If you find yourself adrift in the vast, bewildering metropolis of São Paulo, a city of ceaseless motion and innumerable possibilities, prepare for a certain degree of overwhelm. For while many travel guides might promise to share the best things to do in São Paulo, this particular account must, with a heavy sigh and a slight shudder, inform you that the true nature of such a grand urban expanse is often less about simple pleasure and more about a dizzying array of choices, each fraught with its own unique potential for surprise, perplexity, and, inevitably, a modest amount of magic. What follows is a humble attempt to catalogue some of the many ways one might occupy their time in this sprawling city.
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If this is your first stop in Brazil, read my 13 tips for planning a trip to Brazil.
Best Things to See and Do in São Paulo
- Explore Liberdade: A vibrant district renowned for being the city’s Japantown, and one of the largest Japanese communities outside of Japan. Liberdade offers a unique cultural experience, featuring streets lined with Japanese restaurants, shops, and cultural landmarks, including the iconic red torii gate. Should one have a particular fondness for crowds, and a stomach prepared for a variety of culinary offerings, the weekend mornings and early afternoons might prove fruitful. That is when the Feira da Liberdade occurs, and individuals arrive from various parts of the city to wander, eat, and, shop. Should you require a specific navigational target, head to Praça da Liberdade.
- Eat your way through the Mercado Municipal: A grand, historic public market and a true feast for the senses. Built in 1933, its stunning stained-glass windows and architectural grandeur provide a backdrop for a bustling marketplace filled with an astonishing array of fresh produce (sample anything that catches your eye), meats, cheeses, spices, and gourmet foods. It’s a place where locals and tourists alike come to experience the vibrant culture of São Paulo, sample iconic Brazilian snacks like the mortadella sandwich and pastel de bacalhau, and purchase unique ingredients.
- Explore Bom Retiro: A bustling and diverse neighborhood known primarily for its strong concentration of clothing wholesalers and retailers, particularly those specializing in Korean and Jewish-influenced fashion due to its rich history of immigration, initially attracting Jewish immigrants in the early 20th century, and later becoming a hub for Korean immigrants after the Korean War. This blend of cultures has shaped Bom Retiro into a unique commercial center, where one can find a variety of textiles, clothing, and international cuisine. Should one find oneself in Bom Retiro on a Saturday, one might stumble upon the Feira do Bom Retiro. Pop up restaurants appear, as do food trucks, street vendors selling Korean products, local artisans, and K-pop performances. Should you require a specific navigational target, head to R. José Paulino.
- Eat: Try the classic, 24-hour diner, Bar e Lanches Estadão, renowned for its iconic “pernil” (roast pork) sandwich or check out any of these great restaurants in São Paulo.
- Visit the colorful Beco do Batman: A renowned open-air street art gallery famous for its dense concentration of constantly evolving graffiti and street art, which covers nearly every available surface. Originating in the 1980s with a single Batman drawing, the alleyways have since transformed into a dynamic canvas for local and international artists, making it a popular destination for tourists and art enthusiasts alike.
- Walk, bike, or enjoy a beer on the Minhocão: Officially Via Elevada Presidente João Goulart, this 3.5-kilometer elevated highway was constructed in the 1970s in the heart of São Paulo to alleviate traffic but it quickly became a controversial urban feature. While it serves as a busy thoroughfare during weekdays, it transforms into a public space on evenings and weekends, welcoming pedestrians and cyclists. From the Minhocão, which translates to “big worm,” look for a series of rather large murals on the sides of buildings, which, it is said, were previously quite plain. These murals often depict scenes of a social nature, and some might even interpret them as perhaps even expressing opinions.
- Walk down Avenida Paulista: A major avenue in São Paulo, functioning as a vital financial, cultural, and recreational hub. It’s lined with a mix of towering skyscrapers, cultural institutions, and a diverse array of businesses. Historically, it evolved from a residential area of coffee barons to a modern urban space. On Sunday, it is closed to traffic. People gather, vendors appear, and performances occur.
- Admire the Catedral da Sé: A grand neo-Gothic cathedral located in the heart of São Paulo. It stands as one of the largest neo-Gothic churches in the world. Its impressive facade, stained glass windows, and intricate interior details reflect a blend of architectural styles, and the crypt beneath the main altar is of such considerable size that it could, with a touch of morbid whimsy, be described as an entire church residing beneath a church.
If you, unlike myself, wish to avoid an encounter with a locked door and the particularly disquieting realization that you are too late, then pay exceedingly close attention. The crypt closes at 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 4:15 p.m. on Sunday.
- Marvel at Mosteiro São Bento: A Benedictine monastery founded in 1598 that showcases a blend of architectural styles, with the current facade primarily featuring Neo-Romanesque influences. The monastery is renowned for its stunning interior, adorned with a carved ceiling, intricate artwork, stained glass, and decorative elements. Beyond its architectural beauty, the Mosteiro São Bento is famous for its Gregorian chant services, particularly on Sundays, and for its bakery, which produces traditional breads and sweets.
It is my unfortunate duty to inform you of the rather precise, and therefore easily disappointing, schedule for the masses with Gregorian chants. These take place Monday to Friday at 7am, Saturday at 5:50 a.m., and Sunday at 10 a.m. Therefore, if you were to arrive at 3 p.m. on a Saturday, perhaps having just come from lunch at the Mercado Municipal, you would find yourself, as is so often the case in this bleak world, entirely out of luck.
