This photo was taken from the top of Farol Santander.
Updated January 2024.
Land of Drizzle
The largest city in Brazil and the most populous city outside of Asia, there are over 12 million people living in São Paulo proper and over 22 million people living in the greater metropolis area. Colloquially, the city is referred to as Sampa, but another fun nickname is Selva de Pedra (Jungle of Stone).
It is a sprawling commercial and manufacturing center with a Latin motto to match: Non ducor, duco. “I am not led. I lead.”
As its nickname suggests, São Paulo is known for its light rain, especially during the winter months. The location is important because winds carry the moist air from the Atlantic Ocean inland. When this moist air meets the elevated terrain with its small hills, the air rises, cools, condenses, then precipitates—a process of orographic lift. Add in the urban heat island effect and high humidity levels, and the perfect equation for drizzle has been met.
It is a sprawling commercial and manufacturing center with a Latin motto to match: Non ducor, duco. “I am not led. I lead.”
As its nickname suggests, São Paulo is known for its light rain, especially during the winter months. The location is important because winds carry the moist air from the Atlantic Ocean inland. When this moist air meets the elevated terrain with its small hills, the air rises, cools, condenses, then precipitates—a process of orographic lift. Add in the urban heat island effect and high humidity levels, and the perfect equation for drizzle has been met.
Click here to read more about the History
When the Portoguese colonizers came, they formed the village of São Paulo de Piratininga in 1554 by building a Jesuit college. Unfortunately, São Paulo never developed over the next 200 years, and survival depended on help from the indigenous. It was the only city not on Brazil’s coast, so traveling there was quite difficult.
After the discovery of gold in the Minas Gerais state, more bandeirantes, “Portuguese settlers and exploiters” came to the area seeking for rare gemstones and enslaving the indigenous populations, forcing the Jesuits out. Gold was discovered in the late 1700s near the city and then São Paulo began to grow sugar cane as a means of business.
Post-1822 independence, schools were formed and students flocked to the city, followed by an expansion of coffee production. With the connection of São Paulo to the port of Santos through a railroad, it gained more trading power. Throughout the late 1800s, São Paulo served as the convergence for all railroads around the state. After the abolishment of slavery in 1888 by the “Golden Law” from Princes Isabel, São Paulo needed to replace its workforce leading to a massive increase in immigration.
The city, which focused heavily on factories switched to service industries (consulting, law, and finance) around the turn of the century, although industrial factories still exist to this day. Today, it serves as the main financial center in South America.
Overview
- 9:00 - 9:50 AM: Museum of Sacred Art of São Paulo - museum of sacred art
- 10:00 - 11:00 AM: Museu da Lingua Portuguesa - museum on the history of Portuguese
- 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM: Mercado Municipal de São Paulo - central marketplace
- Hocca Bar: Recommendation for Bolinhos de Bacalhau
- 12:30 - 1:30 PM: Farol Santander - skyscraper
- 1:30 - 1:45 PM: Catedral da Sé de São Paulo - Catholic Church
- 2:00 - 3:00 PM: Liberdade - Japantown
- 3:30 - 5:30 PM: Avenida Paulista
- Museum of Art of São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand - art museum
- Trianon Park - green space
- 5:50 - 6:00 PM: Vila Madelena
- Beco do Batman - graffiti alleyway
- 6:40 - 7:00 PM: Praça Por do Sol - sunset view
Click the star to add the map to your Google Maps! To view it, simply open Google Maps, navigate to the Menu, choose “Your Places,” click "Maps", and voila, the map should be added.
Tips
Getting Into the City
There are two airports in São Paulo:
International: São Paulo – Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
Domestic: São Paulo – Congonhas Airport (CGH)
International: São Paulo – Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
- Rideshare/Taxi: 40–60-minute ride: R$125-R$150
- Airport Bus Service: R$43.90 one-way
- Bus + Metro: Bus #257 to Tatuapé metro station for (R$7 + R$5)
Domestic: São Paulo – Congonhas Airport (CGH)
- Rideshare/Taxi: 20–30-minute ride will cost
Getting Around the City
The easiest way to get around the city is by walking as all the destinations are close together. However, there are buses, trams, and the metro that one can take as well.
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METRO:
São Paulo has the largest metro system in Brazil. With 6 lines that cover most of the city, a single ticket will allow someone to travel throughout the entire network. The main difficulty is purchasing a ticket. Unlike other cities where one can buy a rechargeable card like Salvador or pay by phone like in Rio, one needs to pay in cash at ticket offices to be able to purchase a one-time use paper receipt that can be scanned to enter the space. A single ticket costs R$4.30. |
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Buses in São Paulo
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BUS:
Bus fares start at R$4.40 and one can buy them on board. Check out the website for bus schedules. |
One interesting thing to note about São Paulo’s climate is that it’s more temperate than other parts of Brazil. Temperatures range from 54 to 82 degrees F (12 – 28 degrees C).
1-Day Plan
Take the metro to the Tiradentes station
9:00 - 9:50 AM: São Paulo Museum of Sacred Art
A museum located in the Luz Monastery with a collection of religious objects and pieces of churches during the period of demolition and rebuilding of churches throughout the early 20th century. The collection has both Brazilian and foreign sacred works with some dating back to the 16th century and showcases the evolution of sacred art over time.
The monastery itself is the only colonial building from the 18th century in São Paulo with its original preserved elements, materials, and structure.
The monastery itself is the only colonial building from the 18th century in São Paulo with its original preserved elements, materials, and structure.
