No trip to Paraty would be complete without spending time in this charming historic city center. Spend an afternoon people-watching on the grassy lawns of quaint Matriz Square or wandering through streets lined with old colonial architecture. A handful of churches are worth a visit, including the First Church of Our Lady of the Remedies (Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora dos Remédios), the largest church in Paraty, and Church of Our Lady of Sorrows (Capela de Nossa Senhora das Dores), religious home to well-heeled locals. After church-hopping, head to Rua do Comercio, to shop for handicrafts and dine on Brazilian cuisine.
Just about every tour in Paraty explores the historic center, and you can find options to suit your interests, including historical walking tours, bike tours, and food tours. Cruises on Paraty Bay depart from a pier within walking distance of the old town.
Paraty lies between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo along the BR-101 highway. Buses depart from both cities multiple times per day; the journey from Rio takes around 4.5 hours, while the trip from São Paulo takes six to seven hours, depending on traffic.
There’s not really a bad time for visiting Paraty’s historic center. Come early in the morning to snap some photos when the streets are largely empty. Return after dark when music spills out from the bars and restaurants lining the cobbled streets.
Paraty is one of Brazil’s most historically significant destinations, and part of that history is tied to the nation’s favorite spirit, cachaça. Long before the gold rush in the region, Paraty already was known for its sugarcane mills. Today, distilleries here produce some of the nation’s best cachaça, a spirit made from cane sugar. Many tours of the Caminho do Ouro (Gold Path) include a tasting at a local distillery.
