Most Big city in South America, São Paulo sits on the Piratinginga plateau and is surrounded by rivers that flow inward. Almost since its founding in 1554, São Paulo has been the gateway to the sertau (Brazilian backcountry), and explorers known as bandirants have made expeditions from the city to the region. Today's major highways for inland cities still follow bandirant routes.

Immigrants from all over the world have always been a part of São Paulo and you will still see the influence of Portuguese, Spanish, German, African, Jewish, Arab and Japanese people on its life and culture. For example, there is an entire museum dedicated to Japanese immigration, and another to the contribution of Africans in Brazil. Perhaps the most difficult thing to understand from a city is its size. A good way to get an idea of ​​how far it extends is Observation deck The 46-story Italia building on Avenida Ipiranga. Many tourist attractions in Sao Paulo are widely spread, so you will find in the metro good way travel between them.

See also: Where to Stay in Sao Paulo

1 Museu de Arte

Museu de Arte Rodrigo Soldon / photo modified

The São Paulo Museum of Art, known as MASP, only opened in 1968 but has the most representative and comprehensive collection of Western art in Latin America. You will see the works of the Impressionists and modern masters - Renoir, Van Gogh, Matisse, Manet, Debray, Picasso, Miro, as well as 73 works of bronze sculpture by Degas alone. Although it goes back to Renaissance artists, it is one of the first art museums on the continent to focus on artists from the mid-20th century as well as contemporary artists in Brazil, including Portinari and Di Cavalcanti. His outstanding collections have put him in a league with Tate Modern, MoMA and the Pompidou Center. The building itself, designed by Brazilian-Italian architecture Lina Bo Bardi, is a modernist classic. The Plaza, under its suspended structure, hosts a Sunday antiques market and frequent concerts.

Address: Avenida Paulista 1578, Sao Paulo

Official site: https://masp.org.br

2 City Theater (City Theatre)

Theater Municipal (City Theatre) Alexander Gizbrecht / photo modified

Architect Ramos de Azevedo modeled the São Paulo Municipal Theater after the Paris Opera, drawing on an eclectic mix of Art Nouveau and Italian Renaissance themes. Almost immediately after its completion in 1911, it became the main attraction of the city. This status was reinforced in 1922 when it became the site of a significant event that revolutionized the arts in Brazil. The Contemporary Art Week featured and highlighted artists who were to become icons of the Brazilian modernist movement, celebrating names that included the artists Emiliano Di Cavalcanti, Tarsila do Amaral, Anita Malfatti and Menotti Del Picchia; composer Heetor Villa-Lobos; playwright Mario de Andrade; and sculptor Victor Bresher.

World-famous performers, dancers, musicians and performers have performed at this theater, including Carla Fracci, Rudolf Nureyev, Titta Ruffo, Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas, Arturo Toscanini, Heitor Villa-Lobos and Mikhail Baryshnikov. The building was completely restored to its original grandeur and reopened in 1991. It houses the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, the Coral Lyrico (Lyric Choir) and the São Paulo City Ballet.

Address: Praça Ramos de Azevedo, Sao Paulo

3

Parque do Ibirapuera (Park of Ibirapuera)

Ibirapuera Park was laid out by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, with buildings designed by Oscar Niemeyer. The vast green space, with its monuments, museums, playgrounds, gardens, trails, lakes and service spaces, is a vacation paradise for São Paulo residents and a showcase for contemporary architecture and culture. To commemorate the pioneers from São Paulo who opened up the interior of Brazil, Monument to Bandeiro this is a magnificent work by the Brazilian sculptor Victor Brechette with imposing heroic figures. The obelisk remembers those who died in 1932 fighting for a new constitution.

Audience Ibirapuera, an ultra-modern music hall designed by Oscar Niemeyer, is considered one of the best concert venues in São Paulo. Museu da Aeronautica e do Folclore, Museum of Aeronautics and Folk Art, showcases aircraft models and flight equipment on the ground floor, and nearly 20,000 exhibits of folk art and traditions from across Brazil fill the remaining floors. Big Museu Afro-Brasil celebrates the contributions of Afro-Brazilians and their social and cultural history.

Address: Avenida Pedro Alvarez Cabral, Sao Paulo

Official website: www.parqueibirapuera.org

4 Museum of Modern Art (Museu de Arte Contemporânea)

Museu de Arte Contemporânea (Museum of Modern Art) Dennis Ramos / photo modified

Inside the Parque Ibirapuera, Pavillo da Bienal de Artes, designed by Oscar Niemeyer and completed in 1957, houses the magnificent Museum of Modern Art, as well as special exhibitions and shows. The museum's over 8,000 exhibits represent a wide range of art schools, from Picasso, Modigliani and Léger to leading Brazilian artists Tarsila to Amaral, Anita Malfatti, Portinari and Di Cavalcanti. Among Latin America's largest collections of 20th-century Western art, the museum also features works by Marc Chagall, Wassily Kandinsky and Joan Miro. The sculpture garden was designed by Roberto Burle Marx and displays 30 big works outdoors.

Address: Gate 3, Ibirapura Park, Sao Paulo

Official site: http://mam.org.br/

5

Parque da Independancia and Museu Paulista

In the Ipiranga area of ​​São Paulo, crossed by the torrent near which Prince Pedro proclaimed Brazil's independence, the Independence Park commemorates the 1822 event. Views of the formal rose gardens, upper floors and fountains inspired by those in Versailles are the Paulista Museum, better known as the Museu do Ipiranga. Its Italian architect Tommaso Gaudenzio Bezzi created an eclectic design modeled after Italian neoclassicism, reminiscent of Renaissance palaces. Inside are large collections of costumes, decorative arts, paintings and furniture from the Imperial period.

