Santos tours and MSC Shore Excursions
Visitors to Santos will be swept away by the rugged mountains and curved beaches that greeted Portuguese settlers in 1532. Its wildly beautiful natural landscape draws comparisons with Rio de Janeiro, yet Santos retains an under-the-radar charm that makes exploring the city feel like a real voyage of discovery.
Santos tours take in glorious beaches and manicured gardens, famous sporting sites, and a historic centre whose museums and monuments reflect the city’s importance in key global trades. The city is rightly proud of its soccer history: Santos FC launched the career of iconic footballer Pelé, and MSC shore excursions invite guests to learn about the great player’s life at the Pelé Museum.
Santos holidays can be as invigorating or relaxing as you like. Relax on Gonzaga Beach with a cocktail by day and take a caipirinha-fueled wander between its music-filled quiosque (informal kiosks selling food and drink) by night; take Santos excursions into the surrounding mountains or ride the iconic wooden trams past Baroque mansions.
Founded in the 1500s, Santos, Brazil, offers a fascinating insight into the country’s history, and its proximity to the city of São Paulo is a major bonus. São Paulo tours reveal the many treasures of this vast, multicultural metropolis, and ensure visitors can appreciate everything from ornate neo-Manueline architecture to contemporary street art and a globally renowned restaurant scene.
Excursions in Santos
With so many things to see in Santos, it’s best to discover the city in the company of an expert. That’s why our Santos tours are led by enthusiastic guides who know how to reveal the best of the city. Enlightening Santos excursions showcase the culinary and cultural delights of the historic centre, follow in the skilled footsteps of football legends at the Santos FC stadium, and can take a side trip to the big city to discover São Paulo attractions.
Book your cruise to Santos (São Paulo)
Thanks to dreamy beaches, a thriving sports scene and luscious gardens, Santos can surprise and delight. And the electric city of São Paulo is a short hop away. Book a cruise to Santos to see for yourself.
Or keep adventuring to other Brazilian hot spots on a Santos cruise, from party city Rio de Janeiro to the colorful streets and Afro-Brazilian culture of Salvador. Continue a South American Odyssey to Uruguay and Argentina or island-hop across Europe via Madeira and Spain’s Balearic Islands.
Santos tours and excursions FAQ
In which language Santos excursions are conducted?
Are Santos tours always available to be booked?
Can Santos excursion programme be changed?
The excursion programme only provides an overview of the tours that can be arranged in Santos.
The final tour descriptions and prices will be confirmed on board. MSC Shore Excursions programs and itineraries may vary due to local conditions or unforeseen events, which may impact the timing of the tour. Also, the program is subject to change in compliance with local regulations or other restrictions.
What is included in the Grand Tour Santos?
MSC Cruises’ ‘Grand Tour Santos’ excursion involves a guided tour of the city of Santos, allowing visitors to take in the city’s most famous sights, from the historic old town to the modern beach neighbourhoods.
The tour starts with a ride on a vintage tram, followed by a stop in a local cafe to sample the region’s famous coffee and learn about the coffee trade on which Santos built its wealth. There’s then a stop at the Pelé Museum, which celebrates one of the most decorated football players of all time, before the excursion passes various beaches of Santos and the neighbouring city of São Vicente.
What is included in the São Paulo Tour?
MSC Cruises’ ‘São Paulo Tour’ involves a guided sightseeing trip by coach, ending at São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport. The tour begins with a drive from Santos to São Paulo, travelling past impressive forest scenery and mountain ranges. Once in São Paulo, guests will be taken past the Ipiranga Monument, which commemorates Brazilian independence, and Ibirapuera Park, one of the city’s most-loved recreation spots, housing lakes, gardens and museums.
The excursion then embarks on a tour of central São Paulo. Sights will include Avenida Paulista (the city’s main thoroughfare and home to the acclaimed MASP art museum) and the neo-Gothic São Paulo Cathedral, before continuing to the airport.
Does MSC offer a Gonzaga Beach tour?
MSC Cruises offers a ‘Transfer to Gonzaga Beach’ tour, where guests will be taken to see the charming neighbourhood around Santos’s Gonzaga Beach, as well as the beach itself. A generous allocation of free time allows for independent exploration of the area, which could include swimming in the ocean or sunbathing on the sands, or perhaps strolling the bustling streets, stopping by local restaurants and bars.
The beach itself is, understandably, a very popular spot within Santos, and there are plenty of opportunities for sports (on both sand and water) and pure relaxation.