Vila

What makes it special

• The old Jail and Courthouse, built between 1913 and 1914 and listed by Condephaat (the São Paulo state heritage council), now houses the Ilhabela Nautical Museum, with more than 250 pieces from local shipwrecks, including the Príncipe de Astúrias (1916), and free admission.
• The Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora D'Ajuda e Bonsucesso is among the most visited stops on the historic route, and the Vila Cultural Centre (Espaço Waldemar Belisário) hosts exhibitions, a free film club, festivals and workshops.
• The Vila pier receives cruise ship passengers, and the small strip of sand in front of the stone sea wall is a spot for watching the sunset.
• The neighbourhood has guesthouses, small shops and restaurants, hosts shows throughout the year (Melhores Destinos) and has one of the city's two Tourist Information Centres, on Rua Doutor Carvalho.

What to weigh

• Anyone looking for a beach house should know that the Vila's beach is small and only appears at low tide, in front of the stone sea wall; the larger beaches are in other neighbourhoods.
• At night the area is lively and hosts large shows that draw thousands of tourists, which brings crowds and noise on event dates.
• On the slopes, the 2024 UNICAMP study, based on CPRM susceptibility maps, places 21.92% of the Vila's built-up area in medium landslide susceptibility; the June 2026 Contingency Plan states that the official risk mapping is still being prepared.
• Of the four neighbourhoods it is the farthest from the ferry (about 6.5 km, Melhores Destinos), and the crossing, with a 30-minute wait according to SEMIL, reached 3.5 to 5 hours in January 2023.

Who it suits

Arvita’s reading, based on the facts above.

• People who value history, culture and street life and want restaurants, museums and events within walking distance.
• Buyers looking at guesthouses or tourism-oriented businesses, given the flow of visitors and cruise passengers.
• Buyers who do not need a swimming beach on their doorstep.

Living here

• Municipal hospital: 6.7 km by car.
• Ferry terminal: 6.7 km by car.
• Clinics, specialty centres and labs within 3 km: Centro de Especialidades de Ilhabela (public); Santa Casa de Ilhabela (non-profit).
• Nearest health unit: Centro de Saúde III (CS III), 0.3 km.
• Bus lines naming the neighborhood on their route: Balsa / Armação via Reino (60 weekday departures from the ferry); Balsa / Água Branca / Vila (47 weekday departures from the ferry); Balsa / Vila / Direto (37 weekday departures from the ferry); Balsa / Itaguassú / Vila (37 weekday departures from the ferry); Balsa / Vila via Carijos (26 weekday departures from the ferry) and 8 more lines in the timetable. Lines on the main road may serve it without naming it.
• The Aquabus, the town’s passenger boat, stops here.
• Public schools nearby: E.M. Carolina de Moraes Silva (municipal, 0.7 km); E.M. Profª Mércia do Nascimento Dias (municipal, 1.7 km).
• Private schools nearby: Acton Academy Ilhabela (4.7 km); Colégio Objetivo Ilhabela (4.8 km); Escola de Educação Infantil Jardim Waldorf Sol da Terra (5.2 km).

Approximate driving distances from the centre of the neighborhood, as of 2026-11-03. Schools and health units whose address could be placed on the map; there may be others. Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Beaches

Praia da Vila.

The market here

Asking prices in listings, not sale prices. Median of active listings from Ilhabela agencies Arvita follows daily, each property counted once, as of 2026-11-03. Figures appear only with at least 5 listings.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a house cost in Vila?

The typical (median) asking price of houses listed in Vila is R$ 4.500.000, from 45 listings Arvita followed as of 2026-11-03. It is an asking price, not a sale price.

How many properties are for sale in Vila?

As of 2026-11-03, 54 properties listed for sale, each counted once even when several agencies list it.

How far is Vila from the ferry?

About 6.7 km by car from the centre of the neighborhood to the ferry terminal.

How far is Vila from the hospital?

The municipal hospital is about 6.7 km by car from the centre of the neighborhood. The nearest health unit is Centro de Saúde III (CS III), 0.3 km away.

Which schools are near Vila?

E.M. Carolina de Moraes Silva, E.M. Profª Mércia do Nascimento Dias, Acton Academy Ilhabela, Colégio Objetivo Ilhabela, Escola de Educação Infantil Jardim Waldorf Sol da Terra. Distances and type for each in the Living here section.

Where in Ilhabela is Vila?

Vila is in the Centre and Vila part of the island.

Other neighborhoods nearby

Cocaia, Engenho D'Água, Retiro, Santa Tereza, Barra Velha, Itaguaçu, Perequê, Costa Bela, Itaquanduba, Água Branca