The two Brazilian mainland cities closest to Europe are making the most of this geographic advantage to attract a growing number of international visitors, thanks to air links with capitals such as Madrid, Lisbon and Paris.
Less than eight hours from the Spanish capital, travellers can enjoy Fortaleza’s skyline of skyscrapers, which looks like a cross between Miami and Benidorm. The tall towers along the seafront give the city a modern urban profile that combines with the long coastal promenade (Beira Mar), in a tropical, holiday atmosphere that encourages you to make the most of the outdoors.
Fortaleza: 300 years of history
Fortaleza, with 2.57 million inhabitants, is one of Brazil’s five most populous cities and the capital of the state of Ceará, home to more than nine million people. Its history is tied to the colonial struggle between the Portuguese and the Dutch. In the 17th century, in 1649, the Dutch built Fort Schoonenborch, the origin of the modern city.
After the Portuguese reconquered it six years later, it was renamed Fortaleza de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Fortaleza of Our Lady of the Assumption. In 2026, the city is celebrating the 300th anniversary of its founding, an anniversary that can be felt in every corner of the city.
