Travel Insights

With over 15 million inhabitants, the sprawling city of Sao Paolo is the largest in Latin America.

Sure it may seem like a concrete jungle at first glance, but if you know where to look, you’ll be rewarded with a wealth of culture, a dash of history, incredible art, and mouthwatering culinary experiences.

Ready to make the most of your Sao Paolo trip?

Dive in!

1. Go for a free walking tour

With a city this big, it’s always better to get a taste first before you go exploring.

So we recommend going on a walking tour from the Tourist Information Center near Republica center. You can either opt for the downtown walking tour or the more relaxing Paulista Avenue walk. Either way you’ll walk away knowing a whole lot about the heritage, history, and politics of the city.

2. Paulista Avenue

Paulista Avenue stretches for about 3 kms. The avenue is lined with modern buildings, restaurants, and cafes and is one of the busiest places in the city on weekdays. But on Sundays, it becomes a car-free zone and transforms into an eclectic place for artists and other creative to hang out or perform.

3. Theatro Municipal de São Paulo

Theatro Municipal was constructed in 1903 inspired by the opera house in Paris. Although it has been reconstructed and patched up many times, it still holds on to its old world charms.

The theatre is now home to São Paulo Municipal Symphonic Orchestra and City Ballet of São Paulo, who perform there regularly. The theatre is also known for revolutionizing the modern art scene ever since it hosted the Modern Art Week in 1922.

When there are no scheduled performances, visitors can tour the theatre and admire its opulent interiors and learn more about its contribution to the culture of Sao Paolo.

4. Museu de Arte de São Paulo or MASP

The first thing you’ll notice on approaching the museum is its stunning exterior, notably the fiery pillars and an illusion that building is almost floating.

But the interiors are even more fascinating. From representing Latin American masters such as Portinari and Anita Malfatti, the museum also houses works by Tintoretto, Hieronymous Bosch, Goya, Van Gogh, El Greco, and Picasso.

Entry to the mseum is free Thursday 5 PM onwards, but it’s to drop by on Sundays when the museum grounds transform into an antiques and handicrafts market place, while the streets outside are filled with stalls selling amazing local street food (don’t forget to grab a pastel – a delicious deep-fried snack with a filling of your choice).

5. Catedral da Sé de São Paulo

The courtyard of Sao Paulo’s Cathedral is pretty much the center of the city. And the church, finished in the 1950s, is one of the five famous neo-Gothic churches in the world.

You can also go for a tour of the crypts. Oh and fun fact: the tropic of Capricorn passes right below the altar of the cathedral.

6. Museu do Futebol

If you’re a football (that is soccer) fan, you can’t miss the football museum in Sao Paolo. Football is pretty much a religion in Brazil and the museum, located inside the Pacaembu Stadium, is a shrine for all fans.

Explore the 15 different interactive rooms that take you on a journey of the history of football in Brazil. You can even attempt a penalty shot in one of the rooms and get to know how fast the ball flew!

7. Museu Afro Brasil

This museum is located at one end of Ibirapuera Park and it chronicles how the society of Brazil has been shaped by African culture over the years.

The museum houses over 6000 artworks and artifacts as well as documents and photographs that reveal the impact of the African diaspora on Brazil’s food, music, language, and art.

8. Ibirapuera Park

Inaugurated on the 400th anniversary of Sao Paolo, this park was the city’s first metropolitan park. The park’s design is inspired by English landscape gardens.

Apart from an amazing place to unwind in nature, you can also check out some of Sao Paolo’s tourist hotspots while you’re here – namely, the African Museum of Brazil and the MASP. It also hosts a number of events round the year, including Sao Paolo Fashion Week.

9. Latin American Memorial

The Latin America Memorial in Sao Paolo is a complex of buildings (including a library and research center among others) designed by Oscar Niemeyer that depicts the struggle of the Latin American people in striving for civil and economic integration and freedom. The memorial also has many artworks displayed outdoors as well as within the buildings in the complex.

10. Pinacoteca do Estado

Pinacoteca do Estado is one of the most prominent museums in Sao Paolo and the oldest gallery in the city. The best attraction here is the jardim da luz, a public park within the complex and the site of the museum’s sculpture garden.
Apart from the vast collection of artworks in the gallery (around 9000), you’ll also love the stunning and unique architecture of the museum.

11. Mercado Municipal de São Paulo (Municipal Market)

Located in the city center, the municipal market of Sao Paolo is heaven for foodies and those who love to cook. It turns into a colorful arena of fresh fruits, cured meats, and exotic fruits from all over Brazil. The second level also has many restaurants where you can grab a bite. The most delicious experience who’ll walk away with if you visit the market is the special mortadella sandwich.

12. Feira da Praça Benedito Calixto (Benedito Calixto Square Market)

The Benedito Calixto square holds a charming arts and crafts market every Saturday. The stalls wares are an eclectic mix, from vinyl records to clothes and antiques.

13. Feira da Liberdade (the Liberdade neighborhood fair)

Liberdade is Sao Paolo’s Japanese neighborhood with a distinctly Far East flair. And, this becomes even more prominent on Saturday’s when there are stalls galore in the area selling traditional Japanese clothing, handicraft, and even ornaments.

14. Bixiga

Bixiga is the Italian neighborhood of Sao Paolo.

Did you know Brazil has the largest population of Italians outside Italy? They came to work in the coffee plantations around Sao Paolo and decided to stay on. Obviously, the restaurants in this area are awesome. In fact, one of the most popular get-it-to-go food in Sao Paolo is pizza!

15. Visit a churrascaria

You can’t miss a Brazilian all-you-can-eat grill experience when you’re in Sao Paolo. Churrascaria, or steak houses, are scattered all over Brazil and offer a unique dining experience. The waiters are usually dressed as gauchos or South American cowboys and carry skewers of grilled beef, chicken, fish, and even pineapples that’ll be served at your table.

Some of the best churrascaria in the city are Bovinus Churrascaria and Gauchao Grill Churrascaria if you’re looking for something pocket friendly or Churrascaria Vento Haragano and Fogão Gaúcho if you want a high end dining experience.

16. Go on a street art tour

Sao Paolo is home to many famous graffiti artists and you just can’t end your trip without going on a street art tour.

Stunning murals can be found all over the city, but we’re happy to nudge you in the right direction for a fulfilling mural-hunting experience.

Before you go anywhere else, head over to Vila Madalena, the most happening neighborhood in Sao Paolo. Here you’ll find Beco do Batman, an alleyway filled with eye popping street art.

Other neighborhood with stunning street art are Pinheiros, Cambuci, and Beco do Aprendiz (which is now an open air art gallery).

You’ll also find some manga-inspired street art around Liberdade.

17. Samba pubs

You think Rio, and samba is an automatic association. But Sao Paolo also has a thriving samba culture with samba bars all over the city. Keep an eye open for a Samba night and drop by for a swinging time!

Here are some of our favorites:

• Bar Samba
• Traço de União
• Estação são jorg
• Bar Mangueira

Happy planning!