Highlights
Nightlife
São Paulo’s vivacious party scene is lauded as a world leader. A wide range of styles and genres attracts a fun-loving crowd, with international DJs playing club music in the neighbourhoods of Jardins, Vila Olímpia and Itaim Bibi. In Vila Madalena, the neighbourhood's more Bohemian local bars and smaller music venues can be explored. In Centro, there are clubs, live music venues and pop-up parties that add even further colour to the city’s vibrant nocturnal ambience.
Restaurants
Like the city itself, São Paulo’s gourmet scene is characterised by sophistication, experimentation and the influence of its international inhabitants. Brazilian ingredients, such as vanilla pods, pequi nuts and cashew vinegar, feature in classical dishes, offset against menus with a distinctly international twist. From Michelin-starred restaurants and gourmet fourteen-course tasting menus, to rustic-style cafés and mouthwatering bakeries, there’s something to suit every palate.
Shopping
For artisan shops and an achingly cool vibe, São Paulo’s Pinheiros district is a must-visit. Indie boutiques offer a plethora of unique finds, such as made-to-measure suits from renowned menswear designer, João Pimenta, constructed from hand-spun fabrics in radical designs. There are beach chic boutiques offering a colourful array of Brazilian beachwear, sunglasses made by local designers, but at high street prices, and a range of quality leather goods. Galeria Nacional Gallery is home to a shop specialising in crafts made by local designers, making for unique souvenirs to take home.
Architecture
From modernist buildings and mirrored skyscrapers to classic, ornate structures, built centuries ago, São Paulo’s architecture is as diverse as its inhabitants. Highlights include Catedral da Sé, a vast Neo-Gothic church with a Renaissance-inspired dome, the largest Catholic building in the city. The Municipal Theatre is another must-see, based on Paris’s Opera House and still oozing 1900s glamour.
Street Art
At regular intervals throughout the city, São Paulo’s walls have become canvases for inspirational graffiti and street art, created by nationally lauded local artists. Named for the first mural on its walls, the Beco do Batman (Batman’s Alley), situated in the trendy Vila Madalena area, is like an open-air museum of art, alive with constantly changing, imaginative and colourful graffiti. The kaleidoscopic alleyways attract thousands of tourists each year, aiming to snap images of the most transient works of urban art.
Museums
São Paulo boasts some of the best museums in Brazil. For art aficionados, São Paulo Art Museum, the first modern museum in the country, displays more than 10,000 works, from paintings to photography and sculpture. Contrastingly, the oldest museum in the city, Pinacoteca de São Paulo, has an enviable collection of Brazilian art. Browsing Museu do Futebol, at the Pacaembu Stadium, football fans can gain an insight into Brazil’s passion for the beautiful game, discover the country’s football legends and learn interesting facts about the history of The World Cup and the sport in general.