São Paulo
The largest city in South America: museums, architecture, lively neighborhoods and one of the best food scenes on the continent. An ideal city stop at the start or end of a trip.
Region
São Paulo State, Southeast
Recommended stay
2 to 3 nights
Best time to go
March to November
Getting there
Guarulhos International Airport, with direct flights from New York and Miami
A metropolis to experience neighborhood by neighborhood
São Paulo does not reveal itself at a glance. Behind the city’s sheer size are very different neighborhoods: Avenida Paulista and its museums, the historic center and its early 20th-century buildings, Ibirapuera Park designed with Oscar Niemeyer, Liberdade and the largest Japanese community outside Japan, Vila Madalena and its walls covered in street art.
It is also Brazil’s food capital, from neighborhood bars to fine-dining restaurants. Our agency is based here: we know the city from the inside.
When to go
São Paulo can be visited year-round. From March to November, the weather is drier and pleasant for walking. Summer, from December to February, is hot, with frequent storms late in the day.
- March to November: drier weather, ideal for the city
- December to February: hot summer, late-day storms
Months
Legend
Things to do
Avenida Paulista and MASP
The city’s iconic avenue, home to the São Paulo Museum of Art and its European and Brazilian collection. On Sundays, it becomes a pedestrian zone.
The historic center
The Theatro Municipal, the Sé Cathedral, the Pátio do Colégio where the city was born, and the Pinacoteca, the city’s oldest art museum.
The Ipiranga Museum and its gardens
On the spot where Brazil’s independence was proclaimed in 1822, the Museu Paulista reopened in 2022 after a major renovation, facing its French-style formal gardens.
Ibirapuera Park
The city’s great park, with Oscar Niemeyer’s pavilions, the auditorium and several museums, including the Museum of Modern Art.
Vila Madalena and Beco do Batman
A neighborhood of bars and galleries, and an alley entirely covered in street art.
The cathedral, the Mercado Municipal and Liberdade
The neo-Gothic Sé Cathedral, the covered market and its stained-glass windows, then the Japanese neighborhood with its shops and food.
Where to stay
Jardins and Paulista
To be at the center of it all. Well connected, close to museums, restaurants and the subway.
Pinheiros and Vila Madalena
For the atmosphere. Lively neighborhoods with bars, galleries and restaurants within walking distance.
Itaim Bibi
For comfort. An elegant business district with excellent restaurants.
Combine with
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Combine
Our tours
Tours
FAQ
Is São Paulo safe?
As in any big city, a few precautions are enough. Our guides accompany you through the neighborhoods, and we choose well-located hotels.
How much time should I plan?
Two to three nights let you see the highlights and enjoy the food without rushing.
Can I combine São Paulo with the coast?
Yes. Paraty, Ilha Grande and Ilhabela are a few hours away by road, and Rio is an hour’s flight away.
Tempted by this trip?
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