Things to do & places to visit in State of Sao Paulo, Brazil

State of Sao Paulo #1 destination in Brazil 2023. The average rating score is 4.34 based on 716.2k traveler reviews, of 3.447 attractions. Timezone: America/Sao_Paulo, current date and time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 15:32.

Top things to do (31)

Top destinations in State of Sao Paulo 100

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Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Território Selvagem Canoar (6.667 reviews)
- Great memorable family experience!
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Amusement & Theme Parks

We took our two sons on this 13 years ago and it was a blast!!! We still talk about it today. The team was super professional and fun! See more..
5.0 National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida (4.933 reviews)
- For Catholics and Non-Catholics
Monday: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

This cathedral plays an important role in the history of Brazil, because Brazil is (still) the biggest Catholic community on earth. Since three fishermen found the small statue of "Nossa Senhora da Aparecida" in 1717, the village developed into a big Center of pilgrimage. Today 8 million people visit the sanctuary every year. The new cathedral is the second largest Catholic Church on earth and was officially inaugurated 1980 by Pope John Paul II. Everything is organised perfectly - From the huge parking lots, over the information points, the queuing in front of the statue of Our Lady up to the several other chapels, where you can either pray, give your promises or light your candle. Fortunately we had no queue, and the situation there was impressive. The light inside the cathedral is beautiful, cause of the big colourful glass windows. Even Non Catholics will be impressed. See more..
5.0 The Julio Prestes Cultural Center - Sala Sao Paulo (3.288 reviews)
- Enjoyable!
Spent 1-2 hours Civic Centres

Definitely enjoyed the time here. Fantastic programs with nice atmosphere. a must do when you in Sao Paulo. See more..
5.0 Quadmania OffRoad Xperience (2.706 reviews)
- Super cool
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours

Something that you have to do when you come to Campos do Jordão! Really amazing to do when you are with radical people. See more..
4.5 Parque Ibirapuera (37.0k reviews)
- Huge park, nice place
Monday: 5:00 AM - 12:00 AM Spent < 1 hour Parks

The emerald heart of an oftentimes gray city, São Paulo's Parque do Ibirapuera offers respite from the urban madness among cool, shady trees and mentally-stimulating structures. Running trails, bike paths, and yoga and capoeira sessions let locals and visitors alike keep fit, while a clutch of museums and galleries — such as the museums of Modern and Contemporary Art, all designed by master Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer — gives the brain a good workout. The impressive Museu Afro Brasil and fiery Auditório Ibirapuera are two of the park's treasures. See more..
4.5 Paulista Avenue (29.6k reviews)
- A lively and interesting Avenue in São Paulo
Points of Interest & Landmarks

You can also find Museums, antiques fair, and lots of artists singers, painters. etc. See more..
4.5 Municipal Market of Sao Paulo (23.1k reviews)
- Great market but beware the scamming fruit vendors!
Monday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Farmers Markets

Housed in a stunning example of eclectic industrial architecture, the Mercado Municipal de São Paulo — nicknamed the Mercadão — has thousands of food items on offer, literally from soup to nuts. Lush tropical and temperate fruits from every season, choice cuts of meats and fish, and hearty prepared foods,such as the renowned and enormous mortadella (bologna) sandwich, complete the market's catalog of wares, all for sale in a boisterous, welcoming atmosphere. The surrounding area can be a bit sketchy, but the sights and flavors more than make up for the journey downtown. See more..
4.5 Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo (14.0k reviews)
- Intriguing mixture of modern and cultural works of art
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

Pinacoteca is a museum of visual arts, with emphasis on Brazilian production since the nineteenth century. It belongs to the São Paulo State Secretariat of Culture. It was founded in 1905 by the State Government of São Paulo and it is the oldest art museum in the city. It is installed in the old building of the Arts and Crafts College, designed in the late nineteenth century by the architect Ramos de Azevedo. In the 1990's it underwent an extensive renovation with the architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha's project. Pinacoteca hosts about thirty exhibitions and receives about 450,000 visitors yearly. The museum's main focus is to promote to general public a better experience with visual arts with its collection, building and historical relevance. See more..
4.5 Liberdade (13.0k reviews)
- My favorite neighborhood to fill my otaku soul.
Neighborhoods

