São Paulo Attractions

The Monastery of São Bento (Saint Benedict) is a mandatory stop for those interested in the city’s history, with 17th century architecture. This was restored in the early 1900’s in a more Germanic fashion. It is now home to around 40 cloistered monks who follow the routine of work and prayer. For a truly sacred experience, visitors should attend one of the daily masses, particularly the traditional Sunday mass.  There is a delightful little gift shop selling various treats such as bread, jam, cakes and cookies. Visitors can also relax in the café São Bento and take time admire the architecture of the building which is reminiscent of the city’s intriguing past.

The Viaduto do Chá (the tea bridge) is a wide and long viaduct that became the first to be built in the city after it was inaugurated in 1892. It is named for the large crop of Indian tea that was cultivated in the Vale do Anhangabaú district of the city’s central zone in which the viaduct is located. In 1938 the old wooden foundations of the viaduct were destroyed in order to make way for a new wider structure of concrete and metal. Today it is a key artery in the city center, linking what was previously considered to be downtown (Rua Directa) with the now more significant area of Rua Barão de Itapetininga. It is lined with street vendors selling various trinkets.

Beneath the Viaduct is the Parque Anhangabaú, a pretty and verdant park in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the center. The oldest parts of the city (Centro Velho) can be found located in proximity to Anhangabaú. Amongst the sites here is the Praça da Sé, which is a wide open plaza containing the magnificent Catedral Metropolitana. Although the current cathedral building only dates to 1954, the site has hosted various churches dating back to the foundation of the city. The enormous gothic styled building can hold a congregation of 8,000 people and is a most peaceful and thought provoking experience.

The São Paulo Igreija de Sao Francisco de Assisis, originally built in 1647 and renovated a century later, is one of the few physical remnants of the Portuguese empire that remains standing. This baroque style church is actually home to two separate religious institutions; one is run by the Catholic Church whereas the other is controlled strictly by laypeople. The churches play an important role in the community, organizing fundraising events to help to support poor people with food. It is open from 7am to 7pm, and although entry is free donations are always welcome to help with church restoration and to support church projects.

Moving away from the historical center of the city, the central Business districtsare always worth a peak; apart from anything else the view from the 34th floor of the BANESPA building gives an amazing view of the city which spreads underneath your gaze like a vast carpet of roads and white buildings (São Paulo covers an area roughly three times the size of Paris). There is a museum also located at the top of what was – at 160 metres - the highest building in the city for decades. Nearby, visitors can also see the globally-influential BOVESPA Stock Exchange in action whilst perhaps even checking up on their portfolios.

Paulista Avenue - the heart of São Paulo (wikipedia commons)

Paulista Avenueis a must see for any traveler in São Paulo and is considered by locals to be the beating heart of the city. It is located in the northeastern section of Jardims, known as Cerqueira César. It is lined with tall skyscrapers, shops, churches, restaurants, cafés, museums and hotels; there has been much commercial investment on the avenue due to its centralized location. It has now become a symbol of the dynamic and entrepreneurial nature of the city’s economy.

Within reach of Paulista Avenue is the Parque Do Ibirapuera, which cannot be missed – it is poised by Paulistanos as their equivalent of Central Park in New York. This is indeed the main park in the city hosting important museums and cultural events. It is a picture of serenity containing pristine grassy areas, paths for running and cycling and a stage for outdoor theatre and concerts. There are also playgrounds, lakes and even a small forest for reading offering travelers a welcome break from the noise of the city. The best time to visit is in the early morning or late afternoon, and on weekends there are occasionally free concerts organized by the city hall.

The park was designed by the famous and globally significant Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer to honor the 400th anniversary of the city’s foundation. The inauguration of the park featured several exhibited pavilions which can still be viewed today. Most notable is the stunning Japanese Pavilion – this was crafted in Japan in exactly the same fashion as the Imperial Palace in Kyoto before being shipped for assembly in Brazil. Inside the building are displays of such paraphernalia as samurai clothing, oriental sculptures and pottery; outside, a detailed Japanese Garden surrounds the palace completing a most authentic and charming setting.

Another park where natural vegetation can be enjoyed is Parque Trianon, again near Paulista Avenue. This is smaller than Ibirapuera but no less tranquil – the tall, mature trees and vegetation offer cooling shade during summer months. It makes a welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of crowded Paulista Avenue and is a popular spot for lunching businesspeople. Be wary of visiting at night however when the park can become markedly more dangerous.