20 Things to Do in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Looking down on Sao Paulo
wikimedia commons rafael matsunaga
What to See in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil: a sprawling monster with up to 15 million inhabitants. If you're thinking of paying a visit, you'll need all the help you can get, believe me! On the other hand, because of its size, there are plenty of fun things to do and interesting places to see.
What's It Like?
OK, it's not the prettiest of cities; there's too much bare concrete, crazy traffic pollutes the air, and high rises clutter the horizon. But the sky is blue for days, the parks are clean, and the people are mostly hard-working and ready with a smile. And it has a relatively unknown gem of a wild forest only 10 km from the centre!
You have to be prepared for Sao Paulo; it's a giant and often doesn't know its toe end from the hair on its head (it's so immense). Better to have a destination or two planned in advance.
Sao Paulo - enjoy!!
Ask for Help if You Need It (And Take a Phrase Book)
On a recent visit to Sao Paulo, I was lucky enough to stay with a friend for a whole 3 weeks, sharing an apartment in a place called Barra Funda, close to a relaxing local park. In that time I got to know this sprawling city really well, learning how to use the great Metro system, getting to where I needed to go with the least hassle.
Naturally having a local guide is best but if you haven't that luxury I hope the following information - along with tips and advice - serves you just as well. There are loads of things to do in this great city but I recommend you avoid areas you're not sure about and always ask if you get stuck.
From my experiences, most people in Sao Paulo don't have that much English but there are increasing numbers of younger Paulistanos who know English quite well and will help you out as best they can. Having a Portuguese phrase book handy is also a good idea!
Bem vindo a Sao Paulo.
Avenida Paulista, the main street of Sao Paulo.
1. Free Walking Tour
If you want to get to know about Sao Paulo from local experts then this free walking tour from the Tourist Information Center near Republica metro station is a must.
There's a choice of two. The Old Downtown walk is probably best for those with 3-4 hours to spare as it includes lunch. Set off time is 11.30am. The Paulista Avenue walk is less strenuous and guides you through mostly modern surroundings. This starts at 3.30pm.
All guides have microphones so you can hear everything they say. Languages are English and Portuguese.
I'd recommend these walks because you'll learn about the history, the politics and get to know where the important places are in this vibrant city.
Address: Republica Metro station next to Tourist Information Center and Consolacao metro near Banco do Brasil
Metro: Republica
2. Parque Estadual da Cantareira
One of the world's biggest urban forests lies to the north of Sao Paulo city and is well worth a visit. Not only do you get to see local populations of monkeys and birds as well as native species of flora but you'll have a fantastic view of the city if you climb high enough up the slopes of the Serra Cantareira.
Walking and hiking are popular as there are many trails to follow, plus you're guaranteed peace and quiet away from the busy streets. Take some food with you for a picnic. If you're into biking there are some good tarmac tracks to venture down.
Please note OPENS ONLY AT WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS so check first before heading out.
Address: Rua do Horto 931, Horto Florestal
Metro: Santana then taxi to above address. Bus 1018-10 Vila Rosa also stops on Rua do Horto.
3. MASP Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo
Designed by architect Lina Bo Bardi this 1968 building has become a landmark structure in Brazil, its striking red beams a special feature. The main body of the museum seems to float above the ground.
Admittedly, it's starting to look its age now - concrete and glass are not timeless materials - but the exterior is only half the story! What's inside is what counts and there are many fine works of art to admire. Many of the great European artists are here: from Tintoretto to JMW Turner, from the French Impressionists to El Greco and Goya. As you'd expect Brazilian and South American art is also well represented.
I spent a long time studying Hieronymous Bosch's The Temptation of Saint Anthony - a fascinating picture full of mysterious and surreal images.
Address: Avenida Paulista 1578
Metro: Trianon MASP
4. Mercado Municipal de Sao Paulo
Local markets spring up all over Sao Paulo's suburbs but one you should definitely visit is the big one, the municipal market close to Luz station. Nicknamed the Mercadao it's the place for fruits, foods, meats, spices, herbs, the list goes on.
Exotic fruits from all over Brazil end up here and you'll be enthusiastically served up samples as you pass the well-stocked stalls. One word of advice - be absolutely certain of what you're buying and at what price.
You could end up with a huge bill for what you've sampled, thinking they were all gratis!
Enjoy a Mortadella Sandwich for lunch or a pastel de bacalhau, they're good value at the many eateries inside the vast building.
Address: Rua de Cantareira 306, Centro
Metro: Luz
5. Parque Agua Branca (Agua Branca Park)
In Sao Paulo there are many small parks scattered around. They're usually clean, friendly and relaxed places where city folk go to sit and relax, eat some food, play with children, hear some music or entertain themselves.
