The Praça André de Albuquerque, known locally as the Praça Vermelha (Red Square) for its reddish paving, is the historic center of Natal. The square is flanked by the old cathedral and a cluster of 17th-century buildings that represent some of the oldest surviving colonial architecture in Rio Grande do Norte. It is where the city was formally founded in 1599.
The square is a good orientation point for exploring Cidade Alta, Natal's original neighborhood on the hill above the river. The surrounding streets have some interesting old buildings and the neighborhood has more character than the modern beach zones. A morning walk here before heading to the beach is a good way to start the day.