Things to See and Do in Sao Paulo, Brazil

As the largest city in South America, and the third largest city in the world, no matter what time of year you visit you are sure to find plenty to keep you busy. The city offers a vast variety of attractions and activities which make it one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Whether you’re staying for two weeks or two months, here we list some ‘not-to-miss’ attractions during your stay.

By day

Sala Sao Paulo: Ranked number one on Trip Advisors list of attractions in Sao Paulo, the Sala Sao Paulo is housed in the cities Julio Prestes Cultural Centre, in the old north central area of the city. The architecture of the building is astonishing, it has a capacity of 1498 seats and is the home of the Sao Paulo State Symphonic Orchestra. For those who appreciate classical music, be sure to visit the Sala Sao Paulo to watch a concert, however the spectacular building is also worth a view for those interested in architecture, history and culture.

Montreal by day

Sao Paulo Zoo: Keep the kids entertained with a trip to Sao Paulo’s fantastic zoo. The largest in Brazil, the zoo is located in an area of 8875.2 square feet of Atlantic Forest and displays more than 3,200 animals in enclosures designed to replicate their natural habitats. If you want to escape the city for a day of nature with the chance to see some rare species, then the Sao Paulo Zoo should be at the top of your list.

Shopping: When visiting Sao Paulo, shopping is a must! From high-end shopping malls to fantastic markets there is sure to be something to keep you entertained for hours on end. The Mercado Municipal is worth a visit for any tourist looking to experience a traditional Brazilian market, or for those looking to grab a bargain. Specialising mainly in food, you will find some unusual exotic fruits, vegetables, meats and fish and a selection of prepared food such as the infamous mortadella sandwich…Make sure you’re hungry for this visit!

By Night

Entertainment: Sao Paulo is famous for its nightlife, from bars and clubs to shows, cabarets and sporting events. Visit the ‘D-Edge,’ the place to go for electric music lovers. At D-Edge you will be able to party all night long in the club that looks like something out of A Space Odyssey. Alternatively, if you fancy a quieter night, you will find some fancy cocktail bars and a number of clubs boasting live music from jazz to traditional Brazilian music. For those of you who want to try your hand at winning some of your money back, some of the biggest poker events such as the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP) take place annually in Sao Paulo. The BSOP is the biggest poker tournament in Latin America and this year it is being held at the Holiday Inn Parque Anhembi.

Montreal by night

Eating: In the city of Sao Paulo, you will find some fantastic restaurants.  The Terraco Italia is one of the best restaurants in Sao Paulo and boasts an impressive 360-degree view of the city. Located on the rooftop of the Avenida Ipiranga building, you can enjoy drinks at the piano bar whilst overlooking the entire city, or eat at the main saloon which encompasses a breath-taking atmosphere.  Alternatively there are plenty of other great restaurants listed on the top 10 restaurants in Sao Paulo.

Montreal photos: Nino H, Michael Filion