The city of Curitiba, the capital of Parana, is easily one of the most iconic places in Southern Brazil. From the famed Oscar Niemeyer Museum, homage to a great architect, the gorgeous wire opera house and so much more that it can feel like too much. So what are the top ten things to do in Curitiba Brazil? What is an absolute must-have in your itinerary?
Curitiba stands out for its innovative urban planning and extensive green spaces, offering visitors a blend of cultural attractions and eco-friendly parks to explore.โ
This is where I come in! Let me tell you what are the best things to do in Curitiba Brazil. If you want to explore more of Curitiba, Brazil, you can later read our complete Curitiba travel guide here.
Growing up in the next state over, Curitiba was always a day trip destination whenever my family wanted something fun to do. This town is also a tour stop for most international artists, making it one of the best places for international tourists. Although there are some things to do in Curitiba, Brazil, in our article about the city, pick your notepad app back up to make your time in Curitiba something to be remembered.
Let’s take a look at the top ten things to do in Curitiba Brazil, starting with:
Things to do in Curitiba brazil
1. Take a Tour Bus to See Tourist Attractions:
Traveling to state capitals has so many advantages, I think the biggest one is how many things you can do in a limited number of square meters. It will not be any different here! There are so many things to do in Curitiba, Brazil, that planning a comprehensive itinerary can feel like an almost daunting task. To help with that, Curitiba’s city hall came up with a perfect solution. It is more like a whole line of double-decker city buses, not unlike those iconic red ones from London.
Locally known as ‘Linha Turismo’, you can get into the green buses anywhere in town but we recommend you start at the 24 Hours Street. From there, the itinerary will take you through twenty-six of the city’s best places. You can go to the main parks like Parque Barigui or Tangua Park, visit the Bosque Alemรฃo, and stop at Tiradentes Square. You will also be able to check the city’s main attraction off of your list, the Jardim Botรขnico.
For about fifty reais, you get your own tourism card, it is valid for a whole twenty-four hours and also unlimited, so you can get as much as you want to do!
2. Enjoy at Least One City Park:
Did you know that there are over thirty city parks in Curitiba? Unless you plan on staying for a few weeks and going to one every day, it is unlikely that you will be able to check them all off of your imaginary list. However, this number also includes famous places like the Botanical Garden of Curitiba, so going to at least a few parks in this green city shouldn’t be much of a hassle. It is even easier considering that public transportation isn’t that complicated.
I would go as far as saying that a lot of the city’s modern urban planning was done with foreign visitors in mind, so you never need to worry about getting lost. Tangua Park is perfect for a relaxed morning, complete with a restaurant with great local food. Parque Barigui isn’t the best for tourism in general but it has a great lookout spot and a gorgeous lake. The German Woods, aka Bosque Alemรฃo, are great for spending some time in the afternoon! They were created by German immigrants to be a more interactive piece of urban nature while still serving as a memorial.
Just remember: lots of walking will require your comfiest shoes! This isn’t the time to go for cute new sandals.
Things to do in Curitiba brazil
3. Visit the Oscar Niemeyer Museum:
Museum Oscar Niemeyer affectionately called the eye museum because of the building’s peculiar shape, is one of the best things to do in Curitiba Brazil. You may be thinking: but Lu, I don’t like museums. Well, lucky for us, this is a different one. Starting with the buildings that house it, they are all projected by famous architect Oscar Niemeyer, a man who is also responsible for projecting other places like the United Nations Headquarters and Ibirapuera Park in Sรฃo Paulo.
The nice thing about this museum is that there are always about ten or twelve modern art exhibitions. So instead of looking at static paintings, you will be able to navigate different artistic styles, often interacting with the installations. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, starting at 10 AM and the last visitors can come in until 5:30 PM. I highly recommend you take some time to stop at the cafe for some Brazilian staples like a “pรฃo de queijo” or “brigadeiro”.
And we all know there is absolutely nothing better than a coffee to recharge you for an amazing rest of your day.