Address: Parque da Independência, Ypiranga, Sao Paulo

6 Se (Cathedral)

Se (Cathedral)

The neo-gothic cathedral was built on the site of an earlier cathedral and was completed between 1913 and 1967. Its building was interrupted by two world wars, making it difficult to obtain mosaics and other decorative items from Italy. It was dedicated in 1954, on the 400th anniversary of the founding of São Paulo. On the facade are statues of the Old Testament prophets and disciples of Christ. Although the rest of the church is Neo-Gothic, it is topped with a Renaissance style dome. The interior has several interesting features, including a 10,000-pipe organ and stained glass windows depicting the history of Catholicism in Brazil. Be sure to look out for the capitals on the columns, carved to represent Brazilian flora (coffee and pineapple branches) and fauna, including armadillos. You can look around the crypt under the main church to see marble sculptures and tombs. The cathedral is in historical center Sao Paulo is good place to start walking tour through the old city.

Address: Praça da Sé, Sao Paulo

7 Patio do Colegio

Patio do Colegio

The square known as Pátio do Colégio, immediately north of Praça da Sé and the cathedral, is the original core of São Paulo. Here Manuel de Nóbrega and José de Anchieta founded the College of the Society of Jesus, residence and center of study for the Jesuits, and here, on January 25, 1554, the first Mass in the village was celebrated. Attractive area now occupied Historical Museum, the Museum of Sacred Art and the Capela de Anchieta. All that remains of the 16th-century building are doors and a mud wall. There is a pleasant café in the gardens of the museum.

8 Mosteille de São Bento (Benedictine monastery)

Mosteiro de San Bento (Benedictine Monastery) | Diego Torres Silvestre / photo modified

The Benedictine monastery and its church were founded at the end of the 16th century, but the current church only dates from 1910-22. Don't discount it for its modern origins or its rather harsh appearance, since the interior is richly painted and includes statues of St. Benedict and St. Scholastics of the 17th century, carved by Agostinho de Jesus. Numerous other famous Benedictine artists contributed to the decoration of the monastery. Also notable are some impressive stained glass windows, an image of the Virgin in a robe with pearls, and a crucifix dating from 1777. This is an active brotherhood, and the monks accompany the morning mass with Gregorian chants. Stop at the monastery shop to buy cakes, bread and chocolates made by the brothers.

Address: Largo de Sao Bento, Sao Paulo

9

Pinacoteca do Estado (São Paulo State Art Gallery)

This museum is the oldest in Sao Paulo, opened in 1905 to showcase the work of Brazilian artists. Its 10,000 works of art include drawings, paintings and sculpture from the 1800s to the present. Housed in the renovated Liceu de Artes de Offices building, the architecture itself is a reason to visit. Part of the collection is located in the museum's second location in Pina Eustaxao, where visitors will find the São Paulo Resistance memorial, an extensive library of historical documents related to Brazil's political struggles, and many more examples of Brazilian art.

Address: Praça da Luz, 2, São Paulo

10 Nossa Señora da Luz

Nossa Señora da Luz

On Avenida Tiradentes, which is south of the Parque da Luz, is the monastery and church of Nossa Señora da Luz, typical examples of the traditional architecture of São Paulo: despite their rather recent age - they were built in the 18th century - they are entirely made of clay. The monastery of Nossa Senhora da Luz now houses the Museum of Sacred Art, which has a large collection of approximately 11,000 objects, including statues, paintings, altars and furniture from the 16th to 19th centuries. Also on Praça Tiradentes is Pinacoteca do Estado, the State Art Gallery, the most old museum in Sao Paulo. It contains about 2500 paintings, drawings and prints, mostly by Brazilian artists.

Address: Praça da Luz, São Paulo

11 Largo de San Francisco

West of the cathedral and the Pátio do Colégio, Largo de San Francisco is a downtown street named after the monastic complex that faces it. The Church of San Francisco de Assis, the Church of St. Francis, was built in 1644 and is one of the oldest surviving churches in the city. Its interior is undeniably based on Portugal during the period, with a cheerful, airy feel and copious gold. It was rebuilt after a fire in 1870 and more recently. Not so is the nearby Ordem Church of Terceira de San Francisco, a Third (simple) Franciscan order built from 1676 to 1791 and showing its age so seriously that it is closed to visitors. The third building in the complex, the Franciscan monastery, has been occupied since 1828 by the Faculty of Law of the University of São Paulo. The neighborhood is a little run down and not a place to visit at night.

Address: Rua Borges Lagoa, Sao Paulo

12 Avenida Paulista

Gazeta building on Paulista Avenue

Avenida Paulista is the activity center of São Paulo, full of entertainment and favorite place for both tourists and local residents. This is the perfect spot for people watching from one of the many trolley cafes. The area is home to many shops, theatres, galleries and museums including the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP). There are also several adjacent parks, such as Parque Trianon, which provides a dense, leafy oasis right in the center of town. This main avenue hosts numerous festivals and celebrations throughout the year, often closing to traffic to become a pedestrian hub.

