São Paulo is massive, chaotic and creative. I love it. Like New York City, São Paulo is not a city you fully “see” in one trip, but you can definitely get a feel for it. For me, the focus was FOOD, FASHION and ART. Bring some extra room in your suitcase for shopping.
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Quick Tips for Visiting São Paulo
- How long: I’d recommend at least 3 days, although you could easily spend a week exploring the city.
- Where I stayed: Pinheiros, which I loved for its cafés, restaurants, art galleries and nightlife.
- Getting around: Uber was incredibly useful, especially at night.
- Best for: Food, art, museums, shopping, nightlife and culture.
- My favorite areas: Pinheiros, Vila Madalena, Liberdade and República.
1. Eat & Drink Your Way Through São Paulo
I guess this is obvious, but São Paulo has the best restaurant and nightlife scene in Brazil.
The food scene here is huge, and they have everything: Brazilian, Japanese, Italian, Lebanese, Korean, and everything in between. Some of my favorites were Fel (best cocktails), Bar dos Arcos (you’ll need a reservation!!) and Consulado da Bahia (Pinheiros) for Bahian food.
For more nightlife, check out my list of 6 Speakeasies in São Paulo That Feel Like a Real Secret.
2. Explore Liberdade Street Market
São Paulo is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan. I think Paulistas (people from São Paulo) are very proud of this, because basically everyone I met told me about it.
Liberdade is the place to experience this side of São Paulo. There are Asian markets, bakeries, restaurants, shops, and more snacks than you probably need. I bought hella snacks and a couple of anime T-shirts that I’ve already gotten so many compliments on.
3. Stroll Along Paulista Avenue
Paulista Avenue is the heart of São Paulo: skyscrapers, museums, shops, street performers, lots of offices, and people going to work alongside tourists.
On Sundays, the avenue closes to cars and turns into a giant pedestrian zone with live music, families, vendors, and people just vibing. It’s the best time to go if you want to feel the energy of São Paulo.
For a great view, head to the free rooftop at SESC Avenida Paulista (more on that and other viewpoints in #7 below).
4. Relax at Ibirapuera Park
The best park in São Paulo. Think Central Park energy. There are walking paths, lakes, museums, swans, and plenty of space to just exist.
Inside the park is the Museu Afro Brasil, which is one of my favorite museums ever. Brazil has the largest population of people of African descent outside Africa, and this museum really helps you understand how deeply that history shapes the country. Go.
5. Visit São Paulo’s Museums
São Paulo has amazing museums. Between MASP, Pinacoteca, MAC USP and Museu Afro Brasil, you could spend days jumping between exhibits. Many museums are free on certain days, and some have architecture that makes the building itself worth the visit. I’d prioritize MASP and Museu Afro Brasil.
6. Explore Street Art at Beco do Batman
I stayed in Pinheiros, right near Beco do Batman, and between the great cafés, thrift stores and art galleries, I found myself in this area every day. The entire alley is covered in murals, and the artwork changes constantly. Yes, a lot of it involves Batman. That’s the best part.
If you want to combine the street art with a night out, there’s a bar and street art crawl with a local guide in this area.
7. See the City from Above
São Paulo is HUGE, the biggest city in the Americas, and when you get up high, you really get it. There are several great viewpoints:
- SESC Avenida Paulista: A cultural center on Paulista Avenue with a free rooftop observation deck (you have to reserve a time slot in advance). The building is closed on Mondays.
- Terraço Itália: A fancy rooftop bar and restaurant on the 41st floor of Edifício Itália, one of the tallest and most iconic skyscrapers in São Paulo. Shorts, tank tops and flip-flops aren’t allowed.
- Farol Santander: An observation deck on the 26th floor of the Art Deco Banespa building downtown.
- Vista Restaurant: On the top floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC USP), with a big terrace and 360-degree views over Ibirapuera Park and the city.
- Skye Bar: A chic restaurant and rooftop bar with a pool, on top of Hotel Unique.
- Sampa Sky: An observation deck with a glass floor and glass walls on the 42nd floor of the Mirante do Vale building downtown.
8. Shop Brazilian Fashion
I mentioned FOOD, FASHION and ART at the beginning, so I can’t leave out the fashion. São Paulo is one of the best places in Brazil to shop for Brazilian designers, independent brands, vintage pieces, and things galore.
I came home with more than I meant to, which is why I said to bring extra room in your suitcase. Google Maps was my friend: I just searched for “boutique” or “brechós” (secondhand shops) and found so much.
For specific brands to look for, see my guide to What to Buy in Brazil: Brazilian Brands Worth Shopping For.
9. Visit the Municipal Market
If you love food or chaotic markets, you have to visit Mercadão, São Paulo’s famous Municipal Market.
The fruit alone is a whole experience. Things you’ve never seen and never heard of. Try whatever the vendors offer you: cupuaçu, graviola, atemoya, tamarind, acerola. Prices can be a little high, but it’s fun.
Upstairs, you can grab classic Brazilian snacks like pastel or try the famous mortadella sandwich. Take an Uber there and back. The area right around the market is not for wandering.
10. Get Your Hair Done
I’ve had some lousy luck trying to get my nails and hair done in Brazil. But this place I actually recommend: Silvia’s Hair Therapy. It’s Black-owned. I met the owner because she was there, and all the staff were Black and very nice, which is seriously not always the case. I just found them on Google Maps, and it cost me $30 USD to get my natural hair braided. That’s actually cheaper than the straight-back cornrows I got in South Africa a few weeks later.
11. Combine São Paulo With South Africa
Okay, this one is a little random. But I bought a one-way ticket from São Paulo to South Africa for under $400 USD, so if you have the time, combining Brazil and South Africa into one trip could be pretty epic.
If you’re already planning a big international trip, check flight prices.
Where I Stayed in São Paulo
I stayed in Pinheiros and loved the location. There are cafés, restaurants, galleries, thrift stores, and plenty of places to wander, and Beco do Batman is nearby.
If you like food, art, and a neighborhood that feels lively without being right in the middle of the skyscrapers, I’d definitely stay here.
Is São Paulo Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. São Paulo isn’t a city I’d try to “check off” in two days. It’s the kind of place where you pick a neighborhood, eat something great, wander into a gallery, buy something you definitely didn’t need, and let the day happen.
For me, the food, art, fashion, and São Paulo’s mix of cultures were the highlights.
FAQ: Visiting São Paulo
How many days do you need in São Paulo?
I’d recommend at least 3 days, although you could easily spend a week exploring São Paulo.
What is São Paulo best known for?
Food, first and foremost. It’s also known for nightlife, museums, art, shopping, and having people from all over the world.
Is São Paulo safe for tourists?
Like any enormous city, you need to pay attention to your surroundings. I relied heavily on Uber and didn’t wander around unfamiliar areas at night.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in São Paulo?
I stayed in Pinheiros and loved it for the restaurants, cafés, galleries and nightlife, and it’s right next to Vila Madalena.
Planning more of Brazil? See my 5-day Rio de Janeiro itinerary and my guide to visiting Recife.