Construction of Sao Paulo Cathedral began in 1913 and was finally completed in 1954, but this sacred site has hosted churches and cathedrals since 1589. Its impressive Neo-Gothic facade and soaring Renaissance-style dome make it one of the city’s most striking landmarks.

The twin towers, reaching 92 meters, were finished in 1967, and inside, the cathedral can hold up to 8,000 visitors. The capitals are decorated with carved Brazilian crops like coffee branches and pineapples, a charming nod to the country’s heritage.

The crypt holds fascinating history as well. Among the tombs of Sao Paulo’s archbishops and bishops, you’ll find the remains of Tibirica, a Guaianas chief who welcomed the first Jesuits in the 1500s and helped make the founding of Sao Paulo possible. Marble sculptures tell stories of Job and Saint Jerome, making the crypt both impressive and reflective.

Music lovers will be thrilled by the cathedral’s enormous 1954 organ, one of the largest in Latin America, boasting 12,000 pipes and intricate Gothic-style carvings. And don’t miss the carillon—the heaviest and largest in Central and South America—with its 61 bells filling the air with resounding tones.

Tip:
Tourists should be aware that the plaza around the cathedral can attract drug addicts, beggars, and grifters. It is safest to visit during the day and maintain a low profile. The contrast between the sacred interior and the bustling, sometimes chaotic exterior offers a striking portrait of São Paulo’s unique and complex character.

The Municipal Theatre (Theatro Municipal) holds great significance as a theater and cultural establishment in Sao Paulo. It was constructed in 1911 by Brazilian architect Ramos de Azevedo, along with Italian architects Claudio Rossi and Domiziano Rossi. Drawing inspiration from the Paris Opera building, its design blends elements of Neoclassical and Baroque styles.

The creation of this edifice was driven by the necessity to provide a theater that would cater to the aspirations of the city's residents. Following a devastating fire that rendered the previous theater, Teatro São Bento, unsuitable for artistic performances, the people expressed their demand for a venue that could rival the cultural experiences found in Europe. In response to their fervent pleas, a theater befitting such extraordinary performances was granted. The stage of this illustrious establishment has been graced by renowned artists including Anna Pavlova, Duke Ellington, Isadora Duncan, Vivien Leigh, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas, and Rudolph Nureyev.

The Municipal Theatre is widely acclaimed for its association with the Week of Modern Art, an event that propelled Sao Paulo onto the global artistic landscape. Although already a significant cultural hub, Sao Paulo was considered relatively insignificant in terms of artistic influence. However, the Week of Modern Art served as a turning point, elevating Sao Paulo to a position of leadership and major influence within the modern art movement. Presently, the Municipal Theatre serves as the residence for the São Paulo Municipal Symphonic Orchestra, the Coral Lírico (Lyric Choir), and the City Ballet of São Paulo.

Why You Should Visit:
A true gem in the heart of the city – great spot for taking beautiful pictures.
Besides its sumptuousness, outside and especially inside, it gives insight into quite a few of Brazil's moments 100 years ago.
The ambiance is sophisticated, there is a great bar with drinks, soups and treats, and the selection of plays, concerts and operas is always great.

Tip:
Make sure you're there at 11 AM on weekdays for the free, guided, one-hour tour.
If you're leaving a performance late at night use caution as you would in any large urban setting.

The soaring interior nave with its ornate details makes this the most beautiful and vivid church in Sao Paulo. The monastery was originally established in 1598.

In 1640, when the Duke of Bragança was crowned King of Portugal, a group in São Paulo rejected the new monarch and offered the title King of Sao Paulo to Amador Bueno. Bueno declined the offer and hid in the Sao Bento Monastery until the political unrest subsided and D. Joao was recognized as King.

The current neo-Gothic façade was completed in 1914. German architect Richard Berndl designed the new structure, while Belgian sculptor Adrien Henri Vital van Emelen created the impressive sculptures of the twelve apostles.

The interior craftsmanship is exquisite, and the stained glass windows are stunning. A friar crafted clay figures for the high altar in the 1600s, which is made of marble imported from Italy. The clock, installed in 1920, was considered the most accurate timepiece in São Paulo at the time. The impressive organ, with more than 6,000 pipes, can be heard during mass. Forty-five monks live in the monastery, devoting their lives to prayer and work.

Don’t miss experiencing the church in action and listening to its hauntingly beautiful acoustics. Attend a mass to hear the Gregorian chants—held on weekdays at 6 a.m. and weekends at 10 a.m.

There’s also an on-site bakery offering delicious treats made by the monks using secret recipes. You’ll find freshly baked bread, cakes, biscuits, jams, chocolates, and even craft beer.

This enormous eclectic-style market first opened in 1933. Since then, it has remained committed to serving as a central public market offering fruits, vegetables, meats, cereals, and spices.

The Municipal Market was inspired by the Berlin Central Market, featuring a covered building with side turrets. Its exterior combines neoclassical and Gothic influences, with grand columns and arches. Glazed windows flood the interior with natural light.

Inside, visitors can admire the market’s fabulous stained-glass windows, arranged in 32 panels. These were designed by Brazilian stained-glass master Conrado Sorgenicht Filho, who also created works for more than 300 churches across Brazil. Instead of religious themes, the panels here depict scenes of food production, perfectly suited to the market’s spirit.

On the first floor, visitors will find a wide range of food retailers. You can buy just about any ingredient imaginable — from Brazilian nuts, coffee, and fresh fish to oysters, meats, fruits, and vegetables.

The second floor is home to several restaurants where you can enjoy local specialties. To give you an idea of the market’s impressive scale, it employs over 1,500 workers, and more than 350 tons of food are traded here each day.

Tip:
Try the famous mortadella sandwich. The market is bustling at lunchtime, so if you love a hectic, immersive experience, try lunchtime. For a quieter pace, go before or after lunch.

The Art Gallery of the State of São Paulo (Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo) stands as the city's oldest art gallery, drawing a substantial number of tourists. The construction of the gallery's building spanned three years from 1897 to 1900. Originally designated for the School of Arts and Crafts, it underwent a conversion in 1911 to become a state museum.

Throughout its history, the Pinacoteca do Estado has served various purposes, including housing the High School of the State, accommodating governmental offices, and even acting as military barracks during World War II. In its early years, the exhibition space was limited to a mere four rooms in 1951. Presently, the gallery boasts an expansive presence with over 10 rooms, occupying both the ground and first floors of the building.

Additionally, the ground floor is home to the Resistance Memorial. While the gallery's collections predominantly focus on academic art, they also feature several works by modernist artists. Exploring the vast display of over 7,000 pieces, visitors may encounter historic paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries, capturing Brazil's essence through the skilled brushstrokes of artists such as Almeida Junior, Anita, and Alfredo Volpi Malfatti. Sculptures by Vitor Brecheret and numerous other captivating artworks further enrich the gallery's collection.

Why You Should Visit:
For a comprehensive and engaging overview of the country's best artists from the 19th and 20th centuries, and for getting a vision of São Paulo and other parts of Brazil in those times.
Not only can you see the way cities were before urban sprawl, but also the way of life then – certainly simpler and seemingly a lot more idyllic!

Tip:
There's a nice cafe with decent food selection, as well as a nice park adjacent, so you can spend 3-5 hrs to give yourself the time to explore it all, and have a lunch/snack/coffee and/or walk break.