Sao Paulo Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Italia Building featuring a city and skyline

Sao Paulo Travel Guide Video

Experience the cultural diversity of in this mega city and visit religious buildings or practice your Portuguese with locals in nightclubs, before shopping at designer shops under the shadow of towering skyscrapers.

The largest city in Brazil is often considered by some to be simply a commercial city, but a recent cultural revival in São Paulo has seen it become a major attraction with many museums, galleries and a vibrant nightlife. The populous city boasts one of the most dramatic skylines in the world, but with many historical sites nestled between the towering glass skyscrapers.

There are plenty of things to see outside the city centre the parks and gardens of São Paulo are popular meeting places at the weekends. Although a little Portuguese goes a long way, you’ll find English is spoken at most of the major sights and attractions in the city.

For a bit of tranquillity, visit Parque do Ibirapuera this is a great place to spend the afternoon, chilling on the shores of the lakes surrounded by trees. In the evening, visit the Auditorio Ibirapuera for an outdoor concert. See how the night sky unfolding before your eyes in the Planetário Professor Aristóteles Orsini. Go to the Museu de Arte Moderna in to view works by Pablo Picasso and Brazilian artists.

Learn more about the history of São Paulo and visit some of the oldest sites of the city. Visit the iconic Mosteiro de São Bento and observe the Sunday Mass with Gregorian chants, then take a selfie with the nearby Cathedral of São Paulo, one of the most photographed buildings in the city.

Where to stay in Sao Paulo

Paulista Avenue showing a city and modern architecture

Jardins

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

Museums, shopping and cafes highlight some of the noteworthy features of Jardins. Make a stop by Paulista Avenue or Ibirapuera Park while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Jardins
City Hall showing a city and street scenes

Itaim Bibi

4/5(2 area reviews)

Take time in Itaim Bibi to visit attractions like Parque do Povo and JK Iguatemi Shopping Mall. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Campo Belo Station to see more of the city.

Itaim Bibi
Ibirapuera Park showing outdoor art and night scenes as well as an individual male

Moema

Moema is well liked for its restaurants and live music. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Ibirapuera Park and Shopping Ibirapuera are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Eucaliptos Subway Station or Moema Station to get around.

Moema
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Pinheiros

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Pinheiros is a destination travellers like for its bars, and you might hop aboard the metro at Faria Lima Station or Pinheiros Metro Station to explore sights like Batman's Alley.

Pinheiros
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Morumbi

You'll enjoy the museums and live music in Morumbi. You might want to make time for a stop at Morumbi Stadium or Shopping Cidade Jardim.

Morumbi
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Vila Olimpia

5/5(1 area review)

Unique features of Vila Olimpia include the shopping and bars. Make a stop by Shopping Vila Olimpia or JK Iguatemi Shopping Mall while you're exploring the area.

Vila Olimpia
Apê Pátio Paulista
Apê Pátio Paulista
3 out of 5
Av. Paulista, 07, São Paulo, SP
The price is £26 per night from 20 May to 21 May
£26
per night
20 May - 21 May
Stay at this 3-star apartment in São Paulo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, valet parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Paulista Avenue and Ibirapuera ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (272 reviews)
"Location"

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2024

Apê Pátio Paulista
Hampton by Hilton Guarulhos Airport
Hampton by Hilton Guarulhos Airport
3 out of 5
Rua Pedro De Toledo, 1000, Guarulhos
The price is £56 per night from 17 Jun to 18 Jun
£56
per night
17 Jun - 18 Jun
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Guarulhos. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,333 reviews)
"It’s a little too far from the main part of the São Paulo."

Reviewed on 15 May 2024

Hampton by Hilton Guarulhos Airport
Wyndham Ibirapuera Convention Plaza Hotel
Wyndham Ibirapuera Convention Plaza Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Av. Ibirapuera 2927, Moema, São Paulo, SP
The price is £66 per night from 26 May to 27 May
£66
per night
26 May - 27 May
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in São Paulo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,019 reviews)
"The room is amazing, even has two bathrooms, witch was perfect for my wife, myself, and my little one."

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Wyndham Ibirapuera Convention Plaza Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Apê Pátio Paulista
Apê Pátio Paulista
3 out of 5
Av. Paulista, 07, São Paulo, SP
Stay at this 3-star apartment in São Paulo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, valet parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Paulista Avenue and Ibirapuera ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (272 reviews)
"Location"

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2024

Apê Pátio Paulista
Transamerica Prime International Plaza
Transamerica Prime International Plaza
4 out of 5
Alameda Santos, 981, Jardim Paulista, São Paulo, SP
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in São Paulo. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,714 reviews)
"The hotel are very good. The food, safety, the staff ARE VERY, VERY NICE."

Reviewed on 16 May 2024

Transamerica Prime International Plaza
Apê Paulista Bela Cintra
Apê Paulista Bela Cintra
3 out of 5
R. Bela Cintra, 934, São Paulo, SP
Stay at this 3-star apartment in São Paulo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (524 reviews)
"Adorei os Staffs todos muito simpáticos . Tive uma experiência bem legal . Localização é ótima . Pelo preço o tamanho do apartamento é okay para uma pessoa ou um casal . Obrigada Staff Apê ."

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2023

Apê Paulista Bela Cintra
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Sao Paulo

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
7
" "5 - Excellent 31.818181818181817%
4 - Good
9
" "4 - Good 40.90909090909091%
3 - Okay
6
" "3 - Okay 27.272727272727273%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Feb 2020

Wonderful shopping malls downtown very Western

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
19 Nov 2019

Went for F1 didn't see a lot but looks very much a busy city hundreds of tower blocks

4/5 - Good

Roger
3 Oct 2019

I was only overnighting in Sao Paulo so no time to explore or enjoy so Hotel Oyo Paulista met my requirements perfectly.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
23 Sep 2019

Quite spread out but lots to do, see and eat!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
13 Sep 2019

I love São Paulo and have visited many times. It has plenty of challenges if the visitor, and you really need some Portuguese to get the most out of it. But One of the world’s great cities no question

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
21 Aug 2019

Great ramen at lamen kazu - in liberdade district

Cities near Sao Paulo