4. Buy a Train Ticket for a Day Tour of Morretes:
You know, my favorite thing about the southern region of Brazil is that it often feels like a whole different country. In all fairness, every region will give you the feeling of having entered a whole new world. Some of the best things to do in Curitiba Brazil, are train itineraries. There are plenty of different ones you can take, my favorite is what we affectionately call ‘Maria Fumaรงa’. It is a one-of-a-kind adventure, perfect for the final days of a trip since you will probably be super tired by then.
The traditional century-old railway takes you away from the big city of Curitiba, into the native forest around it and over our Serra do Mar. After almost a couple of hours, you reach the final destination of Morretes. Founded by Jesuit priests in the early eighteenth century, this town is home to several colonial houses in perfect states of conservation. I highly recommend you also bring some money because there are plenty of little shops with traditional sweets, which make for perfect souvenirs.
Passengers on the Maria Fumaรงa are divided into three classes, with package options that include lunch aboard the train. What really makes a difference is that Boutique and First Classes also have guides that speak in English. It is always good to consider booking a slightly more expensive ticket if only to be better situated during the day.
Things to do in Curitiba brazil
5. Appreciate the Praรงa Do Japรฃo:
Deep into the รgua Verde neighborhood, within a short distance of the Botanical Garden of Curitiba, at the crossing of several major avenues, is a gorgeous square. Because Curitiba is home to the second largest community of Japanese immigrants in our country, Praรงa do Japรฃo was a project born to pay homage to them. Built between the years 1958 and 1962, the square quickly became a staple on the itineraries of everyone going through town.
It looks like this was a scene cut straight from Japanese Streets with traditional-looking buildings. Personally, I think it is a great place to breathe for a few minutes. From there it is easy to hop onto public transport and reach other key spots or, if you are feeling up for it, you could try walking a few blocks. to reach a downtown shopping area. It will be a perfect moment to get some souvenirs for your friends back home or stock up on essentials.
Oh, and please stop at a cafe. One of Brazil’s main attractions is our coffee, no matter where you go.
6. Book a Full Day Tour of Vila Velha State Park:
“Whenever people think of doing ecotourism in Brazil, their minds immediately go to very specific places. It is always either exploring Amazonian jungle areas or wading through Pantanal waters. Sometimes, it goes to places like “Chapada Diamantina” in Brazil’s Northeastern region. What we have to consider is all of those places can demand some level of physical readiness. And I don’t know about you, but for me, vacations are about resting my body just as much as my mind.”Whenever people think of doing ecotourism in Brazil, their minds immediately go to very specific places. It is always either exploring Amazonian jungle areas or wading through Pantanal waters. Sometimes, it goes to places like “Chapada Diamantina” in Brazil’s Northeastern region. What we have to consider is all of those places can demand some level of physical readiness. And I don’t know about you, but for me, vacations are about resting my body just as much as my mind.
That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to enjoy some nature! Southern Brazil is wonderful for beginner nature explorers and it has amazing state parks. Vila Velha State Park is one hundred percent worth visiting if you want an escape from the city. You can see rock formations that are millions of years old, explore cave systems and there is even a lake where you can observe local wildlife.
Although you can get yourself there on your own, admission being around sixty-five reais, it is much better to go on a guided tour. Not only you will explore the park in the best way possible, but there usually is a transfer included on packages so your only job will be to enjoy.
Things to do in Curitiba brazil
7. Go on a Guided Tour of the City Center:
There are many ways touring a city can look like. There are city-wide tours that take you all over like a highlight reel of the most interesting things. Those can generally take up an entire day and sometimes we just don’t want to spend that much time with other people. Sometimes we are not even interested in seeing so much! In those cases, I think a downtown tour is our best option. Especially in a city like Curitiba.
We can do so many things in Curitiba, Brazil because it is a historically significant town. So I’d say it is pretty worth it to book a guided tour of the downtown area. Generally done on foot, they give you plenty of time to gaze upon the beautiful architecture of historic buildings. You can also understand their history a bit better by looking for guides who speak your language or a language that you are fluent in.
