Santos ranks among the oldest cities in São Paulo State, steeped in history, culture, and natural beauty. Founded in 1546, during the initial Portuguese settlement in the area, with Indigenous collaboration, it boasts one of the world’s leading ports. Its streets, monuments, and landscapes reflect a legacy that stretches from the colonial period to the present, offering a wide range of cinematic settings.

The most substantial immigration wave occurred during the Brazilian coffee boom. The first immigrants to settle in Santos were Portuguese, followed by Italians, Spaniards, and Germans.

Rua do Comércio street preserves architectural features that recall both the colonial period and the early stages of the city’s urban development, with rows of historic townhouses featuring continuous façades and vibrant colors, most of which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries.

Rua XV de Novembro street, in contrast, reflects the prosperity of the coffee boom, with eclectic architecture that blends neoclassical and art nouveau elements. This revitalized street maintains its historical allure with well-preserved façades and a charming promenade.

Another highlight is the Museu do Café (Palácio da Bolsa do Café), or Coffee Museum (Coffee Exchange Palace). In its main hall, a stained-glass skylight—rich in color and mosaic-like detail—depicts scenes related to the production of coffee, featuring symbolic figures and designs. The natural light filtering through the stained glass creates a dynamic interplay of light patterns in the museum’s interior, changing with the movement of the sun.

The unassuming white-and-beige façade of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte Serrat do Valongo church belies an interior richly ornamented with columns, arches, paintings, gold and plasterwork, and sculptures.

Not far away is the Estação Ferroviária de Santos railway station, inaugurated in 1867. Its neoclassical architecture recalls English railway stations of the time, particularly its façade, Roman arches, and elaborate ornamentation. The station complex includes a range of elements that illustrate the history of the railway and the city itself, such as original tracks, vintage railcars, the old ticket office, and a clock tower.

The surrounding countryside is home to the Engenho dos Erasmos sugar mill, a significant archaeological site dating to 1534 and a notable landmark.

Santos’s coastline is another standout feature, known for its exceptional infrastructure. The wide promenades, well-planned bike paths, and carefully landscaped gardens stretch along the waterfront, while the iconic tram and sweeping ocean views add to the scenery’s unique charm.

The municipality also stands out for its modern urban infrastructure and dynamism, boasting a wide variety of hotels, restaurants, and services and a highly skilled workforce.

The city, which has already hosted numerous film shootings and enjoys easy access via the Anchieta Highway and Congonhas Airport, offers all the necessary infrastructure to accommodate and handle productions of any size or scale.

Nearest international airport: Guarulhos (GRU)
Distance to nearest airport: 106 km
Distance to São Paulo: 80 km