Brazil · City Guide
São Paulo
São Paulo is Brazil's largest city and the economic powerhouse of South America, a vast and dynamic metropolis of extraordinary culinary diversity, world class contemporary art at MASP and the Pinacoteca, an outstanding nightlife and bar scene, the iconic Avenida Paulista and one of the most cosmopolitan and internationally minded urban cultures in Latin America. From the Mercado Municipal and the Japanese district of Liberdade to the galleries of Vila Madalena, São Paulo rewards extended exploration.
Explore São Paulo →Elect's take
"São Paulo is the most genuinely cosmopolitan city I have visited in South America. The combination of an extraordinary restaurant scene reflecting the city's huge immigrant communities, world class contemporary art and a relentless urban energy creates something that I find consistently stimulating."
MASP, the São Paulo Museum of Art, is one of Latin America's most important art museums housed in an iconic suspended concrete and glass building on Avenida Paulista with an outstanding European and Brazilian collection. The Pinacoteca do Estado houses Brazil's finest collection of Brazilian art in a beautifully restored historic building. The food scene in São Paulo is staggeringly diverse, reflecting the largest Japanese, Italian, Lebanese and Portuguese diaspora communities outside their home countries, creating a culinary landscape unmatched anywhere in South America. The Mercado Municipal is a beautiful covered market famous for its mortadella sandwiches. Vila Madalena is the city's most creative neighbourhood with outstanding street art, galleries and bars.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
MASP
One of Latin America's most important art museums in an iconic suspended building on Avenida Paulista.
Pinacoteca do Estado
Brazil's finest collection of Brazilian art in a beautifully restored historic building.
São Paulo Food Scene
The most diverse culinary landscape in South America reflecting huge immigrant communities.
Mercado Municipal
A beautiful covered market famous for its enormous mortadella sandwiches.
Vila Madalena
São Paulo's most creative neighbourhood of street art, galleries and bars.
Liberdade
The largest Japanese community outside Japan with outstanding restaurants and culture.