Many tourists to Brazil make a stop at São Paulo. And how could they not? This cosmopolitan city has everything you need to immerse yourself in Brazil’s magic. So, when you are not gazing at its towering skyscrapers, you can enjoy indulgent cuisines in its restaurants, visit its beautiful green spaces, learn more about football, get in touch with the Brazilian culture, travel to the nearby beaches, bask in the warm weather, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife. This innovative city is truly the melting pot with everything for all its visitors.
But, of course, getting through all the things to do in São Paulo can be hectic. After all, what should you include, and what can you leave out without compromising your experience? We’ve made your decision-making much easier by listing the top 25 things to fit into your itinerary to make it perfect.
1-5: Explore Historic Landmarks
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São Paulo has a rich history that explains how it came to be the cosmopolitan hub it is today. The story starts with Jesuit priests who settled in Bahia back in the 1500s. In their attempt to convert the natives, they wanted to found schools. But this did not work as planned, and they thus had to spread their roots to other regions, which led them to present-day São Paulo. This land was near the coast, boasted two rivers, and lay on a plateau. Having found the perfect spot, the priests founded Colégio de São Paulo de Piratininga in 1554, which had a church and a school. Their mission had not changed, and they used this establishment to draw more people to Catholicism.
Following the success of this mission, São Paulo’s growth was gradual. It started with people’s interest in its metals and stones, which attracted laborers from all over, including India. This change resulted in more transport networks that aided the establishment of more schools and churches. Then came a boost in coffee farming due to the introduction of enslaved Africans. Once slavery was no longer legal (post-1888), more laborers came to till the land, resulting in more plantations and factories, whose production got a boost from the local railway system. Not long after this, the city became a car manufacturing hub after World War II, which further increased its popularity.
The city continues to thrive and has become the go-to hub for anyone looking for investment opportunities. To learn more about how this small college expanded geographically and became the most populous city in Brazil, be sure to stop at the following attractions:
1) Sé Cathedral: This neo-Gothic church, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, is one of the biggest of its kind in the world. From the outside, you can take in its grandeur and gaze at its unique architecture that stands as a testament to the sort of work that went into it. For a well-rounded experience, opt to tour the inside, too, where you will find a 12,000-pipe organ and get insights into how the church came to exist. Even better, you can attend the daily mass!
2) Farol Santander: This building, which was formerly known as Edifício Altino Arantes, dates back to 1947. It started as the headquarters of the State Bank of São Paulo. Its reinforced concrete structure has remained solid for many decades. Interestingly, it was the tallest building of its kind outside the US when it went up. And the architects put their all into it, from the decor to the exterior. Touring it enables you to enjoy expansive city views and gives you an idea of what the 1940s were like for residents.
3) Mosteiro de Sao Bento: If you want to learn more about the religion in this city, the Monastery of Sao Bento is the place to go. It dates back to 1598 and features a Gothic-style architecture. Here, you can expect an in-depth historical overview of religion in the past few centuries. You also get to interact with the monks who follow Sao Bento’s teachings, which include baking treats at the bakery.
4) Pátio do Colégio: To unearth São Paulo’s roots, you have to tour this historic church that dates back to 1555. It served as a church, school, and home for the founding priests. Centuries on, it stands in the same spot and now includes a museum, library, and a cute cafe, all of which give you tidbits of the past few centuries. You can also visit the halls in the church that showcase city models from earlier days.
5) Martinelli Building: While Farol Santander might have the history of being the tallest building in the city in the 1940s, this one takes the crown as it was the first skyscraper in São Paulo. Built in 1928, this building stands 105 meters tall. Before its construction, most buildings would only go to ten stories. But this went up to 25 floors and included a viewing deck. Visit it to see São Paulo from a different perspective and learn how Martinelli defied all odds to make history.
These places rank high among the top things to do in São Paulo and thus get a lot of tourist traffic. Getting tickets in advance is hence advisable. Moreover, you should check the dress codes to ensure you are respectful, e.g., when visiting the churches.
6-10: Indulge in Culinary Delights
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São Paulo offers diverse culinary experiences to tourists, making it one of the top destinations for anyone who wants to enjoy authentic Brazilian foods. These have influences from indigenous, African, and European communities. Take the example of Portuguese influences. When the Portuguese first settled in the land, they incorporated ingredients like coffee, pigs, and cattle into their foods. Then came the slaves, who introduced different cooking styles and added a touch of rice. But this was not all. Syrians and Lebanese also threw their hats into the ring, adding Middle Eastern flavors to the mix, creating what is the perfect blend of aromas and tastes. Of course, there have been many other influences over the past few centuries, which is why all tourists should consider the following culinary experiences:
6) Try local foods: To get a true taste of São Paulo’s top foods, try the dishes below:
- Pão na Chapa: While this dish might seem like your ordinary bread and butter, it is much more than this. It features thick toasted bread slices with a thick butter coating and is one of the best ways to start your day. To get the best taste, get one fresh from a bakery.
