Southeast Brazil attractions

When Portuguese sailors entered Guanabara Bay in January 1502, they spotted Pedra da Gavea and thought its shape resembled the topsail of a ship, which gave the mountain its name. The granite peak rises 2,769 feet (844 meters above sea level and plummets almost directly down toward the sea from within Tijuca National Park.

Home to the world’s largest Japanese population outside of Japan, the district of Liberdade was settled in the early to mid-twentieth century by Japanese immigrants brought to Brazil to work in the coffee plantations around Sao Paulo. Today, it attracts foodies and Paulistano manga and anime enthusiasts, who can be seen dressed up in cosplay.

At the Santos Coffee Museum (Museu do Café), you can discover the history of the world’s favorite caffeinated-beverage. The Coffee Museum is housed in what used to be the Coffee Stock Exchange, where Brazilian coffee was weighed and traded before being sent through the Santos Port and overseas.

As the birthplace of Sao Paulo, Pateo do Collegio Church is a sacred site that holds profound significance, dating back to 1554. With its modest facade, the Jesuit church invites visitors to explore its extraordinary interior, which presents centuries-old iconography, indigenous artwork, and information on the city’s history.

Rio de Janeiro’s vibrant and bohemian Lapa neighborhood is the epicenter of the city’s music scene, with an abundance of bars and clubs hosting local samba and forro bands. After dark, revelers spill onto the sidewalks of Rua da Lapa and Rua Joaquim Silva in the heart of Lapa.

Approximately half the size of neighboring Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the 720-foot (219-meters) Morro da Urca is by no means insignificant. In fact, Morro da Urca is a necessary, and often overlooked, stop on the cable car ride up to Sugar Loaf Mountain. Before heading off to the larger hill, wander around the turtle-shaped mound for spectacular views of Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, downtown Rio, Christ the Redeemer, and Sugar Loaf itself.

Our Lady of Mount Serrat Fort, located in Salvador, Brazil, is a 16th-century fortification that offers visitors a glimpse into the city's rich past. Overlooking the Bay of All Saints, it stands as a testament to Salvador's colonial history and offers impressive panoramic views of the surrounding area.

One of São Paulo’s most important religious buildings, the Monastery of São Bento (Mosteiro de São Bento) was established in 1598. Currently housed in a dramatic Gothic-style building that was consecrated in 1922, the working monastery has nearly 50 resident monks, and hosts regular masses and other public events—and even a popular bakery.

Situated on Guanabara Bay, just a few miles opposite Rio de Janeiro, Niteroi offers a mesmerizing blend of natural beauty and cultural attractions. Nicknamed “The Smile City,” it fulfills expectations with its unrivaled viewpoints, vibrant art scene, and landmarks like the Contemporary Art Museum.

The incredible Cachoeira Toboga waterfall in the heart of the rainforest doubles as a natural waterslide that sends travelers shooting down slippery rocks into a swimming pool surrounded by Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest. Just upstream, a swinging rope bridge leads to Bar do Tarzan, a popular spot for a cold beer or caipirinha.

Fronting one of Rio de Janeiro’s wealthiest and most exclusive neighborhoods, Leblon Beach (Praia do Leblon) is one of the city’s cleanest and safest beaches and a slightly quieter alternative to Ipanema. Separated from Ipanema by a canal, the beach is particularly popular with families, as it offers a play area with beach toys and playground equipment.

Miles of white-sand beaches, aquamarine waters, and a backdrop of forested mountains help to make Angra dos Reis, or Bay of Kings, one of the top attractions of Brazil’s Costa Verde (Green Coast). Come to chill out, soak up the sun, and escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Situated at the heart of Zona Sul in the shadow of Corcovado, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon serves as a recreational area and beauty spot for local residents. It boasts more than 4 miles (7 kilometers) of bike and jogging trails, boathouses for rowing, and sometimes hosts live music.

A storied soccer stadium and performance venue in São Paulo, the Estádio Municipal Paulo Machado de Carvalho (Pacaembu Stadium) is celebrated for its art deco design and its role in the sport’s history. Having hosted landmark games, including the 1950 World Cup, the stadium today hosts a soccer museum and fitness club.

São Paulo's most exclusive destination, the Jardins District, is really a combination of the neighborhoods Jardim Paulista, Jardim América, Jardim Europa, Jardim Paulistano, as well as parts of Cerqueira César that extend southwest of Avenida Paulista — the city's main avenue of skyscraper offices.Aptly for a district where the name translates to “gardens,” Jardins is famous for its green space, with many of its huge stucco villas and modern glass mansions surrounded by lawns and pools.Jardins is home to hundreds of ritzy bars and restaurants, including D.O.M — named the world’s 7th best restaurant by Michelin. Rua Augusta, in particular, is lined with luxury hotels and restaurants, and where Augusta meets Rua Oscar Freire you'll find the flagship stores of designers including Dior, Cavalli, and Marc Jacobs. In Jardins, you’ll also find a number of important São Paulo's museums including the São Paulo Museum of Image and Sound, the Ema Gordon Klabin Cultural Foundation, the Museum of the Brazilian House, and the Brazilian Museum of Sculpture.