Where to Stay in Sao Paulo for Sightseeing

Unlike many major cities Where most of the major attractions are clustered near the historic old town, Sao Paulo is spread throughout the city. Luckily for tourists, a good metro system makes it easy to get to all attractions. The best location is in the Paulista area, close to or south of the São Paulo Art Museum, next to the Ibirapuera Park, where several other attractions are located. Here are some highly rated hotels in this area of ​​Sao Paulo:

• luxury hotels: Several popular hotels in the Paulista area surround the São Paulo Museum of Art, close to restaurants and shops. The Renaissance Sao Paulo features a swimming pool and great city views from the top floors. The InterContinental Sao Paulo has a large fitness center and swimming pool. Some rooms have balconies. On the outskirts of Paulista, a few blocks from Ibirapuera Park, Marriott Executive Apartments also has some good restaurants within walking distance.
• Mid level hotels - The Royal Jardins is located close to Trianon Metro Station and the Museum of Art, close to public gardens. Spacious rooms and free breakfast make it popular Golden Tulip Belas Artes. Mercure SP Ginasio Ibirapuera is just a short walk from Ibirapuer Park and its museums.
• Cheap hotels: Although in the heart of the bustling shopping and restaurant district of Paulista, the rooms are located in quiet place at Ibis Paulista. The Melia Paulista is directly opposite Trianon Metro Station and bus stop the airport is in the block. In addition, next to the art museum, shopping center and the Tryp Paulista restaurant has a sauna, gym and plunge pool.

Tips and Tours: How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Sao Paulo

• Sightseeing tours: Visitors can see many of the top tourist attractions on a 3-hour Sao Paulo city tour that starts at P akembu football stadium and includes guided tours of several significant areas. Highlights include Museu de Arte (MASP) in the Paulista area and in City theater and Patio do Colegio in the center of Sao Paulo. The tour also visits Se Square and its historic cathedral, as well as several public squares and historical monuments, including amazing Ibirapuera park.

Sao Paulo Map (City) - Attractions

Bright and noisy multi-million dollar Sao Paulo, filled with exotic smells, grew up on a plateau among dense tropical forests. The metropolis, nicknamed "South American Chicago", delights both with its picturesque nature and architectural heritage. important business and Cultural Center Latin America even sophisticated travelers are baffled by the variety of attractions.

São Paulo, which is the capital of the state of the same name, will open a completely different Brazil to vacationers. The pronounced business reputation of the metropolis does not mean that tourists will not be interested here.

Some facts about the city

The largest settlement of the South American continent is a green oasis, in which life is in full swing even at night. Colorful Sao Paulo in Brazil, located at around 760 meters above sea level, makes an impression modern city, although it appeared more than 450 years ago. Lying on a high plateau in the valley of the Tietê River, which is part of the Serra do Mar mountain range, it crosses the Tropic of Capricorn, one of the main parallels that is marked on the maps of the Earth.

Approximately 12 million people live in the main industrial center of the country, covering an area of ​​1500 km2.

The river turned into a sewer

There are no natural reservoirs here, but the city has two reservoirs that are used to generate electricity and conserve fresh water. Now Tiete, squeezed into concrete banks, has turned into a lifeless ditch, where waste from industrial enterprises has been dumped for many years. The townspeople even call it a black spot on the reputation of their beloved city. To this day, the problem of storm drains that carry garbage directly into the water artery, bypassing treatment facilities, the so-called diffuse pollution of the river, has not been solved.

History of the cultural and industrial center

Colorful Sao Paulo (Brazil) was founded in 1554 by Jesuit missionaries who wanted to convert the local population to the Catholic faith. But only a century and a half later it received the status of a city.

In the 19th century, the settlement began to develop rapidly. Local planters grow cotton, but only after the plantations have been planted with coffee, there is a noticeable economic growth. Immigrants from European countries are drawn here, attracted by quick earnings. The metropolis is recognized as the largest coffee producer in the world. However, at the beginning of the 20th century, due to the economic crisis, income from the supply of tropical plant grains is declining, and entrepreneurs, the so-called coffee barons, invest their capital in the development of the industrial sectors of the region.

Currently, Sao Paulo in Brazil is considered the most important and richest city in the country, which is of great interest to foreign entrepreneurs.

Climate and weather

On the territory of the industrial center of the country, nicknamed "the city of drizzling rain", a humid subtropical climate dominates, providing a comfortable temperature.

Weather in Sao Paulo (Brazil) will not disappoint tourists. average temperature in summer, which lasts from December to February, it is 35 ° C, and in winter (from June to August) - 18 ° C.

Mixture of cultures, style and customs

There are no kilometers of beaches here, but a wonderful place with an amazing atmosphere pleases with an unusual mixture of styles and cultures. The most cosmopolitan city in the world, home to representatives of more than 100 ethnic groups, delights travelers. It is distinguished by a colossal mixture of races and peoples, religions and customs. In the cosmopolitan city of Sao Paulo (Brazil), you can visit several neighborhoods inhabited by immigrants from different countries: Italian, Arabic and Japanese.

Each nationality brought a piece of its culture to the colorful appearance, and ethnic diversity is a distinctive feature of São Paulo.

City of contrasts

This is indeed a city of contrasts: respectable quarters with modern skyscrapers look strange against the backdrop of a miserable slum where crime thrives. When immigrants began to come here to work, it turned out that there was not enough housing for everyone, and favelas grew up around São Paulo (Brazil) - a chaotic squatter building that is notorious. Despite this, the slums are as much a part of the urban culture as the main attractions of the metropolis.

However, the police are working to ensure that the mini-state, living by its own laws and rules, becomes safe for tourists who want to see the other side of life in the Brazilian pearl.

A metropolis with a rich past

The characteristic landscape of the metropolis is a cluster of skyscrapers made of concrete and glass, endless traffic jams and rich colors of the city. Vacationers at first glance it seems that the unofficial capital of Brazil Sao Paulo consists only of skyscrapers, which makes it look like Chicago during the Great Depression. However, this impression is very deceptive, and the bustling metropolis boasts unusual sights that reflect its historical past. The neighborhood of modern and ancient buildings looks very colorful, and such a combination of styles cannot be called clumsy.

