Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, with a city population of about 11 million and almost 20 million in its metropolitan region. It is the capital of the Southeastern state of Sao Paulo, and also a beehive of activity that offers a jovial nightlife and an intense cultural experience. São Paulo is one of the richest cities in the southern hemisphere, though inequality between the classes typically observed in Brazil is blatant. Historically attractive to immigrants as well as (somewhat later) Brazilians from other states, it's one of the most diverse cities in the world.
Sao Paulo, or Sampa as it is also often called, is also probably one of the most underrated cities tourism-wise, often shaded by other places in the Brazilian sun & beach circuit such as Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. It is in fact a great city to explore, with its own idiosyncrasies, the exquisite way of living of its inhabitants, not to mention the world-class restaurants and diverse regional and international cuisine available to all tastes. If there is a major attraction to this city, it is the excellent quality of its restaurants and the variety of cultural activities on display.
A large sprawling city can present numerous challenges to sensibilities. São Paulo is no exception. Although the first impression might be that of a grey concrete jungle, soon it becomes apparent that the city has a great number of pockets of beauty. The population and environment of Sao Paulo is diverse, and districts within it range from extremely luxurious areas to hovels housing the poor and destitute, located usually in suburbia far from the so-called "expanded center".
Sao Paulo, together with Rio de Janeiro, is the spot where most visitors from abroad land in Brazil. While a complete experience of the city would take a few weeks (since the lifestyle of paulistanos and every-day routine in the city are huge attractions in themselves), it's possible to visit all major sites within three days.
Staying a little longer than that is always a nice idea. As the financial and cultural center of the country, the city is a sea of possibilities.
PLACE TO VISIT
Banespa building, also known as Banespão. It is 35 stories tall, and its free to go up and enjoy the breathtaking view.
Ladeira da Memória overlooking Largo de São Bento, sits the 17th century monastery, where mass is still held against a backdrop of Gregorian chants. The monks' bakery is a temptation. Give in, it’s no sin.
Edifício Copan designed by Oscar Niemeyer; and Edifício Itália dating from 1965, with its 44 floors, and on top, a bar, restaurant and view to take your breath away. Edificio Itália is on Ipiranga Avenue whose intersection with São João Street inspired the composer Caetano Veloso when he wrote the song “Sampa.”
Museu de Arte Sacra, with its wealth of religious images (Museu da Natividade is housed there) and where Carmelite Nuns prepare Frei Galvão pills, which many consider to be miraculous
Praça da Sé, between ruas 15 de Novembro and Direita. Sé metrô station. São Paulo's central square has fountains, sculputures, palm trees and lots and lots of people. The gothic Sé church is also there, along with other historically important buildings.
Pátio de Colégio, Pátio do Colégio, 84 (next to praça da Sé). First building of the then-village, the jesuit school is the city's craddle.
Viaduto do Chá (Tea Viaduct), it links Rua Barão de Itapetininga to Rua Direita. Metrô station Anhangabaú.
Vale do Anhangabaú. The valley itself is a giant boulevard with gardens, sculptures and view of the main downtown office buildings. Anhangabau station.
Largo São Francisco, Church and covenat of Saint Francis and the Law School of University of São Paulo.
Largo São Bento, the square hold São Bento's church and monastery. Station São Bento.
Solar da Marquesa, emperor Dom Peter I powerful comcubine, the Marchioness of Santos is one of the most popular monarchy figures in brazilian popular culture.
Edifcio Itália, Avenida Ipiranga x Avenida São Luís. It was for years the highest in the city, with its 160 meters.
Museum of the Portuguese Language,, on Luz station, entrance by the side of the plaza, in front of Pinacoteca; opened from tuesday to sunday, from 10am to 6pm. Tickets R$4.
MASP - Sao Paulo Museum of Art, Av. Paulista 1578, Bela Vista. Nearest Metrô station Trianon-MASP. Phone 11 251-5644. Hours Tue-Sun 11am-6pm. R$15/R$7 (student). Displays a collection of works ranging from the Renaissance to Contemporary Modern. Visitors walk through rows of paintings that are hung from the ceiling. There is a restaurant in the lower ground floor.
Centro Cultural São Paulo, Rua Vergueiro, 1000. Nearest Metrô station Vergueiro. Hours Mon 10am-7pm, Tue-Sun 10am-8pm. Free, although some activities may require a fee entrance.
Galeria Brasiliana, Rua Arthur de Azevedo, 520, tel. 11 3086-4273. Brazilian popular art. monday to friday, from 11am to 7pm; saturdays, until 5pm.
Consolação Cemitery, Rua da Consolação. Beautiful sculptures on the final place of big names from brazilian society, since the early 20th century.
