A first-time guide to São Paulo

20.11.2024 - 14:25 / lonelyplanet.com

Nov 20, 2024 • 6 min read

Because of its sheer size and sprawl, Brazil’s largest city can be intimidating for new arrivals. The skyline unrolls in every direction, a concrete jungle of high rises and highways busy with traffic, and despite being the finance, art and cultural capital of Brazil, first-time visitors may struggle to find the city’s enclaves of color and creativity. 

Founded by Jesuits in the 16th century, São Paulo began as a small settlement on the Tietê River and expanded rapidly in the 19th century with the coffee boom. While the coffee barons built their mansions on Avenida Paulista, the demand for labor following the abolition of enslavement in 1888 spurred a huge wave of immigration that transformed the city's cultural identity. This context is the key to appreciating the history of São Paulo.

But the city is also focused on the future and modern-day travelers will enjoy exploring the contemporary landscape of bohemian neighborhoods covered in street art, fine art museums and great restaurants driving Brazilian cuisine forward. Here’s everything you need to know before your first trip to São Paulo.

For a comfortable climate the best time to visit São Paulo – and Brazil in general – is between October and November, when springtime temperatures are well-balanced between warm sunny days and cozy and cool nights. In the winter (May to September) temperatures are quite mild (15-21°C/60-70°F), so it’s pleasant, although most days tend to be a bit overcast. Summers (December to February) can be quite hot with highs between 27 and 32°C (80-90°F) – plus intermittent tropical downpours – so consider booking accommodations with a rooftop pool for your midday cooldown. 

Event-wise, there is always something going on in São Paulo and, like all Brazilians, Paulistanos are eager to jump on any opportunity to throw a good party. Although Rio de Janeiro’s Carnaval celebrations are better known, São Paulo has its main parade in the Anhembi Sambadrome and block parties, or blocos, in every neighborhood in the city. If you miss the fun, you can find an equally colorful party during Parada do Orgulho in June, Brazil’s biggest LGBTIQ+ Pride celebration.

A weekend in São Paulo is a sufficient amount of time to give you a sense of the city. If you stay on the move, you can easily hit up most of the iconic sights, like Ibirapuera Park and Batman Alley (plus a few museums) in two or three days. If you stay a week, you can do a more thorough tour of the many art museums and distinct neighborhoods like Liberdade and Vila Madalena. If you have a few more days to spare in São Paulo, consider adding on an excursion in São Paulo state to a beach town like Guarujá, which can be reached by car in under two hours. 

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