When you think of Brazil, you probably picture boundless natural beauty — the beaches of Fortaleza, the treetops of the Amazon, or the mountains in Rio de Janeiro — not sprawling streets, skyscrapers, and street art. But the beauty of São Paulo lies in the concrete buildings and radio towers that soar above its streets.
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. As the largest city in the region, São Paulo serves as a business hub for Latin America. I visited São Paulo on a business trip, but was lucky enough to make time to experience the city’s vibrant culture and taste its delicious cuisine.
São Paulo is home to some of Brazil’s best restaurants and shopping (although someone from Rio may beg to differ). The city is design-focused with great art in museums and on the streets, coupled with amazing architecture.
A trip to São Paulo will show you how real Brazilians work and play. The best time to visit São Paulo is on the weekend when the city comes to life after the business people loosen their ties and move their hips at samba.
This weekend itinerary will show you the best of São Paulo in just a few days.
Friday: A taste of São Paulo
On your first day, you’ll settle into São Paulo with a neighborhood stroll and traditional Brazilian dinner. We’ll keep it low-key on the first day to prepare you for the jam-packed weekend ahead.
Explore Jardins
After you settle into your hotel, explore the tree-lined neighborhood of Jardins. The word “Jardins” means gardens in Portuguese. This lush neighborhood is filled with high-end shops, interesting architecture, and great restaurants.
The Jardins neighborhood covers a lot of ground with three different areas: Jardim Paulista, Jardim Europa, and Jardim Paulistano. Walk around and see where the afternoon takes you.
Dinner at Dalva E Dito
For dinner, you’re going to the modern Brazilian spot Dalva E Dito in Jardins. This restaurant takes classic Brazilian dishes from all over the country and elevates them.
Ordering the pudim is a non-negotiable here. Pudim is a Brazilian dessert that is very similar to Caribbean flan but even better.
Saturday: Street art and samba
On Saturday, you’ll immerse yourself in art that you won’t find in a museum by visiting the colorful streets of Beco do Batman and dancing at a samba bar.
Breakfast at Futuro Refeitório
Start your day at Futuro Refeitório, a brunch spot in a warehouse space with cozy seating and delicious plates. When you arrive, they’ll give you a floppy disk to record your order on, and then you order from your phone.
Despite São Paulo being home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan, good matcha can be hard to find. So, the matcha with coconut water at Futuro Refeitório is a must-order because it’s amazing — the perfect balance between herbal and refreshing.
Shopping in Pinheiros
From brunch, walk through Pinheiros, a neighborhood with an unmistakably cool vibe. Pinheiros has an eclectic mix of shops from high-end fashion to homey book stores.
For window shopping, Rua Mateus Grou is the coolest street to walk down. The well-curated and designed shops make you feel like you’re walking down an exclusive yet tropical Champs-Élysées.
Explore Beco do Batman
The graffiti-covered streets of Beco do Batman are São Paulo’s most popular tourist attraction. The “beco,” or alley, gets its name from a Batman mural that first appeared there in the 80s, but you won’t find Batman there anymore. Beco do Batman is an alleyway, but this area of the Vila Magdalena neighborhood is covered in art, cute cafes, and vintage shops.
Shop at Farm Rio next to Beco do Batman
Next to the alleyway entrance of Beco do Batman is Farm Rio, a Brazilian designer store popular for its colorful resortwear. Farm Rio gets its own section in the itinerary because shopping at Farm Rio in São Paulo is a much better experience than in the United States. The prices are almost half of what you would pay online. The Harmonia location even has a sale section on the second floor and a kids section on the third, making it the best one in São Paulo.
The showroom will only display the most recent collection, but if you tell the stylist what you’re looking for in the fitting room, they’ll bring you more pieces in your size from the back.
Lunch at Capim Santo in Museu Da Casa Brasileira
Brazilian food has a reputation for being heavy, but Capim Santo reinvents Brazilian classic in a light and delicious way. The word capim santo means lemongrass in Portuguese.
There are multiple Capim Santo restaurants in São Paulo, but the location in the Museu Da Casa Brasileira is beautiful. It’s indoor/outdoor with a big tree in the middle. Make sure to stop at the gift shop on your way out.
That Planner Friend Tip: Most places in Brazil close in the late afternoon between lunch and dinner. Although Capim Santo says they’re open until 6, they stop serving lunch at 3 p.m.
Drinks at Boteco Boa Praça
Before going out for the night, grab a drink (or a snack if you’re still hungry) at Boteco Boa Praça off Rua José Gonçalves de Oliveira. Boteco Boa Praça is a chain from Rio, but it will give you a glimpse into what a real botequim or Brazilian pub is like.
