With direct flights from several European capitals, Fortaleza and Recife are consolidating their status as two of the main gateways to Brazil's northeast, a region that combines beaches, nature, culture and history and is increasingly opening up to international tourism.
The two Brazilian mainland cities closest to Europe are capitalising on this geographical 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' flying time from Madrid, travellers discover Fortaleza's skyline, a city that at times feels like a mix between Miami and Benidorm. Its seafront skyscrapers trace a modern urban profile that coexists with the long Beira Mar seafront promenade, in a tropical, holiday atmosphere that invites you to enjoy life outdoors.
Fortaleza, 300 years of history
With 2.57 million inhabitants, Fortaleza is one of the five most populous cities in Brazil 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.
