São Paulo is massive, chaotic, creative. I love it. Similar to 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.
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 Republica.
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 vast, they have everything here. Brazilian, Japanese, Italian, Lebanese, Korean, and everything in between. Some of my favorites were Fel (best cocktails), Bar Dos Arcos (will require a reservation!!) and Consulado da Bahia – Pinheiros for Bahia food.
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 fact 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, people going to work and tourists alike.
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 experience the energy of São Paulo.
For a great view, go the rooftop – SESC Avenida Paulista. It’s free, but you need to reserve a time slot. Totally worth it.
4. Relax at Ibirapuera Park
The best park in Sao 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. It’s worth your time.
5. Visit São Paulo’s Museums
São Paulo is 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 incredible architecture that makes the building itself worth visiting. 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 daily. The entire alley is covered in murals, and the artwork changes constantly. Yes, a lot of it involves Batman, that’s the best part.
7. See the City from Above
São Paulo is HUGE, the biggest city in the Americas and when you get high up, you can fully understand that. There are several great viewpoints.
- SESC Avenida Paulista – A cultural center on Paulista Avenue with a free rooftop observation deck (but you have to reserve your time slot in advance). The building is closed on Mondays.
- Terraço Italia – An elegant rooftop bar and restaurant situated on the 41st floor at Edificio Italia, one of the tallest and most iconic skyscrapers in São Paulo. Note that shorts, tank tops and flip-flops are not permitted.
- Farol Santander – Observation deck on the 26th floor of an iconic Art Deco skyscraper known as the Banespa building in downtown São Paulo.
- Vista Restaurant – Situated on the top floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art of University of São Paulo (MAC USP), this restaurant has a large terrace offering a 360-degree panorama of Ibirapuera Park and the city.
- Skye Bar – A chic restaurant and rooftop bar with a pool, located on top of Hotel Unique, one of the best 5-star hotels in the city.
- Sampa Sky – An observation deck with glass floor and glass walls on the 42nd floor of the Mirante do Vale building in downtown São Paulo.
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 intended to, which is why I suggested bringing extra room in your suitcase. Google Maps was my friend, I just searched for “boutique” OR “brechós” – brechos means second hand. and found so much.
9. Visit the Municipal Market
If you love food or love chaotic markets you have to visit Mercadão, São Paulo’s famous Municipal Market.
The fruit alone is a whole experience. Things you have never seen, never heard of. Try whatever the vendors offer you: cupuaçu, graviola, atemoya, tamarind, acerola. Prices can be a little high, but the experience is fun.
Upstairs, you can grab classic Brazilian snacks like pastel or try the famous mortadella sandwich. Take an Uber there and back. The area immediately around the market is not for wandering.
10. Get Your Hair Done
I’ve had some lousy luck trying to get my nails/hair done in Brasil. 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 was Black and very nice – which is seriously not always the case. I just found them via Google Maps, and it cost me $30 USD to get my natural hair braided – which is actually less expensive than when I got straight back corn rows 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, it’s worth checking 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 consider staying here.
Is São Paulo Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. São Paulo isn’t necessarily a city I’d recommend trying 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, food, art, fashion, and São Paulo’s incredible 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?
São Paulo is best known for its incredible food scene, nightlife, museums, art, shopping, architecture, and cultural diversity.
Is São Paulo safe for tourists?
Like any enormous city, you need to pay attention to your surroundings. I relied heavily on Uber and avoided wandering 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, nightlife, and proximity to Vila Madalena.