Sao Paulo Travel Guide
Introduction to Sao Paolo
With almost 20 million people in its metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is easily one of the most intense cities in all of Latin America.
Though some decry it for its wall to wall skyscrapers and modernist vibe, its economic vibrance has attracted people from all over the world over the generations, making it easily one of the most diverse cities in Latin America.
From Japanese to Arabic, Koreans to those of African descent, many people thoroughly enjoy their time here simply by wandering its streets and taking in the various neighborhoods that have grown up here over the years.
Cultural Attractions in Sao Paolo
Sao Paulo is one of South America’s foremost cities when it comes to art, and there is no museum that shows off this attribute better than Pinacoteca do Estado de Sao Paulo.
One of the oldest and most important art museums in all of Brazil, it is dedicated to the best sculpture and paintings created by Brazilian artists, the oldest of which date back to the 19th century.
In addition to this, it also contains a rotating selection of fine European art that arrives in its exhibition halls by way of the highest profile worldwide tours out there.
The previously mentioned institution is just an appetizer, as moving along Paulista Avenue will bring you to the doorstep of the Sao Paulo Museum of Art.
Situated within a modernist structure, it is home to the finest European art collection in Latin America, and arguably, the entire southern hemisphere.
Aficionados of visual art will not want to miss masterpieces by Picasso, Rembrandt, and Peter Paul Rubens. It is also home to respectable collections of Brazilian, African, and Asian art, so don’t be in a rush to get through this place.
It is certainly worthy of a prolonged linger even if you are with a less than enthusiastic travel partner, as summer days in Sao Paulo can be oppressively humid, making its air-conditioned hallways a welcome refuge.
Home to over 11 million people composing a colorful mosaic of ethnic backgrounds, it shouldn’t be too big of a surprise that Sao Paulo has so many festivals.
There are over 90,000 events that go off in this Brazilian megapolis every year, but some are better known than others.
Sao Paulo plays host to the largest gay pride parade in the world every year, with over 3 million people lining the route each May or June.
Those that want to track the latest fashions coming out of Latin America will also not want to miss Sao Paulo Fashion Week.
The most prestigious event in the region, it ranks as the fifth largest event of its kind in the world, but it is significant due to the fact that it brings all the creative fashion minds in Latin America together in one space.
Other Attractions in Sao Paolo
Sao Paulo has a reputation for being a bit of a concrete jungle, and while that is somewhat of a deserved moniker, it has spurred the creation of Ibirapuera Park, which is considered to be one of the finest urban green spaces in Latin America.
Compared to Central Park in New York City due to its status as an island of nature in a sea of skyscrapers, this oasis of calm in the middle of urban chaos offers more to its users than simply the opportunity to commune with nature.
Within its bounds, a variety of museums, concert spaces, and monuments can be found, making it a great place to go if you wish to observe the citizenry of Sao Paulo going about their business on their time off from work.
Though there are other nations in the world that would certainly dispute their claim, no one can deny that Brazil is a country that is madly in love with the sport of soccer.
Nowhere is this more apparent than within the walls of the Football Museum. Located beneath the stands of Pacaembu Stadium, the exhibits here aim to chronicle the history of Brazilian football from its humble beginnings to the dominant station that they occupy on the world stage in the present day.
The displays are primarily in Portuguese, but with the proliferation of translation apps on smartphones, this fact shouldn’t pose too much of a problem for most travelers.
Better yet, you can practice your comprehension of written Portuguese by visiting this attraction; leave your phone in your pocket though: that’s cheating!
Finally, bear witness to the bounty that comes from the earth of Southern Brazil by paying a visit to the Sao Paulo Municipal Market.
In addition to the usual produce, meat, and seafood stalls that are the usual subjects for photographs in a place like this, the exterior of the market is also noteworthy, as it was constructed in the Eclectic style back in the 1930’s. Additionally, the stained glass windows at the front feature designs that pay tribute to the farmers who have helped to make this institution possible.