10 things to see when you visit São Paulo

A true São Paulo experience is much richer than your guide book could ever provide, and more complex than anyone can tell you. A city with more than 18 million people has lots of great hiding places. I will share with you some of the most amazing places to visit when you are in Sampa. Enjoy!

1- Visit the great O velhão

This amazing place, located in the North of Sampa, is both a store and an antique shop that was built during the 60′s by Moacyr Arcanjo do Santos. He collected demolished materials from abandoned buildings around the city. Over the years, he collected an incredible number of custom built doors, windows, frames and furniture. You will love it.

Address:
Estr. Santa Inês, 3000
Mairiporã – São Paulo, 07600-000, Brazil
(11) 4485-1964
http://www.velhao.com.br/default.asp

2- Watch a sunset at Praça do Pôr-do-Sol

Literally translated as the Sunset Square, this picturesque spot is located in Pinheiros / Vila Madalena neighborhood. It’s famous for an beautiful view of the city and spectacular sunsets, locals often sit on the grass to and watch the sun go down.

Address:
Rua Desembargador Ferreira França, S/N
Pinheiros / Vila Madalena – São Paulo
Link with directions by Google maps here.

3- Dance like crazy at Bar Metrópolis

Located at the end of Paulista Avenue, this venue has a fantastic Brazilian vibe. Live bands play the best of Pop and Rock from the 60′s, 70′s and 80′s – like U2, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. Highly recommended if you’re more than 30 years old and love live music. The dress code is business casual.

Address:
Paulista Avenue, N. 2668
São Paulo – SP
(11)3256-7957 / 3255-1225 / 3258-0787
http://www.barmetropolis.com.br/

4- Learn more about soccer at Museu do Futebol

The Soccer Museum is located in the charming Pacaembu neighborhood. The museum is rich in history and offers visitors tons of information about Brazilian soccer. There you can learn the inside scope about teams from all over the country, especially the 4 biggest one’s from São Paulo – Corinthians, Palmeiras, Santos and Portuguesa.

Address:
Praça Charles Miller, S/N – Estádio do Pacaembu
São Paulo – SP – Brasil
(11)3664-3848 / 2627-8054
http://www.museudofutebol.org.br/

5- See great art at Museu de Arte Sacra

The Sacred Art Museun is located in Luz neighborhood. They have a fantastic collection of sacred art from the 16th century and from two famous Brazilians painters Benedito Calixto (1853 – 1927) and Anita Mafaltti (1889 – 1964). Remember that all the Museums are close on Mondays, be sure to give them a call before you visit.

Address:
Av. Tiradentes, 676
Luz – São Paulo – SP – Brasil
You can take the subway to Tiradentes station and walk.
(11)5627-5393
http://www.museuartesacra.org.br/

6- Biblioteca Mário de Andrade

The most important and biggest public library space in São Paulo, the Mário de Andrade library has more than 3.3 millions of books. The building, built in 1925, is considered an architectonic master piece of art deco.

Address:
Rua da Consolação, 94
São Paulo – SP – Brasil
(11)3256-5270
http://www.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/cidade/secretarias/cultura/bma/

7- Watch an opera at Teatro de São Pedro

Build in 1917, the Teatro de São Pedro is located in the Barra Funda neighborhood. Showing a great variety of operas and concerts, like Il Trovatore  (Verdi) and O Guarani (Carlos Gomes); Teatro São Paulo is a important location for good music in São Paulo.

Address:
Rua Barra Funda 171
Lapa / Barra Funda – São Paulo – SP – Brasil
(11)3667-0499
http://www.apaacultural.org.br/saopedro/

8- Take a stroll along the Liberdade neighborhood

Liberdade is the Japan Town of São Paulo, this neighborhood has the biggest colony of Japanese immigrants outside of Japan.  Walking through the streets, you’ll feel like you are in Japan, all the stores including McDonalds, Bradesco Bank, Itaú and etc. are decorated in Japanese style and their billboard slogans are written in Katakana.

Address:
Praça da Liberdade s/n
The best way to get there is by taking the subway and getting out at the Liberdade station (blue line).

9- Explore the Parque do Horto Florestal

The Horto Florestal is a state park similar to the ones you find in U.S., but much smaller. It’s an awesome place to go for a walk after lunch on a Sunday afternoon with your family and dog. Around the park you can see the Museu Florestal and The Palácio de Verão do Estado de São Paulo.

Address:
Rua do Horto, 931
Tremembé – São Paulo – SP – Brasil
(11)2232-3117
Mon to Friday 8 am to 7 pm
http://www.saopaulo.sp.gov.br/conhecasp/turismo_parques_horto-florestal

10- Visit Trianon Parque

A oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle is the perfect description for this urban park. Open since 1892, this public park has a fantastic collection of plants and trees from the Brazilian ecosystem. It’s a good place to take a break if you are around the Paulista Avenue.

Address:
Rua Peixoto Gomide, 949
Cerqueira César – Sào Paulo – Brasil
(11)3289-2160
Link with directions by Google maps here.