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Country guide

Places to visit in Brazil — page 4

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest on earth, with over 213 million people, 26 states and a Federal District built to hold the...

Photograph · Tet · CC BY 4.0

18,165 Places
2Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest on earth, with over 213 million people, 26 states and a Federal District built to hold the capital, Brasília. Its Atlantic coastline runs 7,491 kilometres and it borders every country on the continent except Ecuador and Chile.

Most of the Amazon basin is Brazilian, including the world's largest river system and the most extensive virgin tropical forest left standing; the same country also holds wetlands, savanna, plateau and low mountains. São Paulo is the most populous city and Rio de Janeiro the second. The distance between any two of these is the planning problem.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Portuguese
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+55
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Brazilian real (BRL)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
190 police · 192 ambulance · 193 fire
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type N · 127 or 220 V by location
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
Voltage and water guidance must be checked for the destination

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

Filter the list

117 places match

Category

Historic monuments 24 Museums 38 Places of worship 8 Nature sites 30 Viewpoints 6 Food and drink 1 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 1 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 2 Art and culture 5 Activities 2

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 72 1 to 2 hours 44 Half a day or more 1

Interests

History 9 Art 2 Museums 6 Nature 1 Sea and beach 1 Viewpoints 0
  1. Parque Burle Marx Parque Burle Marx
    57 1 hour

    Parque Burle Marx

    Parque Burle Marx is a landscape park in São Paulo preserving a garden designed by Roberto Burle Marx, the renowned Brazilian landscape architect.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • São Paulo
  2. Rio de Janeiro Cathedral Rio de Janeiro Cathedral
    58 30 min

    Rio de Janeiro Cathedral

    Catedral de São Sebastião

    The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, known locally as Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Rio de Janeiro.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Rio de Janeiro
  3. Ibirapuera Auditorium Ibirapuera Auditorium
    59 1 hour

    Ibirapuera Auditorium

    Auditório Ibirapuera

    Ibirapuera Auditorium is a concert hall designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer within São Paulo’s Ibirapuera Park. The building belongs to the park’s modernist cultural ensemble and is recognised for its sweeping curves and bold geometric form.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • São Paulo
  4. Museum of Immigration of the State of São Paulo Museum of Immigration of the State of São Paulo
    60 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of Immigration of the State of São Paulo

    Museu da Imigração do Estado de São Paulo

    The Museum of Immigration of the State of São Paulo occupies the former immigrant hostel in Mooca, where newcomers stayed after arriving in Brazil. The site connects São Paulo’s modern multicultural identity with the personal experience of migration.

    • High
    • Museum
    • São Paulo
  5. São Paulo Museum of Sacred Art São Paulo Museum of Sacred Art
    61 1 hr 30 min

    São Paulo Museum of Sacred Art

    Museu de Arte Sacra de São Paulo

    The Museum of Sacred Art of São Paulo occupies the historic Luz monastery complex in central São Paulo. The former religious setting gives the museum a strong architectural identity alongside its collection of Brazilian sacred art.

    • High
    • Museum
    • São Paulo
  6. Mosteiro de São Bento Mosteiro de São Bento
    62 30 min

    Mosteiro de São Bento

    Igreja e Mosteiro de São Bento

    The Monastery of Saint Benedict, known locally as Mosteiro de São Bento, is a hilltop Benedictine monastery in Rio de Janeiro. Founded by Benedictine monks, it stands as one of the most significant colonial religious institutions in the city.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Rio de Janeiro
  7. Casa do Grito Casa do Grito
    63 45 min

    Casa do Grito

    Casa do Grito is a historic rammed-earth house in São Paulo’s Ipiranga independence landscape. It belongs to a heritage setting that also includes the Monument to Independence, Parque da Independência, and the Ipiranga Museum.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • São Paulo
  8. Sala São Paulo Sala São Paulo
    64 45 min

    Sala São Paulo

    Sala São Paulo is a major concert hall housed within the historic Júlio Prestes Station, a former railway terminal in central São Paulo. It serves as the permanent home of the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra (OSESP).

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • São Paulo
  9. Football Museum Football Museum
    65 1 hr 30 min

    Football Museum

    Museu do Futebol

    The Football Museum, locally known as Museu do Futebol, is an interactive museum located beneath the historic Pacaembu Stadium in São Paulo. It examines football's profound significance within Brazilian society and culture.

    • High
    • Museum
    • São Paulo
  10. Jewish Museum of São Paulo Jewish Museum of São Paulo
    66 1 hr 30 min

    Jewish Museum of São Paulo

    Museu Judaico de São Paulo

    The Jewish Museum of São Paulo is a cultural museum devoted to Jewish life, migration, and heritage in Brazil. The institution occupies the restored Beth-El synagogue, giving the visit an architectural setting closely connected with the community history presented inside.

    • High
    • Museum
    • São Paulo
  11. Museu da Chácara do Céu Museu da Chácara do Céu
    67 1 hr 30 min

    Museu da Chácara do Céu

    Museu Chácara do Céu

    Chácara do Céu Museum is a former residence in Santa Teresa, one of Rio de Janeiro’s hillside neighborhoods. It belongs to the Castro Maya Museums network and combines a historic domestic setting with collections of Brazilian and European art.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Rio de Janeiro
  12. Parque da Água Branca Parque da Água Branca
    68 1 hour

    Parque da Água Branca

    Parque da Água Branca is a historic public park in São Paulo's Barra Funda district. Established as an agricultural exhibition ground, it retains its heritage character while serving as urban green space.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • São Paulo
  13. Manor of the Marquesa de Santos Manor of the Marquesa de Santos
    69 1 hr 30 min

    Manor of the Marquesa de Santos

    Solar da Marquesa de Santos

    Solar da Marquesa de Santos is a rare surviving eighteenth-century urban residence in São Paulo. It serves as a core site of the City Museum, preserving historical architecture from the colonial period.

