Where to Stay on the Espírito Santo Coast: Vitória, Vila Velha, Guarapari and Anchieta
Neighborhoods, beaches and lodging styles to pick the right base along each stretch of the Espírito Santo coast, from the capital to the southern shore.
Guide · Where to Stay · November 3, 2026 · 4 min read
Between Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo packs Brazilian landscapes and experiences into short distances. On the coast, that means you can switch beaches, cities and even travel pace without spending hours on the road. Choosing where to sleep is the first step to making the most of it.
This guide covers four destinations that hold much of the tourism infrastructure on the Espírito Santo coast — Vitória, Vila Velha, Guarapari and Anchieta — and shows which neighborhoods and beaches work best as a base for each type of traveler.
Vitória: the capital as a starting point
Compact, coastal and surrounded by Vitória Bay, the capital combines city life, culture, beaches, islands, mangroves and great food, with quick trips between them. Known for its high quality-of-life rankings, it is a balanced base for anyone who wants nature and convenience on the same trip.
Vitória Bay and the Camburi waterfront, close to the airportFernando Madeira
Neighborhoods that work as a base
Praia do Canto: one of the capital's most sought-after neighborhoods, with restaurants, a seafront promenade, shops and the Convention Center nearby. It is home to hotels with views of the sea, Ilha do Boi, Ilha do Frade and the Convento da Penha.
Enseada do Suá: facing Praça do Papa, with bay views and quick access to beaches, malls and business districts in Vitória and Vila Velha.
Ilha do Boi: panoramic views and a quiet atmosphere in one of the city's most upscale areas.
Camburi and Jardim da Penha: lodging along the capital's largest beach, a few minutes from the airport — practical for short stays and itineraries with many day trips.
Vila Velha: beaches, history and the Convento da Penha
Across the Terceira Ponte bridge, Vila Velha adds scenery, lookouts, history and one of the state's main religious landmarks, the Convento da Penha. The city mixes urban beaches, seafront restaurants, bars and cafés.
The Convento da Penha, one of Espírito Santo's symbolsThiago Guimarães
Praia da Costa: the city's best-known beach, with lodging steps from the sea and close to shops, restaurants and cafés. A good base to combine beach, shopping and food.
Praia de Itaparica: a short distance from the Convento da Penha, Morro do Moreno and the Garoto chocolate factory, with practical, well-located hotels.
Prainha: at the foot of the Convento, in Vila Velha's historic heart. Smaller, cozy inns, some with views of the Convento.
Flavors to add to your itinerary
In Vitória and Vila Velha, the food reflects the bond with the sea, the mangroves and local culture. In traditional restaurants and places like Ilha das Caieiras, moqueca capixaba (the state's signature fish stew), torta capixaba and dishes with fish, crab and shellfish keep local identity alive.
Guarapari and Anchieta: the southern coast
Guarapari, known as the "Health City" and recognized as Brazil's National Capital of Marine Biodiversity, offers urban beaches, islands, clear water, cliffs, marine life and boat trips. Anchieta rounds out the route with the relaxed pace of Iriri, Ubu and Castelhanos, unspoiled scenery, calm-water beaches, natural lookouts, history and religious tourism.
Guarapari: beaches for every style and mountains on the horizonVitor Jubini / MTur
Together, the two towns combine rest, nature, culture and hotel infrastructure within short distances. Guarapari has beachfront hotels on traditional beaches such as Meaípe, with beach service, pools and kids' areas, plus inns scattered along its coves. In Anchieta, lodging is concentrated in the beach towns, close to the sea and restaurants.
Experiences worth the trip
Diving and marine-life watching
Kayak, canoe and schooner trips to the islands
Sunset over the channel and visits to mangroves and protected areas
Lookouts, coastal scenery and history and faith itineraries
Fishing tradition on the Anchieta shoreMarcelo Moryan / MTur
On the southern coast, try moqueca capixaba, torta capixaba, banana moqueca, fried peroá fish and bolinho de aipim (cassava fritters).
Moqueca capixaba, cooked and served in a clay potPaneleiras de Goiabeiras / Setur-ES
How to choose your base
City and culture trip: Vitória (Praia do Canto or Enseada do Suá) or Vila Velha (Praia da Costa).
Short trip or early flight: Camburi, Jardim da Penha or the airport area.
History and neighborhood charm: Prainha, at the foot of the Convento da Penha.
Beach, sea and nature: Guarapari and Anchieta, ideally with a few extra days.
Whatever your travel style, the Espírito Santo coast has a base ready to welcome you: close to the sea, to great food and to experiences that still surprise every visitor.
Where to Stay · Vitória · Vila Velha · Guarapari · Anchieta · Coast