Things to do in Sao Paulo

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Sé Metropolitan Cathedral

8.3

Sao Paulo · 135m from downtown

184 reviews

Sé Metropolitan Cathedralis the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Sao Paulo. Construction of the church began in 1913. Designed by German architect Maximilian Emil Hehl, it is primarily in the Neo-Gothic style. It took approx. 40 years to complete and was officially opened in 1954, on the 400th anniversary of the founding of Sao Paulo, though the two bell towers were completed later. In terms of architectural style, the main structure is Neo-Gothic, but the dome design references Renaissance-style domes, blending both styles in the same building. The interior features a Latin cross plan and a five-aisle nave, with capitals carved with native Brazilian flora and fauna elements such as coffee branches, pineapples, and armadillos, presenting localized decorative features that distinguish it from European Gothic cathedrals. Beneath the main altar is a large crypt, which houses the remains of past bishops and archbishops, as well as important historical figures from the time of Sao Paulo's founding. The crypt also contains marble sculptures themed around biblical stories.

No. 3 of Night Attractions in Brazil

Ibirapuera Park

8.1

3.8/5

81 reviews

Ibirapuera Park opened in 1954 to commemorate the city's 400th anniversary. Its main building complex was designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, and its landscape design draws on the modern garden concepts of Roberto Burle Marx. Amidst the dense skyscrapers, this open green space is like an oasis in the city. The park features lakes of various sizes, jogging tracks, sports fields, and bicycle paths. On weekends, you can always see locals running, cycling, and skateboarding here, creating a lively and relaxed atmosphere. The park is home to several cultural facilities. The Museum of Modern Art of Sao Paulo exhibits Brazilian modern and contemporary art. The Oca exhibition hall is a highly recognizable building in the park due to its unique dome shape. The Afro Brazil Museum systematically showcases the history and cultural traditions of African-descendant groups in Brazil. The Ibirapuera Auditorium, also designed by Niemeyer, frequently hosts concerts and cultural performances, making it an important place to experience the artistic atmosphere of Sao Paulo. The Monument to the Bandeiras at the park entrance is a large granite group sculpture created by sculptor Victor Brecheret, depicting the 17th-century pioneer expeditions into the interior of Brazil. The entire sculpture is magnificent and is a must-see attraction in the park.

Sao Paulo · 4.7 km from downtown

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Brazil

Football Museum

7.9

Sao Paulo · 3.3 km from downtown

51 reviews

Football Museum is located beneath the stands of Pacaembu Stadium in São Paulo. Officially opened in 2008, it is an important football-themed museum in Brazil. The permanent exhibition is spread across more than 10 galleries, tracing the evolution of football in Brazil from an elite sport to a universal one, and telling the story of how this sport became an inseparable part of Brazilian national identity. The exhibition route covers the origins of football, the history of Brazilian football, the journey through various World Cups, and the career stories of numerous legendary players. Pelé is one of the central figures in the museum—he greets visitors via digital imagery at the entrance, and his glorious career is subsequently presented in a dedicated gallery through precious footage and artifacts, including iconic items such as the jersey he wore during the 1970 World Cup final against Italy. The World Cup gallery systematically chronicles Brazil's five championship victories while also confronting painful moments, including the home defeat to Uruguay in 1950. The "Dance of Football" gallery allows visitors to independently select and watch classic goals, saves, and dribbles from Brazilian football history, much like operating a television broadcast console. The "Body Game" gallery uses motion-sensing interaction to let visitors personally experience elements of football such as passing and speed. One of the most immersive experiences in the museum is the "Hall of Praise"—it utilizes the raw space formed between the support pillars of Pacaembu Stadium and the hillside, projecting images and cheers of fans from various Brazilian clubs to create an atmosphere that feels like being at a live match. From some galleries, you can also overlook the stadium's pitch. Since 2013, the museum has also housed the Brazilian Football Reference Center, which collects a large number of football-related books, journals, and video materials for public access.

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Brazil

Monumento a las Bandeiras

7.9

4.5/5

38 reviews

Monumento a las Bandeiras stands in the plaza at the entrance of Ibirapuera Park and is the masterpiece of Italian-Brazilian sculptor Victor Brecheret. The entire sculpture is carved from granite, approx. 40 m long and over 10 m high, with a massive scale. The group sculpture takes as its theme the "Bandeirantes" expeditions that set out from Sao Paulo in the 17th century to explore the interior of Brazil, depicting a scene of a diverse group of pioneers working together to drag a canoe forward. At the front of the group sculpture, two riders on horseback lead the way. One looks ahead with head held high, while the other looks back at the group behind. Following them is a group of figures of various shapes and sizes, including people of Portuguese and African descent, both men and women, holding various tools and working together to drag a canoe, recreating the scene of historical expeditions deep into the interior along the river. The figures in the sculpture are full of movement, and the rough granite texture contrasts with the tension of the figures' muscles, presenting a distinct modernist style. On the shoulder of the fourth figure in the group, Brecheret's self-carved signature remains, a clever touch where the sculptor integrated himself into the work. It took over 30 years from conception to completion for this group sculpture, and it is an important symbol of the modernist art movement in Sao Paulo. The sculpture is located in the park's entrance plaza and can be viewed up close when passing by.

