Barra Velha

Barra Velha is a coastal city in Southern Brazil. It is a popular beach destination.

Its nine beaches extend from the Rio Itapocu in the north to the resort town of Piçarras on its southern border. Additionally, it is the only resort in the area to have a freshwater lake separated from the ocean by an old sand bar, from which it derives its name.

It has a permanent population of almost 30,000 (2019), but this can grow to 100,000 at summer weekends when the town is flooded by visitors from the industrial region to the north and west of the state.

It lies between Joinville and Itajaí on BR-101, the principal north–south highway in Southern Brazil.

It retains its fishing village characteristics with boats drawn up onto the beach and the daily catch sold directly from them by the fishermen every morning.

In the center of downtown a hill rises sharply from the beach which provides views of the lake and town center. A replica of the statute of Christ on Corcovado rises from the summit.

• Festa Nacional de Pirão: a festival celebrating the Azorian dish "Pirão" having a sauce-like consistency and normally made from fish or shellfish. Held in early September, it attracts over 30,000 visitors annually.