3-Day Maceió Itinerary

Three days let you see both sides of Maceió: the sea, with the natural pools and the south coast beaches, and the lagoon, with the islands tour, Massagueira and the lacemakers of Pontal da Barra. Start with the Maceió tide table to choose your pool day.

Itinerary summary

Day 1: pools and the city waterfront

Board a jangada at Pajuçara Beach to reach the Pajuçara natural pools at low tide (see the table). The reef is part of the Costa dos Corais APA, a federal protected area. Don’t step on the coral, don’t feed the fish and use sunscreen.

In the afternoon, walk along the waterfront to Ponta Verde and Jatiúca. The city beaches sit side by side, with a promenade and cycle path. In the evening, stop by the Pajuçara craft fair for a first look at local crafts.

Day 2: the south coast

Set aside the whole day. Praia do Francês has a calm stretch sheltered by the reefs and an open-sea stretch. Then head to Gunga Beach, with coconut groves and cliffs, or to Barra de São Miguel. Buggy and boat trips between these beaches are sold locally and by agencies. Choose operators registered with Cadastur and confirm the price and route before setting off.

Day 3: the lagoon side

Morning: Pontal da Barra and the 9 islands

Pontal da Barra lies between Mundaú Lagoon and the sea. It’s the neighborhood of the filé lacemakers, an embroidery recognized as intangible heritage of Alagoas. From there, boats leave on the 9 islands tour, which explores the channels and islands of the lagoon complex. The trip doesn’t depend on the sea tide, but check conditions with the operator.

Afternoon: Massagueira or Marechal Deodoro

• Massagueira: a lakeside village in the municipality of Marechal Deodoro, known for its seafood restaurants and lagoon views.
• Marechal Deodoro: the first capital of Alagoas, with an architectural and urban ensemble listed by Iphan. Churches, convents and old streets deserve a few hours of walking.

If you’re short on time, pick one. The other can go into the 5-day itinerary, which gives more room to history.

Useful variations

• Low tide only on day 3: swap the order. Do the lagoon on day 1 and the pools on day 3.
• Rough sea: focus on the lagoon and the historic Jaraguá district.
• Traveling with children: choose calm-water stretches and short trips. See Maceió with kids.

Shopping and souvenirs

To take home filé lace, straw pieces and other Alagoas items, combine the Pajuçara craft fair with Pontal da Barra. Tips on buying directly from the makers are in shopping and crafts in Maceió.

What to pack

• Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and light long-sleeved clothing.
• Water shoes for the reef and the rocks on the south coast.
• Water and a light snack for a full day out.
• A dry bag for your phone and documents on boat and jangada trips.
• Insect repellent for the late afternoon on the lagoon.

If you don’t have a car, organize days 2 and 3 with tours that include transport or arrange outbound and return times in advance. See the options in getting around Maceió.

Next step

Have one more day? The 4-day itinerary adds the capital’s north coast, with Garça Torta and Ipioca.