Whenever most people think of coming to Brazil, their minds automatically go to the cities of Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. Although I live in Rio and love this city, there is something special about going to the cosmopolitan city we affectionately call Sampa. I go there at least twice a year for different events, making sure to stay some extra time in South America’s largest city. After all, there are many things to do in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
There are the staples like walking on Avenida Paulista on weekends, exploring Ibirapuera Park, touring the city center, or enjoy one of many cultural centers. If you are anything like me, planning a trip means you will be looking for all the best places to visit and the best things to do in Sao Paulo, Brazil. To help you do that, I have put together a list of twenty things to do in town, a perfect mix of things I have already tried and others that are on my bucket list.
So whether you have a few hours left after watching a thrilling Formula One race at Interlagos or come over with time to spare, here are the top twenty things to do in Sao Paulo, Brazil!
1. Go on a Full City Tour
The best way to start our list of things to do in São Paulo, Brazil, is also one of the best things to do as soon as you can upon arriving in town. Going on a full-city guided tour is guaranteed to give you a good introduction to any new place! But you are coming to the biggest city in all of Latin America, so I’d say that it becomes a must. It is easy to get lost with this much to do so having a local to help you navigate can be a huge help.
A full-city tour is the best way to get the most done. My recommendation is to look for the ones that last for six or seven hours! They will take you to see tourist attractions like Avenida Paulista, downtown São Paulo, Catedral da Sé with its gorgeous stained-glass windows, the Mercado Municipal de São Paulo, and more. After that, you can go on more specific tours like a favela tour.
Although the people of São Paulo are great, you always want to be safe! That will start by booking a tour with trustworthy providers. Look for them on sites like TripAdvisor or Viator. Your hotel should also be able to provide some options too!
2. Check out Some Impressive Museums
Since some of this list is coming from my personal experience, along with local friends’ opinions, the second thing on our list of things to do in Sao Pauli, Brazil, is visiting the museums. There are over a hundred and thirty of them to choose from. Just off of Avenida Paulista, with its own subway exit, we have the MASP. This is the iconic one that has a huge red column on the outside and houses one of my favorite paintings ever. MASP’s admittance is free on Tuesdays, it costs between 7 and 13 dollars on other days of the week.
If you are hoping to spend a longer time inside, Museu do Ipiranga is another great option. It was reopened in late 2022 after many renovations and it has beautiful gardens for you to explore as well. The Museum of Modern Art is currently closed for some renovations on the facade that faces Ibirapuera Park, it reopens in January of 2025. There are also a number of museums for many topics.
There is the Football Museum close to Pacaembu Stadium. Museu Afro Brasil is nestled amongst trees in Ibirapuera Park. No matter where you decide to go, always check on operating hours and admittance fees beforehand. Most museums will let you purchase a ticket in advance so take advantage of that commodity.
3. Walk Avenida Paulista on Sundays
Look, it’s not like things are ranked in this article, there isn’t a particular order in which you have to organize your things to do in Sao Paulo, Brazil. You might even not be spending any Sunday mornings in town. But if you want to take my opinion into account and have some time to spare on a Sunday, walking down Avenida Paulista is a must-do.
If you aren’t staying close to it, you should exit the subway at the Trianon/MASP station. That will give you a chance to visit the Antiques Fair that happens o the space under the elevated museum. It goes on from 10 AM to 5 PM and you should bring some cash to buy things. There is no need to worry about how to cross the street if you exit on the wrong side because the Avenue is closed to all motor vehicles on Sundays.
So put on your comfiest shoes, and grab an iced drink from a café to enjoy one of the best places in town. Just be mindful of cyclists, many people take advantage of the road closure to go out for a ride. Not all of them will be paying attention to pedestrians.
4. Enjoy the Liberdade Neighborhood
What truly makes a cosmopolitan city is how many different cultures are represented in it. Once upon a time, a lot of Asian immigrants came here in hopes of starting a new life. Japanese and Chinese folks ended up settling in a place close to where jobs were which in time developed into its neighborhood. The best way to get here is taking the subway, the blue 1 line until the Japão/Liberdade exit. This will leave you right into the neighborhood’s Main Street.
From there, I recommend grabbing a cold drink along with a treat at 89°C café before continuing. Should you have time over the weekend, enjoy an amazing street fair from 10 AM to 6 PM. There is a cute oriental garden just off the main street for you to take a breath. There are markets with specialty products everywhere, great for grabbing some unusual snacks to try. You can’t leave without having as much oriental food as you can.
And one of São Paulo’s museums is here as well! The Museum of Japanese Immigration is a traveler favorite, with admittance prices varying from one to two dollars.
5. Have a Night Out at Sao Paulo’s Iconic Rua Augusta
Not all things to do in São Paulo, Brazil, are for everyone. Going out for a night of drinking and dancing is one of those. In case you are someone who enjoys the party scene, or maybe you just want to let loose for a bit, there is one place you can go to! Rua Augusta is an important path that connects the Jardins to the historic center of São Paulo, full of trendy bars, sound clubs, and event spaces for all kinds of partygoers.
You should plan to arrive here sometime after seven pm, just after people start arriving but before everywhere gets too full. There is a gastronomic space called “Calçadão Urbanoide” that I recommend from personal experience because it has plenty of different dining options along with great drinks. If you want to have the Augusta Experience without the chaos, check out which event spaces will have something going on!
As for getting there, I don’t recommend taking public transportation because it can get dangerous after dark. Your best bet will be calling a car with ride-share apps since there is hardly any parking there either.
6. Stroll Through Ibirapuera Park
Continuing our list of the best things to do and best places to go, we are going over to Ibirapuera Park. Over fourteen million people walk through these fields each year, including famous artists that are here on tour like Harry Styles in 2022. That might make you wonder why is it on everyone’s lists of things to do in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Well, let me tell you a little bit about it.
Designed by famous architect Oscar Niemeyer, it stands out due to its futuristic design. It perfectly integrates natural beauty from the greenery with buildings like the OCA, a pavilion dedicated to artistic exhibitions that change every few months. Oh, there is also an auditorium where lots of concerts happen, Kylie Minogue is playing there next year!
To get there via subway, you need a line that stops at the ‘AACD Servidores’ station. That would be ‘Line 5 – Lilac’. From the station, it is a short walk to the park, about twenty minutes long, so you should either walk or take an Uber. It is open from 5 AM to 11 PM but I wouldn’t recommend staying too long past 7 PM.
7. Eat Your Way Through Traditional Food in South America’s Largest City
Another one of the best things to do in São Paulo, Brazil, is eating. Although I will say that about the place you find me writing about, there is something extra special about the culinary scene in South America’s largest city. A lot of people from all over the world come here to try and build their lives resulting in something incredibly diverse. You will find food from all over the world here!
If you want to try Brazilian food elevated to the next level, you could go to Helena Rizzo’s Maní. It has a contemporary read on our classic dishes and innovates with staple ingredients. Alex Atala’s DOM is also another great spot, it was the first Brazilian restaurant to be awarded two Michelin Stars! Besides all these fancy places, each neighborhood like Liberdade or Bom Retiro will have traditional dishes from their culture.
The only thing to be mindful of with the fancier places is that you will need reservations. So once you know when your trip is happening, head straight to their websites for directions on how to make them!
8. Find All the Best Places to Shop At
When you come to a city like São Paulo, shopping around is a great way to spend some extra time you might have. There are many places you can go to for different kinds of experiences so let’s start this section of our things to do in Sao Paulo, Brazil, talking about security. Depending on where you go, you need to take a little extra care with your belongings because things get hectic, and it can be so easy to lose stuff.
I’d say that the most iconic shopping spot is Rua 25 de Março. Located in the heart of the city, this is considered the largest commercial center in Latin America. It is a popular place for both locals and international visitors to spend some time. If you are hoping to look around, your best chance of having a good time is in the early afternoon.
If you feel like a more relaxed experience, street fairs are a perfect place to spend some time. There is one at Liberdade, close to the subway exit, that has everything from handcrafted items to character-themed socks.
9. Tour the City Center on Two Wheels
While one of our things to do in São Paulo, Brazil, is already dedicated to touring this is a different kind of activity. Visiting a concrete jungle won’t offer you many opportunities to be physically active, even when you do lots of walking. So if you are one of those people who need to have some activity in your day, consider dedicating a little time to touring the city center on a bike.
Although you will probably see some of the same sights from a full city tour, it will give you a different perspective on them! There isn’t much need to worry since your guide will take the group safely through dedicated paths and back to your original meeting point! You can find great options on both Viator and TripAdvisor.
Just never forget that you will need comfy clothes for an activity like this, plus a water bottle and snacks just in case. Another thing that is super necessary is a good travel insurance policy. That will let you enjoy your time without worrying about any accidents that might happen.
10. Look at Street Art on Beco Do Batman
Another one of my favorite things to do in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is look at all the street art. You will always see colorful murals on the sides of buildings, art on the underside of overpasses and pretty much everywhere you look. But if you want to be more intentional about it, there is a place called Beco do Batman. It is an incredible place nestled in Vila Madalena for both seeing art and having good food.
Arriving there is easy with the subway system since there are two stations at a similar distance. You can take the green line and exit at Vila Madalena or the yellow line and exit at Fradique Coutinho. It is a twenty-minute walk from both, through one of the best neighborhoods in town. You can easily take ride-share apps too! I recommend you come close to lunchtime because there are incredible restaurants here.
Because the Beco has been around since the eighties, there are new murals all the time! Don’t forget to bring your phone with plenty of battery or a camera to register them all. You might even be able to register some celebrities since this place is a mandatory stop for every one.
11. Day Trip to Campos Do Jordão
It might seem a little weird that an item in an article about things to do in Sao Paulo, Brazil, tells you to leave that very city but hear me out: Campos do Jordão is so worth it. Located in the Mantiqueira Mountain Range, this small town also encompasses a state park with the same name. Visitors usually take a day to visit because of the architecture, shaped by the Swiss immigrants that settled in the area.
More than that, the natural beauty of the mountain ranges will give you a perfect escape from city life for a day. You can climb up Morro do Elefante for a great view, enjoy the peace at Bosque do Silêncio, and even tour a local brewery. To help you with having the best time, I would recommend booking a day tour of the area. Whether you tag along with a group or prefer to do it solo, having a guide will save you so much trouble.
There are a few companies that cover this itinerary, with a few different details in each package. What you need to know is that this is a whole day affair so set some time aside if you decide to take this small detour.
12. Climb up Farol Santander
In a city that is so often compared to New York, of course, we would also have a building with an observation deck at the top. Farol Santander, however, is much more than just a lookout point among the tallest buildings in town. The reason why it is on our list of things to do in São Paulo, Brazil, is that you can easily make an afternoon out of exploring this building.
There are spaces for activities like skating on the 21st floor, a few different restaurants to eat at along with a couple of coffee shops to sip traditional Brazilian coffee. The memory space runs from the second floor through the fifth one. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of the building and of the town, giving people a chance to see how things were when there was a bank occupying that space. And there is a rotation of art exhibitions from the nineteenth through the twenty-fourth floors.
You don’t need to buy a ticket to visit all the spaces in here but if you want to go all the way to the best observation deck, you need one. Other spaces like the skate park can be acquired as extra experiences. All of that can be done beforehand through the Farol Santander São Paulo website.
13. Discover Korean History at Bom Retiro
Just like the Liberdade Neighborhood is on this list of things to do in Sao Paulo, Brazil, because of how wonderful it is to feel like you’re immersed in Japanese and Chinese culture, we need to talk about Bom Retiro too. On the blue number one line of the subway, more precisely the Tiradentes station is a little piece of Korean culture in South America.
Besides the obvious thing of trying typical Korean dishes here, there are other things you should do in the neighborhood! I highly recommend going to the Pinacoteca, a beautiful museum inside a building from the late 1800s. There is also the Municipal Market of São Paulo to visit, a place I consider the heart of São Paulo because there is a lot to enjoy.
But being a tourist in São Paulo is so much walking, never forget you need to wear the proper shoes or you will be all sore at the end of the day. You could definitely take an Uber to places but it can get you stuck in traffic most of the time.
14. Explore on Foot
I think that I’ve mentioned a few times before that one of the things we do the most in São Paulo is walking. Not just while exploring a park or window shopping, you will walk to and from the subway. There is a lot of ground to cover even inside the stations themselves. You might be inclined to just rent a car to save yourself the trouble but it is so hard to find parking.
Walking to and from places will give you a chance to truly blend with the people of São Paulo, to discover things from a different angle. One time my dad came to visit when I was living in New York and I put together a personalized Google map with which tourist attractions we wanted to see, in order of distance from each other. In this Southern Hemisphere giant, it is no different. You should definitely plan to blend different means of transportation.
But all that activity can be hard on your body so always carry a water bottle and some snacks with you just in case. There are public restrooms in almost every subway station in case you need to go!
15. Watch a Soccer Match
There are plenty of cultural events that count as things to do in São Paulo, Brazil, and soccer matches are definitely in the mix. How can you come to a country that is famous worldwide for this spot and not go to a single match? Even if you are not the biggest fan of the sport like me, it still is an experience worth having at least once in your life.
The two major stadiums in town are MorumBIS and Allianz Park. MorumBIS is the home to the Botafogo team, and games usually happen whenever during championships. Because this is a bigger stadium, getting tickets is considerably easier. Allianz, home to Palmeiras, is the one I recommend the most for a few reasons. It is easier to get to and it is close to a mall so you have plenty of dining options, you also shouldn’t have any issues leaving the game either.
To plan a little better, always check out the stadium websites once you have a better idea of when your trip is going to happen. Remember to check the policy of what can be brought inside too!
16. Listen to Live Music at Restaurants or Cultural Centers
One other activity you can add to your list of things to do in São Paulo, Brazil, is catching some live music. And it won’t be that hard to find something happening in town, trust me. Brazil is famous for many things including its music, there will often be some form of it wherever you go. Our bars usually have some people playing live pagoda on weekend evenings.
São Paulo also has a number of cultural centers and event spaces that receive artists to play their music. I am super biased in talking about going to concerts in “Sampa” since I tend to do that at least once a year! My recommendation is similar to what I said about going to fancier restaurants, only make reservations or get tickets once you know when your trip is happening. There will always be something happening in town.
Just don’t ever get tickets from resellers, the chances of being scammed are huge. You should always look for official sale sites like Eventim, Ticketmaster, or Sympla. These sites usually let you filter events by the city so you can purchase relevant tickets.
17. Admire the Old Architecture of Luz Station
Even if you don’t intentionally make Luz Station a part of your list of things to do in São Paulo, Brazil, you will end up passing through for a subway connection or to take a train. So why not take a few minutes to walk around this gorgeous building? Luz Station is one of the most important ones in town daily because it receives five different lines between subway and surface trains.
So in case you end up on train lines 7 Rubi, 11 Coral, and 13 Jade; or lines 1 Blue and 4 Yellow of the subway system, take your time to go upstairs. This station has been around since the late nineteenth century, evolving as more people began to need it. This building we have today has been basically unchanged since 1901, with minor renovations every once in a while. Many locals will take advantage of the old-fashioned architecture to get their pictures taken.
It is located near other tourist attractions like the Pinacoteca, so you could easily include it in your plans. However, you should be mindful of peak travel times because it gets so full you won’t be able to enjoy much.
Bonus
Are eighteen things to do in São Paulo, Brazil, enough? Here are three extra ones to complete your itinerary.
Grab a Bite at Méqui 1000:
Back in 2019, the thousandth McDonald’s franchise in Brazil was about to be inaugurated. To make it extra special, they rented a historic property on Avenida Paulista to fund Méqui 1000. There isn’t anything out of the usual McDonald’s dishes but it is certainly one of the prettiest fast food restaurants you will visit in your life. Because of its great location, you could easily grab breakfast lunch, or dinner here while moving your day along.
Have the Best Time at Lollapalooza:
Rio de Janeiro has Rock in Rio and São Paulo has Lollapalooza. And don’t expect it to be anything like the Chicago edition because this one happens at the Interlagos Racetrack for starters. The three stages have concerts from 2 PM all the way to past midnight sometimes. In 2025, Olivia Rodrigo is headlining on Friday along with other huge names on Saturday and Sunday. There are tickets available on Ticketmaster! You can find me there on Friday and Sunday.
Visit the Neighboring City of Santos:
Our last thing to do in São Paulo will involve getting out of town for a little bit. You will take the 1 Blue subway line all the way to the final stop at Jabaquara Subway and Bus station. From there, you can purchase a bus ticket for an hour-long drive down to Santos. Famous for its crooked seaside buildings, it is a great option for when you need to feel that beach breeze.
Well, that is a lot of things to do in Sao Paulo, Brazil. All you need to make the most of your time is some planning and the right tools. Coming to such a cosmopolitan city, public transportation is your biggest ally! I wouldn’t tell you to take the bus or the subway, however… You can blend it with ride-share apps to have the best time moving around. Uber works perfectly fine here, and you can use either Moovit or Google Maps to figure out subway lines.
This brings me to the most important thing for your trip, where to stay. There is no point in knowing all the best things to do in Sao Paulo, Brazil, if you can’t get to them easily. It doesn’t matter if you’re staying at Vila Madalena, Downtown São Paulo, Santa Cecilia, or Bom Retiro, you only need to stay close to a subway station. Not every place in Latin America will let you get to tourist attractions this easily. A great place to stay is the hotels in Avenida Paulista, they’re usually well-located and close to many fun things to do.
Lastly, a tip from personal experience, give yourself time to just take in this concrete jungle. I often go into town for specific events (either Comic Con or Lollapalooza), just this month October I went to watch Mother Mother in concert, and on every trip, I try to take at least a day just to wander around. I have a mental list of my top things to do in Sao Paulo, Brazil, favorite restaurants or cultural institutions to visit. Give yourself time to figure those out too! You might just uncover a new favorite spot…
Now that you have some ideas of things to do in Sao Paulo, Brazil, why not take advantage of the kick and continue the planning of your trip? Head over to my full Sao Paulo Travel Guide for more tips, tricks, and secrets to the city of São Paulo.
