pernambuco coastline. Thus, north of Recife lies the north coast, the subject of this guide; to the south, by contrast, are Porto de Galinhas, Carneiros and the other beaches of the south coast.

mapa das praias de Pernambuco — Map of the Pernambuco coast

Map of the state of Pernambuco, from the coast to the backlands — Map of Pernambuco

Beaches on the north coast of Pernambuco

The main beaches, from south to north, are:

Olinda: Casa Caiada and Rio Doce.
Paulista: Janga, Pau Amarelo, Conceição and Maria Farinha.
Ilha de Itamaracá: Forte Orange, Pilar, Jaguaribe and also Coroa do Avião.
Goiana: Atapuz, Catuama, Barra de Catuama, Ponta de Pedras and Carne de Vaca, the last one before Paraíba.

Video: historic towns of Pernambuco

História e Guia de Turismo de Igarassu13:01

Guia de Turismo da Ilha de Itamaraca03:05

Drone - Olinda em Pernambuco01:00

IGARASSU - UM LUGAR BARATO E DESCONHECIDO15:17

Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Rosário em Goiana PE

Cidade histórica de Goiana PE

Forte Orange na Ilha de Itamaracá07:05

Olinda

The historic center of Olinda, right next to Recife, dates back to the beginning of Portuguese colonization in the 16th century. At the time, in fact, Olinda was the seat of the Captaincy of Pernambuco, at the height of the sugar economy. For this reason, its architectural and landscape ensemble was listed by Iphan in 1968.

In 1982, moreover, Unesco recognized Olinda as a World Heritage Site. In short, the area covers about 1.2 km² and has 1,500 buildings in a variety of styles: 16th-century colonial buildings, tiled façades from the 18th and 19th centuries, and neoclassical and eclectic works from the early 20th century.

The greenery of the streets, gardens and convents also stands out, with mango, breadfruit, jackfruit, sapodilla and coconut trees. As a result, the historic core seems framed by the forest, with the beach and the sea at its feet.

Paulista

Just north of Olinda, Paulista has beaches such as Janga, Pau Amarelo, Conceição and Maria Farinha. In Pau Amarelo, for example, stands the 18th-century fort of the same name. Meanwhile, Maria Farinha is home to the Veneza Water Park, a water park that is very popular with families.

Igarassu

The small town of Igarassu, listed as a historic heritage site, was founded in 1535 by the troops of Duarte Coelho. It lies about 30 km north of Recife, via the BR-101, and has a well-preserved set of houses from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Churches and the Convento de Santo Antônio

One of the highlights is the art gallery of the Franciscan convent of Santo Antônio. There, too, you will find 24 wooden panels, painted in oil in the 17th and 18th centuries, showing sacred figures and historical scenes. One of them, for example, depicts the yellow fever epidemic of 1685.

According to tradition, Igarassu escaped the epidemic thanks to the protection of São Cosme e São Damião. First, the church of the two saints was built in 1535, then vandalized by the Dutch in 1634 and rebuilt in 1654. Later, in the 18th century, it gained Baroque features. Besides, beside the church there is a lovely view over the town’s rooftops.

The igreja de Santo Antônio, inside the convent, on the other hand, is the best preserved in Igarassu. It was built in stone in 1588 and renovated in the following century, after being looted during the fighting between the Dutch and the Portuguese. In addition, the high altar is made of cedar, with gilding in the Joanine Baroque style. Furthermore, tile panels depict the saint’s miracles.

Painting by Frans Post with the Franciscan convent and the church of Santos Cosme e Damião, in Igarassu — The Franciscan convent in the background and the church of Santos Cosme e Damião, painted by Frans Post

Old houses of the Historic Site of Igarassu, on the north coast of Pernambuco — Historic Site of Igarassu

Façade of the Church of São Cosme e São Damião, in Igarassu — Church of São Cosme e São Damião

Franciscan Convent of Santo Antônio, in Igarassu — Franciscan Convent of Santo Antônio

Church of Santos Cosme e Damião seen from the square, in Igarassu — Church of Santos Cosme e Damião

Façade of the Museu Histórico de Igarassu — Museu Histórico de Igarassu

Pieces from the collection of the Museu Histórico de Igarassu — Collection of the Museu Histórico de Igarassu

Exhibition room of the Museu Histórico de Igarassu — Room in the Museu Histórico de Igarassu

Sacred art statues in the Museu Histórico de Igarassu — Sacred art in the Museu Histórico de Igarassu

Interior of the Museu Histórico de Igarassu

Sobrado do Imperador

Built between the 17th and 18th centuries, the townhouse is one of the most remarkable buildings in the historic center. It was built, for example, with revenue from the meat tax and housed institutions such as the jail and the town council.

Later, in the 19th century, the building received neoclassical ornaments. Even so, it kept the essence of 17th-century architecture, with ashlar work, that is, carved stone blocks. The name recalls the visit of Dom Pedro II on December 5, 1859. However, the townhouse was not built that year; it was only prepared to receive the emperor. Finally, in 1972, the architectural and landscape ensemble of Igarassu was listed by Iphan.

