Top Things to Do in São Paulo Brazil

Here are the Top Things to Do in São Paulo Brazil

São Paulo is known as the place to see some of the world’s best street art, and nowhere is this more evident than in the bohemian neighborhood of Vila Madalena. The area’s most famous street, and the one where you’ll want to start your explorations, is Batman’s Alley (Beco do Batman).

In this narrow back alleyway, every inch of the walls on both sides of the street (and sometimes even the street itself!) are covered in artwork. It’s an incredible sight and definitely one of the must see places in São Paulo!

Every few months, the murals are covered over and replaced with fresh artwork, so there’s always something new to see. The alley is one of the most popular São Paulo tourist attractions for Brazilian tourists.

It also attracts vendors who set up their stalls in the hopes of selling trinkets to said tourists. This takes away from the atmosphere a bit and can get in the way of photo opportunities, so I recommend arriving early, around 9am, to beat both the crowds and the vendors.

There’s plenty more street art beyond Batman’s Alley, so take the time to wander and explore the area. The nearby staircase known as Escadaria do Patapio is worth a look, as well as Escadaria das Bailarinas a bit further away.

And while you’re in the neighborhood, don’t miss the chance to taste some of Brazil’s best ice cream at Veganeria! This cute little café also makes some yummy savory treats, such as their torta caponata.

By the way, São Paulo native Utopia has also left plenty of great street art around Portugal, including in Braga and in the Quinto do Mocho neighborhood outside Lisbon.

Avenida Paulista

The SESC, or Serviço Social do Comércio, is a private institution that works to improve the lives of workers in the tourism, commerce and services industries. One way they have gone about this is by renovating an old factory building and turning it into a cultural center, known as the SESC Pompeia.

While the exhibitions, performances and other cultural happenings at the center are primarily intended for São Paulo state workers in the relevant sectors, most of the activities there are open to the general public. It’s worth checking out the program to see what events are planned during your stay.

Parque Ibirapuera

The Praça da Sé (Cathedral Square) has always been the heart of the city, and in the middle of the square stands a marker known as “marco zero”. It’s called this because the official distances from São Paulo to all other points in Brazil are measured from this spot.

All street numbers in the city also start from here. So, if you’re trying to find the downtown historical area, just follow the decreasing street numbers. They will eventually lead you to Praça da Sé! You’ll know you’re getting close when the street signs turn from blue to white. There’s an intricate color-coded system to indicate which district of the city you’re in.

Also, while you’re in the square, notice the cathedral-shaped traffic lights as you cross the street. They make a great photo opportunity!

Originally, a much smaller church served as the city’s Cathedral, but it was eventually demolished in 1911 and replaced by the huge Neo-Gothic building that you see there today. This one can hold up to 8,000 worshippers, and it’s a hive of activity. The day I visited, a Christian rap artist was performing on a stage right outside the church.

Ask at the administration desk about visiting the underground crypt, which is almost as large as the Cathedral itself.

Mercado Municipal (Mercadão)

There are dozens of fun markets to visit in São Paulo. But for the full-on market experience, you really need to go to THE BIG ONE.

The mother of all markets is the Municipal Market, or Mercado Municipal in Portuguese. Although really, everyone just calls it the Mercadão, which means “big market”.

It’s a short walk away from the Sé in the downtown area. If you’re coming by public transport, the closest metro station is Luz.

The view of the neo-classical façade alone is worth the trip, especially when it’s lit up at night. But of course, the real reason to come is to explore the market stalls inside. And the interior is just as beautiful as the façade, with large stained-glass windows and a vaulted ceiling.

The lower floor is packed with food stalls selling all different kinds of produce, including exotic fruits you’ve probably never seen before. As a word of warning to vegans and vegetarians, there are stalls selling animal products too, so try to avoid those.

Up on the second-floor mezzanine is where you’ll find all the restaurants and bars where you can stop for a drink or a meal. One option is I Want Burguer, a burger restaurant that offers three different kinds of vegan burgers.

São Bento Monastery

This Benedictine monastery was founded more than 400 years ago, and it has been in continuous operation ever since. There are currently about 45 monks living in the cloisters, some of whom teach at the attached high school and college of philosophy.

The monastery and the adjacent church have undergone several reconstructions, and the current building is about 100 years old. São Bento church is an active place of worship, where you can attend mass and hear the monks’ Gregorian chants reverberate through the nave. The building is blessed with great acoustics!

You can also purchase bread baked by the monks themselves, according to their own secret recipes, at the monastery’s bakery.

Pátio do Colégio

This historic building marks the site where São Paulo was first founded, back in 1554. The city’s origin story begins with a Jesuit mission that was set up here to educate the indigenous Tupi-Guaraní people and convert them to Catholicism.

This mission's church and school buildings were the center of spiritual and educational life in the early settlement. In 1759, the Jesuits were expelled from the Portuguese colonies for political reasons, and over the centuries the mission buildings were completely reconstructed in different architectural styles.

