Itapema: Brazil's fastest-rising price per square metre in five years

Few real estate markets in Brazil have followed a path like Itapema's in recent years. The city on Santa Catarina's northern coast went from a price per square metre of around R$ 6,500 in 2020 to more than R$ 15,000 in 2026, reached first place in the FipeZAP Index and remains among the three priciest square metres in the country.

114% in five years

A report published in June 2025, based on FipeZAP data, showed that Itapema's average price per square metre rose 114% in five years, from R$ 6,547 in 2020 to R$ 14,026 in April 2025. It was the largest percentage increase among the main markets tracked by the index over the period, ahead of Balneário Camboriú at 99.5%.

The trend goes back a long way. In early 2021, FipeZAP already ranked Itapema as the Brazilian city with the highest 12-month rise in price per square metre, at 13.65%.

The recent timeline

• 2025: Itapema's price per square metre rose 9.97% over the year, according to FipeZAP.
• May 2026: Itapema reached first place in the national ranking at R$ 15,226 per square metre, 11 reais above Balneário Camboriú, which had led for four years.
• September 2026: the index shows R$ 15,340 per square metre, third in the country, alongside Vitória (R$ 15,905) and Balneário Camboriú (R$ 15,369).

Putting the data together, Itapema's average price per square metre has more than doubled since 2020.

What explains this growth

A few factors come up again and again in market analysis:

• Room to grow: Itapema still has areas available for new projects, unlike more mature markets.
• Infrastructure investment: Píer Oporto, the It! Wheel observation wheel, the planned footbridge to Porto Belo and the Meia Praia beach-widening project.
• Location: close to Balneário Camboriú, Itajaí, Porto Belo and the region's airports.
• High-end product: modern launches with full amenities and sea views.

How to read these numbers

FipeZAP tracks the asking prices of listed properties and is an important reference for spotting trends. For a purchase decision, it works best alongside an analysis of the neighbourhood, the distance to the sea, the standard of the development and the builder's track record. In Itapema, Meia Praia, the Centre and Canto da Praia each have their own dynamics, and each buyer profile finds different opportunities.

Talk to Velaris

Velaris follows price indices and the latest news from Itapema and Porto Belo every week. Talk to our team on WhatsApp to find the property that fits your goal.

Licensed broker: Valter Fernandes · CRECI/SC 37.128