Barra da Tijuca (Barra) is one of Rio de Janeiro’s newest neighborhoods. It earned its nickname as the Brazilian Miami for its gorgeous sandy beaches and palm-fringed boulevards, which are flanked by mega malls and glass-fronted skyscrapers.

Pouring down a hillside in Rio’s South Zone, the 1-square-mile (2.6-square-kilometer) Rocinha favela is crammed with a colorful maze of cement buildings, tin roofs, and upwards of 180,000 residents living in challenging socioeconomic conditions. The district is considered the largest favela in Brazil, complete with a culture and history of its own, and has entered a period of renaissance, with urban gardens, community art projects, and educational services revitalizing the neighborhood little by little.

The Vista Chinesa (Chinese View) is one of the most striking monuments of the Tijuca Forest, erected in 1903 to honor Rio’s Chinese immigrants. The Chinese-style pavilion perched atop Alto da Boa Vista, some 1,247 feet (380 meters) above the city below, offers a stellar view away from the masses of Sugar Loaf and Corcovado.

The Abilio Barreto Historical Museum brings visitors back to the founding days of Belo Horizonte and through hundreds of years of history. Curated by local journalist Abilio Barreto, the museum’s collection is housed in a restored colonial farmhouse typical of the first settlers. The semi-open-air museum is a reminder of Belo Horizonte’s rural roots set amid the modern metropolis.

Mirante Dona Marta offers some of the best views of Rio de Janeiro, usually with smaller crowds than the city’s better-known viewpoints. From its lookout point, you can take in Rio’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf Mountain, Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers), Maracanã Stadium, and Pedra da Gavea.

With its coast and mountain views, Glória Marina is a popular Rio de Janeiro waterfront destination. Nestled between the mountains of Sugar Loaf and Corcovado, the marina is an excellent place to take in the views while enjoying a meal alfresco at one of its restaurants. It’s also the departure point for cruises around the bay.

About 36,000 people call the Portuguese colonial town of Paraty home. Its quiet streets, colorful homes, European influence, and historic roots attract visitors from across the globe. But it’s Paraty’s easy access to the untouched coastlines of Paraty Bay and its 65 islands that make it a true travel destination.

São Paulo’s first skyscraper—and the first building of its stature in South America—the Martinelli Building (Edifício Martinelli) stands 345 feet (105 meters) tall. While the building was originally designed to have 12 floors, the construction process, which stretched from 1924 to 1928, saw more than a dozen more floors added, plus a mansion on top.

Nestled in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, Floriano Peixoto Square, commonly known as Cinelandia, is a historic public space and meeting point surrounded by architectural gems like the Municipal Theater and National Library. Its landmarks reflect Rio’s 20th-century modernization and play a central role in Brazil's cultural life.

Housed in an ultra-modern structure designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, Rio’s Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã uses interactive exhibits and state-of-the-art simulators to explore the ecology, sustainability, and the future of our planet.

A serene, verdant oasis in the midst of bustling Rio de Janeiro, the city’s Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico) offers a chance to see and learn about both Amazonian and imported plants. There are over 6,500 species of plant contained in the 133-acre (54-hectare) plot, as well as an important research facility and botanical library.

Nestled at the foot of Corcovado Mountain, the compact Parque Lage is the former residence of rich industrialist Enrique Large and singer Gabriella Besanzoni. Surrounded by Atlantic rain forest that’s replete with monkeys and birds, it’s easy to see why the couple decided to settle in this oasis.

Hailed as one of the most important collections of European art in the Southern Hemisphere, the privately-owned Sao Paulo Museum of Art (MASP boasts more than 11,000 works that encompass paintings, photographs, objects, and sculptures. Stars of the collection include paintings by Picasso, Van Gogh, and Gaugin, and sculptures by Degas.

Whether you're a nature enthusiast, fitness lover, or seeking a tranquil escape, Rio de Janeiro’s Flamengo Park (Aterro do Flamengo) is the place to be. Spanning a long stretch of Guanabara Bay, the sprawling urban green space has 300 acres (121 hectares) to enjoy and explore.

A small beach that earned its name for the russet tint of its sand, Rio de Janeiro’s Red Beach (Praia Vermelha) is an under-the-radar but beautiful place for swimming, sunbathing, and admiring spectacular waterfront views. Located in the city’s Urca neighborhood, the beach is just a short trip from Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar).