Best things to do in São Paulo, the largest city in the Western Hemisphere

São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and is known as the epicenter of the country’s economy. Although many travelers skip this skyscraper–packed megacity while visiting Brazil, there are actually plenty of exciting things to do in São Paulo. 

With its countless museums and cultural centers, fantastic restaurants, architectural highlights, viewpoints and lush parks, this bustling city has a lot to offer. And the lack of tourists only makes it better!

I have visited São Paulo multiple times as I have some family there. Therefore I’ve been lucky enough to explore the city like a local and visit both the popular spots and some lesser-known gems. 

Planning a trip to such a massive city where everything is spread out can feel overwhelming. To help you with this process, I created this blog post where I’m sharing my favorite spots and recommendations on what to do in São Paulo. At the end of the post, you’ll also find my tips on where to stay and a map that gives you an overview of where the main points of interest are located.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.

A bit of background info about São Paulo

São Paulo boasts a colossal population of 23 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, making it the largest city in both the Western Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere.

The city is mainly known as the financial hub of Brazil but it’s also a real melting pot of cultures and ethnicities. Not only is it home to the biggest Japanese population outside of Japan but it also has a large number of inhabitants of European, Arab, African and Jewish descent. 

This cultural diversity is what makes São Paulo such an interesting place to visit as it manifests itself in the city’s gastronomy, architecture, art and fashion. Thanks to its ethnically diverse culinary scene and world-class restaurants, São Paulo is also a paradise for foodies.

How many days to spend in São Paulo?

The highlights of São Paulo can be visited within a few days, but if you really want to get a feel for the place and not just skim the surface, I recommend staying for four to five days. Take a look at my Brazil travel itinerary post to get some ideas on how to plan your trip.

Best things to do in São Paulo

1) Stroll along Paulista Avenue

Paulista Avenue (or Avenida Paulista) is the most famous street in São Paulo and the beating heart of the city. Lined with shops, restaurants, cultural centers and museums, this skyscraper-lined avenue has plenty to offer to keep you busy. 

It’s also a popular gathering spot for street musicians, dancers and other performers. If you’re visiting São Paulo in the summer (December to February), you’ll see many baterias (percussion bands) practicing for the annual carnival.

The best time to visit Paulista Avenue is on Sundays between 7am and 4pm. That’s when the avenue is closed to cars and filled with pedestrians who gather here to do sports, go for a relaxing walk with their families, visit street markets and listen to live music.

2) Relax at Ibirapuera Park

There’s no doubt that one of the top things to do in São Paulo is to explore Ibirapuera Park. Often compared to New York’s Central Park or London’s Hyde Park, the 158-hectare (390-acre) park is a soothing oasis in the hectic concrete jungle of São Paulo. It’s my favorite spot in the city and a really nice place to visit if you like nature.

The park’s winding paths lead you through its vast green spaces, lush vegetation and bamboo alleys. It’s a great place for a stroll, a bike ride, a picnic, or an outdoor workout. There are also two lakes where you can see beautiful black swans and some pretty big fish.

In addition to all the lovely nature, Ibirapuera Park has playgrounds, cafes and a handful of museums, such as the Afro Brasil Museum, Museum of Modern Art and the Planetarium. You’ll also find some futuristic architecture in the park, such as the Oca building and Auditório Ibirapuera – both designed by the famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.

The park is open every day from 5am until midnight.

3) Visit the Municipal Market of São Paulo

Another one of the must-do activities in São Paulo is to visit its Municipal Market, locally known as Mercado Municipal or Mercadão. This historic market hall is packed with hundreds of stalls selling everything from seafood and vegetables to cheeses and spices, and an amazing selection of exotic fruits from the Amazon region and the rest of Brazil.

In my opinion, the main reason to visit this market is to sample all the unusual fruits, many of which you’ve probably never seen or even heard of. I recommend tasting cupuaçu, graviola (soursop), tamarind and acerola. The vendors are usually happy to give you free samples but if you want to buy some fruit, be aware that the prices here are very high. 

On the top floor, there’s also a food court where you can taste some traditional Brazilian foods, such as pastel (fried pastry), bolinho de bacalhau (cod croquettes) and the mortadella sandwich, which the market is famous for.

Tip: Since the Municipal Market is located in the historic city center of São Paulo, which is not a particularly safe area, I recommend taking an Uber straight to the market and not wandering around on the streets. Inside the market, it’s totally safe.

4) Visit the city’s rooftop viewpoints

To truly grasp the immense size of São Paulo, it’s helpful to see the city from above. There are several rooftop viewpoints around São Paulo that offer panoramic views of the city’s skyline and its seemingly endless expanse of high-rise buildings.