    • High
    • Museum
    • São Paulo
  14. Bosque da Barra Bosque da Barra
    70 1 hour

    Bosque da Barra

    Parque Natural Municipal Bosque da Barra

    Barra Woods, or Bosque da Barra, is a restinga park in Rio de Janeiro’s West Zone. It preserves native coastal vegetation on sandy ground within the rapidly developing Barra da Tijuca area.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Rio de Janeiro
  15. Vista Chinesa Vista Chinesa
    71 20 min

    Vista Chinesa

    Chinese View, or Vista Chinesa, is a pagoda-style observation pavilion in Rio de Janeiro’s Tijuca Forest. It honours the Chinese immigrants associated with the introduction of tea cultivation to Brazil in the early nineteenth century.

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Rio de Janeiro
  16. Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo
    72 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo

    Museu de Zoologia da USP

    The Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo is a natural-history museum beside Independence Park. The University of São Paulo operates the institution as a place where zoological research, scientific collections, and public education meet.

    • High
    • Museum
    • São Paulo
  17. Praia Vermelha Praia Vermelha
    73 1 hour

    Praia Vermelha

    Praia Vermelha, known in English as Red Beach, is a compact sheltered beach in Rio de Janeiro's Urca neighbourhood. It sits directly beneath the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain and Morro da Urca, two of the city's most recognisable landmarks.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Rio de Janeiro
  18. Consolação Cemetery Consolação Cemetery
    74 30 min

    Consolação Cemetery

    Cemitério da Consolação

    Cemitério da Consolação is a historic cemetery in São Paulo, Brazil. Established in the late 19th century, it serves as the final resting place for numerous prominent Brazilian figures.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • São Paulo
  19. Confeitaria Colombo Confeitaria Colombo
    75 1 hour

    Confeitaria Colombo

    Confeitaria Colombo is a historic café and confectionery in downtown Rio de Janeiro, widely recognised as the city's most celebrated Belle Époque establishment. Founded in 1894, it occupies a prominent position on Rua Gonçalves Dias.

    • High
    • Restaurant or café
    • Rio de Janeiro
  20. Copacabana Beach Copacabana Beach
    76 1 hour

    Copacabana Beach

    Praia de Copacabana

    Copacabana Beach, known locally as Praia de Copacabana, is Rio de Janeiro's most internationally recognised urban beach and promenade. The crescent-shaped stretch of sand and adjacent Avenida Atlântica form one of the most iconic coastal cityscapes globally.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Rio de Janeiro
  21. Museu Aeroespacial Museu Aeroespacial
    77 1 hr 30 min

    Museu Aeroespacial

    The Museu Aeroespacial, known in English as the Aerospace Museum, stands at Campo dos Afonsos in Rio de Janeiro. It serves as Brazil's principal institution dedicated to preserving and exhibiting the nation's aviation and aerospace heritage.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Rio de Janeiro
  22. Praça Mauá Praça Mauá
    78 1 hour

    Praça Mauá

    Praça Mauá is a renewed civic square in Rio de Janeiro's port zone, situated at the intersection of Avenida Rio Branco and Avenida Rodrigues Alves.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Rio de Janeiro
  23. Praia de Ipanema Praia de Ipanema
    79 1 hour

    Praia de Ipanema

    Ipanema Beach, known locally as Praia de Ipanema, is a landmark beach in Rio de Janeiro's South Zone. It stretches between Arpoador rock formation to the east and the Morro Dois Irmãos mountains to the west.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Rio de Janeiro
  24. Ramos de Azevedo Park Ramos de Azevedo Park
    80 1 hour

    Ramos de Azevedo Park

    Praça Ramos de Azevedo

    Municipal Theatre Square, known as Praça Ramos de Azevedo, is a formal public square in São Paulo’s historic centre.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • São Paulo
  25. Rio Art Museum Rio Art Museum
    81 1 hr 30 min

    Rio Art Museum

    Museu de Arte do Rio

    The Rio Art Museum, known locally as Museu de Arte do Rio, is a cultural institution situated in Rio de Janeiro's port zone.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Rio de Janeiro
Show 25 more places

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Brazil be?

Brazil’s scale makes 10–16 days appropriate for one region rather than a national circuit. Build around a single gateway such as Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, then add one coherent coastal, nature or cultural extension.

What entry documents are needed for Brazil?

Visa information is maintained by Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its consular portal. Eligibility depends on nationality and visit purpose; use the ministry’s current table instead of relying on a past visa waiver.

What is the best way to travel around Brazil?

São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro handle major international and domestic connections. Flights bridge the country’s long distances, coaches cover many regional corridors, and national passenger rail is not a general substitute for either.

When is a practical time to visit Brazil?

Brazil has no single best month because Amazon, northeast-coast, Pantanal and southern conditions differ. April–June and August–October are broad shoulder periods, but the chosen region’s rainfall and access cycle should decide the dates.

What money and payment basics apply in Brazil?

The Brazilian real (BRL) is the unit used for prices. This guide does not record current bank fees or acceptance patterns; check the displayed total and conversion currency before authorising a card or cash transaction.

What practical safety details should I save for Brazil?

Brazil separates emergency services: 190 police, 192 ambulance and 193 fire. Type N sockets operate at either 127 or 220 V depending on location, and national tap-water suitability is Not recorded.