Brazil Travel Guide - 48 Hours in Sao Paulo

The biggest city in South America; the economicof people possible": well worth a visit for travelers
heart of Brazil; one of the three largestat Ibirapuera.
metropolises in the world: what Brazil vacation2pm: COOL OFF IN VILA MADALENA
could miss out at least a little time spent in SaoIn the afternoon, delve into the cultural and artistic
Paulo? And with the Brazil Grand Prix coming up,heart of Sao Paulo, with an indispensable look
chances are visitors to Sao Paulo will also want toaround the district of Vila Madalena. It is here that
spend some time away from the races.artists, actors, musicians and designers converge
With a population that has grown to over 20into the numerous galleries and studios of modern
million, Sao Paulo is predominantly a city ofand contemporary art. Not only in these
immigrants. Its ethnic diversity and industrialconventional mediums can the artistic flair of Vila
development has produced Brazil's largest, mostMadalena be discovered - winding streets and
cultured and best educated middle class. Travelersalleyways are adorned with fabulous graffiti
to Sao Paulo will experience a dynamic city, withcreated by the most famous of Brazilian artists.
skyscrapers that spread across the city's vastAmongst the most visited sites are a record
area; restaurants to suit every taste; and astore with 80,000 vinyl and a "green building"
nightlife that never stops. With so many options itwhich is designed using entirely sustainable
can often be difficult for visitors to know whereconcepts - a life form in the midst of a
to start. Enter the experts:metropolis.
FRIDAY6pm: A MEAL OF ETHNIC PROPORTIONS
1pm: FIRST TASTE OF BAHIAAfter an afternoon of culture, head out for dinner
Start off your visit in the verdant Jardims districtin one of the many authentic ethnic restaurants
with a delicious and authentic lunch at Brazil athat Vila Madalena and Pinheiros have to offer.
Gosto, a wonderful restaurant inspired by theYou could try Japenese sushi at Kabuki, classic
various flavors and recipes that Brazil has to offerItalian food at Santa Gula, maybe some spicy
try the popular Bahian snack MiniacarajéMoroccan at Agadir or splash out on some
which is a fried pasty made from bean flour filledSpanish cuisine at Don Curro. The sheer variety
with the unique combination of shrimp, cashewof restaurants here demonstrates the strong
and peanut purée, bean flour and okra,influence that the immigrant populations have had
plus an extra side of shrimps and a green tomatoon the city.
vinaigrette.9pm: NIGHT ON THE TILES
2pm: SWAN ALONG PAULISTAAs the night draws nearer, the famous nightlife of
After lunch, take a walk down Paulista Avenue.Vila Madalena and Pinheiros starts to heat up.
Thisis a must see for any traveler in Sao PauloStart out in one of the cozy traditional Brazilian
and is considered by locals to be the beating heartbars with beer on tap before heading to
of the city. It is located in the northeasternwhichever club takes your fancy. The district has
section of Jardims, known as Cerqueirasomething for everyone: from jumping dance
César. The avenue is lined with tallclubs to sophisticated bars. The only problem here
skyscrapers, shops, churches, restaurants,is deciding when to head to bed: the party here
cafés, museums and hotels; there hasgoes on all night.
been much commercial investment on the avenueSUNDAY
to its centralized location. It has now become a10am: IN THE CENTER OF A METROPOLIS
symbol of the dynamic and entrepreneurial natureOn Sunday morning after rush hour, drift over to
of the city's economy making it well worth a visit.explore the historical center of town. Although
While here, you can visit the excellent collection atthere are not many remains of colonial Brazil here,
The Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo. This has asome sense can be grasped of the history and
fascinating collection of over 8,000 works byarchitectural development of the city. The
predominantly European artists of great fameMonastery of Sao Bento (Saint Benedict) is a
(Rembrandt, Monet, Renoir, Picasso and Van Goghmandatory stop, with 17th century architecture
to name but a few!) alongside a significant handfulrestored in the early 1900's in a more Germanic
of Brazilian pieces as well.fashion. The monastary is now home to around
7pm: UNDERNEATH THE FIG TREE40 cloistered monks who follow the routine of
For a delectable local dinner, head over to Figueirawork and prayer. For a truly sacred experience,
Rubaiyat. This fabulous old restaurant is builtvisitors should attend one of the daily masses.
around the branches of a fig tree giving a magicalA few blocks away from Sao Bento is the
touch to any meal here. No less magical is thePraça da Sé, which is a wide open
succulent flavor of the meat served, particularlyplaza containing the magnificent Catedral
the beef which is considered the specialty and isMetropolitana. Although the current cathedral
raised in the owner's own personal ranch.building only dates to 1954, the site has hosted
10pm: REACH FOR THE SKYEvarious churches dating back to the foundation of
Look up to Skye Bar for a clean and classy clubthe city.
experience - this smart venue is on top of theA picture postcard of Sao Paulo often includes
trendy Unique hotel (Av. Brigadeiro Luiz Antonio,The Viaduto do Chá (the tea bridge). This
4700) and has a spectacular sweeping view ofis a wide and long viaduct that became the first
the city's seemingly endless twinkling street lights.to be built in the city after it was inaugurated in
There is a very nice lounge and restaurant to1892. It is named for the large crop of Indian tea
share a drink with the eclectic group thatthat was cultivated in the Vale do
converges here. Dress up smart, but not OTT.Anhangabaú district of the city's central
SATURDAYzone in which the viaduct is located. Today it is a
10am: CHILL IN THE PARKkey artery in the city center, linking what was
In the morning, head down to Ibrupuera Park topreviously considered to be downtown (Rua
freshen the head. This is one of the nicest spotsDirecta) with the now more significant area of
in the city; the park is considered by PaulistanosRua Barao de Itapetininga. It is lined with street
as their equivalent of Central Park in New York. Itvendors selling various trinkets. Beneath the
is also a center of important museums andViaduct is the Parque Anhangabaú, a
hosting cultural events. It is a picture of serenitypretty park in the midst of the hustle and bustle
containing pristine grassy areas, paths for runningof the center.
and cycling and a stage for outdoor theatre and12pm: REMEMBER THE ROOTS
concerts. There are also playgrounds, lakes andRound off your 48 hours in Sao Paulo with a look
even a small wood for reading offering travelersat the oldest building in town, Sao Paulo Igreija de
a welcome break from the noise of the city. IfSao Francisco de Assissi. Originally built in 1647 and
you're lucky, you might catch one of the freerenovated a century later, this is one of the few
concerts organized by city hall at the weekends.physical remnants of the Portuguese empire that
12pm: MUSE THE MODERNremains standing. This baroque style church is
While at Ibrupuera park, visit one or more of theactually home to two separate religious
three important museums here. The Museu deinstitutions; one is ran by the catholic church
Arte Moderna is perhaps the best; a space forwhereas the other is controlled strictly by
some of the more modern artwork produced inlaypeople. The churches play an important role in
Brazil. Their mission is to "collect, study, encouragethe community, organizing fundraising events to
and diffuse contemporary and modern Brazilianhelp to support poor people with food.
Art, making it accessible to the greatest number