It's one of my favorite neighborhoods. I'm passionate about Japanese pop culture and I find it all here. Plus the restaurants and cafes are a bonus. I also take advantage of the street fair that takes place on weekends. The place is very busy and there are places so famous that you can end up waiting for a long time in line. In that case I recommend trying to go from Monday to Friday. It's the third year in a row that I've been going and I feel like I still have a lot to discover. I already have a list of restaurants and shops to visit on my next trip! Like any place, you need to be careful and safe. Avoid walking around with your cell phone exposed for a long time, if you don't have experience, it's good to go with someone. I didn't have any negative experience there, but I always take these measures regardless of the city or neighborhood I'm in. I always take the opportunity to stop by the markets and look for new things to try. See more..
4.5 Amantikir Park (12.5k reviews)
- Nice experience for a Sunday morning
Monday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Parks • Gardens

Created in Campos do Jordão, in the state of São Paulo, in 2007, the Amantikir Park receives, each year, a greater number of visitors. There are more than 700 species of plants in this park, along the 60,000 m², open to visitors every day of the year. Considered by TripAdvisor users the best thing to do in Campos do Jordão for years running since 2013, Amantikir Park is a must-see attraction for travelers, students, botanists and people looking for experiences for human development and wellness with nature. See more..
4.5 Thermas dos Laranjais (10.8k reviews)
- Really impressed!
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Water Parks

I was very impressed with organization and the rides variety. For sure it worth go there, the childrens loved. We’ve been there in june so I think it is less crowded than summer. See more..
4.5 Museu do Futebol (9.504 reviews)
- Quite interesting, if you are in São Paulo, you should visit it
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Besides telling the history of Brazilian football, the Football Museum, located at Pacaembu Stadium, in São Paulo – foretells Brazil's history. In a playful, fun and very motion way, our visitor is going to understand the reason why football is within all of us. The museum has its visitation routine based on three pillars: emotion, history and on having fun. Pictures, videos, audios and interactivity are the formula that is enthralling visitors. One of the means by narrating such happenings is right from videos, pictures and so on sensorial experiences. See more..
4.5 Catedral da Se de Sao Paulo (7.974 reviews)
- Beautiful place
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Churches & Cathedrals

We arrived for the Sunday service. The church is beautiful, elegant and spacious. Although I don’t understand Portuguese, I could follow the service and join in. Music was beautiful and s provided by a small ensemble. The crypt is stunning as well, though talk given is in Portugese with no accompanying English notes. See more..
4.5 Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand - MASP (7.961 reviews)
- Wonderful museum, challenging app
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Art Museums

Elevated over a concrete platform used for concerts and a weekly crafts fair, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (São Paulo Art Museum, abbreviated MASP) is itself a work of art; the building is an imposing Modernist box suspended under two bright red concrete supports. Featuring classical European names such as Gauguin, Goya and Gainsborough, the museum also holds one of the largest collections of Brazilian and other Latin American artists on the continent. See more..
4.5 Museu Catavento (7.887 reviews)
- Fantastic, specially for kids
Monday: Spent More than 3 hours Science Museums

This is a kind of Science & Technology Museum. It is very interesting not only for children and kids, but also for adults. The museum is divided into areas that explore the Universe, Living Being, Earth, Physics and many other things. I really recommend to plan for a full-day ride, specially if it is on the weekends. See more..
4.5 Parque Estadual Campos do Jordao (7.030 reviews)
- Busy park but very nice for a morning visit.
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours State Parks

