Torres is the northernmost beach town of Rio Grande do Sul, on the border with Santa Catarina, and the one place on the state's long, straight coastline where the land rises to meet the sea. Basalt cliffs and headlands — the towers that give the town its name — break up the sand here, and the result is the prettiest resort on the gaúcho coast.
The Parque da Guarita, just south of town, protects the best of them: dark rock formations rising from the beach, with trails over the headlands and views down the coast. Offshore, the Ilha dos Lobos is a small rocky island where sea lions haul out in winter. The Morro do Farol has a lighthouse and views over the town.
Torres is about three hours from Porto Alegre and hosts a big hot-air balloon festival in April or May. In summer it is lively; out of season, like most of this coast, it can be windy and very quiet.