5) Admire street art at Batman Alley

In the Vila Madalena neighborhood, there’s a winding pedestrian street called Beco do Batman or Batman’s Alley. If you’re into street art, you’re gonna love this place as the walls along the entire length of this alley are covered with impressive colorful murals. 

The history of the street dates back to the 1980s when the first drawing was made on the walls – it was a drawing of Batman. Soon after, more images were painted on the walls by local art students that eventually turned the street into an open-air gallery of urban art. 

Once you’ve got your dose of street art, take a stroll on the hilly streets of Vila Madalena. The neighborhood has a very different vibe from the rest of São Paulo. It’s bohemian and artsy and has yoga studios, artisanal shops, art galleries, hip bars and restaurants.

6) Get to know the Liberdade district

For a taste of Asia, head to Liberdade aka the Japantown of São Paulo. This lively neighborhood is home to the largest Japanese community outside of Japan. As soon as you pass through the traditional Torii gate and see the red lanterns lining the streets, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Japan. 

The neighborhood is quite small but full of traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese shops and authentic Asian restaurants. If you’re looking to eat some great sushi, ramen or gyoza, this is the place to do it. On weekends, there’s a street fair with lots of stands selling oriental street food, handicrafts and souvenirs.

If you’re curious to learn about the history of this multicultural neighborhood, sign up for this Liberdade street food tour where you’ll taste mouth-watering Japanese, Brazilian and Korean snacks.

7) Explore art museums

Another one of the best things to do in São Paulo is to visit the city’s art museums. São Paulo is a paradise for art lovers as it is home to countless artistic displays and dozens of museums with renowned collections.

8) Visit the city’s cultural centers

Besides all the art museums, São Paulo also has numerous cultural centers and history museums. Many of them are free to visit and worth a quick stop.

9) Enjoy the culinary scene of São Paulo

São Paulo’s dining scene is undoubtedly one of the best in Latin America. There’s no shortage of amazing places to eat in the city, including 15 Michelin-starred restaurants. As it’s a very multicultural city, it offers a wide variety of cuisines, the most popular ones being Italian, Japanese, Lebanese, Korean and, of course, Brazilian cuisine.

The thing I love most about eating out in São Paulo is getting to try all the exciting and exotic local ingredients used in Brazilian cooking – from manioc and heart of palm to acai, guava, jabuticaba and many others. If you’ve never been to Brazil, you’ll likely find many ingredients that you’ve never even heard of! 

Where to stay

If you’re wondering where to stay in São Paulo, here are my top picks for budget, mid-range and luxury accommodations.

BUDGET: Selina Madalena
Selina is a great hospitality brand with locations all over Latin America. In São Paulo, you’ll find them in the hip Vila Madalena district, just steps away from the famous Batman Alley. From shared dorms to deluxe private rooms featuring Selina’s signature boho decor, there’s a variety of rooms to choose from. It’s one of the best places to stay if you want to meet other travelers.

MID-RANGE: Meliá Paulista
The 5-star Meliá Paulista Hotel is perfectly located on Paulista Avenue, the most iconic street of São Paulo. With its bright and spacious rooms, a large indoor pool, a wellness and fitness center, this hotel offers great value for money.

LUXURY: Hotel Unique
Located in the chic Jardins district, Hotel Unique is one of the highest-rated hotels in São Paulo and the perfect option for those looking for some luxury. This 5-star hotel is best known for its unusual architecture – it’s shaped like a giant boat. It also has an amazing rooftop terrace with a swimming pool, a restaurant and views of São Paulo’s skyline.

A map of the best things to do in São Paulo

On the map below, you can find the locations of the best places to visit in São Paulo and all the points of interest that I mentioned in this post. Click on the icon in the top left corner of the map for more details.

What is the best time to visit the city?

Although the weather is quite pleasant all year round, the best time to visit São Paulo is spring (September to November) when the temperatures are between 16-27°C (60-80°F) and there’s not much rain. 

If you’d like to experience the annual Brazilian Carnival – the biggest celebration of the year – visit Brazil in February or March. The 2025 Carnival will take place from February 28 to March 5.

These were my top things to do in São Paulo if you only have a few days. I hope this article gave you some inspiration for planning your trip to this cosmopolitan city!

In case you have already been there – do you have any other tips on what to do in São Paulo? I’d love to check them out next time I’m there.

You might also be interested in my other blog posts about Brazil:

• How to visit the Brazilian Amazon rainforest
• 10-day Brazil itinerary – 3 different options
• Visiting Alter do Chão, a hidden gem in the Amazon
• Top things to do in Rio de Janeiro
• How to visit Iguazu Falls, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World
• Hiking in Chapada Diamantina

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