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12 Top Things To Do In São Paulo, Brazil

Authors
  • avatar
    Name
    Jonathan Chum
    Twitter
    @jchum

Introduction

São Paulo is more than just a city. It's an experience. From the hustle and bustle of the street vendors to the unique blend of cultures, this city has something for everyone. The food alone draws people from all over the world to São Paulo. Of course, countless museums and parks will keep you entertained for weeks on end (I'm talking to you, museum lovers). However, if you're looking for something more active or cultural then check out these top-notch activities below:

Eat a Pastel

Pastel is a Brazilian snack that looks like a cross between a croissant and an empanada. While the pastry itself can be sweet or savory, it's usually filled with cheese and/or meat, then folded over and baked in the oven. They're served hot (pastel quente) or cold (pastel frio).

Pastels are typically sold by street vendors who move through crowds selling them from portable grills attached to motorbikes or scooters. They cost about USD 1 each and make for a delicious snack on the go!

Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP)

The Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) is conveniently located in the center of town, but that doesn't mean it's a quick visit. With over 15 galleries and more than 100,000 pieces of art from around the world, it can take hours to fully explore all that the museum has to offer.

It was founded in 1948 by Assis Chateaubriand and was originally housed in his mansion on Rua Marquês de Itu. After he died in 1953, his widow donated her collection of paintings---which included works by Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh---to the city of São Paulo as a permanent public collection. Today its exhibitions include many famous Brazilian artists such as Di Cavalcanti (1897--1987), Tarsila do Amaral (1886--1973), Cândido Portinari (1903--1962), and Lasar Segall (1891--1957).

The MASP holds two temporary exhibits each year featuring contemporary artists from around the world; one starts in December while another begins sometime between April and June each year depending on when Easter falls on your trip there!

Ibirapuera Park

Located in the southern part of São Paulo, Ibirapuera Park is one of the biggest parks in the city. It is used as an area for sports and leisure activities by locals, but it's also a great place to relax on a sunny day. In addition to its recreational uses, it houses museums, monuments, and other attractions such as lakes and gardens.

The park was created in 1934 and is named after the indigenous tribe of Ibirapuera. It covers 2,300 acres (930 hectares) and has a long history of use as a public space. The park has been used for many different purposes over the years, including political rallies, festivals, and sports competitions.

Mercado Municipal de São Paulo (São Paulo Municipal Market)

Located in the heart of São Paulo, Mercado Municipal de São Paulo (São Paulo Municipal Market) is open daily except for Sunday. You can buy food and other goods at this market, as well as find restaurants and a museum. You can also find a children's playground inside the market!

The market has several entrances, including one from the street and another from inside the Municipal Market building. You can also get to Mercado Municipal de São Paulo by taking Line 3 (Yellow) of the metro to Rua do Mercado or Sé station.

Igreja da Consolação-Church of Consolation

Located at the corner of Avenida Paulista and Rua Augusta in the heart of São Paulo, the Church of Consolation was built in 1826 as part of a church complex by French architect Louis Brongniart. The neoclassical-style building has been through several renovations over the years but still retains its original features like white walls and green marble flooring.

The Museum of Art of São Paulo (MASP)

The MASP is a museum in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. It was founded in 1947 and opened in 1968. The building was designed by architect Lina Bo Bardi, who also designed other major buildings such as the Pinacoteca do Estado (State Art Gallery) and the Instituto Tomie Ohtake.

The museum is located on the edge of Parque Trianon (Parque da Independência) near Ibirapuera Park and its entrance area includes a large sculpture garden with various works by Brazilian artists such as Di Cavalcanti and Athos Bulcão. In addition to its permanent collection of art from all periods including modernist prints from Europe, Africa, and Asia there are temporary exhibitions throughout the year that showcase examples of contemporary art from around the globe

Liberdade

One of the most popular neighborhoods in São Paulo, Liberdade is a district known for its large Japanese population and businesses. It's also home to the largest contingent of Japantowns in Brazil. Not only is this neighborhood filled with Japanese restaurants and shops, but it also has one of the highest concentrations of Japanese immigrants in all of South America.

While you're visiting Liberdade, don't forget to stop by Shimbashi Market---a traditional market where you can buy fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables as well as a plethora of other Asian goods like spices or soy sauce!

Jardins District

The Jardins district is a neighborhood in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. It is located between Avenida Paulista and Avenida Brigadeiro Luís Antônio and is known for its cafés, restaurants, and shops.

The district's name comes from the gardens (Portuguese: "Jardins") that once existed there during colonial times. Today it's one of the most expensive areas in town with well-known places like Oscar Freire Street where you can find luxury brands like Louis Vuitton or Hermes. There are also many art galleries here so it's nice to just walk around as well!

Paulista Avenue

Paulista Avenue is one of the most important avenues in São Paulo. It runs through the city center and is home to many of the city's most important buildings, including the headquarters of many companies and government agencies. The avenue is also home to many hotels, theaters, and museums.

Paulista Avenue is a major financial center; it has several skyscrapers that house banks such as Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, and Santander Brazil.

Rua 25 de Março

Rua 25 de Março is the main street in São Paulo. It's known for its many bars and restaurants, especially in the area around Rua Maria Antônia. This street is also known as the Rua das Emoções (Street of Emotions). The name comes from its proximity to two theatres: Teatro Sérgio Cardoso and Teatro Joaquim Pedro de Andrade.

As you walk along this street, you will find many shops selling clothes, souvenirs, books, etc - there's no shortage of things to see here! You'll also find plenty of cafes offering some great food choices; my favorite was always the ice cream parlor where I tried something called 'gelato di fiori di zucchine' -- flower ice cream made from courgette flowers!

The only downside about staying on this street is that it can get very busy during rush hour so try visiting later in the evening when everything has quietened down again!

Aclimação Park and Botanical Garden

Aclimação Park and Botanical Garden are located in the Aclimação neighborhood of São Paulo, which is known for its thriving arts scene. It hosts more than 2,000 species of plants, including exotic flowers like orchids from Brazil's Atlantic Forest and mango trees that were brought over by Portuguese explorers.

The park is also home to an aviary with colorful parrots and green macaws, who have become famous thanks to videos posted on social media sites like Twitter where they're seen feeding each other chocolate chips (which aren't recommended for these birds).

There are ponds filled with koi fish as well as a large playground if you want to bring your kids along!

Conclusion

São Paulo is a city with a lot to offer, and there are many things you can do here. However, the most important thing is to get out and experience this amazing place for yourself by exploring all the different neighborhoods and attractions that São Paulo has to offer.