- Feijoada: You cannot truly say that you have been to São Paulo if you have not enjoyed a stew comprising black beans, pork, and beef. It usually comes with rice, but you can always try other accompaniments that can match its delicious yet hearty flavor.
- Virado À Paulista: This dish has its roots in Portuguese influences. How else can you explain a platter with beans, eggs, plantain, sausages, pork, and vegetables? It’s so delicious that people eat it hot or cold. Since the platters are often big, you can share this meal with a friend.
7) Indulge in local snacks: In between tasty meals is a great time to try local snacks. Here are some great options:
- Coxinha: This tasty deep-fried snack comprises shredded chicken and cream cheese coated in breadcrumbs. Interestingly, this snack was first used to prevent wastage of the less desirable chicken parts but has now become a mainstay in street and snack foods.
- Bacalhau: This stuffed pastry features all kinds of fillings, from mashed potatoes to eggs to salted cod. Since it is mainly available as street food, you can play around with the ingredients to see what you like the most. Some even have meat fillings.
- Bauru: If you love sandwiches, you will love the twist in this option. It features a crusty bun filled with tomatoes, melted cheese, and roasted beef. If you like, you can always alter the ingredients, just like the creator of this dish (Casemiro Pinto Neto) did.
8) Enjoy local desserts: Can you indulge your sweet tooth and still learn a lot about São Paulo? Of course! Consider these options:
- Açaí na Tigela: This popular dessert features mashed açaí berries mixed with tons of healthy toppings. It tastes as good as it looks.
- Acarajé: This dish is native to Bahia, but you can still enjoy its authentic taste in São Paulo. Picture mashed cowpeas that have been fried in red palm oil and then stuffed with delicious fillings like chicken.
- Esfiha: If you enjoy baked pastries, you will love that these come filled with meat, veggies, cheese, and other tasty fillings. Most bakeries also add some toppings to add to their overall taste.
9) Eat at local restaurants: While most restaurants offer delicious foods, some have more outstanding menus. Here are the best places to eat if you want to enjoy the best cuisines:
- Pastel da Maria for the pastries,
- Casa Mathilde for sweet treats,
- Bolinha for traditional meals,
- Fogo de Chão for all kinds of meat dishes,
- Tabuleiro Do Acarajé for hearty meals, and
- O.M. for gourmet meals.
10) Book a culinary tour: How about experiencing a bit of everything at once? Most travel companies organize food tours that rank as some of the best things to do in São Paulo. These organized tours can either focus on indulgent meals or include cooking classes. It’s a great way to understand how different periods have influenced the culinary culture in the city, which makes you appreciate the meals even more.
Be open-minded when exploring meals to get the true taste of São Paulo.
11-15: Experience Cultural Attractions
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Thanks to São Paulo’s rich history that encompasses different cultures, it has a vibrant cultural scene. Here, you can learn more about these cultures, understand their links, contribute to their preservation, and foster cultural awareness. Below are some of the best things to do in São Paulo for anyone who’d like to take on a cultural journey:
11) Liberdade District: This part of the city is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan. Touring it enables you to learn more about how the Japanese came to settle in São Paulo back in 1912. Back then, they were in search of a region where the rent was affordable. It has now grown into a hub that now boasts other Asian communities, including Chinese and Korean families. As such, it has many shops selling cheap and unique souvenirs, comics, and electronics. You can also find stores that stock Asian products, authentic sushi places, street markets, and beautiful eateries along its streets.
12) São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP): Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo is the place to be for anyone who enjoys art. It is known for its beautiful interior that features hundreds of art pieces. Even someone who barely understands art can appreciate the beauty of these conversation-starting pieces, which mostly feature European, African, Brazilian, and Asian works. You can also find Picasso and Van Gogh paintings here. The large, airy, and well-lit galleries create the perfect environment to bask in all this talent.
13) Pinacoteca do Estado: This highly-rated museum is another great stop for art lovers. It dates back to 1905 and is the oldest of its kind in the city. There are thousands of Brazilian works here, including sculptures and paintings. But it’s not just the artwork that will capture your attention – the renovated building is alluring. With cascading staircases and exposed brickwork, the backgrounds are all perfect for memorable pictures.
