Sao Paulo Travelers Recommend

With three days in Brazil’s biggest city, you’ll have ample time to see the sights, delve into the local art or food scene, and head into the countryside for a glimpse beyond the skyscrapers. Here are some ideas for your São Paulo itinerary.

Day 1: Get Acquainted

Get your bearings in one of the world’s largest cities on a walking or biking tour through downtown, stopping by prominent landmarks like the neo-Gothic Sé Cathedral, the Centro Cultural Banco, and Ibirapuera Park. At lunchtime, do as the locals do and grab a mortadella (bologna) sandwich at the Municipal Market—then wander around one of the city’s excellent museums, such as the Art Museum of São Paulo, the Catavento Cultural Museum, or the Museum of Image and Sound. Wind down the day with cocktails and a bird’s-eye view of São Paulo from a rooftop bar in the art deco Banespa Building or the soaring Itália Building.

Day 2: Explore Your Interests

Today is about discovering the city through the lens that most interests you. Foodies might start with a morning food tour of the Municipal Market, followed by an afternoon cooking class featuring Brazilian culinary techniques. Art lovers should hit the streets in search of the city’s best street art in bohemian neighborhoods like Vila Madalena. Soccer fans can go behind the scenes at the Allianz Parque, home of the Palmeiras football team—while families make their way to the São Paulo Zoo or Botanical Garden. No matter how you choose to spend your day, end it with a guided bar hop to some of the city’s hottest spots. 

Day 3: Get Out of Town

It’s easy to get city fatigue in a metropolis of 20 million residents, so escape the concrete jungle with a day trip into the Brazilian countryside. One destination option is Campos do Jordão, a little slice of Switzerland in Brazil, with chalet-style architecture and Swiss and German culture. Or, join an excursion into the Brazilian rain forest, and learn about the country’s indigenous cultures. If you’re ready for some relaxation, settle down for a day of sun, sand, and sea at the beach in nearby Santos. Finish your stay with a quiet dinner back at your hotel.

South America’s largest city is a sea of skyscrapers as far as the eye can see. This city of 20 million people, called Sampa for short, has a little bit of everything—galleries and art-house cinemas, raucous nightlife, and a great culinary scene. Here’s how to make the most of 24 hours in São Paulo.

Morning: City Sightseeing

The sheer size of São Paulo can make it feel overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. Get oriented with a sightseeing tour of the city guided by a local. A half day gives you enough time to explore the Paulista and Ibirapuera neighborhoods, as well as see the sights of downtown São Paulo, including the Municipal Theater, Pátio do Colégio, and Sé Cathedral. If you’d prefer a more active sightseeing experience, opt for a cycling tour of downtown to get an overview of its museums, parks, and architecture.

Afternoon: Taste of São Paulo

After working up an appetite with your morning sightseeing, treat your tastebuds to the flavors of Brazil this afternoon as you explore the city’s vibrant Municipal Market with a local guide. Learn about what makes Brazilian food so distinct as you wander past fresh produce, and stop to taste some local favorites, such as a mortadella sandwich. For a more immersive food experience, choose a Brazilian cooking class instead. You’ll learn to make typical Brazilian dishes that you can re-create in your own kitchen back home. The best part is, you get to eat what you make, so come hungry.

Night: Paint the Town

There’s a party in São Paulo pretty much 24/7. This evening, head out on the town to experience the city’s world-class nightlife for yourself. Go on a barhopping tour through the bohemian neighborhood of Vila Madalena to sip rooftop cocktails and rub elbows with the locals, or get dressed up for a night of dancing at some of the city’s best bars and clubs in Vila Olímpia. Go with a guide to find the hot spots, and enjoy convenient and safe transportation back to your hotel at the end of the night.

São Paulo’s a massive and overwhelming city with loads to see and do. With two days to spend in Sampa, you’ll have time to explore the city’s art and architecture, wander its atmospheric neighborhoods, sample Brazilian cuisine, and enjoy its nightlife. Read on for ideas on how to spend two days in São Paulo. 

Day 1: Getting Situated

**Morning:**Get your bearings in this city of 20 million people with a morning sightseeing tour. Options abound, from walking and cycling tours of downtown to more comprehensive bus tours that take you through several of the city’s most important neighborhoods. You could even tour by vintage VW bus.

**Afternoon:**After lunch, take the afternoon to experience the vibrant arts scene in Sampa. Prebook your admission ticket to the São Paulo Art Museum for skip-the-line access to the most important collection of Western art in Latin America, or hit the streets by bike or on foot in search of the city’s best street art. 

