t Locals relaxing in the Parque do Ibirapuera, with views of the São Paulo skyline
Parque do Ibirapuera is the largest green space in central São Paulo, and its native Brazilian woodlands and lakes are a welcome respite from the city’s urban sprawl. Opened in 1954, it houses several museums and exhibition spaces, where major displays have included China’s Terracotta Warriors and the Rodin retrospective.
t Locals relaxing in the Parque do Ibirapuera, with views of the São Paulo skyline
Experience São Paulo City
n Double-tap image to read the labels
The Afro Brazil Museum is devoted to celebrating Afro-Brazilian culture. It hosts films, dance, exhibitions, music, and theater events. Opened in 2004, the museum is based on the private collection of its founder, Brazilian artist Emanoel Araujo, who was originally from northeastern Brazil. Its permanent exhibition has more than 6,000 artworks from the 15th century to the present day, from Brazil, Haiti, Cuba, the USA, and Africa. Considered to be the largest collection of its kind in the Americas, the paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, photographs, and textiles are immaculately displayed in an airy gallery designed by Oscar Niemeyer.
The Bosque da Leitura, or “reading wood,” is the place to head for at the weekends. Visitors can borrow a book and read in the shade of the trees. Cultural events and entertainment are also on offer throughout the year, from open-air cinema, to lecture, to “Slow Parenting” family days. The overarching theme of these tranquil woods is to provide a peaceful breathing space in the heart of frenetic São Paulo.
t The park’s Museu de Arte Moderna, its walls brightened by colorful murals
The best of Brazilian modern and contemporary art is showcased in this building designed by Lino Bo Bardi and Oscar Niemeyer. The mural on part of its facade is by graffiti artists OSGEMEOS. MAM’s modern art collection comprises some 5,000 artworks, principally Brazilian, but also international artists. Every two (odd-numbered) years, the museum holds a Panorama of Brazilian Art exhibition, focussing on contemporary art from different regions around the country. Outside the museum is a sculpture garden, with about 30 pieces, created by Roberto Burle Marx, Brazil’s most famous landscape designer.
Insider Tip
This is São Paulo’s increasingly popular bike-sharing scheme. Over 2,600 bikes are available to hire from 260 stations around the city, several in and around Parque do Ibirapuera. Rates start at around US$4 a day.
Experience São Paulo City
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eat MAM Restaurant This bright, airy restaurant overlooking MAM’s sculpture garden is the perfect place to stop for lunch or grab a quick bite between art exhibits. ⌂ Gate 3 ¢ Mon ∑ mam.org.br \\\ |
Located in the middle of the park, this restored, state-of-the-art planetarium is one of the most impressive in Latin America and is particularly popular with children. All shows are in Portuguese, however the visual display can still be enjoyed by non-speakers. Sessions last around 30 minutes, and are held in the 9-m- (30-ft-) high dome building with a seating capacity of 300. The planetarium was founded in 1959, at which time it was the only one of its kind in Latin America. It was reopened to the public in January 2016 following extensive repairs to the projector, which suffered damage during a lightning strike in 2013.