Avenida Paulista - visiting card of the city

It has everything you need for a memorable vacation. Walking tour in the capital of the state of the same name will allow you to get to know the amazing monuments that are a real decoration of the metropolis. It is worth considering that time in Sao Paulo (Brazil) runs unnoticed, and it is constantly lacking.

The most popular street is Paulista Avenue - a visiting card and an important thoroughfare of the city. A wide transport artery with a length of almost three kilometers connects the most popular tourist areas. The street that appeared after the expansion locality at the end of the 19th century, locals in importance it is rightly compared with the Champs Elysees in Paris, although today it looks more like Wall Street in New York.

The area along the avenue quickly became the business center of Sao Paulo. The street is incredibly popular not only among businessmen, but also tourists enthusiastically looking at interesting sights.

Art Museum

There is an art museum here. The building, literally hanging in the air, surprises visitors. Built in the Brutalist style, the 10,000 m2 structure rests on four purple columns. Unique monument Brazilian architecture, opened to the public in 1967, is famous for its priceless art gallery, which contains about eight thousand exhibits.

Tropical forest in the heart of Sao Paulo

Along the avenue, opposite the museum, there is a green oasis - the Trianon Park, which arose on the site of a dense forest. Decorated in the style of European romanticism, the attraction is adored by vacationers, many of whom see tropical thickets for the first time. A quiet corner, where birds sing and fountains murmur, evokes soothing thoughts and gives positive emotions to adults and children.

main catholic cathedral

The religious sights of Sao Paulo (Brazil) are of great interest to tourists. The main Catholic cathedral appeared in 1616, when the city was still a small settlement. It was rebuilt several times, and at the beginning of the last century the building was completely destroyed. The well-known German architect Hegl worked on the development of the project together with the primate of the temple. The modern neo-Gothic cathedral received parishioners in 1954.

There is also an underground church with a crypt, where the tombs of the city's archbishops are located.

cultural capital

Many tourists who have visited Sao Paulo (Brazil), whose photos make you want to be here as soon as possible, admit that this is a real museum under open sky. The treasury containing dozens of amazing monuments is recognized for a reason cultural capital countries. It is famous for its huge number of themed museums, which are best visited on weekdays to avoid long queues.

The oldest museum of the state, the exhibits of which will allow you to trace the entire history of the development and formation of the country, was opened in the 70s of the last century. Sergipe is famous for its collections of invaluable works, giving tourists the opportunity to learn more about Brazil.

The Paulista Museum (Ipiranga) serves as a reminder of the important event when the country declared itself an independent state.

It is impossible to ignore the unique football museum, the building of which is the old arena. Interactive screens, numerous photographs, football paraphernalia - there is everything here that will capture the attention of fans from different countries. In addition, each visitor has a unique opportunity to score a virtual goal.

Colorful February Carnival

The main event in the city is the annual carnival - as spectacular as in Rio de Janeiro. It takes place 40 days before Easter, in February, at the height of the Brazilian summer, as an act of farewell to all earthly pleasures on the eve of fasting. And most tourists rush here at this time. Now in Sao Paulo (Brazil), preparations are underway for a large-scale event that will begin on February 10 and will last 4 days and nights. This is a well-rehearsed procession, where the best students of samba dance schools take part. Each action is thought out to the smallest detail, music and choreography are prepared, colorful costumes are sewn, and the jury will evaluate numerous teams.

Every year, two million people take part in the fun carnival. The procession ends with a parade of champions, who, following the results of the event, receive good cash prizes.

Favorite sport

A huge state in South America is the most football country in the world, and sport is its important area of ​​life. Only here people support their favorite titled teams with their whole families, and popular players share their skills, traveling to the far corners of Brazil.

Football in Sao Paulo is the most beloved sport, and the strongest clubs Corinthians and Palmeiras have gained fame far beyond hometown. In 1902, it was here that the first football competitions for the title of champion were held. Campeonato Paulista is the most prestigious championship among all the states of the country. And now Paulista provides support for grassroots football and is responsible for the birth of new talent in Sao Paulo.

Brazil Cup

The annual official competition, which appeared in 1959, involves professional football clubs in the country. And after 30 years, it was decided to revive the tournament with a new format.

Brazilians attach great importance to the championship, in which dozens of teams participate. This is a very important competition, and its winner receives a ticket to the Copa Libertadores, a football tournament held among top clubs countries South America.

Pacaembu Stadium

Sports fans must visit the Pacaembu stadium, which opened a museum dedicated to the history of football in Brazil ten years ago. Until the end of the 60s, the national team played in the arena, and later, matches between the most famous teams were held within the framework of the City Cup. In addition, music concerts and festivals with the participation of famous rock bands took place here.

Russian tourists will be able to visit the charming Sao Paulo (Brazil), whose photos make you drop everything and be sure to get acquainted with the colorful metropolis, without wasting time going to the consulate. Now Russians are allowed to enter the country even without a visa for a period not exceeding 90 days.

The tourism sector is one of the main revenue items of the city, whose authorities take care of its development. Every year new hotels open, picturesque parks are laid out, colorful festivals and carnivals are held.

Sao Paulo is a Brazilian metropolis with a population of many millions. It is considered the cultural capital of Brazil, so the question of what to see in Sao Paulo can be confusing with a variety of options.