It's a busy park, lots of people come to have a walk, a bike ride or to play with the kids. And still the birding opportunities are amazing ! I got to see a Rock Tapaculo ànd take a picture of it. There's a very good restaurant in the park. See more..
4.5 Mosteiro De Sao Bento (6.469 reviews)
- Must visit in São Paulo
Historic Sites • Religious Sites

I had the privilege to attend the Sunday mass... was an awesome experience! An occasion to meet with the real São Paulo.. culture, tradition and customs! See more..
4.5 Baden Baden Tour (6.238 reviews)
- Amazing! This is a MUST DO in Campos.
Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Factory Tours

Cool Beer factory visit. They give you 3 glasses of the coolest beers in Campos de Jordao. You should go ! See more..
4.5 Museu da Língua Portuguesa (6.229 reviews)
- A great museum about Portuguese language
Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

The Portuguese Language Museum is located in the downtown area of Sao Paulo city inside Luz Train Station. Luz Train Station is an imposing 1901 English construction. The building shows a surprising mix of the new and ancient. The modern installations of the museum are in complete harmony with the train station's Victorian style of architecture. Currently, the Portuguese Language Museum is the only museum in the world dedicated to only one language, in this case it's Portuguese language. Inaugurated in March of 2006, the museum has three main halls; a temporary exhibition, a permanent exhibition hall and an auditorium. In the permanent exhibition hall, you can see the history and the development of the Portuguese language; you can see what it was like in the past and the changes it underwent in Brazil. Other interesting aspects are the cultural expressions and the regional accents. The museum also shows temporary exhibitions dedicated to writers and important subjects related to the Portuguese language. See more..
4.5 Jardins District (5.229 reviews)
- oscar freire st. is sao paulo's madison ave.
Neighborhoods

Jardins is a very nice neighborhood to go. Rua Oscar Freire is packed with amazing stores. The best part of it is between R. da Consolacao and Av. Augusta. The side streets are also very nice. Al.Lorena is 1 block up from R. Oscar Freire. There are nice stores, bookstores ( I think one is called Livraria da Vila, it is gorgeous ) and there is a bakery called Docemania that sells amazing cakes ( they sell by the slice for a great snack ) and Italian gelattos from Offele. R. da Consolacao has trendy clothes stores, and at night it is a big gay spot. R. Haddock Lobo has very fancy stores like Tiffany & Co, Christophle... At this street there is a restaurant called Arabia, which is the best middle eastern restaurant from Brazil! Across the street is Pao de Queijo, the famous brazilian cheese bread. There are plenty of nice places to eat, nice stores to shop and nice people to see in Jardins.... See more..
4.5 Allianz Parque (5.206 reviews)
- Allianz Parque
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Arenas & Stadiums

Allianz Parque is easy to get too, I got an uber going there but took the metro coming back. Nearest metro station 'Palmeiras Barra Funda' around a 10-15 minutes walk away from the stadium and depending where you're staying can get back to downtown São Paulo or other areas quickly directly or with an easy change to the other lines. I went to the Paulista Derby between Palmeiras and Corinthians in the Campeonato Paulista Série A1. Attendance - 38,550. Match ticket - 80 Brazilian Real (around £16). 38 degrees heat made this Paulista Derby a bit more fiery, 7 yellow cards and a red card with plenty of little scuffles. Match ticket I got before the game at stadium ticket office, most the areas were sold out but attendance was just short of a full sell out. Couldn't buy online due to not having Brazilian identity card needed to register. See more..
4.5 Neo Quimica Arena (4.778 reviews)
- Vai Corinthians!!
Monday: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Arenas & Stadiums

Vai Corinthians. My dear friend who is a paulista is a mega fan of this team so I had to come check out the arena myself. Outstanding to say the least such a cool experience to step into an arena where champions have been made. The tour is worth it to do get a first hand view of all the neat things the arena has to offer. They even had a small book or brochure if you may that guided you through the tour in English. Clearly the guide is speaking Portuguese but whatever you read is pretty much what they are telling. Also a place to pick up yourself some authentic gear of the team. See more..
4.5 Museu Felícia Leirner (4.323 reviews)
- Nice view - interesting experience
Monday: Speciality Museums

