Sao Paulo: Planning Your Time

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São Paulo is not really a tourist city, so it’s relatively easy to see it’s principal attractions in a couple of days. Such a visit would focus on the city center and Paulista areas, with a walking tour of each. Afterward, you’ll have just enough time for a hop into Brás to do some shopping and head to Vila Madalena or Itaím Bibi for a night out.

If you’re in town for a week or so, you might spend two days exploring the Centro Historico, allowing you to really take your time in the museums and churches. You can actually take the little tours offered in the majority of these places. Then, you’ll probably want to get to know the Jardins area and its many eating and shopping establishments. It’s a great place to hang out, people watch and drink coffee. You’ll have enough time to spend a day in the Zona Sul–starting or ending with a walk around the Parque Ibirapuera. Your nights can be spent sampling the various dining and nightlife hot spots: Jardins, Itaim, Moema, Vila Madalena and Bexiga being the most frequented of them all. A final shopping excursion in the Brás neighborhood and you’re ready to head for the beaches.

If you’re in town on business, then you’re leisure time will probably be focused on dinner activities. Lucky you! You’ll be spending most of your nights in the Jardins area, Pinheiros, and Itaim. These are the dining hubs, although there are great restaurants all over the city, including some great choices in the North region and, of course, Japanese food in Liberdade.

Don’t Miss in Sao Paulo

Catedral da Se: The Catedral stands in the middle of downtown Sao Paulo and marks the center point of the city with its neo-gothic presence. Inside, the church reflects Brazil’s cultural diversity with stained glass panels of French, Italian and Brazilian design. Italian marble and two magnificent mosaics other highlights.

Banespa Building: The magnitude of this vast megalopolis comes into view as you stand atop the Banespa building and look out on the 11 million inhabitants making their way up and down the city streets. Even on a smoggy day, it’s an impressive site. On a clear day, you might actually find this a beautiful place.

Theatro Municipal: As you walk through the doors of the Theatro, two huge sculptures of Atlantis glare down at you as if granting permission to enter. Inside is a visual feast, with marble floors, brass sculptures, and all the manifestations of a society riding a glorious cultural and economic wave. Theater, dance, and musical spectaculars are offered up almost every day, along with tours of the facilities.

Mercado Municipal: One of the gastronomical centers of the city, the Mercado has over 200 stands that sell all types of meats, cheeses, olives, nuts, wines, and, of course, coffee. Lots of coffee. The crowd is intense moving up and down the isles, but you can escape them up on the mezzanine where you get a bird’s eye view of the Mercado and its neo-gothic architecture.

MASP: The Museum of Arte Sao Paulo is the most important contemporary art museum in Latin America. It offers various collections of Brazilian and International–an eye opener for anyone not familiar with the quality of the South American art scene. The basement exhibit is a must for Renoit lovers and anyone into French impressionism.

The Neighborhoods: To really experience the culture of Sao Paulo, you have to get a good look at its neighborhoods. The most interesting include Liberdade (the Japanese district), Bela Vista (the Italian district), Jardins (the upscale district), Vila Madelena (a bohemian nightlife zone and artist community) and Vila Olimpia (the club scene and nightlife district).