The Museum of Sacred Art, located in the Nossa Senhora da Luz Convent, houses over 11,000 religious items that date back as far as the 16th century to present times. Many of the objects are items rescued from the former Basilica de Sao Paulo. The convent was built by Friar Galvao, the first Brazilian saint in 1744.

The exhibition hall contains an impressive and vast collection, and is a must-see if you visit Sao Paulo. Wooden and clay religious icons, baroque antiques, furniture, silverware, paintings, altarpieces, sacred clothing, Russian icons, wooden and terracotta masks, jewelry, and rare religious books are some of the many items you will see when you visit. You will learn all you need to know about the history of Catholicism in Brazil as you tour the facility. An interesting side note is that the famous Friar Galvo pills, said to contain miracle properties, are made by the nuns of the nearby convent.

Two important collections the museum holds are the Numismatics Collection that contains over 9,000 pieces of coins from the colonial period and the Nativity Museum that houses 190 nativities from Brazil and the rest of the world. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 am to 7 pm.

The Museum of Portuguese Language is a multimedia exhibition hall solely dedicated to the promotion of the Portuguese language. It is the only one of its kind in the world and is located in downtown Sao Paulo above the Luz Train Station. Over two million people have visited the museum since its opening.

Conceived in 2001 and opened in 2006, it is easy to understand why it is one of the most popular museums in Brazil. Never before has language been presented in such an engaging and captivating way. Hand-on activities, art and technology merge to create a unique experience for visitors. The center allows natives to truly understand their language and how Brazilian culture influenced it.

As you tour the facility, you can enjoy the writings of Portuguese writers, a video of the history of the Portuguese language projected onto walls, or an interactive game that explains the origin of a word. There is also a presentation regarding the history of the building. Temporary exhibitions are a regular occurrence. Familiarity with the Portuguese language is a must to truly enjoy the experience. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and from 10 am to 10 pm the last Tuesday of the month.

This museum is found in the 18th century mansion the Marquesa de Santos purchased to house his mistress. The museum is used for temporary exhibits of photos, paintings and sculptures that relate to the history of Sao Paulo.

Japanese Historical Museum was founded in 1978. It is located in the Building Bunkyo and its exhibitions are on the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors. There is a library filled with historic items, photos, and documents related to the immigration of the Japanese people and their way of life.

Established in 1947, the Museum of Art features fine art from Brazilian, English, French, African, Italian, Asian, and Latin American disciplines. The exhibition hall contains a collection of 8,000 items that features greats such as Renoir, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Warhol, Rubens, Rembrandt, Raphael, Boticelli, and Monet. It is one of the most extensive and largest collections of Western art in Latin America and the Southern Hemisphere. The current museum was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II during her 1968 visit to Brazil.

Located on the famous Avenida Paulista, the museum is locally known as the Museu de Arte. Designer Lina Bo Bardi is responsible for the two grand red lateral beams that grace the building. The beams support the building and enable the view of other buildings to remain unobstructed.

The building is much more than just a museum. A library, film gallery, photo gallery, two auditoriums, store, restaurant, and workshop rooms are available for public use. Concerts and other events are frequently held in the marketplace. Visitors should make sure to attend the antique market that happens every Sunday in the bazaar. Art courses are held for all who wish to attend. They are open daily from 11 am to 5 pm.

If you want to feast your eyes on one of the grandest art collections in the southern hemisphere, the Modern Art Museum in Ibirapuera Park is the place you should go. Founded way before the park itself, in 1948, by Francisco Matarazzo, the museum was inaugurated only in 1963. Located in the Bienal Pavilion, it is one of the first places dedicated to modern Brazilian art, featuring more than 8,000 artworks, including sculptures, paintings, and many others. Among those on display are creations by ldo Bonadei, Marc Chagall, José António da Silva, Emiliano Di Cavalcanti, Raoul Dufy, Anita Malfatti, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Alfredo Volpi and Mario Zanini.