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.

Parque Estadual da Cantareira

This is a great place to escape the chaos of the city and is one of the few areas that still has some rainforest. Only certain sections of the park are open to the public. The Núcleo Pedra Grande can be found behind the Horto Florestal park. Follow the signs from the main gates at the park's entrance, which lead to the main trails in the forest. The longest trail is seven miles and takes you to a large rock called Pedra Grande, from where you get a superb view of the city.

There is an abundance of wildlife in the forest if you look closely including troupes of monkeys and many species of birds. The area is best reached by taxi and is about 45 minutes by car from the city centre. You should ask the driver to wait for you to ensure that you don't have any problems getting back.

Ptio do Colgio

The Pátio do Colégio is a centre of cultural activity and marks the place where the city of Sao Paulo was originally founded. A Jesuit school was first built here by the local Guaianás inhabitants. There is now a church on the grounds as well as the Achieta Museum, displaying original sculptures by the Guaianás natives and a model reproduction of Sao Paulo in the 16th century. Phone: +55 11 3105 6899.

Planetrio do Ibirapuera

The Planetarium building was the first in the Southern hemisphere and is shaped like a flying saucer. It has a dome which is 20 meters in diameter, and the projection machine shows the sky above Sao Paulo from dusk to dawn. A professional astronomer explains the most famous stars and constellations as well as the movements of the Earth and other planets. Phone: +55 11 5575 5206.

Museums

The Immigrant Memorial Museum has displays of photos and documents, and other objects which cover emigration and national identity. Many nationalities have been attracted to Brazil over the years including a large number of Africans who were forced from their homes and made to work in colonial mines and plantations.

The building which houses the museum is an attraction in itself. It was built in 1887 and once housed up to 10,000 immigrant labourers at a time. In total, three million people passed through this building, with the last group leaving in 1978. The huge dorm rooms, admission hall, office and hospital are shown in their original condition to give you an idea of the harsh conditions under which the immigrants lived.

The Museu da Casa Brasileira on avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima was the former home of a wealthy Brazilian family. They donated their house and its works of art to the public and the wide array of artefacts including 17th and 18th century Portuguese silverware, a 15th century Italian suit of armour and a sculpture of the Madonna and Child. It's worth stopping at the restaurant, which is housed in the former kitchen of the mansion and looks out over spacious gardens, with a nice patio area where you can relax.