As always, it's best to start with central square, which can tell a lot about the past of the city. In Sao Paulo, this is Praça da Se, from where you can move along Paulista Avenue to see the rest of the sights. And there are a lot of them in the city, and for every taste: Ibirapuera Park, Liberdadi district, the Cathedral in the old center, various museums, exhibition galleries, monuments of architecture and art.

The Art Museum of São Paulo begins to surprise even when approaching it: at first it is hard to believe that the rectangular bulk of the building with an area of ​​​​under 10,000 m2 hangs almost in the air, relying only on four red columns at the corners. An outstanding monument of Brazilian architecture of the last century is made in the style of brutalism, which explains its so unusual view and color solutions.

Avenida Paulista, or, as the people of Sao Paulo themselves often call it, Avenue Paulista, is the hallmark of the city and its main thoroughfare, the surroundings along which are the focus of the Brazilian economic miracle. It is a wide 85-meter transport artery with a length of 2.8 km, connecting the most significant tourist and business areas of the second most important Brazilian metropolis.

Portuguese is the eighth language in the world in terms of the number of speakers, of which there are almost 200 million in all parts of the world, except maybe Australia and Antarctica. The only museum of the Portuguese language in the world, surprisingly, is located not in Portugal itself, but in Brazil, the largest Portuguese-speaking country.

From a bird's eye view, it resembles a giant flag fluttering in the middle of the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere, one of the ten largest agglomerations in the world - Sao Paulo. This flag is built by the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer, Edifício Copan or simply Copan.

The main attraction of the largest Brazilian city of Sao Paulo is the Paulista Museum (Paulista is translated as "resident of Sao Paulo"). Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it was the first museum created to commemorate a major historical event - the independence of Brazil - and to preserve the memory of this for future generations.

The Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church in Sao Paulo, Brazil has a long history. It all started in the 16th century, when Sao Paulo was still a small village, and Brazil was a colony. The main church of the country began to be built in 1589, and construction was completed in 1616. Over time, the church became the center of the diocese, and it housed the bishop's chair.

In 1965, in Sao Paulo, in honor of the army of thousands of Italian immigrants, one of the highest skyscrapers in Brazil, the "Italia Building", was built. This grandiose building was erected according to the project of the German architect Franz Heap, its height is 168 meters, which is only 2 meters lower than the tallest Brazilian building, Miranti do Vali. Construction was carried out from 1960 to 1965, and as a result, the city received a 46-storey office skyscraper with a usable area of ​​over 50,000 m2.

The Brazilian city of Sao Paulo is the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the ten largest agglomerations in the world. For almost half a thousand years of history, the style of its development has changed many times, and it does not have a single architectural appearance. Therefore, when building the next skyscraper, usually no one worries about whether it will fit into the architectural ensemble or not.

The Brazilian city of Sao Paulo rests on a plateau that is part of the Serra do Mar mountain system, located in Southeast Brazil. This mountain system itself, in turn, is part of the vast geological region "Brazilian Plateau", which occupies almost half of the country's territory. Seismic activity is extremely low, so no seismic problems are observed.

On the territory of the University of São Paulo is the world-famous Butantan Institute. It is a major biomedical research center and reports directly to the São Paulo State Secretariat of Health. The founder of the institute in 1901 was the Brazilian therapist and researcher Vitaliy Brasil.

São Paulo has an abundance of sights that will take more than a day to get around. You can get acquainted with the history and culture of the metropolis, country, South America by visiting numerous museums. Historical, ethnographic, artistic, zoological exhibitions will surprise tourists with the completeness and variety of exhibits. Park areas among skyscrapers are places of rest for citizens and tourists from the human whirlpool and traffic jams.

Sao Paulo has grown from a small village to the financial center of the country thanks to geographic location. In the XVII-XVIII century, it became the central link in Brazil's export-import relations. The coffee business brought even greater dividends to the planters.

The influx of population and the growth of the city began at the end of the 19th century. For migrants from Europe and Asia, Sao Paulo has become a second home. The vast majority of the population are white people, of which a quarter are Italians. The largest Japanese diaspora settled here.

Cultural traditions and historical heritage are intertwined into one wonderful kaleidoscope, becoming the basis for creating unique sights.

Main attractions

What to see first? The expositions will acquaint you with the artifacts of past centuries, the uniqueness of the animal and flora, with the idols of the San Paulites. Churches and theaters - with the spiritual basis of society.

The architectural and historical landmark is located along the perimeter of two squares and covers an area of ​​84.5 thousand square meters. The Memorial houses:

• art exhibition;
• library;
• research Center;
• concert;
• conference rooms.

Works of art and handicrafts are exhibited in the Gallery and outdoor areas. The library fund contains 30.0 thousand printed units, musical audio recordings.

Zoological Museum of the University

The museum complex occupies 70 hectares. Thematic expositions introduce the flora and fauna of Brazil. The building has a specialized library with a fund of 74,000 media.

The natural zone was created for reptiles and dangerous insects. The Biomedical Institute maintains a collection of 54,000 individuals, most of which were brought from the Amazonian jungle. Here they are engaged in the research and manufacture of medicines, cosmetics based on snake venom.

In addition to snakes, visitors can see:

• scorpions;
• turtles;
• spiders;
• lizards.

The reserve has created conditions for family vacation Outdoors.

Paulista Museum

Ipiringa is the second name of the largest and most important museum in Brazil. The historical landmark was opened in 1895, in honor of gaining freedom from the Spanish colonialists. There are 100,000 ethnographic, historical and artistic specimens on exhibition stands and in storerooms. At the exposition there is a library where books and magazines about the history of Brazil are collected.

