A Brazilian city with deep German roots, known for its annual Oktoberfest and traditional Bavarian architecture. Home to craft breweries and founded by German settlers in 1850.
Blumenau sits in southern Brazil's Santa Catarina state, where German immigrants settled in 1850. Walk through streets lined with half-timbered houses, stop at the Beer Museum to taste locally-crafted brews, or join more than a million visitors at the October beer festival. At Vila Germânica, you can eat Kassler and Spätzle while listening to accordion players, or visit one of the 20+ microbreweries like Eisenbahn that make this city Brazil's craft beer center.
Getting to Blumenau
Blumenau lies 130 km from Florianópolis, the state capital. Take a flight to either Florianópolis International Airport (FLN) or Curitiba International Airport (CWB), then catch an intercity bus or rent a car. The journey from Florianópolis takes about 2 hours by car. You can also arrive by boat on the Itajaí-Açu River, which runs through the city center.
Weather and Best Times to Visit
Temperatures stay moderate year-round. Summer (December to March) averages 25°C with short afternoon rain showers. Winter (June to August) cools to around 17°C. October draws the largest crowds during Oktoberfest, while smaller beer festivals happen every Thursday in January and February. Book accommodations several months ahead for October visits.
Vila Germânica and Architecture
Parque Vila Germânica, at Rua Alberto Stein 199, hosts the annual Oktoberfest and weekly markets. The complex includes shops selling German imports, restaurants, and beer halls. Walk along XV de Novembro Street to see half-timbered buildings from the 1900s, including the City Museum housed in a restored 1875 colonial mansion.
Local Beer Culture and Breweries
More than 20 microbreweries operate in Blumenau. Visit the Beer Museum (R$15 entry) to learn about brewing techniques and sample local craft beers. Eisenbahn Brewery runs daily tours at their facility on Rua Dr. Pedro Zimmermann. During Oktoberfest, you'll find over 40 different beer varieties, with visitors consuming more than 500,000 liters throughout the festival.
Food and Dining
At Senac Blumengarten restaurant, try the house specialty - slow-roasted pork knuckle with sauerkraut (R$75). Local bakeries like Padaria Schwaben make fresh Brötchen and Apfelstrudel daily. Beer gardens dot the city, including the popular Biergarten Blumenau where you can pair local drafts with German-style sausages while sitting under century-old trees.
