6 Must-See Museums in SÃ£o Paulo and How to Visit

Get the lowdown on the top (and most must-visit) museums in São Paulo.

2 min readApr 26, 2018By Zoë Smith

A view of Parque Ibirapuera in São Paulo

Hi, I'm Zoë!

Zoë Smith is a British travel writer, editor, and digital content creator who has lived, worked, and traveled over six continents, and is currently based near Nantes, France. She has written for Rough Guides, CNN, and Culture Trip, and is digital editor at FrenchEntrée.

São Paulo’s museums are as diverse and eclectic as the city’s cultural heritage, and range from world-class art galleries to one of Latin America’s top sporting museums. Here are a few of the best museums in the city to add to your itinerary.

Why you are seeing these recommendations

1. São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP)

Interior of the São Paulo Museum of Art.

Browse the paintings at one of the city's top art institutions.Photo Credit: Maarten Zeehandelaar / Shutterstock

One of the city's most prestigious art museums.

São Paulo’s most renowned art institution is also one of the city’s most striking architectural landmarks, the work of architect Lina Bo Bardi. Looming over Avenida Paulista on four red concrete pillars, the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) showcases contemporary Brazilian masters such as Portinari alongside international superstars such as Picasso.

2. Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo

Interior of the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo.

Brazilian art is the focus at the Pinacoteca.Photo Credit: Courtesy of Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo

For some of the best Brazilian art.

Housed in a gorgeous neoclassical manse—formerly the city’s first art academy—the Pinacoteca do Estado dates back to back to the early 20th century. Its vast permanent collection focuses on modern and classical Brazilian paintings and sculptures.

Visit Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo

3. Football Museum

Exterior of the Football Museum in São Paulo.

Take a tour of São Paulo's incredible Football Museum.Photo Credit: Tiago Pestana / Shutterstock

Get an insight into the beautiful game.

Brazil’s passion for football takes center stage at the Football Museum (Museu do Futebol), housed in the Pacaembu Stadium, one of Brazil’s oldest football venues. Inside, highlights include an impressive World Cup exhibition detailing every tournament from 1930 to present day, a multimedia recreation of a Brazilian soccer match, and footage of some of Brazil’s most legendary sporting moments.

Visit Football Museum

4. Catavento Cultural

Exterior of the Catavento Cultural in São Paulo.

Get hands-on at the São Paulo science museum.Photo Credit: vitormarigo / Shutterstock

Interactive and immersive science exhibits.

Located in the historic Palace of Industry in Dom Pedro II Park, the Catavento Cultural is a unique science museum designed to get kids excited about life and the universe. It’s filled with interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and kinetic displays on subjects such as the solar system, the human body, and chemistry.

5. Instituto Tomie Ohtake

Beautiful inside and out, the Instituto Tomie Ohtake is a must-visit.Photo Credit: MSMondadori / Shutterstock

Admire contemporary works.

Standing sentry over the Pinheiros district, the two-toned glass skyscraper housing the Instituto Tomie Ohtake features impactful photography exhibitions and contemporary art installations.

6. Ibirapuera Park

Ibirapuera Park home to the Afro-Brazilian Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Modern Art in Brazil.

There are multiple museums to explore in Ibirapuera Park.Photo Credit: ESB Professional / Shutterstock

Home to multiple top museums.

The leafy Ibirapuera Park is home to a number of art museums, including the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) and the Museum of Modern Art (MAM)—both designed by Brazilian master architect Oscar Niemeyer—and the Afro-Brazilian Museum, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of Afro-Brazilian art and artifacts.

Visit Ibirapuera Park