In the state near the town of Brotas, is a natural phenomenon- Singing sand. Sand from the bottom of the lake after friction begins to make melodic sounds.

One of the attractions of Sao Paulo is the museum under the Paolo Marado stadium. You can visit it on any day except Monday, and when the matches are held. Paid entrance.

The exposition consists of 3 parts:

• attributes of fans;
• information about famous football players (Pele, Ronaldo and others);
• Brazilian football history.

The presented video materials show episodes of matches, interviews of coaches and football players. At the end of the tour, visitors can play virtual football in the entertainment hall.

The landmark of Sao Paulo is the largest religious building, one of the largest Catholic buildings in the world. The height of the church domes is 111 meters, the capacity of the church is 8,000 people.

Entrance fee, open daily. The location of the cathedral is the center of the city.

The Municipal Theatre, similar to the Parisian Grand Opera, the cultural center of the city, Brazil and South America. Construction architectural masterpiece took over 20 years. The luxury of the facade competes with the richness of the interior decoration.

The building is designed for vocal and choreographic art, dramatic performances, classical music concerts. Tourists have the opportunity to visit the theater with a guided tour from 10 am to 7 pm on weekdays, from 10 am to 5 pm on weekends. Paid entrance.

On the outskirts there is a park area where thousands of flowers and dozens of varieties of strawberries are grown.

The best time to visit the square is the beginning of October, the period of flowering and fragrance. Strawberry dishes and berry juice are popular with tourists.

When is the best time to visit

The most favorable months for excursions are spring, which comes in Brazil in September-November.

Holidays to visit

Every year in February, the city hosts the Sambando dance carnival. Every year it becomes more and more popular, attracting thousands of tourists with a large-scale, enchanting spectacle.

The landmark of the city has become a kind of holidays held only here: Pizza Day and the Festival Japanese culture.

What to see in 1 day

To get an idea of ​​the city in a short time, you need to see the main thing that the metropolis lives on:

• Central Market;
• Ibirapuera park.

In the remaining time, you can visit museums, take a walk along the main street.

Where to go with children

There are no Disneyland, water parks in the policy. It will be interesting for children to visit zoos, Cidade da Crianca amusement park.

How to move around the city

Bus routes cover all areas of the city. The metro has 5 lines. In addition, taxis, trolleybuses, helicopters run.

Rules of conduct for tourists

In the metropolis high level crime, which should be remembered, and not to take walks in the favelas.

How to get there

It is connected with Europe by direct flights and with a change in Rio de Janeiro.

The most logical and easiest way to get to Sao Paulo is by plane.

With a very strong desire, you can also get to cruise ship to the port of Santos, which is 2 hours from the city.

There are buses from Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, although the journey will take a very long time.

By plane

From Russia there are two main ways:

• With a layover in Europe best to use KLM, AirFrance or TAP. If the transfer is not very long, this is the fastest flight.
• The second option is to fly through the Middle East With Emirates or Etihad; the price is most often more than a couple of thousand, but the level of comfort is much higher. Search for yourself Best offer you can, for example, here.

Airports

international Airport Guarulhos / Aeroporto Internacional de São Paulo / Guarulho

Main airport cities. It is also a transport hub in Latin America. This is where all transatlantic flights arrive. Located 25 km from Sao Paulo, in the city of Guarulhos.

How to get there:

• City bus
  Every 15 minutes, an ordinary city bus number 257 leaves for the Tatuapé station. The trip may not be the most comfortable in your life, especially with luggage. Ticket price: 1.6 USD or 5.5 real (BRL). Travel time: minimum 30 minutes, highly dependent on traffic.

• Shuttle
  Large comfortable buses will take you to any major station, as well as to the center. The schedule can be viewed on the website of the Airport Bus Service, which provides these services. Ticket price: from 14 USD (45 BRL).

• Free shuttle to Cogonhas National Airport
  This is a small lifehack for those who like to save money. Take the free shuttle between airports, and from Cogonhas you can easily get to the metro.

Congonhas Airport / Aeroporto de Congonhas

National airport of the city. Mainly accepts domestic flights. This is where you are most likely to get from. Also from here makes most of the flights of LATAM, GOL and Azul, for example, to Argentina and Bolivia.

The airport is located within the city in the Campo Belo area. Very impressive sight- aircraft landing in the very center of the city, right above the roofs of a huge metropolis.

How to get there

• By bus
  City buses run to São Judas Metro Station and take about 10 minutes.

• Taxi/Uber
  Due to the location of the airport only 7 km from the city center, a taxi can be quite inexpensive.

Clue:

Sao Paulo time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 6

Kazan 6

Samara 7

Yekaterinburg 8

Novosibirsk 10

Vladivostok 13

When is the season. When is the best time to go

Paulistas (that's the name of the people of Sao Paulo) have a joke: when going out, take an umbrella, a bikini and a sweater with you. Weather here all year round unpredictable and changing every hour! I stopped believing in apps a long time ago and learned to dress in layers (or endure).

High season: November - March.

Sao Paulo in summer

The superheat season is from November to March. This is an opportunity to feel and understand the real Brazil. The temperature rarely drops below + 28–30 ° С, the sun burns mercilessly, and sometimes it is very stuffy at night. Frequent strong thunderstorms help to survive.

In such a huge city, this season is not for the faint of heart: hot asphalt, it’s hard to breathe in transport (or vice versa, the air conditioner works mercilessly), only the desperate walk during the day. But the starry warm nights are the time of the best parties and carnival!

Brazilians love this kind of weather and feel great. Whether you feel comfortable depends on your health and love for the sun, but you should definitely set aside time for acclimatization and don’t forget the protective cream!

