Rua Vinte e Cinco de Março, São Paulo, Brazil

Visit duration: 1 hr 30 min Editorial visit time estimate

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About Rua Vinte e Cinco de Março

Rua 25 de Março is a popular shopping street in the central zone of São Paulo, long synonymous in Brazil with large crowds and discount shopping. Much of the area was originally part of the Tamanduateí River before river works moved it east. Formerly Rua de Baixo, the street was renamed in 1865 after the date of Brazil's first constitution, signed on 25 March 1824. Middle Eastern immigrants settled here, and in 1887 Lebanese immigrant Benjamin Jafet opened the first store; flooding in the 1960s forced quick bulk sales that gave it its wholesale reputation.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

What's inside

Locals use the name Rua 25 de Março for the whole area between the São Bento Monastery and the Municipal Market along Ladeira Porto Geral, including the street itself and smaller side streets. There are three main shopping malls: Shopping 25 de Março, Shopping Oriental and the best known, Galeria Pagé. The street stores sell a wide mix of goods, including trainers, toys, packaging, jewellery, bags and stationery, most of them in bulk at low prices. Since the 1980s shops have also been opened by Korean, Chinese, Greek and Portuguese communities.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

Common questions

Why is Rua 25 de Março famous?

It is considered the largest shopping centre in Latin America, with the largest number of wholesale and retail outlets.

Where does the name come from?

It was renamed in 1865 after the date of Brazil's first constitution, signed on 25 March 1824.

Where it is

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Nearby

Within 5 min on foot

45 min
3 min walk
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