14) Teatro Municipal De Sao Paulo: Do you enjoy performing arts? You will love this attraction and the story behind it. It all started when the wealthy people living in the city decided to build an opera house that would enable them to enjoy the arts. Thus, in 1911, this building came to be, featuring a mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. It has since featured many artists, including Carla Fracci, and continues to be home to orchestra, choir, and ballet shows. You can get a ticket to one of these or tour the opera house just to see its beautiful interior.
15) Museu do Futebol: The love for football in Brazil is known worldwide. And where better to learn more about the sport than in this center, which is right in the Art Deco Pacaembu Stadium? Here, you get to go through football galleries that highlight the history and culture of the sport, including the World Cup wins. You’ll leave knowing enough about the stars, e.g., Ronaldo and Pele, and will have a deeper appreciation for this sport. Even better, you can engage in one of the most thrilling things to do in São Paulo by watching a live football match.
If you’re curious about how identity has shaped this city, stopping by all these attractions will offer you the insights you need.
16-20: Wander Through Green Spaces
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São Paulo is a huge and vibrant city. When you’re not rubbing shoulders with tourists in the museums, you are gazing at skyscrapers, shopping in the malls, enjoying street food in crowded streets, or taking walking city tours to learn more about the buildings and people. And while all this is a great way to spend your time, the hustle and bustle can feel overwhelming. Most people find that one of the best things to do in São Paulo is to take a break by exploring the green spaces. Not only does it do wonders for your mental well-being, but it also supports physical activity. Here are some of the places you can consider in this regard:
16) Ibirapuera Park: A tour of the city would not be complete without walking through this park, which also features as a major city attraction. Once you step into the shade of the canopy trees, you will understand why this park is so sought-after. The grounds are clean, the roads are modern, the trees are huge and boast extensive leaf cover, and the undergrowth is lush. It feels like walking through a forest, but only that, in this case, this oasis exists right in the heart of the city. So, what can you do here?
- Walking – Many people head to this park just to get some steps in and enjoy the fresh smell of the vegetation,
- Play sports – you can bring a ball, rope, or other sporty items to hold a match or enjoy a friendly game with your loved ones,
- Do yoga – you will find many people practicing their yoga postures or meditation on different parts of the park,
- Take photos – we would be lying if we said that this park is not the perfect backdrop for your city photo shoots,
- Have a picnic – nothing beats enjoying a good meal in the middle of the park surrounded by positive energy from all the other travelers making the most out of this green space, and
- Cycling – since the roads are modern, you can enjoy a smooth yet relaxing tour of the park on two wheels.
This park is also home to monuments and museums and can be a great addition to your cultural tours.
17) Jardim Botanico de Sao Paulo: The setting of this beautiful park makes it an excellent stop for introspective tours. It has lush vegetation ranging from shrubs to trees to flowering plants. So, at each spot, you have flora to captivate your attention. The paths feature natural curves that wind around the park, allowing you to walk around in circles as you take in the beauty around you. Below the elevated paths are ponds, which you can gaze at during your stops. And if you feel like resting, there are many seats around the park where you can people-watch or take in the flora in what was once a state park. But flora is not the only thing on display. You are bound to see some monkeys playing in the trees. If you want to interact with more animals, you can end your walk with a trip to the zoo next door.
18) Butantan Institute: This scientific center is home to three museums and has a vast collection of snakes, reptiles, and arachnids. It dates back to 1901, and you will have fun learning how it became the biggest immunobiological producer in Latin America. But when you’re not getting tidbits about microbiology, you can lean into the venom extraction process and how the institute has formulated vaccines. Of course, for most people, the best part of the tour is seeing the snakes, arachnids, and reptiles up close. You can learn their names, whether they are dangerous, where they come from, and how you should approach them in the wild. Once you are done with this educational part, you can unwind by walking through the beautiful grounds of this science center.
19) Independence Park: Do you know how Brazil gained independence? This park would be a great place to learn how Prince Pedro set the pace for this country’s freedom. It is home to many historical pieces, including sculptures depicting different times. If you’d like, you can book a tour of the Ipiranga Museum, located right inside the park. But if you’re hoping for an outdoor experience, you can skip the museum and instead wander around the park, the city’s largest green space.
20) Parque da Água Branca: This park features large trees, water pools, and well-maintained paths that create a haven for anyone who wants a break from city life. Walking under the shade of the trees and encountering poultry searching for food, it almost feels like you are on a farm. To add to this feeling, the park has a paddock where you can enjoy horse riding or visit the animals in the stables. Sometimes, the park hosts concerts headlined by local artists – these events are fun as they often attract many locals, allowing you to experience the true São Paulo entertainment scene.