- Go on a walking or biking tour: Consider one of these highly rated options:
- Attend a performance at the Theatro Municipal: A historic and opulent opera house that stands as a significant cultural landmark, renowned for its architectural grandeur and its role in hosting prestigious performances of opera, ballet, and classical music. Inspired by the Paris Opera, its construction reflects a blend of Renaissance and Baroque styles. The theater has been a stage for numerous prominent artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, opera singer Enrico Caruso, and dancer Isadora Duncan. The best way to see it is to buy a ticket to a show. Some claim to hear ghostly singers and see shadowy dancers, remnants of past performances. Lights flicker, props move, and an unsettling quiet settles after shows.
- See the views from Farol Santander/Edificio Altino Arantes: A thrity-five story building designed to mimic the grand silhouette of the famous Empire State Building. Construction was completed in 1947 and for over a decade, it had the dubious distinction of being the tallest building in the city. Buy tickets online to visit the observation deck on the 26th floor.
- Shop Rua 25 de Março: An incredibly bustling shopping district. Here one finds a perplexing profusion of wares, from articles of clothing that might or might not fit to curious electronic devices that hum with an unsettling glow, and even household items one never knew one needed until they were suddenly thrust before one’s very eyes. The prices are suspiciously low, a fact that attracts enormous crowds like moths to a flame. And, so it is absolutely essential to be aware of your belongings at all times, lest they vanish, never to be seen again. Should you require a specific navigational target, head to Rua 25 de Março at R. Lucrécia Leme.
- Get some fresh air in Ibirapuera Park: Located in the heart of São Paulo, Ibirapuera Park is a sprawling urban oasis that serves as a vital cultural and recreational hub. Often compared to New York City’s Central Park, it encompasses 158 hectares and attracts millions of visitors annually. Designed by renowned landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, with buildings designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the park boasts a harmonious blend of lush greenery, tranquil lakes, and modernist architecture. It offers a diverse range of attractions, including museums, art galleries, performance spaces, and extensive areas for sports, leisure, and cultural events. Niemeyer’s futuristic designs are showcased in the architecture of the Auditório Ibirapuera and Oca buildings – both are definitely worth checking out.
- Catch the views from Edificio Italia: You can visit the viewing platform for R$50 including a free drink, daily from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Note that men are reportedly required to wear pants and shirts with sleeves.
- Watch a futebol (soccer) game: There are three major local teams to choose from. Estádio do Morumbi is home to São Paulo FC; Allianz Parque is home to Palmeiras; and Neo Química Arena is home to Corinthians.
- Head to Vila Madalena to listen to some live samba music: This bohemian neighborhood is a hub for nightlife, and you’ll find several bars and clubs featuring live samba music.
- Explore some museums:
- MASP (Museu de Arte de São Paulo) is a landmark art museum renowned for its distinctive architecture, designed by Lina Bo Bardi, featuring a large, exposed concrete and glass structure that appears to float above the ground. MASP houses one of the most significant collections of European art in Latin America, including works by renowned artists such as Raphael, Botticelli, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh. Its unique display of paintings on crystal easels creates a visually striking and engaging experience for visitors. Regular admission is R$75 .
- MAC (Museu de Arte Contemporanea) is known for showcasing important contemporary artworks from influential artists and movements, both Brazilian and international, making it a vital cultural landmark for art enthusiasts. Admission is free.
- Museu do Ipiranga was built in the late 1800s as a monument to commemorate Brazil’s independence from Portugal. It’s a Renaissance Revival style palace-like building that holds a vast collection of artifacts, paintings, and historical documents that chronicle São Paulo and Brazil’s past, particularly focusing on the 19th century. Look for Pedro Américo’s monumental painting “Independência ou Morte,” which portrays the historic moment in 1822 when Dom Pedro I proclaimed Brazil’s independence on the banks of the nearby Ipiranga River. Regular admission is R$30 and free on Wednesday and the first Sunday of the month.
- Museu Afro Brasil is housed in a building designed by Oscar Niemeyer and is dedicated to showcasing the contributions of African people to Brazilian culture. The museum explores various aspects of Afro-Brazilian history and culture, such as slavery, religion, art, and labor, highlighting the profound influence of African heritage on the formation of Brazilian identity. Regular admission is R$15.
- Pinacoteca is a highly esteemed visual arts museum, primarily focusing on Brazilian art from the 19th century to the present day. Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building, it holds the distinction of being the oldest art museum in São Paulo. Regular admission is R$30.
- Museu do Futebol is dedicated to the history, culture, and significance of futebol (soccer) in Brazil. Through a combination of multimedia displays, historical artifacts, and engaging exhibits, the museum delves into the social, cultural, and emotional impact of futebol on Brazilian society. Regular admission is R$24 with free admission on Tuesday. This is worth visiting even if you don’t know anything about the sport.
- Relax in Trianon Park: An urban park nestled along the bustling Paulista Avenue. It offers a preserved slice of the Atlantic Forest offering a tranquil environment for visitors to escape the city’s hustle and bustle.
- Admire the architecture of Estação da Luz: A historic Victorian style train station with an iconic clocktower.
- Get some fresh air at Luz Park: A historic public park that originated as a botanical garden in the late 18th century and has evolved into a significant urban green space. Revitalization efforts have aimed to restore its beauty and make it a safer, more welcoming space for visitors but it is best to keep an eye on one’s belongings.
Don’t miss out on this! This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Sao Paulo.
If you are one of those brave, or perhaps foolhardy, individuals who finds a certain morbid fascination in the overwhelming, prepare yourself for a whirlwind of urban intensity and be sure to pack a very sturdy pair of walking shoes. If you’re looking for more, here’s everything I’ve written about Brazil.
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