Massive, imposing, and a bit intimidating at first glance, São Paulo is a city that can feel overwhelming—but it’s also undeniably beautiful in its own way. The smog, pollution, and traffic might make it seem challenging at first, but with time, the city grows on you.
São Paulo offers some of the most exciting and unexpected sights in South America, blending a rich mix of entertainment and culinary delights that can easily make you forget its lack of natural beauty. Known for its cutting-edge art scene and world-class fashion, the locals (who affectionately call it “Sampa”) are constantly showing the world how to live life at full speed. The city’s nightlife is renowned, often lasting well into Sunday afternoon. To truly experience São Paulo, join the locals in their favorite hangouts and get a glimpse of their vibrant lifestyle.
Catedral da Se (above image)
The Catedral da Sé, or the Cathedral of São Paulo, was designed by Maximilian Emil Hehl and completed in 1954. Inspired by the Renaissance dome of Florence’s Cathedral, it is built with nearly 800 tons of rare marble. The cathedral stands on the site of an earlier church dating back to 1591 and is surrounded by other intriguing buildings. The area is always bustling with activity, from impromptu religious sermons in front of the cathedral to street vendors selling their goods and beggars seeking spare change.
Insider Tip – The chaotic scenes on display are known to be very interesting to watch, but remember, this may be the only square in the city where you tend to feel unsafe about your belongings.
Mosteiro São Bento
The Mosteiro São Bento is one of São Paulo’s oldest and most significant churches, founded in 1598. It is renowned for its neo-Gothic façade, which was added in the early 20th century. Upon entering the church, visitors are often mesmerized by its stunning stained glass windows, which are truly breathtaking.
Insider Tip – Try to visit the church on Sunday morning at 10.00 AM for Sunday Mass. The mass includes Gregorian chanting, something worth experiencing.
Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo
The Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) is the city’s premier museum and a true cultural treasure. Known as a modernist masterpiece and a source of pride for São Paulo, it boasts the finest collection of Western art in the Americas. Its collection spans from works by Manet and El Greco to Picasso and Goya, with a particular emphasis on Impressionist paintings. Notable highlights also include three pieces by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari.
Insider Tip – Visit the museum on Sundays. The concrete plaza on which it hovers transforms into an antique fair each Sunday. This fair is the perfect place to uncover things like clothes, old stamps, a variety of crafts and masks at affordable prices.
Mercado Municipal
Mercado Municipal is a covered market dominated by a series of domes and beautiful stained glass. It specializes in dried goods and fresh produce and is an ideal Sao Paulo destination where you can try out classics such as mortadella sandwiches and pasteis.
Insider Tip – The market hosts live music shows on Sundays, and is also closed for maintenance on one Sunday each month. Make sure that you enquire beforehand so that you don’t end up missing on those delicious sandwiches and other delights.
Caos
Household appliances, old keychains, antique bikes – you can find all sorts of things stuffed in this micro-neighborhood. It is considered to be a junkie’s heaven and is most famous for its Brazilian microbreweries. Lip-locked lesbians and gearheads might be common in the area, but you’re always bound to have a good time in Caos.
Teatro Municipal
Teatro Municipal, the most fascinating construction in Sao Paulo, was designed in the year 1903, inspired by the Paris Opera. Its façade is known to host each and every architectural style that you can think of – right from art nouveau to baroque. The interiors are clad in marble and gold, and the theater hosts some of the best ballet, opera and classical music performances in the city. The auditorium has been designed with marble, mirrors, gold leaf and moss-green velvet and can seat up to 1500 people. The first play to be presented in the theater was Hamlet, and the opera house actually went on to host luminaries such as Anna Pavlova and Isadora Duncan.
Insider Tip – Although the theater is only open for people attending cultural events, you can arrange for a prescheduled visit to explore its beauty and architecture.
Pinacoteca do Estado
Pinacoteca do Estado is a beautiful neoclassical museum that hosts Brazilian artworks which date all the way back to the 19th century. Some of the biggest names featured in the gallery include Paulista, Di Cavalcanti and Portinari.
Insider Tip – Don’t forget to visit the café facing the adjacent Parque da Luz while visiting the art gallery.
Ibirapuera Park
Ibirapuera Park is to Sao Paulo what Central Park is to New York City. It is the biggest urban park in the city and is very popular among the locals. People come here early in the mornings or late in the afternoons for leisure, walking, jogging or spend some time away from the concrete jungles of Sao Paulo. The park also hosts free concerts on weekends as well as three important museums.
Insider Tip – The Japanese garden located inside Ibirapuera Park is worth visiting.
Liberdade
Liberdade was originally the place where Japanese immigrants settled in Sao Paulo, but slowly became more vibrant and colorful as the Koreans and Chinese also began to move into the area. Today, the area is a Chinatown-like district that is perfect for those searching for oriental-styled attractions and cuisines in Sao Paulo.
Museu Afro-Brasil
The Museu Afro-Brasil, located in Parque do Ibirapuera, is one of the most important museums in the city. The 3rd floor collection chronicles close to 5 centuries of African immigration. The rotating Afro-centric exhibitions held on the 1st and 2nd floors are also known to be equally fascinating. With more than 4000 costumes, paintings and photographs on display, the museum is perfect for understanding the history and culture of Africans in the Americas.
Santo Grão
Santo Grao may be a simple coffee haunt in Sao Paulo, but it certainly warrants a visit. It is the most serious coffee joint in the city and the cappuccinos that are served here are known to be a touch above the rest. The café is located in an open terrace, which also makes it the perfect place for caffeine-inspired conversations. And if you’re looking for some rare eats, Santo Grao serves things like huevos rancheros and waffles and pistachio-crusted salmon.
Insider Tip – If you’re interested in people watching while in Sao Paulo, Santo Grao is the best place to visit.
Paulista Avenue
Think of Paulista Avenue as Sao Paulo’s version of the Times Square. Located in the heart of the city, this is where thousands of people come searching for work or searching for entertainment and culture. It is also known to be the most loved avenue in Sao Paulo, which means that walking and window shopping are the best things to do here. From imposing buildings and cultural centers to a park and a museum, you can find all sorts of things in Paulista Avenue. Some of the main attractions located here include Centro Cultural Fiesp, Museum of Image and Sound, MASP, Brazilian Museum of Sculpture, Caixa Cultural Galeria Paulista, Shopping Paulista, Itau Cultural Institute, Centro Cultural Sao Paulo and Shopping Center 3.