Parque Agua Branca is just such a place but what makes it different is the fact that it's full of animals - chickens, roosters and horses. The birds run free and the horses are kept in stables ready for horse riding lessons which take place in a sand arena. There are also some awesome trees in the arboretum, including the tree Brazil is named after, the Pau Brasil.
Musicians also play here at the weekend (and weekdays sometimes) and there's lots of food to enjoy whilst listening.
My friend's apartment block was right next to this park when I stayed, providing much sought after fresh air and space to run and feel free. In Sao Paulo they really take care of their parks, they're such a precious resource.
Address: Avenida Prof. Fransisco Matarazzo 455
Metro: Barra Funda
Bacalhau dish.
6. Bacalhau: Dried Cod Dish
Bacalhau is a Portuguese dish adopted by Brazilians and eaten all year round, especially at New Year.
The Portuguese word bacalhau means cod but the name also pops up in over a thousand recipes. The basic dish contains potatoes, onions and olives plus tomatoes and herbs. This is what I had when my friend cooked the meal. Simple yet delicious served with white or green wine (vinho verde).
It's available in many markets and stores, sold in various sized blocks. Or, if you cannot make it yourself, choose a nice restaurant, check the menu and settle down to authentic bacalhau cooked by an expert.
7. Museum of Football (Soccer)
If you're into football (soccer) then this museum will delight you. It's part of the Estadio do Pacaembu where one of the top clubs in Brazil - Corinthians - used to play. It's still active as it's used by the city for all kinds of different sports.
Full of photographs, screens, interactive games and momentoes from the past you can also watch films and documentaries showing Brazilian football's great heroes and victories. Some of the exhibits are fascinating, like the photograph of the man who brought the beautiful game to Brazil, a British man called Charles Miller.
World Cup aficionados will love it here. Bring your shooting boots and try the penalty shoot-out competition!
Address: Praca Charles Miller
Metro: Clinicas (1 km) and Paulista (1 km)
Price: 6R$
Drinking coco - fresh coconut milk, delicious.
8. Coco Drinking
Everywhere you go in Sao Paulo you'll find Coco stalls, places where you can buy a fresh coconut, have it chopped and prepared ready for that sweet nutritious milk.
It's one of the best drinks and relatively cheap at 4-5R$. Often the coconuts are kept refrigerated so you'll enjoy a cold drink, especially welcome on hot humid days.
It's a great experience to watch the seller hand pick your coconut, place it on a tree stump or table and get to work with the sharp knife. Chop chop chop, make the hole, hand over the straw and you're guaranteed a memorable drink. Kids love them, (adults too!)
Avenida Paulista, Sao Paulo
9. Avenida Paulista
Paulista Avenue is the main avenue in the city. Modern office blocks, high rise apartments and designer shops dominate so be prepared for a busy, hectic atmosphere. You'll be amongst businessmen and women, fashionistas and shoppers - just about everyone turns up on this most important thoroughfare.
There are some older buildings in the shadows of cutting edge architecture. It's as if they want to say...Hey, hang on, don't move too fast, we've a story to tell.
You can catch a bite to eat in one of the many bars and restaurants, or sit back with a coffee and watch them all go by. There's also a post office, correios, on this avenue, so you can buy a postcard or two, sit and write them with a drink then post them all in one go, the old fashioned snail mail way!
Metro: Paraiso, Trianon MASP, Consolacao.
10. MAM (Museum of Modern Art)
Not to be confused with MASP which is on Avenida Paulista, MAM is a little further on in Parque Ibiraquera. This is a smaller gallery and often exhibits younger unknown artists from Brazil and South America, although more famous establishment artists show here too.
When we visited there were just two exhibits but it gave us time and space to really focus on the work. There's a cafe and restaurant giving you the chance to combine a meal with the art and then go exploring in the park afterwards.
Address: Parque Ibiraquera, Portao 3
Metro: Santa Cruz, Vila Mariana
11. Edificio Italia (Italia Building)
If you want the best view of Sao Paulo from the inside so to speak you have to climb high - that means going almost to the top of the Edificio Italia, all 46 floors of it.
Once up there you can buy a drink at the observation bar or treat yourself to a meal in the plush restaurant and drink in the views only the vultures normally get! The menu isn't cheap but it makes for a unique experience. This is on the 41st floor.
Saturday and Sunday afternoons are quiet. I was told that evenings are best, just when the sun is going down. You can buy one expensive drink, make it last, listen to live jazz and be warmed by the sunset over the city.
The hotel we stayed at in Guarulhos, near the airport, had great views from the 22nd floor. You could swim in the open air pool whilst the rest of Sao Paulo went about its business. Unreal.
Address: Avenida Ipiranga, 344, centro.Praca de Republica
Metro: Republica