Sao Paulo, Brazil

Pátio do Colégio

One of the best ways to tour São Paulo is by using the underground subway system. This way you can avoid the chaotic traffic, and get around on what is considered a very safe means of public transport. The subway also links all the main tourist spots of the city. The starting point for this particular tour is the very same place where everything began: the Pátio do Colégio. Here you will find the former Colégio de São Paulo, near the Sé subway station, where the city's first church was built to facilitate the indoctrination of Catholicism to the region's indigenous inhabitants in the 16th Century. Walking through Sé Square you pass Sé Cathedral, and then continuing down Boa Vista Street towards Largo de São Bento, you can admire the beautiful 19th-century architecture of many of the surrounding buildings. Right ahead is Mosteiro de São Bento, opened in 1559, where mass sung in Latin Gregorian chants is still publicly celebrated. Doubling back to the subway and São Bento station, carry on towards Anhangabaú. The Anhangabaú Valley is now adorned with beautiful fountains, and it offers a great view of the Viaduto do Chá (the "Tea Viaduct"), which was built in 1892. Ramos de Azevedo Square, where the Municipal Theater is located, is not far. Walk down Barão de Itapetininga Street, a good place to shop and to enjoy a quick snack, then head to Republic Square, where there is often a good crafts market.

Museo do Ipiranga

All those who appreciate antiquated architecture will no doubt enjoy visiting some of São Paulo's buildings, which display an entrancing blend of history and style. To begin this architectural tour, go to the Museu do Ipiranga, once a royal household, now home to a fine collection of interesting objects, such as a scaled-down model of São Paulo from 1922, and a hat that once belonged to Santos Dumont himself. Other nearby attractions include the Monumento à Independência. If you then head off towards the city center, there are some English-style buildings that are worth taking a look at, such as the old Estação da Luz and Estação Júlio Prestes railway stations, the latter built in 1901 and recently restored.

Pinacoteda do Estado

Today Estação Júlio Prestes is an arts center open to the public. There is a lot of art found close to the railway station as well, most notably at the Pinacoteda do Estado, which is the oldest museum in the city and which houses a collection of around 4000 works. On the other side of Tiradentes Avenue, one finds the Museu de Arte Sacra, with works by the famous sculptor Aleijadinho. From there it's easy to reach the Barra Funda Bus Terminal, where the Memorial da América Latina is located. This is a beautiful modern construction, designed by leading architect Oscar Niemeyer, and offers a plethora of exhibitions related to Latin American people, culture and history.

Ibirapuera Park

São Paulo is certainly a hub of cultural and artistic activity. The city offers plenty of leisure and entertainment options, such as Ibirapuera Park, a multi-activity area with jogging tracks, sports grounds, and museums, such as the Museu de Arte Contemporânea (MAC or Museum of Contemporary Art) and Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM or Museum of Modern Art), which also includes a fine restaurant.

Avenida Paulista

Going up Brigadeiro Luís Antônio Avenue by car or bus, you will come to Paulista Avenue, the city's financial heart, which dates back to 1891. Besides being aesthetically attractive, it offers everything a visitor could need: subway stations all along the avenue, excellent restaurants, shops and cinemas, and one of the most important museums in the country, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo or MASP, a modern building that dates from 1957, and is one of the city's most famous landmarks.

Liberdade

There are many places to visit on or around Paulista Avenue as well, especially the oriental Liberdade quarter, and the Bixiga district—São Paulo's Little Italy—which both offer a fine choice of restaurants. The enormous São Paulo Cultural Center (at the Vergueiro subway station) is also worth including on your itinerary, where you can see concerts, plays, and art and photography exhibits, all at reasonable prices. To end the day and enjoy the night, hop over to the Jardins or Vila Madalena, two districts popular for their pubs, clubs, restaurants and much more.

Botanical Garden & Zoo

All those attracted to the natural world, as well as those with a spirit of adventure, will love this particular tour, and the best way to take it is by car. You can start off in the southern part of the city, near the Saúde district. An easy way to get there is via Imigrantes Freeway or Miguel Stéfano Avenue. There are plenty of attractions, including the city's Botanical Gardens, which is full of natural lakes, woodlands and plants from the vast forests and jungles that run down the Atlantic side of the continent. Another attraction is the Municipal Zoo. Going further south towards the Santo Amaro district, you will come to the Guarapiranga Reservoir, where you can sail a boat and visit some small islands inhabited by Native American peoples, such as Ilha dos Macacos (Monkey Island). There is a large avenue named after Robert Kennedy right in front of the reservoir, which offers many good restaurants.

City Tours

Aeroporto Express (+55 11 6121 7795 / http://www.aextour.com.br/citytour.aspx)

AgTur Receptivo (+55 11 3784 5765 / http://www.agtur.com.br/)

Check Point Tours (+55 11 2791 1316 / http://www.checkpointtours.com.br)

Goin São Paulo (+55 11 3289 3814 / http://www.goinsaopaulo.com.br)

Specialty Tours

Futebol Tour (+55 11 3813 3231 / http://www.futeboltour.com.br)

Gol Tours (+55 11 3256 2388 / http://www.goltour.com.br/)

Number One Tours (+55 11 3081 4004 / http://www.numberonetours.com)

Helicopter Tours

Andanças Travel & Tourism (+55 11 2945 8828 / http://www.andancastur.com.br)

Eco Tours

raffit Travel & Tourism (+55 11 5549 9569 / http://www.graffit.com.br/)

Trip on Jeep (+55 11 5543 5281 / http://www.triponjeep.com)

Service Global (+55 11 3341 2574)‎