Itineraries for Your Trip to Sao Paulo
3 Days in Sao Paulo for First Timers
As I dozed on the bus that was transporting me from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo, I wasn’t sure I had the energy to do this enormous city justice. After a week of partying like a carioca (Rio local), I was dreading the blaring bustle of one of Latin America’s largest cities. But like with much of Brazil, I felt energized as soon as I arrived here—the street-art-smothered streets, rhythmic bars, and fragrant street food stands were anything but exhausting, especially as I had my university friend to direct me straight to the hot spots.
If you’ve got three days in São Paulo, you’ll be able to give the city the attention it deserves—here’s how to spend 72 hours in the state capital.
If you only have time for one thing, make it feasting on street food in the Municipal Market.
While you might envisage Brazil to be thoroughly sun-soaked, Sao Paulo is nicknamed the “Land of Drizzle” due to its year-round rain showers.
Your first morning is all about getting your bearings in the city nicknamed Sampa. Admire the ultra-expensive real estate of Paulista Avenue, home to some of South America’s most expensive real estate, and the richly multicultural Liberdade, famous for its Asian influence.
After you’ve seen downtown in the daylight, admire some must-see São Paulo attractions from a fresh perspective during an evening bike tour that helps you explore the city safely after sunset. The mint-green domes of Sé Cathedral look dazzlingly dramatic when they’re illuminated.
While the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) is packed to the rafters with masterpieces, some of the city’s best art is outdoors. This morning, before daytime humidity reaches its peak, capture the spirit of Sao Paulo’s creative scene on a street art bike tour that takes you away from the tourist trail and to parts of the city most visitors miss.
There’s no better way to appreciate the sheer size of São Paulo than during a helicopter ride, during which you’ll be treated to a bird’s-eye view of the urban center and its surroundings. If you want to inject some extra adrenaline into the experience, opt for a skydive instead.
Now that you've experienced local culture, dedicate your third morning to São Paulo’s fabulous food, which comes in the form of coxhina (chicken encased in mashed potato and crispy breadcrumbs) and feijoada (a hearty bean stew with pork). Exploring local markets on a food tour reveals locally loved eateries and street food stands.
After an action-packed few days of São Paulo sightseeing, it’s time to kick back and soak up the nightlife scene that the city is famous for. Rather than hopping between tourist traps, get the inside scoop on where to dance and drink in the swanky neighborhood of Vila Madalena.
