3 Best Sights in Santos, Side Trips from São Paulo

Edson Arantes do Nascimento's, better known as Pelé's, self-assessment—"I was born for soccer, just as Beethoven was born for music."—may seem a tad self-important, but to many soccer fans, who regard him as one of the world's greatest footballers, it is not far from the truth. Housed in a 19th-century mansion and opened during the 2014 World Cup, Museu Pelé honors Santos's most famous son through displays of his personal items and trophies, plus photos, videos, and documents concerning the footballer.

The grand neoclassical Palácio da Bolsa Oficial de Café, where the Coffee Museum is located, was home to the coffee exchange up to 1957. Rosewood chairs are set out for traders in the trading hall, whose walls are hung with panels painted by Brazilian Benedito Calixto. Upstairs are exhibits related to the world of coffee. Visitors can also sample the drink at the museum's cafeteria.

The massive, 7-km (4½-mile) strip of sand along Santos's shoreline is made up of a series of lively beaches. The city is crossed by seven channels, which act as borders between districts and separate the beaches. The busiest beaches—José Menino, Gonzaga, and Boqueirão—are between channels 1 and 4, where you'll find the greatest concentration of hotels and restaurants. The sea conditions do not differ greatly from one beach to another, but at José Menino (channels 1 to 2) the waves are a bit stronger and better for surfing. Partiers gather at Gonzaga Beach (channels 2 to 3), where open-air concerts often take place. Boqueirão (channels 3 to 4) has Santos's best infrastructure with ATMs, toilets, and showers, as well as a crafts fair on the weekend. Embaré Beach (channels 4 to 5) has many kiosks and bars and is a magnet for the younger set. Aparecida Beach (channels 5 to 6) is the meeting point for families with children, as well as seniors, and the location of the biggest beachfront garden in the world. The calm, almost flat sea at Ponta da Praia (channels 6 to 7) is suitable for water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, and jet skiing. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; walking.