Besides supporting local production, you can live a day as a craftsman and make your own souvenir from the trip
Fortaleza is not just a beach and cultural destination; it’s also a paradise for craft lovers. With its rich craft tradition, represented in bustling markets, beach fairs, and the talent of local artisans, the city offers a unique shopping and discovery experience.
Craft Tour
How about exploring the main craft spots in Fortaleza and still acquiring beautiful souvenirs from your visit to the capital of Ceará? Set aside a day on your trip for this immersion and support the city’s artisans.
The tour starts early, and the first stop is at the Ceará Tourism Center. There are about 105 shops and kiosks that sell all kinds of handcrafted products. Here, you will find cordel literature, home decor items, the famous Ceará lace, and much more. It’s an excellent place for shopping and taking beautiful pieces home.
Leaving there, you will head to the Museum of Industry, a cultural and tourist landmark in Fortaleza. The building is listed as a public heritage site and was built during the reign of Dom Pedro II. The museum’s attractions are aimed at telling the story of industrialization in Ceará. Enjoy this dive into history and be enchanted by every corner of this century-old building.
The museum is located in the most important historical corridor in downtown Fortaleza, and some places are a must-see on this tour, such as the Public Walkway—the oldest square in the city—the Nossa Senhora de Assunção Fort, and the Santa Casa de Misericórdia.
Before lunch, the tour passes through the Central Market of Fortaleza, one of the largest in Brazil. Here is the ideal place to buy lace products or the famous golden grass! The building is a labyrinth of corridors and stalls offering a stunning variety of local crafts, from finely worked lace to skillfully carved wooden sculptures.
Tip: Don’t forget to negotiate with local vendors to ensure an authentic souvenir from your visit to Fortaleza.
Lunch with a Sea View
With an extensive coastline, of course, Fortaleza would offer a world of lunch options with a sea view. Near the Central Market, the ideal spot is the Public Walkway. There you can stroll through the square, admire the beautiful sea of the city, and then sit in a restaurant to eat typical Ceará food.
You cannot leave Fortaleza without eating dishes like carne de sol with cassava, sarapatel, fish from the Ceará coast, feijão de corda, moqueca, tapioca, and couscous. Ah, and don’t forget the rapadura.
Personalized Souvenir at the End of the Tour
After enjoying a good meal, more tours, more fun, and more crafts. And of course, you will be challenged to participate in a bottle sand art workshop, where you will have the opportunity to make a typical souvenir from the Northeast: sand bottles with beautiful drawings.
The artisan will explain the entire production process, show the utensils, and also tell a bit of the history of sand art. Then, it’s just about getting hands-on and making your little bottle to take home. Quite a souvenir, right?
Ah, don’t forget to take lots of photos and make some videos to record your “craftsman for a day” moment. You need to show your craft skills to family and friends.
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