Sao Paulo in autumn

Autumn in this city is a time of unpredictable weather. Today +28 °C, tomorrow +15 °C, rain at night, strong wind during the day and suddenly hot again.

Sao Paulo in spring

Spring officially begins on October 1st. Trees of striking beauty bloom throughout the city: bright purple, soft pink, yellow and red.

But the weather is still capricious. The temperature in spring slowly but surely rises every day from the winter +15 °C to the more usual +26 °C.

Sao Paulo in winter

In winter, Sao Paulo is covered with gray clouds, and it starts to rain with strong winds. The city is focusing, immersed in work and study. And in summer houses without heating it becomes cold and uncomfortable.

Average temperature in winter: +12–18 °С.

Sao Paulo - monthly weather

Clue:

Sao Paulo - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

I am still surprised when discovering a new area for myself: you find yourself as if in another city. The spirit of Sao Paulo in its contrast. Ancient villas, boring skyscrapers, favelas, high-rise buildings or charming houses on the slopes of steep hills. When choosing a district in Sampa, it is as if you choose the mood, the impression that the city will give you.

What are the prices for holidays

Sampa is an unpleasantly expensive city. To relax here properly, you have to fork out:

• average price for an apartment about 30 USD/night (100 BRL);
• hostels from 12 USD (40 BRL);
• dinner for two at good restaurant- 45 USD (150 BRL);
• woofe in padarium - 1.3 USD (4 BRL);
• snack on the street - 6 USD (20 BRL);
• taxi - 1.5 USD/km (5 BRL).

How to save?

• Choose a restaurant in advance via the Internet, if you just enter from the street, you will most likely end up in a very expensive place.
• Buy fruits and vegetables from the market and cook at home (or at least snack on this yummy). Very cheap and tasty.
• Always check the score, here they like to accidentally add a couple of points.

In general, this is not Rio for you - it is not customary to save here, it is customary to work more here.

Clue:

The cost of food, lodging, transportation, etc.

Currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub Brazilian real, R$

Main attractions. What to see

Sao Paulo is not rich in classic tourist attractions. Having moved here from Europe, at first I was notably upset - there are no familiar and understandable entertainments in the form of ancient castles, monuments, legendary places and paved squares here at all. My inner tourist was confused, looking at these endless gray high-rise buildings, traffic jams, fussy white collars, homeless tents in the center and exorbitant restaurant bills. But one day changed everything. On Friday morning I went on a tour of the best graffiti in Sao Paulo, and in the evening I went to bars and clubs. Suddenly everything exploded with colors and impressions!

It was then that the true, crazy beauty of this city began to open up: with the best museums in the world of unmatched Brazilian art, with office workers dancing samba on Saturdays, the best graffiti artists, dark-skinned beauties sunbathing topless on the weekends right on the pavement of the blocked avenida Paulista , unique design showrooms and breathtaking architecture by the marvelous Oscar Niemeyer.

Top 5

But of course, Sampa is not as hopeless for tourism as it seems at first glance. I will share with you my favorite sights.

Fans of the classics should also visit the elegant Municipal Theater (Teatro Municipal de São Paulo), and architecture fans will definitely appreciate Memorial of Latin America And skyscraper architect Franz Heap.

Beaches. Which is better

Sao Paulo is located 2.5 hours by comfortable bus from the ocean. I often go swimming for the weekend on the coast.

The nearest beach is in the city - Santos(At the same time, you can look into the excellent Coffee Museum). My personal favorite is in resort town Guarujá, this is an amazing beach Tombo, winner of the Blue Flag. And if you want a real Brazilian beach atmosphere and adventure, ask local surfers you know to take you to Itamambuca.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

First of all, you should pay attention to:

Museums. Which are worth a visit

parks

Parque do Ibirapuera

The beautiful flowering park of Ibirapuera is located by the lake, people like to run and have picnics here. This is the most important and famous park cities.

Museum of Modern Art, amazing building by famous architect Oscar Niemeyre + indoor skate park + dancing fountains + craft beer = guaranteed good day in the park.

Praça do por sol

A wonderful place on top of a hill, where it is customary to meet sunsets and sunrises. Praça do por sol is translated into Russian as "square of sunsets".

A very party and romantic place where the city stretches under your feet. I like to come here in the evening with friends, guitar, fruit basket and wine. By the way, in Sao Paulo sunsets incredible beauty and colors! Often you wait for the evening, as a new episode of the series, which will surprise me today.

tourist streets

Beco do Batman

Graffit-Rua Gonçalo Afonso on Vila Madalena, better known as Beco do Batman (Batman Street), a surreal place, completely changed my idea of ​​gray, boring, business Sao Paulo. Yes, this is the brightest and coolest place on the planet! A long winding street, completely crammed with professional graffiti of amazing beauty. The great power of street art energizes just as much as famous museums.

Usually there are a lot of people there, there is even a queue for a selfie at the most famous drawings. And on weekends, musicians play here all the time, dance or arrange flash mobs.

How to get there: R. Gonçalo Afonso - Vila Madalena, São Paulo - SP. Metro Vila Madalena.

Avenida Paulista

The street is not that very touristy, but definitely the most famous in Sampa. Long, stubbornly straight, with rows of high-rise business centers, shops, museums. Life is in full swing here, everyone is running somewhere, in a hurry, sitting on the steps, street musicians are playing, souvenirs are being sold. Dedicated to all lovers of the rhythm of big cities. This is the heart of Sao Paulo.

