5 days in São Paulo

Day by day

1. Day 1: Avenida Paulista and MASP – São Paulo Museum of Art

   Avenida Paulista, MASP – São Paulo Museum of Art and Japan House São Paulo, then Theatro Municipal in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Avenida Paulista

      Come on a Sunday, walk from Consolação to Paraíso, and drop into Japan House and the Instituto Moreira Salles on the way. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      MASP – São Paulo Museum of Art

      Check the museum's site for its free-entry day, and look at the backs of the easels, where each work's label is placed. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pastel de feira

      Stalls at the end of the city's weekly street markets (feiras livres) and at the Mercadão.

   4. Afternoon

      Japan House São Paulo

      Pair it with the Instituto Moreira Salles a few doors along, which also has free photography exhibitions. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Theatro Municipal

      Tickets for many concerts are inexpensive; check the season programme rather than only taking the tour.

2. Day 2: Ibirapuera Park and Mercado Municipal (Mercadão)

   Ibirapuera Park, Mercado Municipal (Mercadão) and Catedral da Sé, then Terraço Itália in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ibirapuera Park

      Rent a bike at one of the park's rental points on a weekday morning, then visit the Museu Afro Brasil when the sun gets hot. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Mercado Municipal (Mercadão)

      Fruit sellers offer tastings and then price exotic fruit by the kilo at high rates; ask the price before accepting a sample. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Mortadella sandwich

      Restaurants and bars on the mezzanine and ground floor of the Mercado Municipal.

   4. Afternoon

      Catedral da Sé

      Visit the cathedral as part of a morning walk through the Centro, with the Pátio do Colégio, where the city was founded in 1554, five minutes away. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Terraço Itália

      Arrive just before sunset for a drink and watch the skyline lights come on.

3. Day 3: Pinacoteca de São Paulo and Museu da Língua Portuguesa

   Pinacoteca de São Paulo, Museu da Língua Portuguesa and Beco do Batman, then Vila Madalena in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Pinacoteca de São Paulo

      Combine it with the Museu da Língua Portuguesa opposite, and use the Luz Metrô exit facing the garden. (2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Museu da Língua Portuguesa

      Many exhibits work best if you have some Portuguese or Spanish, but the station building and the projection room appeal to everyone. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Coxinha

      Padarias (bakeries) and lanchonetes on almost every corner.

   4. Afternoon

      Beco do Batman

      Go in the morning before it fills with photo groups, then walk the surrounding streets for more murals. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Vila Madalena

      Pavement bars, samba and live music around Rua Aspicuelta and Rua Mourato Coelho.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Santos

   About 1 hour 15 minutes by bus each way. Getting there: Frequent buses from Jabaquara bus terminal.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Santos

      About 1 hour 15 minutes by bus (Frequent buses from Jabaquara bus terminal); about 75 km.

   2. Day

      Santos

      Brazil's largest port has a long beach backed by the world's longest beachfront garden, a historic centre with the Bolsa do Café coffee-exchange museum and a vintage tram, and the Pelé Museum. Best for families, beach and culture.

   3. Evening

      Back in São Paulo

      Dinner: try Pão de queijo.

5. Day 5: Liberdade and Farol Santander

   Liberdade, Farol Santander and Edifício Copan, then Pinheiros in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Liberdade

      Visit at a weekend lunchtime for the fair, then queue for ramen or pastries in the side streets. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Farol Santander

      Go on a clear afternoon and look north-west for the Copan's curving façade and the Edifício Itália. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pão de queijo

      Every padaria and café in the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Edifício Copan

      See its curves best from Avenida Ipiranga or from above at the Edifício Itália, then have a drink in the ground-floor arcade. (30 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Pinheiros

      Cocktail bars, craft beer and dance venues around Largo da Batata and Rua dos Pinheiros.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Avenida Paulista and Bela Vista keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Jardins ($$$$) suits luxury, shopping, couples and food lovers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 21–26 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.7 hours in June to 13.6 hours in December.

More or fewer days

• One day in São Paulo
• 2 days in São Paulo
• 3 days in São Paulo

Questions travellers ask