History of Igarassu

Some scholars consider Igarassu the first settlement in the country. More widely accepted, however, is its title as the second town in Brazil, after São Vicente, in São Paulo. In general, the town is considered to have been founded on September 27, 1535, after the Portuguese victory over the Caeté people. On that occasion, Captain Afonso Gonçalves ordered the construction of the chapel of Santos Cosme e Damião, considered the oldest church in Brazil still standing.

There are two explanations for the name, both of them Indigenous. According to the first, it would come from the Tupi igara, “canoe”, and açu, “big”, in reference to the Portuguese caravels. According to the second, it would come from ig, “water”, guará, “water bird”, and açu, “big”. Thus, it would mean “river of the big birds”, also as an allusion to the ships.

Ilha de Itamaracá

The Ilha de Itamaracá lies about 50 km from Recife, via the BR-101 and the PE-35. Moreover, it combines well with a trip to Igarassu, which is on the way.

Forte Orange and Projeto Peixe-Boi

First of all, the island is home to the restored Forte Orange, built by the Dutch in 1631. Later, the Portuguese took the fort, renamed it Fortaleza de Santa Cruz de Itamaracá and rebuilt it. Today, signs explain each part of the fort, and there is also a chapel and a small museum.

Walls of Forte Orange, on Ilha de Itamaracá — Forte Orange, on Ilha de Itamaracá

Near the fort, too, is the base of the Projeto Peixe-Boi, which cares for rescued West Indian manatee calves (Trichechus manatus) and returns them to the wild. Therefore, it is worth checking the visiting hours beforehand.

Coroa do Avião and Lia de Itamaracá

It is worth taking a speedboat, for example, to Coroa do Avião, a small sandbank island with little bars. From there, in fact, you can see Forte Orange from the sea, just as sailors did centuries ago.

The island also has the cultural space Estrela de Lia, created by the ciranda singer Lia de Itamaracá, on Jaguaribe beach. There, on a stage facing the sea, ciranda (a traditional circle dance) gatherings take place, which have already welcomed masters such as Selma do Coco and Mestre Salustiano.

Vila Velha

In Vila Velha, a 16th-century village that was the seat of the Captaincy of Itamaracá, there are simple houses near the old church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição. Ruins of the church of Nossa Senhora dos Pretos also remain. From the top of the hill, then, you can see the sea, the Santa Cruz channel and Coroa do Avião.

In colonial times, this high position served for defense. Even so, the village was invaded by the Dutch in 1631, who reportedly called it Cidade Schoppe.

Goiana

Prosperous during the sugarcane cycle, Goiana lies about 60 km from Recife, along the BR-101. The town was born in the 16th century, was later taken by the Dutch and served as the seat of the Captaincy of Itamaracá.

In Goiana, moreover, lies the district of Tejucupapo, the setting for the struggle of the Heroínas de Tejucupapo (Heroines of Tejucupapo), women who took up arms against the Dutch in 1646. Today, however, some historic landmarks and churches need repairs and open at irregular hours.

Among the churches, the one that stands out is Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Homens Pretos, with sacred statues from the 17th and 18th centuries. Among them, for example, are Nossa Senhora do Amparo and Nossa Senhora do Leite. Find out more in the guide to the sacred heritage of Goiana.

Historic center of Goiana, on the north coast of Pernambuco — Goiana, in Pernambuco

Façade of the Mother Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, in Goiana — Mother Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, in Goiana

Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Homens Pretos, in Goiana — Church of Rosário dos Homens Pretos, in Goiana

Further north, finally, the BR-101 continues into Paraíba, home to beaches such as those of Pitimbu. See also the oldest churches in Pernambuco.

Frequently asked questions about the north coast of Pernambuco

Which towns are on the north coast of Pernambuco?

Olinda, Paulista, Igarassu, Itapissuma, Ilha de Itamaracá and Goiana.

Goiana, in fact, borders Paraíba.

What are the best beaches on the north coast of Pernambuco?

Forte Orange and Coroa do Avião, in Itamaracá; Maria Farinha, in Paulista; and also Catuama and Carne de Vaca, in Goiana.

In general, they are quieter beaches than those of the south coast.

What is the difference between the north and south coasts of Pernambuco?

The north has more history, with Olinda and Igarassu; the south, on the other hand, has the most famous beaches, such as Porto de Galinhas and Carneiros.

That is why it is worth combining the two on the same trip.

What is the oldest town on the north coast of Pernambuco?

Igarassu, founded on September 27, 1535.

In addition, it is home to the church of São Cosme e São Damião, dating from 1535.

How long does it take to get from Recife to Ilha de Itamaracá?

It is about 50 km, which is generally just over an hour by car.

On the way, then, you can stop in Igarassu.

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →