Nestled in the heart of Minas Gerais, Varginha is a city that offers much more than meets the eye. Known for its friendly locals and laid-back atmosphere, this quiet place has become a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a mix of history, culture, and a touch of the unexplained. Whether you’re planning your travel plans from bustling Sรฃo Paulo or arriving via the Major Brigadeiro Trompowsky Airport, Varginha is ready to welcome you with open arms.
For decades, Varginha has intrigued visitors with its tales of a famous UFO sighting and alleged strange creatures, making it a hotspot for enthusiasts of the mysterious. But beyond the allure of the UFO crash, the city is also home to popular attractions, exceptional accommodations like the Fรชnix Hotel Varginha, and unforgettable culinary delights that showcase the best of local food. No matter the season, checking the weather forecast ahead of time is one of our essential travel tips for making the most of your visit.
Whether you’re enjoying a great breakfast spread at Hotel Cafe Royal, lounging by a relaxing swimming pool, or exploring the city’s best places, Varginha promises a great experience for all types of travelers. Ready to dive into the mysteries and marvels of this enchanting city? Let this travel guide be your companion as you uncover everything Varginha has to offer!
Quick Start Guide
- Furnas Lake: Known as the โSea of Minas,โ Furnas Lake is a must-see destination offering an array of leisure activities. Formed by the dammed waters of the Furnas hydroelectric plant, this immense body of water spans approximately 556 square miles (1,440 kmยฒ) and stretches over 150 miles (240 km) in length, connecting 34 municipalities across Minas Gerais. Itโs the perfect place to enjoy Varginhaโs warm summer, offering serene views and endless fun for visitors.
- Enigmatic Land of the ET Sighting: Though currently closed to the public, the site on Rua Benevenuto Braz Vieira is still worth mentioning. It holds an infamous connection to the alleged ET sighting, with graffiti reading โETviaโ marking the spot and sparking curiosity among visitors.
- Varginha Spaceship: One of the cityโs most iconic attractions, the Varginha Spaceship Monument, stands proudly in Rio Branco Square. Built in 2001, this impressive 65-foot-high (20 meters) structure is a glowing beacon at night, captivating locals and visitors with its vibrant, color-changing lights. This enigmatic sight is a must for anyone exploring the city’s unique charm.
- The Alien of Varginha: Nearby, youโll find a quirky extraterrestrial sculpture, which offers a playful twist on the alien imagery popularized by movies. This is a fun and lighthearted nod to the cityโs famous UFO lore.
- Spaceship-Shaped Airport: While actual spaceships donโt take off from Major Brigadeiro Trompowsky Airport, the UFO-shaped design pays homage to Varginha’s famous alien lore. This quirky architectural feature makes the airport a fun and intriguing stop during your visit to this extraterrestrial-themed city.
- Zoobotanical Park and Zoo: For nature lovers, the Zoobotanical Park of Varginha is an extraordinary spot to immerse yourself in the region’s rich biodiversity. With a wide variety of animal and plant species, the park provides an engaging and educational outdoor experience for visitors of all ages.
- ET Memorial: This educational attraction is a must-visit for UFO enthusiasts. Featuring a planetarium, educational films, and suspended panels detailing the city’s UFO history, the ET Memorial offers an engaging blend of entertainment and learning. Playful alien sculptures created by artist Gleiber Piva add a creative touch to this otherworldly experience.
- Statues of the โRealโ ET: Head to Josรฉ Rezende de Paiva Square to see two fascinating statues inspired by descriptions of the creatures reportedly seen in Varginha. These sculptures offer a tangible connection to the city’s mysterious stories, making for a unique photo opportunity.
- City Hallโs Ship-Shaped Elevator: Even Varginha’s City Hall embraces its UFO reputation. The municipal building features an elevator designed to simulate an abduction, complete with a spaceship at the top. Each floor represents a stage in the journey, blending civic functionality with extraterrestrial flair.
UFOs, Aliens, Food and Mysteries in Brazil’s Most Enigmatic City
Nearly three decades after the famous ET sighting, Varginha, a city in Minas Gerais, Brazil, continues to embrace its extraterrestrial heritage. The story of the “ET de Varginha,” first reported on January 20, 1996, has transformed the city into a global hotspot for UFO enthusiasts and curious travelers. With its alien-inspired landmarks and a rich blend of tourism and folklore, Varginha offers visitors an unforgettable experience.
A City Shaped by the ET Legend
Varginha’s reputation as Brazil’s UFO capital is evident in its many ET-themed attractions. From the iconic Varginha Spaceship monument in Rio Branco Square to the Memorial do ET, the city celebrates its alien legacy in style. The spaceship monument, standing an impressive 65 feet tall, lights up at night with colorful displays, while the ET Memorial features a planetarium, educational exhibits, and playful alien sculptures created by local artist Gleiber Piva.
The memorial, inaugurated in 2022, has already drawn over 12,000 visitors. It combines education and entertainment, offering films and displays that recount the 1996 sighting. Despite its modern appeal, the heart of the story lies in the original site where three young women claimed to have seen the alien. Located on Rua Benevenuto Braz Vieira, this unassuming, overgrown plot still captures the imagination of those intrigued by the unexplained.
Alien Flavors: A Culinary Journey in Varginha
The gastronomy in Varginha is truly out of this world! The city offers a variety of traditional dishes that will make you feel like you’ve landed on another planet.
Start with the iconic pรฃo de queijo, a warm and cheesy delight thatโs so good, it might just abduct your taste buds. The feijoada, a hearty black bean stew with smoked meats, is another must-try, offering a taste thatโs simply “alien” in its deliciousness.
For something sweet, bolinho de chuva (fried dough balls with sugar) will make you feel like youโve found a hidden galaxy of flavors. And donโt forget about the coffee โ the strong, rich brew is perfect for fueling your next adventure around town.
Varginha’s food will make you feel like you’re on a flavor mission, with each dish being an intergalactic experience.
Alien Statues and UFO-Inspired Landmarks
Scattered throughout the city are statues of aliens based on eyewitness accounts. The most famous sits atop a water tower in Praรงa Getรบlio Vargas, its saucer-like design making it a favorite for photos. Other statues, like those in Praรงa Josรฉ Rezende de Paiva, reflect descriptions of the creature: brown skin, large red eyes, and small horns. These depictions give visitors a tangible connection to the legend.
Adding to the city’s charm, several bus stops are designed to resemble flying saucers. Located along Avenida Princesa do Sul and Avenida Francisco Navarra, these stops are as practical as they are whimsical. Even Varginha’s City Hall features a unique “abduction elevator,” simulating a journey aboard a spaceship.
The Enigmatic Zoo and UFO Airport
Varginha’s connection to the paranormal extends to its zoo, where unexplained animal deaths occurred shortly after the 1996 sighting. A toxic substance was detected during autopsies, though its origin remains unknown. Visitors can explore the zoo, located on Rua Petrรณpolis, and imagine the strange events that unfolded there.
Meanwhile, the city’s airport, Major Brigadeiro Trompowsky Airport, offers a nod to the UFO theme with its spaceship-shaped terminal. While you can’t board a flying saucer, the unique architecture makes it a must-see for aviation and sci-fi enthusiasts alike.
The 1996 Sighting: A Story That Captivates
The legend began when three young womenโKรกtia Andrade Xavier and sisters Liliane and Valquรญria Silvaโclaimed to have encountered a creature while crossing a vacant lot. Described as crouching with oily skin, prominent veins, and horn-like protrusions, the creature reportedly stared at them before fleeing. Their account, along with reports of military involvement and other UFO sightings, sparked global interest.
Subsequent reports included alleged military capture of the creature, mysterious deaths, and even sightings of multiple aliens. While institutions like Unicamp have denied involvement, the story has endured, fueling speculation and fascination.
Varginha holds a special place in my heart, and itโs easy to see why. Known for its warm hospitality, the locals here are incredibly friendly and always ready to help with directions or information. Strike up a conversation about the infamous alien encounter from 1996, and youโll likely find yourself engrossed in stories of โclose relativesโ who claim to have witnessed the otherworldly event firsthand.
Beyond its extraterrestrial fame, Varginha offers a wealth of cultural and historical treasures waiting to be explored. The cityโs museums and churches provide captivating stories that give a glimpse into the rich heritage of Minas Gerais. Every visit feels like uncovering a hidden gem of Brazilian history.
And then thereโs the foodโMinas Gerais cuisine is an absolute delight for the senses. Indulge in warm, freshly baked pรฃo de queijo, savor excellent locally roasted coffee, or try bolinho de chuva alongside other traditional dishes. Each bite will deepen your love for the regionโs authentic flavors.
So, as you plan your journey, perhaps including a stop in Belo Horizonte, keep Varginha at the top of your list. This city has so much to offer, and youโll be greeted with countless warm smiles that make your experience truly unforgettable.
Why Visit Varginha?
Visiting Varginha is like stepping into a land full of stories, vibrant history, and fascinating local culture. This charming city, located in the heart of Minas Gerais, offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity that promises something for every type of traveler. Whether you’re a fan of nature, history, or even extraterrestrial mysteries, Varginha has it all.
For starters, the city is home to a truly welcoming community. The warmth of the locals is contagious, and their hospitality is something that will make you feel right at home. One of the things youโll quickly discover is the abundance of stories surrounding the famous “ET de Varginha” sightings. Whether youโre at a local cafรฉ or browsing through the cityโs attractions, people are eager to share their version of the mysterious events of 1996, keeping the legend alive. Itโs the kind of place where conversation flows naturally, and before you know it, youโll be drawn into one of these intriguing stories yourself.
Beyond the extraterrestrial lore, Varginhaโs historical and cultural offerings are truly captivating. Youโll be able to wander through the townโs museums and churches, where youโll gain a deeper understanding of the cityโs roots and the heritage of Minas Gerais. The blend of colonial architecture, historical monuments, and beautifully preserved landmarks gives Varginha a timeless charm that appeals to anyone with an appreciation for history.
And letโs not forget about the food. Minas Gerais cuisine is a culinary delight. From the golden, warm pรฃo de queijo to the rich flavors of traditional feijoada, your taste buds will be in heaven. The region is famous for its hearty, flavorful meals that offer comfort and satisfaction in every bite. Donโt miss out on the sweet bolinho de chuva or the excellent regional coffees that youโll find throughout the city. Every meal feels like a warm, welcoming embrace that truly captures the essence of this place.
If you’re planning a trip to Varginha, rest assured that the city offers so much more than you might expect. Whether youโre exploring the alien-related attractions, discovering the cityโs historical gems, or simply indulging in the rich local cuisine, youโll find that Varginha is a destination that will leave you with unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for the charm of Minas Gerais. The cityโs warmth, rich history, and cultural treasures make it a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the authentic heart of Brazil.
