Sao Paulo

Stroll Avenida Paulista, São Paulo's bustling financial and cultural spine, where you will find skyscrapers, museums and lively cafes along a wide boulevard that becomes a pedestrian promenade on Sundays. Visit the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP), housed in Lina Bo Bardi's striking glass-and-concrete building, to admire one of Latin America's finest collections of Western and Brazilian art, then grab a coffee nearby and soak up the city buzz.

Unwind in Parque do Ibirapuera, São Paulo’s leafy urban lung with lakes, wide walking and cycling paths, and open lawns. You can visit museums such as the Museum of Modern Art and Museu Afro Brasil, admire Oscar Niemeyer’s modernist pavilions, and spread out a picnic to relax like a local.

Wander the colorful lanes of Vila Madalena and Beco do Batman, São Paulo's open-air street-art gallery, where vibrant murals and ever-changing graffiti make it a photographer's playground. Pop into independent cafés and design-focused boutiques to sample local creativity, and bring your camera and a sense of curiosity as you explore.

Wander Mercado Municipal de São Paulo to browse colorful stalls piled with tropical fruit, fresh seafood, cheeses, and spices. Try the famous mortadella sandwich, taste regional specialties, and soak up the lively culinary atmosphere.

Visit Liberdade, home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan, where you can taste East-meets-Latin cuisine, browse specialty shops and bakeries, and enjoy the lively weekend street market. Wander lantern-lined streets to soak up the Japanese-Brazilian culture and pick up snacks and souvenirs as you explore.

Visit Museu Paulista (commonly Museu do Ipiranga), a grand neo‑Renaissance museum in Parque da Independência run by the University of São Paulo. You will see exhibits on Brazil’s independence and 19th‑century national life, and the surrounding park is perfect for a family stroll, so add it to your São Paulo itinerary.