Stand at the end of Rua XV de Novembro and you can see why Blumenau rewards a slow walk: 19th-century buildings on a street reurbanized in 2000, the stone tower of the São Paulo Apóstolo Cathedral rising above the rooftops, and the Itajaí-Açu River a few blocks away. The city's German heritage is not confined to a museum — it shows in the architecture, the breweries and the food.
Blumenau suits travellers who like walking cities with a strong local identity, who are curious about German-Brazilian history, and who are willing to plan around the October festival season. It is a subtropical valley city, mild in winter and hot and humid in summer, so build in time to sit down and drink something cold.
This guide covers the sights and experiences named in the source material, with practical notes on how to combine them and when to go.
Top things to do in Blumenau
1. Wander Rua XV de Novembro
This is the spine of the city centre and one of the most beautiful streets in Brazil. It was completely reurbanized in 2000, but still holds original buildings from the 19th century, and most of the city's attractions sit along or near it.
It is busy and crowded during the day, so walk it then if you want the full street life. Note that it empties out during the Christmas to New Year's Eve period, when many residents head to the beaches.
2. Oktoberfest at Vila Germânica
October is the best time to come to Blumenau. The party began in 1983 and runs for 17 days, with the traditional parade on Rua XV de Novembro every Wednesday and Sunday, and nightly gatherings at Vila Germânica.
Most of the best and biggest local breweries have stands, along with food such as Stuffed Potatoes and X Alemão. If you tire of the German music inside, try the electronic tent outside. Parties run until 01:00 on weekdays and until 06:00 on weekends.
3. German Village (Vila Germânica)
One of the main tourist spots in the city: a street of German-style houses selling everything from souvenirs to hot dogs. A new building added in 2006 is one of the most beautiful timber buildings in Blumenau, and it hosts a restaurant.
This is also where Oktoberfest happens, so visiting outside October gives you the setting without the crowds.
4. Praça Hercílio Luz
One of the most pleasant places in the city, and the spot where the first settlers arrived. It holds several attractions at once: the Museu da Cerveja (Beer Museum), where you can see how beers are brewed, and a monument to Brazilian soldiers who fought in World War II.
Walk down to the river shore for a view of downtown from below, and watch for capybaras, which are common here and gentle. Across the street is the old city hall. Come back at night for the Cervejaria (beer pub) called Biergarten in the brick building.
5. São Paulo Apóstolo Cathedral
The biggest church in the city, right in the middle of downtown near Moelmann. Its 45 m stone tower is one of the symbols of Blumenau and can be seen from almost everywhere in the centre.
The church was built in place of an older, smaller one and opened in 1956, becoming a cathedral in the early 2000s. Look at the modern architecture while you are there.
6. Aldo Pereira de Andrade Bridge (Ponte Aldo Pereira de Andrade)
Popularly known as "Ponte de Ferro" (Iron Bridge), it was first built for the railway that used to run through Blumenau. It was closed until the 1990s, when it was reformed and opened to cars.
The reason to come is the view: from this bridge you get a spectacular outlook over the city. It sits at the end of Av. Beira-Rio, so it pairs naturally with a walk along the riverfront.
7. Castelinho da Havan
Also known simply as "Moelmann", this German-style building is one of the city's landmarks. It was home to a traditional department store that went bankrupt in the 1990s, then housed the Tourism Secretary with occasional expositions.
It is now a local department store created in Brusque, but the entrance design was kept and a balcony was added on the second floor with a restaurant or bar. In the basement, once a dungeon, there is now a pub. It stands at Beira-rio and Rua XV de Novembro, close to the cathedral.
8. Blumenau Municipal City Hall (Prefeitura Municipal de Blumenau)
One of the most beautiful German-style buildings in the city, built at the beginning of the 1980s. In its gardens you can see an old locomotive that children play on, and there is a grass clock nearby.
It is at the end of Beira-rio Avenue, which makes it an easy stop on a riverfront walk.
9. Museum of the Colonial Family (Museu da Família Colonial)
This is the first and oldest house in the city, dating from 1858, and it became a museum in 1997. The three-house complex displays furniture of Bruno Otto Hermann Blumenau, the founder, and his family, along with items belonging to the last dweller of the house, Renate Rohkol, who died in 1997.
It is on Alameda Duque de Caxias. Allow time for all three houses rather than just the main one.
10. Water Museum (Museu da Água)
This museum shows the process of water treatment, but it also holds historical pictures of the city and offers the nicest viewpoint in Blumenau. From there you can see almost all of downtown and parts of other neighbourhoods such as Velha and Ponta Aguda across the river.
It is on Rua Lages in Boa Vista, and entry is free. Go for the view as much as the exhibits.
11. Carlos Gomes Theater (Teatro Carlos Gomes)
Built in 1939, this large theatre is the only one in the city. Its façade and gardens were reformed in 2006.
It is on Rua XV de Novembro, so it fits into a walk along the street. If you are lucky you may catch a play with well-known Brazilian actors.
12. Lauro Müller Bridge (Ponte Lauro Müller)
Also known popularly as Ponte do Salto (Salto Bridge), it was built in 1913. Structural problems caused it to fall in 1982; it was restored and rebuilt in 1983 and reformed again in 2002.
It is the only bridge in the city with a roof, which is reason enough to seek it out. It is on Rua Bahia in Salto.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start on Rua XV de Novembro, walking the street while it is busy and looking at the 19th-century buildings. Stop at the São Paulo Apóstolo Cathedral to see the stone tower and its modern architecture, then look in on the Carlos Gomes Theater further along the same street.
Afternoon: Continue to Castelinho da Havan at Beira-rio and Rua XV de Novembro, then follow the riverfront to the Blumenau Municipal City Hall at the end of Beira-rio Avenue to see the German-style building, the old locomotive in the gardens and the grass clock. Cross the Aldo Pereira de Andrade Bridge for the view of the city, then spend the rest of the afternoon at Praça Hercílio Luz: the Museu da Cerveja, the World War II monument, and the river shore below for the view of downtown and a chance of seeing capybaras.
Evening: Return to Praça Hercílio Luz and have a beer at the Biergarten in the brick building, or head to German Village (Vila Germânica) for dinner in the timber building and a look at the German-style houses.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Blumenau?
October, when Oktoberfest takes place. The festival runs for 17 days at Vila Germânica, with parades on Rua XV de Novembro every Wednesday and Sunday. Outside October, note that the city centre empties during the Christmas to New Year's Eve period, when many residents go to the beaches.
What is the weather like?
The climate is warm and humid subtropical. Winters are mild, averaging 16.6 °C, while summers are hot and humid with highs around 30 °C. Snow is exceptional: on 23 July 2013 the downtown had a snow-rain mix, with accumulating snow in higher neighbourhoods.
How do I get to Blumenau?
Although Blumenau is served by Quero-quero Airport, passengers normally use scheduled flights from Ministro Victor Konder International Airport in the nearby municipality of Navegantes. Gol, Azul and Latam offer bus transfers between Navegantes and Blumenau at regular times. During Oktoberfest, Azul operates flights at the local airport.
What food and drink should I try?
At Oktoberfest, look for Stuffed Potatoes and X Alemão, and try the stands of the best and biggest local breweries. Craft beer production is a growing market in the city, and the Museu da Cerveja at Praça Hercílio Luz shows how beers are brewed.
Pick your dates, decide whether you are coming for Oktoberfest or for a quieter walk along Rua XV de Novembro, and start laying out your days.