Promenade
Walk, run, cycle.
Jorge Brazilian from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — CC BY 2.0 · Joelkaula — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Joelkaula — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Joelkaula — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Joelkaula — CC BY-SA 4.0
Meireles is the heart of Fortaleza's seafront, running along the liveliest stretch of Avenida Beira-Mar between the groyne at Avenida Rui Barbosa and the one at the Náutico club, which is why locals also call it Beira-Mar beach or Náutico beach. Hotels and towers line it, and in front runs a broad promenade busy with walkers, runners and cyclists from dawn into the night. Its best-known feature is the nightly craft fair on the promenade, selling handmade lace, bottles of coloured sand, leather and cashews, along with stalls of fresh coconut and seafood. At its eastern end towards Mucuripe the «jangadas», the fishermen's traditional rafts with triangular sails, come ashore, and the catch goes to the fish market there. The sea is fairly calm, sheltered by the groynes, but water quality varies, so follow the bathing bulletins. The best time for a stroll is late in the day, when the heat eases, the avenue lights up and the fair begins.
Walk, run, cycle.
Fishermen's rafts.
Lace and coloured sand.
Avenida Beira-Mar, Meireles, Fortaleza
Praia de IracemaPraia de Iracema is a beach and neighbourhood in Fortaleza named after Iracema, 11 minutes walk4.7
Ponte dos Ingleses (English Bridge)The Ponte dos Ingleses is a long pier reaching out to sea from Praia de Iracema,17 minutes walk4.6
Dragão do Mar Centre of Art and CultureThe Dragão do Mar Centre is a large cultural complex of 30,000 square metres in 21 minutes walk4.4Every evening on the Avenida Beira-Mar promenade, selling lace, coloured-sand bottles and cashews.