Parque do Ibirapuera, entrance by avenues República do Líbano and Pedro Álvares Cabral. The most famous park in São Paulo is famous for its fountains. If you intend to visit it, it can be quite crowded during weekends.
The Museu Paulista - Jardins do Ipiranga is the most visited attraction in the city. More popularly known as the Museu do Ipiranga, it was built in 1890 as a monument to Brazilian independence from Portugal. Today, its collection bears witness to the history of both 19th and 20th century societies. The gardens, done in a French style, are an attraction in and of themselves. Back at Vila Mariana, visit the Museu Lasar Segall with works by this famous painter. On the 28th of every month, the nearby Igreja de São Judas is visited by thousands of worshipers.
Represa Billings, largest lake in the metropolitan area, has most of its surrounding protected by green laws.
Fundação Maria Luísa e Oscar Americano, Avenida Morumbi, 4077, tel. 11 3742-0077. A foundation where one can drink tea, see sculptures and keep in touch with nature. It was the site of Athina Onassis wedding.
Jockey Clube of São Paulo, Avenida Lineu de Paula Machado, 1263, Morumbi. Its main building features a typical italian fascist architecture. Holds bar and restaurant.
Palácio dos Bandeirantes, Avenida Morumbi, 4.500, tel. 11 2193-8282. The seat of São Paulo state government and official residence, the palace is built on a cliff that overlooks Morumbi. Monitored visits to the palace and its garden.
The Serra da Cantareira e Parque Estaudal is one of the largest and most beautiful green spaces in the capital, which preserves tracts of first-growth coastal rainforest vegetation. Its lookout is the main attraction, with a panoramic view of the city, of Pico do Jaraguá and the Serra do Mar mountain range. Cantareira is also perfect for a romantic evening, with several bars and restaurants catering to couples in love. Alberto Loefgren State Park is another option on the north side. Better known as the Horto Florestal, it has an area for events, exercise, and picnics as well as a playground and jogging path.
Parque do Carmo, and its recently reopened Planetarium with a state-of-the-art projector and cutting edge technology, is one of the most important green space leisure areas on the east side. It has bike and jogging paths, a soccer field, playgrounds, barbeques and areas for picnics and aerobic exercise.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - São Paulo has three major airports: Guarulhos International (GRU) and Viracopos (CPQ) for international and some domestic arrivals, and Congonhas (CGH) for most medium and short haul domestic flights.
Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) - If flying into São Paulo from abroad, you'll mostly likely land at Guarulhos International Airport, also known as Cumbica. Located 40 km from the city centre, the airport has two terminals that are served by Brazilian airlines Varig, TAM, Gol and by international United, Delta, American, Continental, Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, TAP, Iberia, Alitalia, KLM, JAL, South African and many others.
Congonhas Airport (CGH) - The Congonhas Airport is located in a very central region, 15km (9 miles) from downtown. This airport handles most of the domestic flights and the popular São Paulo - Rio (Santos Dumont) short-flight (nicknamed Ponte Aérea or Air Bridge). As it was built in the 30s, its simple but glamurous architecture is worth seeing.
Viracopos International (CPQ or VCP) - Located near the city of Campinas, around 99 kilometers from downtown São Paulo, Viracopos International is the second biggest airport in Brazil but is mainly used for air cargo transport; however, domestic and international flights also arrive there and it can be used when weather conditions prevent landing in Cumbica.
By bus - There are three main bus terminals in São Paulo, all of them served by the Metrô network.
Terminal Rodoviário do Tietê, Tietê bus terminal is the second largest terminal in the world, hence an enormous building, but there is an information desk in the middle of the main lobby. Buses leave Sao Paulo for destinations throughout Brazil and for international destinations including Asunción in Paraguay (20 hr), Buenos Aires in Argentina (36hr), Montevideo in Uruguay (30 hr) and Santiago in Chile (56 hr). A taxi ride from Paulista/Jardins costs around R$ 40 (US$ 18,50). edit
Terminal Rodoviário da Barra Funda, Located west of São Paulo's downtown , carries departures and arrivals to and from western cities in the São Paulo state, to Mato Grosso, Foz do Iguaçu and west Paraná cities. About thirty minutes from Paulista Avenue by Metrô (station Barra Funda, Red line). You can also reach it by boarding the Orca shuttle service from Vila Madalena station (Green line) or by boarding the "Barra Funda" (875P) bus in Paulista Avenue. Guarulhos International Airport shuttles also depart and arrive from this terminal. edit
Terminal Rodoviário de Jabaquara, The Jabaquara Terminal serves cities in São Paulo state's south coast such as Guarujá, Santos and Bertioga. Located thirty minutes away by Metrô (Jabaquara station, Blue line) from downtown. There is a baggage storae (Guarda Volumas) in the Jabaquara Metro, R$6 for 24 hours.