Just put on your comfiest shoes and be ready to take plenty of pictures.
8. Full Curitiba City Tour:
Now, while a Historic Center guided tour is one of our top things to do in Curitiba Brazil, it may not be enough for everyone. Maybe you are one of the people who prefer to explore deeply, getting into every proverbial nook and cranny. Or, on the other hand, your stay in town can be a little longer and you want to get a general feel of everything before deciding where to spend more time at.
With a full Curitiba city tour, we can get the best of all worlds. You can quickly check out some iconic landmarks like their Municipal Market, Oscar Niemeyer Museum, the Botanical Garden of Curitiba, and even the Wire Opera House. If you really want to splurge, you should definitely look into getting a private tour. It is a lot easier to enjoy what is around you when there are no strangers to get in your way.
To avoid getting scammed, the best way to look for tour guides is to ask your front desk which service providers they suggest. Even if it gets a little more expensive, it is always better to be safe.
Things to do in Curitiba brazil
9. Curitiba by Night City Tour:
While some people will be perfectly happy to occupy their day with a regular city tour, seeing everything under a golden daylight that always seems to shine in Curitiba; other people will be looking for something different. And maybe something exciting enough to talk about when they are back home. What if I told you there was a way to mix traditional sightseeing with an incredible Brazilian adventure?
Under the evening blanket, you will follow a local guide through a complete itinerary. Your tour will have all the traditional stops: the Oscar Niemeyer Museum, the Botanical Garden of Curitiba, and the รpera de Arame (Wire Opera House). What makes this one of the best things to do in Curitiba Brazil, is the way your evening can be scheduled to include a nice Italian dinner depending on where you book your tour.
Just because your touring will be done (mostly) in the dark, it doesn’t mean you should ditch walking shoes. If anything, you need to prepare better because tripping up is even more likely in the dark.
10. Eat Your Way Through Curitibaโs History:
This last item on our list of things to do in Curitiba Brazil, is probably one of my personal favorites. There is something almost magical about getting to try new foods in a place you have never been to. Or try something familiar that is made differently from what you are used to. Any way you look at it, food is often the best part about traveling abroad. When people come to Brazil, trying local food is generally pretty high on their list of priorities.
Thinking of that, some companies have begun to offer a different kind of tour. You can now happily much your way through Curitiba’s history by taking a History Food Tour, how awesome is that? What makes it a truly special thing is how it is not just about big restaurants, you will also have time to stop at traditional food stalls! Do you want to see it get even better? In Brazil, most capital cities have implemented health and safety measures even for street vendors.
I would say with a tour centered around food, your only concern should be either dietary restrictions or food allergies. Not every stop might be able to accommodate them so you want to be sure this tour is something you can do.
Whether you start at the Botanical Garden of Curitiba, the รpera de Arame, or just make a quick stop on your way to Sรฃo Paulo, Curitiba is ready to welcome you with open arms. As welcoming as the state of Paranรก’s capital is, you need to be prepared to have the best time.
Let’s start with the fact this area is surrounded by Atlantic Forest, giving it very well-defined seasons. You can expect a rainy season during late Brazilian Spring and throughout Summer, so October through March. Sunny days and clear weather are a staple of this Brazilian city. Another staple is considerably cold weather during the end of the Southern Hemisphere’s Fall and Winter, May through September.
Knowing the weather helps you have a better idea of what to pack for an international trip, no one wants to be stuck lugging around tons of useless stuff. That’s why it is so important to figure out what things to do in Curitiba Brazil, before landing! That way you bring only what you need, Along with your documents, plus copies for each of them, power outlet adapters size outlets in Brazil is round while USA’s are flat. And most importantly, good travel insurance is key.
You can rest assured that at least you probably wonโt need to commute far to your hotel, Curitiba has a great international airport. And whenever you finally make your way down here, it wonโt matter if you do just one or all ten of the best things to do in Curitiba Brazil, you will definitely have a wonderful time.
