A megacity of concrete and greenery best discovered through food, art and nightlife. São Paulo hides major museums, overflowing markets, entire streets of street art and cuisines from all over the world.
ounded in 1554 by Jesuits on a plateau, São Paulo long remained a small frontier town. In the 19th century, coffee, its “green gold”, turned it into Brazil’s economic engine and drew immigrants from Italy, Japan, Lebanon and elsewhere.
Today South America’s largest city moves to the rhythm of its neighbourhoods: Vila Madalena’s graffiti-covered walls, Liberdade’s red lanterns, Pinheiros’s galleries and bars. On Sundays, Avenida Paulista goes car-free and Ibirapuera Park fills with families.
Find your bearings
For a central first stay: museums (MASP), shops, restaurants and the metro. Safe and practical, but pricier.
For bars, the street art of Beco do Batman, restaurants and live music. The place to go out; lively late at weekends.
For the Japanese district, its restaurants, grocery stores and weekend fair. Best explored by day; central, close to the cathedral.
For Sé Cathedral, the Municipal Theatre, the Municipal Market and the architecture. Visit by day and stay alert; avoid the area around Luz station.
A first visit
A starting point to adapt to the weather, your energy and opening hours.
Morning at the Municipal Market for a mortadella sandwich, then Sé Cathedral and the Municipal Theatre. Afternoon in Liberdade. In the evening, dinner in Jardins.
Morning at MASP on Avenida Paulista, then Ibirapuera Park and its museums. End the day at Beco do Batman and in Vila Madalena’s bars.
