Guidebook for São Paulo

Ivan
Guidebook for São Paulo

Arts & Culture

The museum is located at the Avenida Paulista, one of the most interesting places of Sao Paulo. It is pretty hard to miss it because the architecture of the building is pretty unique and stunning at the same time. When we went there, they had an exhibition of wonderful drawings of many internationally known artists. Not just worth a visit but definitely a must visit!
1600 locals recommend
Museum of Art of São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand
1578 Av. Paulista
1600 locals recommend
The museum is located at the Avenida Paulista, one of the most interesting places of Sao Paulo. It is pretty hard to miss it because the architecture of the building is pretty unique and stunning at the same time. When we went there, they had an exhibition of wonderful drawings of many internationally known artists. Not just worth a visit but definitely a must visit!
This is one of those galleries that you must visit in São Paulo. There is an excellent variety of paintings and the atmosphere is very welcoming. The building itself is interesting. And unlike most galleries and museums it has a cafeteria which does not rip you off and sells good food. It is worth spending a whole morning or afternoon. Remember that it is closed on Tuesdays.
842 locals recommend
Pinacoteca do Estado de Sao Paulo
2 Praça da Luz
842 locals recommend
This is one of those galleries that you must visit in São Paulo. There is an excellent variety of paintings and the atmosphere is very welcoming. The building itself is interesting. And unlike most galleries and museums it has a cafeteria which does not rip you off and sells good food. It is worth spending a whole morning or afternoon. Remember that it is closed on Tuesdays.
This gem theater is located in the Ild Downtown area and while yes, there is a sizable homeless population hanging out nearby, I don't believe you have anything to fear if you want to visit this for a performance or just a look into the lobby. Shopping malls across the street so it isn't a dangerous area per se. But if you're leaving a performance late at night use caution as you would in any large urban setting. Historic theater is gorgeous on the inside. Tours are available (check the website) or you can come into the box office and peek through the doors and admire the lobby and ceiling at a minimum. Spectacular and a tribute to the early 20th century fortunes that existed in São Paulo.
424 locals recommend
Municipal Theatre of São Paulo
s/n Praça Ramos de Azevedo
424 locals recommend
This gem theater is located in the Ild Downtown area and while yes, there is a sizable homeless population hanging out nearby, I don't believe you have anything to fear if you want to visit this for a performance or just a look into the lobby. Shopping malls across the street so it isn't a dangerous area per se. But if you're leaving a performance late at night use caution as you would in any large urban setting. Historic theater is gorgeous on the inside. Tours are available (check the website) or you can come into the box office and peek through the doors and admire the lobby and ceiling at a minimum. Spectacular and a tribute to the early 20th century fortunes that existed in São Paulo.
If you're visiting SP, always - I mean ALWAYS - check what is going on in the various SESC facilities around the city. There are always good (and very affordable/free) concerts, exhibits, lectures and different activities. If you're around Pompeia, do stop by Sesc Pompeia, if nothing else, to have a cup of coffee of their delicious and insanely cheap frozen yogurt and browse the various magazines and newspapers from around the country (and world) to be found at the library. Check for concerts all week long (except Mondays, when the place is closed), specially at the Choperia, the dancing venue. Order a glass of decent and very affordable wine to dance along the always great bands/singers and
245 locals recommend
SESC POMPÉIA
93 R. Clélia
245 locals recommend
If you're visiting SP, always - I mean ALWAYS - check what is going on in the various SESC facilities around the city. There are always good (and very affordable/free) concerts, exhibits, lectures and different activities. If you're around Pompeia, do stop by Sesc Pompeia, if nothing else, to have a cup of coffee of their delicious and insanely cheap frozen yogurt and browse the various magazines and newspapers from around the country (and world) to be found at the library. Check for concerts all week long (except Mondays, when the place is closed), specially at the Choperia, the dancing venue. Order a glass of decent and very affordable wine to dance along the always great bands/singers and

Parks & Nature

197 locals recommend
Ibirapuera
197 locals recommend
169 locals recommend
Trianon-Masp station
Avenida Paulista
169 locals recommend
Jardim Botanico is a quiet and a little empty park around some areas. Lovely option for a picnic with the family or just walk or run around. There is some botanical expositions. Kind of interesting. Just a little bit far from SP main areas. There is a restaurant in the park offering a good food(not luxury) for an affordable prices.
115 locals recommend
Sao Paulo Botanical Garden
3031 Av. Miguel Estéfno
115 locals recommend
Jardim Botanico is a quiet and a little empty park around some areas. Lovely option for a picnic with the family or just walk or run around. There is some botanical expositions. Kind of interesting. Just a little bit far from SP main areas. There is a restaurant in the park offering a good food(not luxury) for an affordable prices.

Shopping

306 locals recommend
Morumbi Shopping
1089 Av. Roque Petroni Júnior
306 locals recommend
258 locals recommend
Frei Caneca Mall
569 R. Frei Caneca
258 locals recommend
Shopping Paulista
340 locals recommend
Shopping Patio Higienopolis
618 R. Dr. Veiga Filho
340 locals recommend
275 locals recommend
Cultura Bookstore
2073 Av. Paulista
275 locals recommend
Beautiful mall! Definetely a very high end mall in a premium location. It has a great food court with many choices. It also has different restaurants spread along the mall. It is very difficult to mive around, and the staff speaks only portuguese which males it really difficult to navigate through such a large building. It has many nice attractions that anyone can appreciate as you walk the mall.
297 locals recommend
Iguatemi Shopping
2232 Av. Brg. Faria Lima
297 locals recommend
Beautiful mall! Definetely a very high end mall in a premium location. It has a great food court with many choices. It also has different restaurants spread along the mall. It is very difficult to mive around, and the staff speaks only portuguese which males it really difficult to navigate through such a large building. It has many nice attractions that anyone can appreciate as you walk the mall.