But sometimes I like to come here on weekends when the avenue is closed to motorists: children, bicycles, street food and complete relaxation.

How to get there: Av. Paulista, São Paulo - SP. Metro Brigadeiro, Trianon-MASP or Consolação.

What to see in 1 day

One day in such a huge city is, of course, not serious. But if you only have a day to get to know Sao Paulo, then wake up early. Any day here starts with breakfast at the nearest padaria: coffee, fresh orange juice, a hearty sandwich and a couple of carolinas cakes.

Then we take the metro to the Sé station, we are not afraid of the homeless, but we focus on the huge Cathedral Sao Paulo. A short walk through the very center, and we climb the grandiose old skyscraper Atila Arantis to appreciate the city from a height.

Art aficionados can drive one stop from São Bento to Luz, take a quick look at the famous train station, and disappear for hours at the amazing Pinacoteca Museum.

If you prefer walking, we go through Praça das Artes to see the City Theater. It is also close to the strange architectural work of Edificio Itália. The main thing here is to concentrate and not dine in the central area, because it is expensive and hardly tasty.

Although my favorite route is to spit on all the sights and take the subway to Liberdade station, around which is the famous Japanese immigrant district. Here we overeat sushi, buy a bunch of funny Japanese nonsense, just walk and marvel at the Brazilian Japanese.

The second part of the day is definitely worth spending on Avenida Paulista, the symbol of Sao Paulo. We get again by metro to the Trianon-MASP station. After visiting the flying building of the Art Museum (MASP itself), you can relax in the shade of the Tenente Siqueira Campos park or go around the museum and go down the stairs to have a coffee in a great place with a chic urban view.

You can also shop on Avenida Paulista. I strongly advise you to look into the fantastic bookstore Livraria Cultura, which impresses with the size, quality and variety of books, cozy atmosphere and, of course, the famous dragon.

But in the evening, all roads lead to the bohemian Vila Madalena. We reach the end along the green line and up the winding steep streets to Rua Harmonia (my favorite road is through rua Madalena past the most charming private houses). Immediately look for the street with Beco do Batman graffiti, you should definitely come here before sunset to take pictures from the heart!

Here you can also have a good dinner nearby, and then go for a walk around the area in search of galleries, graffiti and excellent designer clothes for sane money. And at nightfall, your bar will find you.

Food. What to try

How different is the cuisine of Sao Paulo? Now you will be surprised. Here you can taste breathtakingly delicious Japanese and Italian cuisine! This is a city of immigrants, a magical gastronomic cauldron.

When I first tried in Sampa sushi I suddenly realized that I had never really eaten this dish before. Outrageously delicious! Fish of such quality and freshness! And the real Japanese cook here.

Another culinary adventure is, of course, the famous Ppaulistano pizza which the city is rightfully proud of. And be sure to try pizza with palmito, pickled heart of palm.

And in Sao Paulo you can find any of the most incredible food from all over fertile Brazil. The fruit market just blows the roof with its variety and colors!

Prices for groceries and checks in restaurants are very dependent on the area. Here, they do not hesitate to take much more from residents of wealthy areas. The morning market of organic vegetables in the bohemian Vila Madalena will ruin you for at least 12 USD (40 BRM), the same set of products in an ordinary supermarket will cost you 5 USD.

Budget

There are several ways to eat on a budget in Sao Paulo:

Expensive

All of the places listed below are Michelin-starred restaurants, so prices are appropriate.

• D.O.M. by Alex AtalaA chance to taste haute Brazilian cuisine from celebrity chef Alex Atala. How about an Amazonian ant sauce?

• Fogo de ChãoA steakhouse where the serving of meat has been turned into a real show.

• Vinheria Percussi Simply the best Italian restaurant in Sao Paulo.

• Skye Bar & Restaurante and restaurant on the roof of a skyscraper.

Holidays

Carnival

I used to think that carnival was only Rio. But no! This madness is going on all over the country, and each state has its own special traditions.

In Sao Paulo, there is the second sambadrome in Brazil - a stadium for competitions between samba schools. It's a week of parties, endless family shuraskos (kebabs), heat, dancing... and also incredible amount drunks, rubbish on the street and so-so smell everywhere. Carnival is a real madness, but also the most grandiose party in my life!

New Year's and Christmas

I am still embarrassed by the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree in 30-degree heat, but Brazilians love all the holidays.

IN new year's eve block avenida Paulista and launch a grandiose fireworks there. In Sao Paulo, of course, you don’t make a wish by jumping over seven waves, but parties on the roofs of old skyscrapers exceed any expectations.

Pride Parade

The world's largest Pride Parade takes place in Sao Paulo. It's even better than carnival. No restrictions!

Thousands of incredible, beautiful, crazy, free people. 2.5 million people - it's worth seeing.

Virada Cultural

Annual music festival in Sao Paulo.

Time of open museums, hundreds of concerts around the city, events, theatrical performances and exhibitions. A whole weekend, usually in May, when Sampa is immersed in a rich cultural life.

Safety. What to watch out for

The minimum car rental price is 30 USD per day.

Sao Paulo - holidays with children

The business capital of Brazil is hardly the best place for holidays with children. The rhythm of the city is crazy, traffic is stressful and overloaded.

But it is worth noting that it is customary here to take children with you everywhere, and not only to restaurants, parks or festivals, but even to concerts and parties. You can find changing tables almost everywhere, and the people around you and the staff will always help you with pleasure. Children are loved here.

With a child in Sao Paulo, you can go to Botanical Garden, which will definitely surprise you with thorny palm trees, orchids and other incredible exotic plants! You can also visit the zoo.