discover Brazil Itineraries
Vast and varied, Brazil brims with travel possibilities. These suggested itineraries pick out all the highlights to help you plan your time in this beautiful country.
For a great introduction to the city’s excellent coffee culture, start your day with a frothy cappuccino at Coffee Lab in bohemian Vila Madalena (Fradique Coutinho Street 1340). And just a ten-minute walk from the café you’ll find a taste of São Paulo’s renowned street art; Beco do Batman is a graffiti-filled alleyway that makes for cool and colorful photo opportunities.
Lunch on distinctly Brazilian flavors at Lá de Venda (Rua Harmonia 161) just around the corner from the Beco do Batman. Afterwards, spend the early afternoon strolling around the independent shops and galleries in this famously artsy area, taking time to marvel at the crafts found at Projeto Terra (Rua Harmonia 150 – loja 4) and the gorgeous kimonos at Japonique (Rua Girassol 175). Once you’ve had your fill of artisanal wonders, take a taxi to entrance 5 of the lush Parque do Ibirapuera. From here you can hire a Sampa Bike and cycle around the lakes. Streamline the process by registering online beforehand (www.bikeitau.com.br) or downloading the Bike Itaú app.
Make dinner reservations at Vista Ibirapuera (www.vistasaopaulo.com.br), which is located on the eighth floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC). Sample some of their delicious seafood options, before finishing your night with superb drinks and a stunning view across São Paulo’s skyline on the rooftop of the affiliated Bar Obelisco/Terraco Italia Tower.
Take the metro to Luz station, where the wonderful visual art museum of Pinacoteca de São Paulo is first on the agenda. From here, it’s a leisurely 20-minute stroll to the Mercado Municipal, a blur of vibrant hues and mouthwatering produce – feast your eyes on the mounds of sumptuous strawberries and exotic dragon fruit. Grab a quick bite at Tigrão, just by the escalators; their pastel carne do sol is sinfully delicious, especially accompanied by a freshly squeezed sugarcane juice.
Walk off your pastry by cutting through the lively downtown area to get to the Catedral da Sé, with its magnificent crypt. Next up it’s a short walk to Liberdade, São Paulo’s Japanese neighborhood. On Sundays there is a great market showcasing all manner of Brazilian-Japanese fusion street food – look out for red-bean-filled pancakes made to order. End your afternoon with some Japanese tapas and beer at the tiny Bar Kintaro.
Take the metro to Avenida Paulista and enjoy a refreshing açaí na tigela at Açaí Verão on the bottom floor of Shopping Center 3. Right beside the center is the eclectic Rua Augusta, the city’s LGBT+ neighborhood. Allow yourself some time to wander and soak in the vibrant atmosphere, before catching a movie at the sophisticated Espaço Itaú Augusta. Then treat yourself to a late dinner at Alexander Ataca’s Michelin-starred restaurant D.O.M. (www.domrestaurante.com.br), just a short taxi ride away.
discover Brazil Itineraries
t Interior of the Mercado Municipal.