Founding date: November 22nd, 1573
Area: 130 squared km
Altitude: 5 meters above sea level
Population: 416,123 in habitants
Climate: hot and humid
Maximum temperature: 32,2 degrees Celsius
Access: President Costa e Silva Bridge (Rio-Niteroi bridge)
Distance from state capital: 18 km
Duration of trip: 30 minutes
The Indians called Guanabara Bay the area from the bay’s entrance until mainland and called the Ilha das Cobras (Snake Island) Niteroi, which means “ hidden waters”.
The proximity between Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi, at the same time united and separated by the Guanabara Bay, created strong historical, economic, and political ties between the two cities.
Niteroi has beautiful beaches and Mother Nature provides us with marvelous views. There is a wide variety: the calm beaches for those who would like to go for a swim, the agitated ones more suitable for water sports, and the oceanic beaches which are excellent for scuba diving and fishing.
Despite all this beauty, Niteroi has a lot more to offer. Its history is recorded in its chapels, fortresses, museums, and centennial churches that truly treasures of colonial architecture. Another attraction is the Parque da Cidade (City’s Park) inaugurated in 1976 and today an area of ecological preservation. It has an area of approximately 149,390 squared meters. Trees and many typical flowers surround the road that leads to the Park. It has a wide area that serves as a landing area for hang gliders.
Further ahead you have a seeing post where one can contemplate the Guanabara Bay and the Piratininga and Itaipu lagoons.
If on one side there is the “Marvelous City” on the other side of the bay there is a true paradise with beautiful beaches, with sun all year round, and innumerous other beauties that are just waiting to be discovered.
Saint Bent Field
Mayor Ferraz Park is the official name of the Field, which was formerly in possession of Saint Bento Monastery’s Benedictine Monks, who acquired the lands in 1697 from Manoel Rodrigues Raimundo; the settlement of the debt was made in the most peculiar way: in cattle brought from Campos. In 1840/41, with the Plano de Arruamento ( Street planning) its borders were delimited, as we know them today. In 1882/83, the Park was levelled and its urbanisation dates from the beginning of last century. It houses Paschoal Carlos Magno Cultural Centre, the Arts and Crafts Fair, exhibitions and a number of different attractions.
Icaraí Beach
Located in Guanabara Bay, its name in Tupi language means blessed water, holy water, Holy River or salty river. It is the stage for the city’s main events. From there, one can see Pedra do Índio (Indian Rock), Itapuca Rock and parts of Rio de Janeiro City and its outstanding Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Hills.
Charitas Beach
Also located in a residential area, it is sprinkled with bars, restaurants, nightclubs and kiosks on the catwalk. It is most popular with windsurf and water sky fans. It is also a landing spot for gliding.
Saint Francis Beach
Located in a residential area, it has a wide catwalk along the shore, which is pleasant for walking, jogging and cycling. It is ideal for the practice of nautical sports. It is lined with bars and restaurants. At the beach’s end, one finds Saint Francis Xavier Church.
Camboinhas Beach
It is an extension of Itaipu Beach. Its waters are of transparent green and the sand is clear and fine. The coast is plenty of kiosks offering seafood and snacks, which are served on tables set on the seashore. It is the most popular beach on weekends. On the left corner, windsurfers have their meeting point.
Itacoatiara Beach
Transparent blue waters in the middle of an exuberant vegetation. It is the Surfers Paradise; although small, it is one of the most attractive to young people and it offers great variety of landscape. There is also the smallest beach, known as Prainha, which is secluded from the waves and very popular with children.
