Guidebook for São Paulo
Sightseeing
Praça da Sé is the domed Catedral da Sé, a huge neo-Byzantine concoction that, for better or worse, replaced the original 18th-century structure in the 1920s.
103 locals recommend
Sé Square
Praça da SéPraça da Sé is the domed Catedral da Sé, a huge neo-Byzantine concoction that, for better or worse, replaced the original 18th-century structure in the 1920s.
At the northern edge of the Triângulo, you'll find the austere but impressive Mosteiro São Bento, which is among the city's oldest and most important church, though its neo-Gothic façade.
Mosteiro de São Bento Edifício F. Dias
220 Avenida Prestes MaiaAt the northern edge of the Triângulo, you'll find the austere but impressive Mosteiro São Bento, which is among the city's oldest and most important church, though its neo-Gothic façade.
46 stories, this skyscraper just near Praça da República, is the tallest in the city center. Its top-floor restaurant with (pricey) drink, Terraço Italia, offers some of the best views of São Paulo.
Av. Ipiranga, 344
46 stories, this skyscraper just near Praça da República, is the tallest in the city center. Its top-floor restaurant with (pricey) drink, Terraço Italia, offers some of the best views of São Paulo.
The biggest green space in São Paulo, makes a fine escape from citys seemingly infinite stretches of concrete. The leafy 2 km park serves as a thriving center of the city's cultural life and museums.
1175 locals recommend
Ibirapuera Park
Avenida Pedro Álvares CabralThe biggest green space in São Paulo, makes a fine escape from citys seemingly infinite stretches of concrete. The leafy 2 km park serves as a thriving center of the city's cultural life and museums.
Arts & Culture
Tucked under the bleachers of a colorfully art-deco Pacaembu Stadium, the museum is devoted to Brazil’s greatest passion – football. Its multimedia displays over two floors.
Praça Charles Miller
Tucked under the bleachers of a colorfully art-deco Pacaembu Stadium, the museum is devoted to Brazil’s greatest passion – football. Its multimedia displays over two floors.
Most comprehensive collection of Western art. the museum, designed by architect Lina Bo Bardi and completed in 1968, is considered a classic of modernism.
1600 locals recommend
Museum of Art of São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand
1578 Av. PaulistaMost comprehensive collection of Western art. the museum, designed by architect Lina Bo Bardi and completed in 1968, is considered a classic of modernism.
Praça da Liberdade is the neighborhood's main square and also the location of its metro stop. It hosts an open-air market on Saturday and Sundays. There are many Asian shops and restaurants.
Praça da Liberdade
Praça da Liberdade is the neighborhood's main square and also the location of its metro stop. It hosts an open-air market on Saturday and Sundays. There are many Asian shops and restaurants.
A short walk west of Estação da Luz is this large and grand train station in turn-of-the-century Beaux Arts style, though only completed in the 1930s. Part of the station is still a stop train system.
7 locals recommend
Julio Prestes Station
Rua Marquês de ItuA short walk west of Estação da Luz is this large and grand train station in turn-of-the-century Beaux Arts style, though only completed in the 1930s. Part of the station is still a stop train system.
This elegant neoclassical museum houses an excellent collection of Brazilian - art from the 19th century to present, including works by big names such as Portinari and Di Cavalcanti.
842 locals recommend
Pinacoteca do Estado de Sao Paulo
2 Praça da LuzThis elegant neoclassical museum houses an excellent collection of Brazilian - art from the 19th century to present, including works by big names such as Portinari and Di Cavalcanti.
Recently inaugurated Museu da Língua Portuguesa museum, with fascinating permanent exhibits documenting the rise of the Brazilian language as distinct from European Portuguese.
120 locals recommend
Museu da Língua Portuguesa
s/nº Praça da LuzRecently inaugurated Museu da Língua Portuguesa museum, with fascinating permanent exhibits documenting the rise of the Brazilian language as distinct from European Portuguese.
Batman Alley
82-154 R. Medeiros de AlbuquerqueEverything Else
Designed by modernist master Oscar Niemeyer. The building’s serpentine facade and narrow brises soleil (permanent sunshades) have become a symbol of the city.
177 locals recommend
Copan Building
200 Av. IpirangaDesigned by modernist master Oscar Niemeyer. The building’s serpentine facade and narrow brises soleil (permanent sunshades) have become a symbol of the city.
This is where you will find some of the city's most over-the-top shopping, especially along Alameda Lorena and, above all, Rua Oscar Freire, with its show-stopping series of boutiques.
312 locals recommend
rua oscar freire
This is where you will find some of the city's most over-the-top shopping, especially along Alameda Lorena and, above all, Rua Oscar Freire, with its show-stopping series of boutiques.
Food Scene
Famous for its pernil (pork loin) sandwiches served on crusty French bread, this no-frills stand-up joint is justifiably popular with both taxi drivers and the late-night revelers.
173 locals recommend
Estadão Bar & Lanches
193 Viaduto Nove de JulhoFamous for its pernil (pork loin) sandwiches served on crusty French bread, this no-frills stand-up joint is justifiably popular with both taxi drivers and the late-night revelers.
This steak house is a local favorite for its combination of fine, reasonably priced grilled meats, old-fashioned service and late hours. They have another dining room just across the street.
115 locals recommend
Sujinho
2078 R. da ConsolaçãoThis steak house is a local favorite for its combination of fine, reasonably priced grilled meats, old-fashioned service and late hours. They have another dining room just across the street.
A São Paulo tradition, Ponto Chic is famous for its efficient, bow-tied staff and the extravagant bauru - a sandwich of beef, tomato, pickle and melted cheeses on French bread.
21 locals recommend
Ponto Chic
27 Lg. do PaissandúA São Paulo tradition, Ponto Chic is famous for its efficient, bow-tied staff and the extravagant bauru - a sandwich of beef, tomato, pickle and melted cheeses on French bread.
Behind a thick tangle of plants inside a golden-yellow colonial mansion, chef Mara Salles creates some of the very best contemporary Brazilian cuisine, including perfectly grilled Amazonian fish.
Restaurante Tordesilhas
465 Rua Bela CintraBehind a thick tangle of plants inside a golden-yellow colonial mansion, chef Mara Salles creates some of the very best contemporary Brazilian cuisine, including perfectly grilled Amazonian fish.
Drinks & Nightlife
On a pleasant square in the Triângulo, Salve Jorge attracts traders from the nearby exchanges for happy hour beers and simple but good meals in its split-level, wine-lined dining room.
22 locals recommend
Salve Jorge
544 R. AspicueltaOn a pleasant square in the Triângulo, Salve Jorge attracts traders from the nearby exchanges for happy hour beers and simple but good meals in its split-level, wine-lined dining room.
A Sampa classic near Praça da República with a well-preserved wood-panelled interior, Brahma remains a popular after-work hangout for professionals, and offers up live music most nights after 21:00.
209 locals recommend
Bar Brahma
677 Av. São JoãoA Sampa classic near Praça da República with a well-preserved wood-panelled interior, Brahma remains a popular after-work hangout for professionals, and offers up live music most nights after 21:00.
It has the best coxinha (brazilian starter)!! Usually get quite crowded in the late afternoon ...
R. Conceição Veloso, 56
It has the best coxinha (brazilian starter)!! Usually get quite crowded in the late afternoon ...