Things to do in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo is the third largest city in the world and has a diverse culture made up of many different ethnic groups. There is art and entertainment comparable to any other city as well as some majestic 19th century buildings. The intersection of rua Augusta and Oscar Freire has some of the best shopping in Brazil, while the green and leafy Jardins district is a pleasant place to wander around. The city also has an abundance of good parks and gardens such as the popular Ibirapuera Park and Japanese gardens.
Fundao Maria Luiza e Oscar Americano
Located near the Palacio dos Bandeirantes, this art gallery and its grounds were bequeathed to Sao Paulo by Oscar Americano, a wealthy developer responsible for creating much of the Morumbi district. The house is set in attractive gardens which contain over 20,000 trees. It's a relaxing and pleasant place to visit. The initial collection was based on works of art belonging to the Americano family and includes paintings, sculptures, porcelain, silver and furniture. Over time, new pieces from various periods have been acquired to form the current collection, Colonial and Imperial Brazil and 20th Century Masters. Phone: +55 11 3742 0077.
Memorial da America Latina
Set in a large area of free space, these sculptures and huge curved structures show different aspects of Latin American culture and art. The Creativity Pavilion has a good selection of popular art, while the Marta Trata Gallery has temporary exhibitions by Latin American artists. Other exhibits include the Tiradentes Panel by Cândido Portinari in the Acts Room and a concrete hand depicting the map of Latin America. Phone: +55 11 3823 9611.
Mercado Municipal
This popular market used to be served by boats carrying fresh produce on the now polluted and obsolete Rio Tamanduatei. Fortunately, the market itself is still thriving and the hundreds of stalls sell a huge range of products such as cheeses, meats, vegetables and wines. It's an interesting place to wander around, although it does become extremely busy at the weekend.
The building was designed by Ramos de Azevedo and features some classic Romanesque and Gothic architecture. If you can fight your way through the crowds, have a drink and a sandwich at the Bar do Mané or try the food at Café do Mercado. The restaurant contains a beautiful stained-glass window designed by Felisberto Ranzini, depicting scenes of life in Sao Paulo during the 1920s. A new mezzanine section above the market also has a good choice of eateries, and is a great spot for watching the market life down below. Phone: +55 11 3228 0673, or +55 11 3227 6879.
Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo
The Museu de Arte is probably Sao Paulo's finest art gallery and has an extensive collection with works by Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Van Gogh, Chagall, Degas, Gauguin, Cezanne, Turner and Constable. Some of the paintings on display date back to the 13th century. There are also paintings by Candido Portinari, a local from Sao Paulo and one of Brazil's most celebrated artists. The distinctive building is conveniently located in the middle of avenida Paulista and is easy to get to. It has recently suffered from a financial crisis due to a drop in visitors and has had to postpone an extension on the adjacent property. Phone: +55 11 3251 5644.