Order a chope, a Brazilian draft beer, and enjoy the live music. The area around here is lively, making it a good place to walk around and bar hop. This section of the street is closed off for pedestrians.
Samba at Ó do Borogodó
Dance the night away at a samba bar while you enjoy the live music and caipirinhas. Ó do Borogodó is a small, traditional samba bar where the band plays all night. Unlike salsa, samba is a communal dance where everyone dances together with the band. Bring cash for cover to enter and drinks at the bar.
Fair warning that samba gets hot and sweaty. If you’re a pretty girl, every man will want to kiss you, but you can politely decline.
Sunday: Avenida Paulista, architecture, and art
São Paulo comes alive on Sundays. If you’re planning a trip to São Paulo, make sure you spend a Sunday in the city. Book your flight home for later in the day to make the most of your Sunday.
Breakfast at Mug.sp
Mug.sp is a classic brunch spot with breakfast favorites like pancakes, avocado toast, and eggs Benedict. They also have breakfast combos that come on a board with eggs, yogurt, fruit, and a drink.
There are multiple locations across the city, but the best ones to start your day at near Avenida Paulista are Avenida Paulista, Jardins, and Casarão Pamplona.
Open streets on Avenida Paulista
Every Sunday, São Paulo’s busiest street is closed to cars and open for pedestrians and cyclists. But, unlike most open streets that just see runners and bikes, São Paulo fills up with dancers, food vendors, and musicians. Walk down Avenida Paulista to catch a vibe and the energy.
Visit the Copan Building
In the center of São Paulo is Edifício Copan, the city’s most famous building and landmark. The curved, S-shaped building looks like a wave. For years, the Copan has been covered by a blue film, so you can’t really see its architectural details, but the base of the building is bustling with shops and bars.
Lunch at Orfeu
For lunch with a view of the Copan Building, go to Orfeu and ask to sit on the terrace on the second floor. Orfeu serves great Brazilian tapas and large plates to share. Order food and a caipirinha and enjoy the view.
Pinacoteca de São Paulo
In Portuguese, Pinacoteca means art gallery. The Pinacoteca de São Paulo is the most Brazilian of art galleries. This museum features Brazilian art from the 19th century onwards.
Pinacoteca was one of the most well-curated museums I’ve ever been to, and the architecture of the building is a work of art in itself. You only need about an hour to explore the entire museum. Luckily for you, Pinacoteca is free to visit on Sundays.
The area around Pinacoteca isn’t the safest, so make sure you Uber there and don’t take out your phone or linger outside. The museum is across the street from a big train station.
Dinner at Spot
By your last day in Brazil, you’ve probably eaten a lot of Brazilian food. Spot is an elevated diner that reimagines classic comfort foods. It’s a great place for dinner that feels relaxed yet effortlessly cool.
More in São Paulo
MASP: Museum of Art of São Paulo
This museum is considered the best art museum in Latin America. Compared to the Pinacoteca, which houses Brazilian works of art, MASP features more European art. The building itself though, is a symbol of Brazilian architecture (even if it was designed by an Italian). MASP is located right on Avenida Paulista. There is free admission on Tuesdays.
Japanese culture and cuisine
São Paulo is home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan, so the Japanese cuisine is amazing. Go to a sushi spot or an izakaya. Because of Brazil’s proximity to the ocean, the fish is super fresh, so don’t be afraid of all-you-eat sushi spots; they’re legitimately good.
Here are some spots to try:
Shin-Zushi
Izakaya Issa
Yorimichi Izakaya
Restaurante Aoyama
São Paulo Pizza
As a New York local, it’s hard to recommend pizza in another city, but São Paulo pizza is its own thing. It tastes more like a flatbread dough with unique toppings like hearts of palm and eggs. Brazilians are very proud of their pizza, so give it a taste.
Here are some spots to try:
Braz Pizzaria
Leggera Pizza Napoletana
A Pizza da Mooca
Museu do Futebol
If you’re a big soccer fan, the Museu do Futebol is a small and fun museum to visit.
Where to stay in São Paulo
The best neighborhoods to stay in are Pinheiros and Jardins. They’re both walkable, safe, and beautiful with tree-lined streets. Jardins is a large neighborhood, so it’s best to book your stay in the central part of the neighborhood (above Avenida Nove de Julho).
I stayed in a quieter part of Jardins at The Canopy by Hilton. It’s within walking distance of Avenida Paulista and a lot of cute spots.
Getting around
São Paulo is huge, so walking can only take you so far. Uber is the best way to get around São Paulo, and it’s very affordable for foreigners.
I wouldn’t recommend walking between neighborhoods because big avenues often divide one neighborhood from the next. Within neighborhoods like Jardins or Pinheiros, it’s totally safe and easy to walk around.
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