São Paulo walking tour & city guide

Avenida Paulista and the center

Avenida Paulista is the city's main avenue, home to the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP), suspended above a public plaza. On Sundays it closes to cars and fills with musicians and families. The historic center has the Sé Cathedral and the Municipal Theatre.

Neighborhoods and parks

Liberdade is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan. Vila Madalena is known for street art, especially the Beco do Batman alley. Ibirapuera Park, designed with buildings by Oscar Niemeyer, is the city's green heart.

A day in São Paulo

Start on Avenida Paulista, which is closed to cars on Sundays and turns into a huge pedestrian street. Visit the MASP art museum, then walk through the Japanese neighborhood of Liberdade.

In the afternoon, explore the Vila Madalena district with its Beco do Batman graffiti alley, or relax in Ibirapuera Park. São Paulo's restaurants are among the best in Latin America.

Good to know

The city is huge, so the metro is the best way to get around. São Paulo is Brazil's business center, so it is busiest on weekdays.

Visit the Mercado Municipal for the famous mortadella sandwich. The weather is mild most of the year.