Weekend in 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 fe

Tip: 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.

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

Tip: 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.

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

Tip: 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.

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.

Tip: 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.

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

Tip: 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.