Monte Serrat rises behind the historic centre, an isolated hill of about 150 metres topped by a small sanctuary to Our Lady of Monte Serrat. A short funicular runs up from the base every fifteen minutes or so and is one of the cheap thrills of Santos.
From the top, the view is unmatched: the whole port spread out below, with the city, the beaches, the surrounding mangroves, and the Serra do Mar mountains all in one frame. The sanctuary itself is small and modest; a café next to it sells beer and coffee while you take in the panorama. Sunset from up here is excellent.