This museum is an open air area and all the sculptures tells a story about nature, trees, birds, silence, besides the outdoor auditory when they perform classic music See more..
4.5 Renault Theatre - The Phantom of the Opera (3.845 reviews)
- Lovely
Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Operas • Theaters

O palco dos maiores espetáculos da Broadway no Brasil é um ícone de São Paulo. Tombado pelo patrimônio histórico, o Teatro Renault é um dos endereços mais elegantes da cidade e oferece estrutura completa para todos os tamanhos de evento. O Fantasma da Ópera é o musical há mais tempo em cartaz na Broadway: 30 anos de sucesso absoluto em mais de 12 mil apresentações. A produção já passou por 160 cidades, 35 países e já foi traduzido para 15 idiomas. Seja uma das mais de 140 milhões de pessoas que já assistiram a este espetáculo! See more..
4.5 Villa Lobos Park (3.609 reviews)
- The Bike Place
Monday: 5:30 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Parks

With ample green space and the lively Villa Ambiental (Environmental Village) educational play space for kids, there's plenty for everyone in the family to enjoy. Bike rentals, jogging trails and coconut water vendors are but a few of the park's amenities. And it's sure to be less crowded than Ibirapuera any day. See more..
4.5 Parque Portugal (3.426 reviews)
- Picturesque peaceful place with a recently refurbished must-see attraction
Monday: 4:45 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Parks

A great place to visit and spend 1-2h We spent the morning walking and snapping photos at this park. It's a very well looked after Park, with a little train that still runs around the old track and loads of super tall leafy trees, and rich fauna! We saw capybaras, angola hens, ducks, all sorts of birds, all wandering free and healthy within the park. In the middle of the lake this water-fountain "plays" classical music from loudspeakers around it. Beyond the fountain you can see the famous "Caravel" replica, built and launched in 1972, and recently refurbished in September 2018. This vessel is a replica of the "nau Anunciação" which bought Pedro Álvares Cabral to Brazil, in 1500. This is a must-see spot in Campinas! See more..
4.5 Jardim Botânico de São Paulo (3.417 reviews)
- Nothing surprising
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Gardens

Calm, green and refreshing, the city's botanical garden, situated inside the immense Parque Estadual Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI) on the south side of town, provides a beautifully appointed sanctuary for thousands of tropical plant and animal species. The garden opened in 1938 to preserve part of the remaining Atlantic coastal forest, and it functions as a research facility focusing on Brazilian flora and fauna. The garden also shelters the source of the Rio Ipiranga, which figures heavily into national patriotic lore. See more..
4.5 Maresias Beach (3.358 reviews)
- Super Waves
Beaches

very nice an clean beach. high and breathtaking waves. You can rent a surf board at the beach. Lovely bars to have small food or some beers. See more..
4.5 Jardins da Orla da Praia (3.117 reviews)
- World Class Attraction
Gardens

It has to be one of thost rewarding garden walking experience in the world. For almost 7 miles you walk through an amazingly diverse ecological lesson. Being very well preserved, the Santos beach gardens are a must see attraction and it well deserves the 2 hour walk. There are many kiosks along the walk, that serves good seafood, including Japanese. These are also well kept and with adequate restrooms. So it is a no trainer, while in Santos just do the beach gardens walk See more..
4.5 Projeto Tamar (2.914 reviews)
- Amazing turtles and little friends
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Aquariums

My husband and I visited Projeto Tamar during Carnival. It was amazing! As Brazilians, it is the kind of work you feel proud of. There are many big turtles and their small friends. There is an aquarium and you can see turtles swimming under water. Very cool! See more..