Joinville 3-Day Itinerary

A day-by-day plan for Joinville: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.

Day 1

Arrive & Explore the Highlights

Morning
Mercado Municipal de Joinville

Covered market selling fresh fruit, cheese, cured meats, and crafts. The fish section is particularly good. Local eateries serve pastel and caldo de cana (sugarcane juice) for a few reais.

🕐 Mon–Sat: 07:00–18:00; Sun: 08:00–13:00

Free entry

💡 Try the 'Misto Quente' sandwich from the stall near the main entrance — grilled ham and cheese on bread, simple and cheap. Cash only in most stalls.

Hotels near Mercado Municipal de Joinville →
Afternoon
Museu Nacional de Imigração e Colonização

A former immigrant hostel turned museum with exhibits on German and European settlement in southern Brazil. Four buildings with period furniture, tools, and photographs.

🕐 Tue–Sun: 09:00–17:00

Free entry

💡 Visit on a Sunday when local families often picnic in the grounds. The guided tour in Portuguese is worth joining even if you don't speak it — just wander the rooms after.

Hotels near Museu Nacional de Imigração e Colonização →
Evening
Where to eat

Grão da Terra · ££

Pizzaria Suzena · ££

Day 2

Deeper Into Joinville

Morning
Catedral de Joinville

Neo-Gothic cathedral in the main square, finished in 1961. Tall spire and stained-glass windows depicting saints and local history. Free to enter.

🕐 Mon–Sat: 09:00–12:00, 14:00–17:00; Sun: 08:00–11:00

💡 Go just before noon when the carillon plays a short tune. The square outside has benches and a fountain — good for a rest after walking.

Midday
Museu da Bicicleta de Joinville

Small museum dedicated to bicycles, housed in a former dance hall. Displays vintage bikes from the 1920s to the 1970s, plus a workshop area. Run by a local enthusiast.

🕐 By appointment only, but usually open Wed–Sat 14:00–17:00 — call ahead or check Facebook

💡 Ring the bell outside if the door is shut — the owner lives next door and will let you in. Ask to see the wooden bike from the 1930s; it is his favourite.

Evening
Dining tonight

Divina Gula

JK Restaurante e Choperia

Day 3

Final Favourites & Departure

Morning
Parque Zoobotânico de Joinville

Large urban park with a small zoo, botanical garden, and jogging trails. Capybaras, monkeys, and native birds. Clean, well-maintained, and shaded by mature tree

💡 Arrive early (08:00) on weekdays to have the trails nearly to yourself. The reptile house is small but has a good collection of local snakes and turtles.

Final meal

Restaurante Colombo

Restaurante Floral

Getting Around Joinville

Uber/99 to Hotel Gillau's From 20 BRL 20 min

App-based rides are cheaper than airport taxis; request when you collect bags at belt. Pickup point is outside arrivals behind the covered walkway.

Aeroporto de Joinville (JOI) to Hotel Gillau's From 30 BRL 20 min

Official taxis wait outside arrivals; agree the fare before starting or use prepaid booths inside terminal to avoid overcharging.

Aeroporto Shuttle 200 From 4.50 BRL 40 min

Validate your ticket on the bus with the machine; no change given so carry small coins. Get off at Terminal Central, the hotel is one block north on Rua do Príncipe.

Local city bus 100 (Centro–América) From 4.50 BRL 25 min

Buy a recarregável card at any newsstand for quicker boarding; single paper tickets limited to bus operator stands near Terminal Central only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3 days enough for Joinville?

Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Mercado Municipal de Joinville and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.

What is the best time to visit Joinville?

See our full best time to visit Joinville guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.

Where should I stay for this itinerary?

A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Hotel Kalina, Hotel Mattes, Adilson. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.