These parks help you balance the vibrance of São Paulo with some much-needed downtime. So, if you need a break, grab your outdoor shoes, a book, a mat, or whatever you need to engage in one of the most relaxing things to do in São Paulo.
21-25: Shop Till You Drop
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São Paulo is home to shopping districts and markets perfect for anyone who wants to buy souvenirs, eat authentic Brazilian dishes, buy the latest fashion, stock up on fragrances, or even just window shop. As a result, many visitors consider shopping one of the top things to do in São Paulo. Here are the stops you can make:
21) Galeria do Rock: If you love merch, this 6-floor shopping mall with 400+ shops is the place to be. Not only can you buy sneakers, but you can also buy shirts, CDs, and all other kinds of music merch. Moreover, this mall is a hub for tattoo artists – if you have ever wanted one, getting inked in this establishment should be easy.
22) Mercado Municipal: Culinary experiences top the amazing things you can enjoy in São Paulo. And anyone who has been to this market building can attest to its affordable yet delicious meals. Dating back to 1933, this establishment is home to beautiful cafes, restaurants, vegetable stalls, fruit vendors, and artisanal food products. You will be in for a memorable experience no matter what you try!
23) Rua Oscar Freire: This shopping street in Pinheiros embodies São Paulo’s vibrant energy. It is lined with cute cafes and restaurants that offer you the true taste of the city. Additionally, it has many stores whose prices range from cheap to high, allowing everyone a wonderful shopping experience. To enjoy this street, start at one end and walk along it to see the cute places, stopping at shops that stock what you want.
24) Rua 25 de Março is a great place to shop for souvenirs. You will get everything from accessories to bags to electronics and beauty products. Since it is a busy part of the city, you need to prepare for crowds. But that’s worth the reasonable prices, wide variety, lively atmosphere and ambient music you will reap as the benefit.
25) Shopping Cidade São Paulo: While getting goods at reasonable prices is often a great way to source souvenirs, you may want to get some upscale items too. And where better to do this than in this modern mall which houses everything in one place? You can enjoy shopping in the many boutiques before grabbing food in the cafes or restaurants and ending your day with a movie at the cinema.
Thanks to the variety of shopping experiences, there is something for everyone!
Travel Documents
Before enjoying the top things to do in São Paulo, you must get through immigration. Your document requirements will come down to your travel duration and purpose, as explained below:
1. A passport: All US citizens must have a valid passport book to enter and exit Brazil. It should meet the conditions below:
- It should be valid at entry and exit: You cannot use a passport that has expired or is close to expiring. If your passport does not meet this criterion, check whether you can renew it via mail. If you can’t get a renewal, e.g., you were a minor when you got your passport, you must apply for a new one.
- It should be in good condition: Passports experience wear and tear over the years. While this is acceptable, you cannot use a damaged or altered passport at customs, e.g., one with water damage. You should replace such a passport.
- It must have at least one blank visa page: You cannot use the endorsement pages. Moreover, if your travel itinerary includes other foreign destinations, you must have enough blank pages for all the stops. If you don’t meet this condition, you should apply for passport renewal to get more pages.
2. A visa: Your visa requirement depends on the following factors:
- When you travel: Tourists who travel to Brazil after 10th April 2024 will need a visa.
- The reason for travel: Tourists traveling for studying or work, must have relevant visas that permit their stay in the country.
Travel Visa Pro handles passport and visa applications for Brazil-bound travelers. Not only do we expedite these services to help you get your documents in days, but we also provide support services, including consultations and document reviews.
Additional Travel Documents
There is a lot to do in São Paulo, from city tours to destination weddings to picnics in the green spaces. It helps to consider whether you could benefit from having the documents below:
- Travel insurance: While São Paulo is generally safe for travelers, anything can go wrong, from injuries to theft. Travel insurance helps you meet these and other unforeseen costs without forking out money from your travel budget. For example, if your flight gets canceled, you can book another one without spending your money.
- Apostille: Anyone conducting official business in Brazil requires an apostille to prove the authenticity of their documents. For example, people tying the knot should present apostilled birth certificates. Consider getting one if your travel purpose necessitates official transactions.
- Translations: Portuguese is the official language in Brazil. Thus, English documents will not hold much water in official transactions unless they have apostilles and translations.
If you require any of the following documents, do not hesitate to contact the TVP team. We can get you sorted out in just a few days!
São Paulo has so much in store for visitors that choosing what to fit into your travel itinerary can be challenging. Luckily, our list of the top 25 things to do in São Paulo can help you narrow down your options per each category, enabling you to create lasting memories of this beautiful city.