Food Scene

49 locals recommend
Liberdade Street Fair
49 locals recommend
174 locals recommend
Fair Benedito Calixto
240 Praça Benedito Calixto
174 locals recommend
272 locals recommend
Bella Paulista Bakery
354 Rua Haddock Lobo
272 locals recommend
The City of São Paulo farmers' market aka "Mercadão" is a great place to taste local and imported food and spices. Not as cheap as one might imagine, it nevertheless provides a delicious experience for tourists and locals in a City historical building.
569 locals recommend
Mercado Municipal de São Paulo
306 R. Cantareira
569 locals recommend
The City of São Paulo farmers' market aka "Mercadão" is a great place to taste local and imported food and spices. Not as cheap as one might imagine, it nevertheless provides a delicious experience for tourists and locals in a City historical building.
This is a very special japanese neighborhood. You can find high quality japanese restaurants, as well as high quality japanese streetfood. There's a lot to explore! Worth a whole day in the place!
49 locals recommend
Liberdade Street Fair
49 locals recommend
This is a very special japanese neighborhood. You can find high quality japanese restaurants, as well as high quality japanese streetfood. There's a lot to explore! Worth a whole day in the place!

Sightseeing

The Avenida Paulista is probably the most modern street in the city. Of course it is a busy place but definitely a must visit if you go to Sao Paulo. You can find many shopping malls and restaurants there. Additionally, the Rua Augusta is connected to it and wonderful to find a restaurant in the evening to grab some food. Make sure you have a look at the Museu de Arte de São Paulo. They have great exhibitions and it is one of the best museums we ever went to! Enjoy!
1017 locals recommend
Avenida Paulista
Avenida Paulista
1017 locals recommend
The Avenida Paulista is probably the most modern street in the city. Of course it is a busy place but definitely a must visit if you go to Sao Paulo. You can find many shopping malls and restaurants there. Additionally, the Rua Augusta is connected to it and wonderful to find a restaurant in the evening to grab some food. Make sure you have a look at the Museu de Arte de São Paulo. They have great exhibitions and it is one of the best museums we ever went to! Enjoy!
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - CCBB - holds some of the best art exhibits in town. Make sure to make most of your visit by previously checking out what is on and adding to your visit other sightseeing in Sao Paulo old downtown area and having dinner or lunch in one of the several good Japanese, Chinese or Korean restaurants in Liberdade District.
234 locals recommend
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil
112 R. Álvares Penteado
234 locals recommend
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - CCBB - holds some of the best art exhibits in town. Make sure to make most of your visit by previously checking out what is on and adding to your visit other sightseeing in Sao Paulo old downtown area and having dinner or lunch in one of the several good Japanese, Chinese or Korean restaurants in Liberdade District.
"Jardins" is a Central location in são Paulo, not the "old" downtown, but the one that emerged in the 60s, with Avenida Paulista being the 'heart" of it. A large avenue, with bookstores (CULTURA, at the CONJUNTO NACIONAL), many cinemas, shoppings (Cidade de São Paulo), others, many cafes, restaurants, fast food, Park (Trianon), etc. There are "Jardim Paulista", "Jardim Europa", and "Jardim America". They all have luxuious residential building, fine stores (like Tiffany's), it's a kind of "Fith Avenue/Park Avenue" in São Paulo...
60 locals recommend
Jardins
60 locals recommend
"Jardins" is a Central location in são Paulo, not the "old" downtown, but the one that emerged in the 60s, with Avenida Paulista being the 'heart" of it. A large avenue, with bookstores (CULTURA, at the CONJUNTO NACIONAL), many cinemas, shoppings (Cidade de São Paulo), others, many cafes, restaurants, fast food, Park (Trianon), etc. There are "Jardim Paulista", "Jardim Europa", and "Jardim America". They all have luxuious residential building, fine stores (like Tiffany's), it's a kind of "Fith Avenue/Park Avenue" in São Paulo...
This church is my favorite in the town. It is gorgeous, with the ceiling full of paintings about Jesus life, and the walls with portuguese tiles (I am not sure if real portuguese tiles or just inspired). If you want to go for a mass check the times at the website which has also a lot of information about activities and the church´s history
21 locals recommend
Our Lady of Brazil Church
01 Praça Nossa Sra. do Brasil
21 locals recommend
This church is my favorite in the town. It is gorgeous, with the ceiling full of paintings about Jesus life, and the walls with portuguese tiles (I am not sure if real portuguese tiles or just inspired). If you want to go for a mass check the times at the website which has also a lot of information about activities and the church´s history
If you want to see a great view of the city to all directions, this is definitely the place to go. You can also have a dinner at the Italian restaurant, which is good, but rather expensive. Easiest way to reach the place is taking the Metro line 3 to Republica-station. The building is just outside the station.
110 locals recommend
Edifício Itália
110 locals recommend
If you want to see a great view of the city to all directions, this is definitely the place to go. You can also have a dinner at the Italian restaurant, which is good, but rather expensive. Easiest way to reach the place is taking the Metro line 3 to Republica-station. The building is just outside the station.