- Vila Velha was established by Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, a Portuguese nobleman who landed at Prainha to found the captaincy of Espírito Santo.
- The city is home to the Convento da Penha, a 16th-century religious complex perched on a high rock formation that remains one of Brazil's oldest and most iconic historical sites.
- Vila Velha is part of the Greater Vitória metropolitan area, which functions as one of Brazil's primary hubs for maritime logistics and iron ore export.
- The city is a major center for the production of 'Panela de Barro' (clay pots), a traditional handicraft central to the regional capixaba cuisine.
About Vila Velha
Vila Velha is the oldest city in the state of Espírito Santo, founded in 1535 as the original colonial capital. It is geographically defined by its extensive Atlantic coastline, which includes prominent spots like Praia da Sereia and the scenic heights of Morro do Moreno. While it serves as a major urban center adjacent to Vitória, it preserves significant historical landmarks and unique coastal geography. Visitors often explore the intersection of local industrial history at the Vale Museum and the natural beauty of its expansive beaches.
Highlights of Vila Velha
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
This beach offers a smaller, more intimate coastal experience compared to the larger surrounding stretches of sand.
Places of interest
Hiking to the summit provides panoramic views of the city coastline and the entrance to Vitória Bay.
Museums
Housed in a former train station, this museum features interactive exhibits detailing the history of the regional railway.
Places of interest
A popular spot for local beachgoers looking for calmer waters and a relaxed urban atmosphere.
Top things to do in Vila Velha
The 122 highest-rated places in Vila Velha, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
Parque Pedra da Cebola is a prominent municipal park located in the Mata da Praia neighborhood of Vitória, Espírito Sant...
2
Places of interest
Praia da Sereia is a small, rocky cove located at the northern end of Praia da Costa in Vila Velha, Espirito Santo. The...
3
Parks
Parque Moscoso is the oldest park in Vitória, inaugurated in 1912 during the municipal administration of Jerônimo Montei...
4
Parks
Vale Botanical Park is a preserved area of Atlantic Forest integrated into an industrial landscape, managed by the minin...
5
Beaches and ponds
Camburi Beach is the primary urban beach of Vitória, the capital of Espírito Santo, Brazil, spanning approximately 6 kil...
6
Temples
The Catedral Metropolitana de Nossa Senhora da Vitória serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vitória i...
7
Beaches and ponds
Praia da Curva da Jurema is an urban beach located on the mainland of Vitória, Espírito Santo, adjacent to the Ilha do B...
8
Places of interest
Morro do Moreno is a 184-meter-high granite hill located at the mouth of the Baía de Vitória in Vila Velha, Brazil. It s...
9
Museums
The Vale Museum is housed in the restored Pedro Nolasco Station, the original terminus of the Vitória-Minas Railway. The...
10
Places of interest
Praia Grande is a small, semi-hidden cove located on the northern shore of Ilha do Boi, an exclusive residential island...
11
Venues
The University Theater (Teatro da UFES) is the largest and most significant cultural space within the Federal University...
12
Temples
The Church of the Magi, or Igreja dos Reis Magos, is one of the oldest colonial religious structures in Brazil, dating b...
13
Parks
Praça Nilze Mendes is a prominent urban park located in the Jardim Camburi neighborhood of Vitória, Espírito Santo. It s...
14
Places of interest
Praia do Nenel is a secluded, intimate cove located on the western side of Ilha do Boi in Vitória. It is primarily a res...
15
Beaches and ponds
Praia de Camburi is an urban beach located in Vitoria, Espírito Santo, directly bordering the city of Vila Velha across...
16
Beaches and ponds
Praia das Castanheiras is a small, protected cove located on the northern shore of Ilha do Frade in Vitória, Espírito Sa...
17
Places of interest
Cachoeira Véu da Noiva is a recreational resort centered around a natural waterfall in Santa Leopoldina, Espírito Santo....
18
Temples
The Shrine Basilica of St. Anthony is a prominent religious landmark in Vitória, Espírito Santo, elevated to the status...
19
Parks
Cocal Urban Park is a community-focused recreational space located in the Cocal neighborhood of Vila Velha, Espírito San...
20
Parks
Parque Municipal do Horto de Maruípe serves as an urban forest reserve and environmental education center located in Vit...
21
Places of interest
Parque Urbano Duque de Caxias serves as a central municipal square in the heart of Vila Velha, Espirito Santo. The site...
22
Places of interest
Praia da Ilha do Frade is a secluded, upscale beach located within a gated residential neighborhood in Vitória, Espírito...
23
Beaches and ponds
Praia Enseada is a coastal feature situated within the Manguinhos village district in Serra, Espírito Santo. It is chara...
24
Venues
Estádio Estadual Kleber José de Andrade is a major multi-purpose stadium located in Cariacica, Espírito Santo, serving a...
25
Zoos
Centro Ecológico Projeto Caiman is a specialized environmental conservation site located within the Jardim Camburi distr...
26
Beaches and ponds
Praia de Manguinhos is a tranquil fishing village beach located in the municipality of Serra, Espírito Santo. The coastl...
27
Places of interest
Praia do Bananal is a secluded, narrow beach situated at the base of the Morro do Moreno hill in Vila Velha. The beach i...
28
Temples
The Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição is the historic religious heart of Serra, Espirito Santo, established in the 16...
29
Museums
Casa da Memória de Vila Velha serves as the primary historical archive for the city, housed in a preserved 19th-century...
30
Places of interest
Praça Ver. Sebastião Cibiên, located in the Cobilândia neighborhood of Vila Velha, serves as a primary community focal p...
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Vila Velha on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Vila Velha
April to June, as the weather is consistently mild and avoids the peak humidity and heavy rainfall often seen in the summer months.
2-3 days to explore the historical coastline, the local convent, and the nearby museum facilities.
The city is best navigated by car or taxi, as the public bus system connects the sprawling coastal neighborhoods and the connection to neighboring Vitória.
The Praia da Costa and Itapuã neighborhoods are the primary hubs for lodging, offering direct proximity to the beach and local dining.
Mid-range; the city offers a wide variety of accommodation and dining options that generally cost less than in major tourist capitals like Rio de Janeiro.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 122 curated attractions in and around Vila Velha, ranked by traveller ratings.
Parque Pedra da Cebola is the highest-rated place to visit in Vila Velha right now.
The largest category is temples, with 50 places to explore.
Travellers also explore São Paulo, Brasília, Fortaleza.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