**Night:**Now that you’ve seen São Paulo from street level, get above it all with an evening cocktail on the rooftop observation deck of the Itália Building (Edifício Itália)—one of the city’s tallest and most photographed landmarks.   

Day 2: Digging Deeper

**Morning:**Start your second day by putting your finger on the pulse of modern São Paulo with a morning stroll along Paulista Avenue. Explore this cultural and financial district solo or with a guide who can point out important landmarks, such as the Japan House and House of Roses. Be sure to sample some local snacks along the way.

**Afternoon:**São Paulo enjoys one of the most diverse food scenes in South America. This afternoon, treat your tastebuds to a foodie tour through the Municipal Market or one of the city’s best culinary neighborhoods, such as Pinheiros or Vila Madalena. If you’d prefer to get hands-on, opt for a Brazilian cooking class instead.

**Night:**This evening, party like a Paulistano during a barhopping tour through the city. Enjoy caipirinhas or beers at nightlife hot spots while you learn more about local drinking customs. At the end of the night, you’ll have a safe ride back to your hotel.

There’s plenty to see on an architecture tour of São Paulo. Brazil’s largest city is renowned for its soaring skyscrapers, contemporary art galleries, and bold street art. Look out for these architecturally impressive landmarks as you explore the city.

Eiffel Building

Towering over the Praça da República at the heart of São Paulo’s República district, the Eiffel Building (Edifício Eiffel) is one of the city’s most notable high-rises. Known for its modern geometric facade, it’s one of several São Paulo buildings designed by acclaimed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.

Copan Building

Another one of Niemeyer’s designs is the Copan Building (Edifício Copa), a striking mix of classic and modern, that draws inspiration from the Copan Mayan Temple in Honduras. With over 5,000 residents, it’s also the largest residential building in Brazil. 

Unique Hotel

Designed by São Paulo native Ruy Ohtake, the Unique Hotel definitely lives up to its name. The spaceship-like building features a shimmering aqua facade, dozens of porthole windows, and an expansive rooftop sundeck complete with a giant swimming pool. 

São Paulo Museum of Art

The São Paulo Museum of Art (Museu de Arte de São Paulo, or MASP) is as renowned for its dramatic architecture—the work of prolific designer Lina Bo Bardi—as it is for its impressive collection of Brazilian and Latin American art. Located on Paulista Avenue in downtown São Paulo, the concrete and glass structure stands perched on a pair of bright red “legs.”

Tomie Ohtake Cultural Institute

Designed by its founder, prominent contemporary architect Ruy Ohtake, the Tomie Ohtake Institute (Instituto Tomie Ohtake) presents an eclectic roster of art exhibitions, housed in a distinctive building made of multicolored blocks. 

São Paulo may be known for its maze of skyscrapers, but throughout the metropolis you’ll find fascinating neighborhoods filled with delicious eats and drinks. Culinary roots run deep in this Brazilian city, whose population consists largely of Portuguese, Italian, and Japanese descendants. Here are a few foods and activities you should be sure to check out.

Must-Try Dishes

Breakfast in São Paulo typically includes tropical fruits and pão de queijo (cheese bread), accompanied by coffee with milk. Later on, join the midday business crowd and sink your teeth into bobó de camarão (shrimp chowder) or feijoada, the national dish made of stewed beans and meat. Do as many Paulistanos do, and fortify yourself before a late dinner with a snack such as coxinha de frango (fried dough filled with seasoned chicken) or lanche de mortadela, a sandwich stacked high with sliced meat. If you need a pick-me-up, sip from a tiny but caffeinated cup of cafezinho, or indulge in a sugary treat— pudim (flan) is a favorite, as well as pastel de nata, a custard tart commonly dusted with cinnamon. When evening falls, order a caipirinha or frothy chopp (draft beer) with newfound friends.

Must-Do Experiences

• Check out the produce stalls and gourmet treats on a tour of the São Paulo Municipal Market, aka Mercadão.
• Sample the best bites on a food tour that includes stops in the Pinheiros district.
• Stroll like a local around Paulista Avenue and the Largo da Batata public square.
• Order Japanese sweets and tea at the Japan House cafeteria, or follow a guide to Liberdade, home to the largest Japanese community outside of Japan.
• Get hands-on with a cooking class in São Paulo’s bohemian neighborhood, Vila Madalena.
• Stick around for a bar-hopping tour of the area’s hippest nightclubs, and learn to samba while you sip.