Panoramic views of the city, a funicular ride, an old church, and just a really lovely place with a lot of history behind it.
From downtown, you can reach the top of Monte Serrat in two ways: by climbing about 400 steps… or by taking the traditional funicular that goes up to the old casino building.
We chose the funicular — partly out of curiosity, partly out of laziness. No regrets.
The former casino building at the top is beautifully preserved and surprisingly pleasant to explore. It has three floors, and each one opens up to fantastic views. For example, over the port:
Or over the historic center of Santos:
And, of course, toward the beachside neighborhoods. From up here, the entire city feels like it’s spread out right in front of you.
You can also step into the machine room, where the operator explains how the funicular works and shows the machinery behind it. It’s one of those small unexpected things that make the visit more interesting than you might expect.
There’s a small café, a few spaces used for events, and even a couple of swings. Sometimes they arrange a separate area with activities for kids as well.
The hill itself has an important place in the history of Santos. A long time ago, when pirates attacked the coast, locals would hide in the church at the top of the hill. Since then, Our Lady of Monte Serrat has been considered the patron saint of the city, and every year there’s a large religious celebration in her honor.
But it’s not only religious events that happen here. The place is also used for various festivals and gatherings. At one point we even stumbled upon a Halloween celebration with some impressively creepy costumes.
Overall, it’s a very pleasant place to spend an hour or two — walk around, enjoy the views, maybe grab a coffee, and watch the city from above.
The funicular doesn’t run continuously, so you may have to wait about 20–30 minutes for the next ride.
The alternative, of course, is the stairs.
Ticket prices and opening hours are best checked on their website or Instagram page, since they vary. When we visited, tickets were 30 reais on weekdays and 33 on weekends (round trip).
There’s also a nice bonus for residents of Baixada Santista — which includes Guarujá, São Vicente, Praia Grande, Cubatão, Mongaguá, Itanhaém, Peruíbe and Bertioga.
On the last Sunday of every month, residents get 50% off the ticket price — you just need to bring proof of residence.
If you’re visiting Santos, Monte Serrat is definitely worth adding to your list. It’s one of those places that combines history, views, and a slightly old-fashioned charm you don’t see every day.
And if you live nearby, it’s still a nice little outing — even if just for the views.
Tchau!