Itineraries for Your Trip to Sao Paulo
2 Days in São Paulo for First Timers
When I first arrived in São Paulo, after a seemingly eternal bus from Rio de Janeiro, I had no idea how I’d tick off the highlights of Brazil's massive metropolis in just a few days, due to the sheer size of the province’s capital. Though I needn’t have feared—I had my friend on hand, a born-and-bred Paulistana whom I’d met at university and was absolutely delighted to see again.
She showed me that it was easy to see plenty of must-see São Paulo attractions in a limited time, so don’t worry if you’re just swinging by. Here’s how to see all the signature sights, with just two days in São Paulo.
If you only have time for one thing, make it admiring the architecture of Paulista Avenue.
São Paulo is driest and coolest from June through August, though skies tend to stay dry until December.
You won’t have a moment to waste, so kick off your time in Sampa with a tour that whizzes you between sights in your own private vehicle. Admire the tropical greenery of Ibirapuera Park, the city’s equivalent to New York’s Central Park, and explore the culturally diverse district of Liberdade, with its prominent Japanese influence.
Skip lunch out and get acquainted with Southeast Brazil’s culinary scene on a food tour. Let a guide take you to the Municipal Market, where vendors sell everything from tropical fruit and acai bowls to crisp-coated street food, such as coxhinas (teardrop-shaped potato croquettes stuffed with chicken) and pão de queijo (cheese bread).
After spending the day seeing São Paulo in the light, admire the metropolis when its grand architecture is illuminated during an evening bike tour that helps you explore safely after dark. The Gothic, green-topped towers and dome of Sé Cathedral look even more magical against the backdrop of the night sky.
Now that you’ve seen Uptown, it’s time to set your sights on Downtown on another bike tour that helps you maximize your time sightseeing. Cruise down Paulista Avenue, where you’ll see some of the most expensive real estate in Latin America, and pass the ornate facade of the São Paulo Municipal Theater.
São Paulo is renowned for its art scene, but some of the city’s best works are free to see and emblazoned onto the city streets. Decipher the meaning behind the murals on a street art tour that helps you delve deeper into local politics and culture. Then, complete your artistic afternoon at the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP), home to more than 11,000 artworks.
Tonight is all about seeing why São Paulo is so famous for its nightlife, so hit the town on a tour that showcases Vila Madalena, a nightlife hub filled with swanky rooftop terraces and hipster cocktail bars that mix caipirinhas—typically made with sugarcane liquor, lime, and sugar—with a contemporary twist.