10:00 - 11:00 AM: Museu da Lingua Portuguesa (Closed on Mondays) - R$20
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Located in the Luz train station (through where immigrants entered the city), this newly renovated museum provides interactive exhibits discussing the origins, history, influences, and forms of the Portuguese Language. A sociolinguist’s dream to learn about the development of the language and there’s an interesting exhibit regarding the “Language of the Immigrants.” It is free on Saturdays, but can be crowded as a result. |
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM: Lunch at Mercado Municipal de São Paulo
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A bustling marketplace that has over 300 stalls. Most of the stalls on the ground floor sell produce, but there are restaurants located on the second floor. Of note are the stained glass windows in 32 panels with 72 pieces of glass. They showcase different parts of food production around the São Paulo region.
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12:30 - 1:30 PM: Farol Santander
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A 35-floor skyscraper and observation deck that is designed in the style of a lighthouse. It once served as the HQ of the Banespa bank. Starting at the 26th floor, one has a panoramic view of the city. Then one makes their way down to pass through different temporary exhibits. The 21st floor has an indoor skate park. The 2nd through 5th floors show the historic offices of the Banespa bank. The basement holds the Bar do Cofre, a bar inside of the former vault, complete with the doors and bars. |
1:45 - 2:00 PM: Catedral da Sé de São Paulo
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The São Paulo Cathedral is also known as the Sé Cathedral. Designed by Maximilian Emil Hehl, it drew inspiration from the Köln Cathedral and is renowned for its neo-Gothic architecture. It took over 40 years to be built due to the impacts of WWI and financial difficulties.
It is one of the largest Gothic-style cathedrals in the world known for its towering dome. Inside, there are beautiful stained-glass windows, carvings, and the main altar. In front of the church is the Zero Marker showcasing where the city was founded in 1554 by Jesuit priests. Marco Zero is also where historical demonstrations took place. |
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2:15 - 3:30 PM: Liberdade
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Oftentimes referred to as Japantown due to the large Japanese immigrant population and their cultural influence, it boasts some of the best options for Japanese cuisine and some interesting cafes. The streets are well-decorated and festivals are held here year-round.
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4:00 - 6:00 PM: Avenida Paulista
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This 1.7-mile long avenue runs through the heart of São Paulo’s financial district. With wide sidewalks and beautiful architecture, it is one of the busier thoroughfares and a notable street. Note that on Sundays, the entire street is closed to cars, so pedestrians can take to the streets.
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6:40 - 7:00 PM (Sunset Time): Praça Por do Sol
Viewpoint
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Literally translated to “Sunset Square”, this is for good reason. Situated on a hill in the Alto de Pinheiros neighborhood, it provides a panoramic view towards the east. Different events are also hosted here such as small concerts, cultural activities, and community events. Note that it can be quite windy and cold here, so one might need to be dressed properly. |
7:30 - 9:00 PM: Vila Madelena
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This charming neighborhood is known for its incredible nightlife and colorful streets. With its focus on creativity and alternative culture, it serves as a place for contemporary art, music, fashion, and design.
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Museums
- Museu Catavento: Interactive, hands-on science museum with exhibits on topics like renewable energy, anatomy, biodiversity, and the universe.
- São Paulo Jewish Museum: Preserving and promoting the Jewish heritage, culture, and history within São Paulo and Brazil, with exhibits showcasing contributions of the Jewish community to Brazilian culture
- Memorial Resistance of São Paulo: Museum and cultural center in the former HQ of the State Political Department (DEOPS), a political repression agency during Brazil’s military dictatorship. The museum focuses on showcasing the political resistance and human rights activism during the harrowing time.
- Museu das Favelas: Documents and preserves cultural heritage and social history of favelas, informal settlements in Brazil. The aim is to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about the dangerous nature of these neighborhoods.
- Museu do Futebol: In the Pacaembu Stadium, it features the history of football (soccer), the impact on Brazilian society, and its lasting heritage.
- Museu da Imagem e do Som (MIS): Museum of Image and Sound, it preserves and promotes audiovisual media, such as photography, film, music, and other digital media. Different exhibitions, film screenings, concerts, and workshops are hosted here.
Other Activities
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- Monument to the Bandeiras: To the north of the park, this monument commemorates the bandeiras, the early explorers who helped the economy and despite their exploitation of the indigenous people.
- Independence Park: This is the site where Prince Regent Dom Pedro I declared Brazil’s independence on September 7, 1822. The Independence Monument shows Dom Pedro I on horseback with allegorical figures representing Brazil’s independence.
- Ipiranga Museum: Vast collection of artworks, artifacts, and historical artifacts related to Brazilian history, culture, and heritage.
- Botanical Garden of São Paulo: Diverse collection of plant species from Brazil and around the world.
Restaurants
As a gastronomical capital, there are plenty of great options and places to dine in São Paulo. The following list is based on location:
- Républica
- A Casa do Porco Bar: Consistently ranked as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world, they specialize in pork. I would highly recommend trying their 8-course all-pork-based tasting menu.
- Botanista: This café is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. One should try the bolo de banana (banana cake) and brigadeiro de canela.
- Bar da Dona Onça: A modern version of galinhada (chicken rice) is a must-get.
- Cuia Café e Restaurante: Backdrop in a library with delicious drinks and affordable food.
- Paloma: Wine bar that also offers lovely appetizers.
- Liberdade
- Restaurante Chi Fu: Massive plates full of delicious Chinese food!
- Izakaya Issa: Traditional selection of grilled food with pork ribs in boiled turnip immersed in warm broth, creamy takoyaki, and udon noodles.
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- Pinheiros
- Fitó: Bolinho de costela is the best dish here.
- Consulado da Bahia: If one doesn’t have a chance to visit Bahia, this restaurant provides traditional dishes such as moqueca, carne de sol, and acarajé.
- Other
- D.O.M.: High-end restaurant serving some of the best, luxurious Brazilian food.