In 1953, the area was finally given back to the Jesuit order, and the school and church were restored to their original appearance. Inside, the school buildings now house a museum dedicated to Father Anchieta, the Jesuit priest who founded the mission.

Even if you skip the museum, it’s worth stepping into the lovely courtyard (free of charge), where you can see remains of the original rammed earth walls. If you’re ready for some refreshments at this point, you’ll also find an inviting café here.

Banespa Building

This imposing skyscraper is often called “São Paulo’s Empire State Building”, and it’s easy to see why. The architect, Plínio Botelho, was inspired by the famous New York monument and by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Once the tallest building in South America, it has since been surpassed but still affords fantastic views of São Paulo’s city center and beyond.

The building was originally constructed to be the headquarters of the Bank of the State of São Paulo (Banespa). Nowadays, it has been converted into a cultural center and hosts rotating art exhibits. Bring your passport to gain access to the spectacular views from the observation deck on the 34th floor.

It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 9am to 8pm and on Sundays until 7pm . The lines can be long and tickets are limited, so book yours in advance at this link. Even if you can’t score a ticket, it’s worth poking your head inside the foyer to see the massive crystal chandelier.

Teatro Municipal

Built in the early 20th century, this São Paulo landmark is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings and was most recently restored in 2011. It’s richly decorated on both the inside and the outside, and the opulent façade is particularly stunning when lit up at night. It’s also quite a contrast to the modern concrete jungle that surrounds it.

One-hour English tours of the interior are available for free at 11am Tuesday to Friday and 12pm on Saturday. Sign up one hour beforehand next to the box office. Alternatively, chop two carrots with one knife by taking in one of the artistic performances that take place here on a regular basis.

That way, you can watch a ballet, opera or other musical performance and see the theater’s beautiful interior at the same time. The cheapest tickets cost as little as 10 reais! For the latest program, see the official website (in Portuguese).

Viaduto Santa Ifigênia

Dating from the turn of the 20th century, this art nouveau pedestrian bridge starts in Largo São Bento, near the metro station, and ends in front of the Church of Santa Ifigênia. It was built entirely in Belgium and then shipped piece by piece to Brazil and erected in the center of São Paulo.

Its yellow wrought-iron railings and multicolored geometrical paving have become one of the most iconic images of the city. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the bridge also serves a practical purpose. It links the old, historic center with the new, modern center of São Paulo, passing over the Anhangabaú Valley below.

The shops between the bridge and Rua Duque de Caxias have become known as THE place to buy electronic goods at discounted prices.

The Copan Building

The wavy façade of this enormous skyscraper is the brainchild of Oscar Niemeyer. If the name sounds familiar, it's because he's the famous modernist architect who designed the purpose-built federal capital, Brasília. Unlike most skyscrapers in the center, which are generally filled with offices, this one is residential.

In fact, it’s the largest residential building in Latin America, and it houses about 5,000 people. Copan was a symbol of urban modernity in São Paulo in the 1950s and throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s. After that, though, it experienced a sharp decline and came to be seen as a high-rise ghetto.

Its fate turned around in 1986, however, when the residents began managing the building themselves. The Copan building is now home to a diverse population from various social strata. It’s possible to visit and enjoy the view from the top at 10:30am and 3:30pm, Monday to Friday.

To get a bird’s eye view of the undulating façade itself, head to the nearby Italy Building (Edifício Itália), the tallest in the city. Drinks are understandably pricey at the panoramic Terraço Itália restaurant on the top floor, and there’s normally a cover charge on top of that. BUT, you can save money by going between 4pm and 5pm on a weekday, when access is free.

Largo do Paiçandu

Once covered by a series of lakes, this area was drained in the 19th century and became known as a place of entertainment. It was filled with cabarets, dance halls, cinemas, theaters and bars.

Nowadays, it continues to attract fans of music, particularly those of the rock genre. Here in Largo do Paiçandu you’ll find a four-story shopping plaza known as the “Galeria do Rock”. It’s filled with record stores as well as shops selling t-shirts and other memorabilia with the logos of popular rock bands.

Also added to the mix are skate shops, tattoo parlors, and even an all vegan store called Arte Vegan! This is a great place to pick up some vegan message wear. And if you need to restock your travel toiletries, they carry cruelty-free toothpaste, deodorant and more.

From the top floor of the gallery, you’ll have a nice view out over the Largo and a historic church surrounded by modern high-rises. Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Homens Pretos was built by the descendants of African slaves, and services are held here each year to celebrate the end of slavery in Brazil.

Not quite as well known as the Galeria do Rock is the nearby Galeria do Reggae. This has been the focal point of Afro-Brazilian culture in São Paulo since the 1960s.

Inside, you’ll find record stores selling reggae music, as well as beauty parlors that specialize in dreadlocks and braids and cosmetic shops that specialize in products made for dark skin tones.

Vegan São Paulo City Tour

Do you have anything to add to this list of São Paulo things to do? Let me know about it in the comments below!

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Many thanks to Vegan4You Brasil for the complimentary walking tour. As always, opinions expressed here are entirely my own.