People may say that is difficult to make tourism in Sao Paulo. Known as Brazil’s biggest city and it economical center, Sampa, as the natives call the city, can give the impression that there is only business tourism to be made, but it is misleading to think so. The city that never sleeps have a lot to offer, the cultural events, bustling nightlife and nature oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle.
What to see in Sao Paulo To a historical tour, the idea is to start the visit at Praça da Sé and get to know the Catedral da Sé. With gothic revival style, the church took more than 40 years to be done and it is one of the most iconic symbols of the city.
Next to the Praça Antonio Prado, is located the Torre do Banespa, one of the first skyscrapers of the city. The access to the building is free and at its rooftop, you can have a panoramic view of Sao Paulo.
Other landmarks that deserve to be visit are the Viaduto do Chá and the Vale do Anhangabaú. In the surroundings, the Municipal Theater (Teatro Municipal) is located; the place was founded in 1911 and has more than 14 000 stained glass and European architecture.
The Paulista Avenue (Avenida Paulista) is the place where the business is made. With dozens of commercial buildings, the Avenue also have theaters, cultural centers, museums and cinemas worth visiting.
Another region of the city that you must visit is theVila Madalena. The neighborhood is famous because of its nightlife, but, besides bars and restaurants, the Mada has a lot of alternative style stores, ateliers and food fairs. It pays to know the Gonçalo Afonso Street, also known as Batman’s Alley (Beco do Batman), where the walls are totally dedicated to graffiti, with works of art renewed from time to time.
The Municipal Market (Mercado Municipal), also called Mercadão, is situated on the downtown. There, you can get in touch with hundreds of stalls with exotic fruits and spices. Take the opportunity to experience the acclaimed mortadella sandwich or the cod pastel, which are food symbols of Sao Paulo.
Museums Brazil is known by its football, and, to honor one of the most loved sports in the country, inside the Pacaembu Stadium, is located the Football Museum (Museu do Futebol). The history and the trajectory of the sport is told interactively and pleases both adults and children.
Within the Ibirapuera Park are located several museums such as the Museum of Modern Art (MAM), which has about four thousand works of contemporary art, including pieces by Candido Portinari, Tarsila do Amaral and Emiliano Di Cavalcanti. The Museu Afro Brazil, which proposes the preservation and celebration of culture, memory and history of Brazil in the African perspective.
At the Pinacoteca the main attraction is the Brazilian artistic production from the nineteenth century to the present day. Receiving approximately 500,000 visitors a year, the place is divided between the first floor, which receives the temporary exhibitions, and the second floor, dedicated to long shows.
The Museum of the Portuguese Language (Museu da Lingua Portuguesa) has interactivity and technology as its differential. The collection and trajectory of the language is exposed in new and unusual ways and delights visitors of all ages.
Outdoor activities The Ibirapuera Park is, without doubt, the main park of Sao Paulo. With over 1,580,000 m², you can go cycling, practice volleyball, soccer, and basketball or just walk through the park. The Ibirapuera also gathers an intense cultural programming, with museums and auditorium shows.
At Avenida Paulista, one of the, if not, the most famous avenue of the city, is the Trianon Park. Located in front of the MASP (Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo), this park is a refuge for rushed Businessmen and visitors of the concrete jungle.
In the district of Barra Funda is the Parque da Água Branca. There is possible to visit the Casa do Caboclo, building made by mud (mud walls structured between slats and bamboo) that mimics countryside homes and where sometimes happen violates concerts. Sometimes, musical and theatrical performances happen at the park’s Bandstand and the place is ideal for a picnic.
Nightlife The Rua Augusta is famous for bringing together many bars and nightclubs for all tastes. From hipster to rappers, there is a bit of everything at Augusta. The best way to visit the street and fell its environment is to walk down the street, enjoy the different styles of people, get the night started at one of the bars and then choose the nightclub to end it.
In the Vila Madalena, or "Mada" as it is known by the goers, has a lot of bars and restaurants. With a less alternative audience than the one at Augusta, and prices slightly higher, the action of the district mainly focuses on Aspicuelta Street.