Sao Paulo · 4.3 km from downtown

Sao Paulo · 3.3 km from downtown

Pacaembu Stadium

7.4

Pacaembu StadiumOpened in 1940, it is one of the earliest football stadiums built in Sao Paulo. Due to its Art Deco architectural style, it was designated as a historical and cultural heritage site by the State of Sao Paulo in 1998. The stadium features an overall horseshoe-shaped open structure, with curved stands and geometric facade decorations that reflect the aesthetic characteristics of modern Brazilian architecture from the 1930s to the 1940s. This stadium hosted multiple matches during the 1950 World Cup and witnessed important moments in the history of Brazilian football. Corinthians used it as their home stadium for a long time, and Palmeiras also used it while building their own stadium. The Brazilian Football Museum is located under the stadium stands, telling the story of Brazilian football from the grassroots to the World Cup through various themed galleries, interactive exhibits, and precious footage. In addition to football matches, it is also a common venue for concerts and large-scale cultural events in Sao Paulo.

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Brazil

Museum of Art of São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand

Museum of Art of São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand

7.3

4.1/5

72 reviews

Museum of Art of São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand was founded in 1947 by media tycoon Assis Chateaubriand and is a pioneer among modern art museums in Brazil. The museum's collection focuses on paintings, spanning various periods from the Renaissance to the modern era. Works by masters such as Botticelli, Raphael, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Manet, Degas, and Renoir can all be seen here, along with a systematic collection of Brazilian art from the colonial period to the 20th century. The museum building itself is a major highlight. Designed by Italian-Brazilian architect Lina Bo Bardi, the main building is held high by two massive red concrete beams, making the entire structure appear to float above the ground. It creates an open, elevated plaza on Avenida Paulista, which has become an extension of the city's public life. This design breaks away from the closed, elitist image of traditional art museums. The exhibition method inside is also unique. Many paintings are mounted on transparent glass easels without traditional frames or wall supports, making the artworks appear to float in mid-air. Visitors can walk behind the paintings and admire them from any angle. Strolling through, visitors can experience the unique dialogue between the artworks and the architecture in this open space.

Sao Paulo · 2.6 km from downtown

No. 14 of Best Things to Do in Brazil

Monument to the Independence of Brazil

7.3

Sao Paulo · 4 km from downtown

84 reviews

Monument to the Independence of Brazil stands on the banks of the Ipiranga Brook in Sao Paulo, the very place where Pedro I declared Brazil's independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822. The monument was designed by Italian sculptor Ettore Ximenes and architect Manfredo Manfredi, using Italian gray granite and bronze as the main materials. It was unveiled in 1922 to mark the centenary of Brazil's independence and was fully completed in 1926, covering an area of approx. 1,600 m². The bronze high relief on the front is based on the famous painting "Independence or Death" by Pedro Américo, recreating the scene where Pedro I waves his sword on horseback to declare independence. At the top stands a bronze group sculpture titled "The Triumphant March of the Brazilian Nation." The left and right sides of the monument depict the group portraits of the Minas Conspirators of 1789 (led by Tiradentes) and the Pernambuco revolutionaries of 1817, respectively. At the four corners of the pedestal stand statues of José Bonifácio, Hipólito da Costa, Diogo Antônio Feijó, and Joaquim Gonçalves Ledo. These sculptures connect the various historical threads of Brazil's path to independence from different perspectives.

No. 5 of Night Attractions in Brazil

Av. Paulista

7.1

3.6/5

65 reviews

Av. Paulista is an avenue approximately 2.8 km long in Sao Paulo, Brazil, running northwest–southeast. It was built and opened to traffic in December 1891 under the direction of Uruguayan-born engineer Joaquim Eugênio de Lima. The name "Paulista" means "person from Sao Paulo," paying tribute to the city's residents. Initially, the sides of the road were lined with mansions of coffee magnates. With urban expansion and industrialization, it has gradually evolved into today's financial hub, filled with corporate headquarters and skyscrapers. The avenue is lined with a wealth of cultural facilities and commercial venues. The Museum of Art of São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand is located right next to the avenue, becoming a highly recognizable architectural landmark with its red pillars and suspended structure. The avenue is situated in a higher-elevation area of Sao Paulo, where transmission towers for television and radio stations stand, among which the tower of the TV Gazeta building is quite prominent. Strolling along the street, musicians, artisans, and food vendors gather here, allowing you to truly feel the vibrant life of Sao Paulo. After nightfall, the avenue is brightly lit and remains bustling with crowds.

Sao Paulo · 2.7 km from downtown

Sao Paulo · 4.6 km from downtown

Museu do Ipiranga

6.7

3.4/5

82 reviews

Museu do Ipiranga is a historic public museum in Sao Paulo, affiliated with the University of Sao Paulo. The building was designed by Italian architect and engineer Tommaso Gaudenzio Bezzi, with construction beginning in 1885 and finishing in 1890; it opened to the public as a museum in 1895. The architecture features an eclectic style inspired by Renaissance palaces, with a main facade stretching approximately 120m. In front of the building lies a French-style garden, where symmetrical flower beds, hedges, and sculpted fountains extend outward from the building's central axis, making it one of the iconic views in downtown Sao Paulo. The collection includes over 100,000 items, covering categories such as oil paintings, sculptures, furniture, coins, badges, and historical archives. The grand staircase is a major highlight of the museum: statues of colonial-era pioneers stand on both sides of the stairs, and crystal bottles containing water from various rivers in Brazil are embedded in the railings, symbolizing the exploration footprints of the people of Sao Paulo deep into the interior.

Sao Paulo · 18.4 km from downtown

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Sao Paulo Today's weatherMostly cloudy 18-25℃

Sao Paulo weather for the next 2 days11/7: 19-25℃, 11/8: 16-29℃

Free things to do in Sao Paulo

Beco do Batman

8.5

3.7/5

42 reviews

Sao Paulo · 5.5 km from downtown

Sé Metropolitan Cathedral

8.3

Sao Paulo · 135m from downtown

184 reviews

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8.1

3.8/5

81 reviews

Sao Paulo · 4.7 km from downtown

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4.5/5

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Sao Paulo · 4.3 km from downtown

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7.3