Sao Paulo was a surprise. A city that lives in the shadow of Rio de Janeiro but is its own in every way. This is a city that has riverfront markets and high streets with designer gear, parties into the early hours of the morning and towering cathedrals tolling the hours of the day. It has huge parks and high skyscrapers. It has history and modernity. It has social life, religious life, cultural life, arts life, work life, and is generally just alive. I found Sao Paulo a truly inspiring place. Getting lost in this city is a wonderfully rewarding experience.

Nightlife in Rua Augusta

Rua Augusta is the place to go for going out. This is a bit west of downtown, and the nightlife area of the street is bisected by the famous Avenida Paulista, the main Sao Paulo shopping street. Rua Augusta has everything from American knockoff hamburger diners to local cachacerias, late night barbers to dance clubs, cocktail bars to kebab carts. If you are out in the evening, this is a great place to start…or end…or just pass through. The best way to visit is by walking down the street until some music, or décor, or vibe, or person catches your eye. But, if you need a place to start, check out Carlito Botecaria for something cheap or maybe Terapeuta Bar for some music.

Lunch At Mercado Municipal De Pinheiros

The Mercado Municipal de Pinheiros is a meeting spot inside the up and coming Pinheiros district of Sao Paulo. The ground floor is turning into a bit more of an upscale local market with all sorts of fruit, veg, and other grocery items mixed in with more artisanal cheeses, wines, and local handicrafts. The top floor is filled with wonderful restaurants, bars, and cafes that are bleeding out onto the neighboring streets. So, whether you are self catering and need a grocery stop, or you want to try out local or fusion eateries, this is a great place to start on the east side of Sao Paulo.

Parque Ibirapuera

Parque do Ibirapuera is a massive green space in Sao Paulo loaded with things to do. The grounds cover all sorts of running trails, hiking paths, and cobbled garden lanes. There are several stations throughout the area with workout equipment and daily classes in all sorts of movements. A botanical garden sits in the southwest. Monuments and pavilions are found every so often along the ways. And the north has the planetarium and an interesting museum dedicated to Afro-Brazilian cultural impact on the area. Make sure to hit the Obelisco do Ibirapuera, the Museo Afro Brasil, the Japanese Pavillion, and Peace Square for starters.

Going Out In Pinheiros

The Pinheiros neighborhood has had a dramatic revitalization in the past few years. Especially, the areas around Rua Costa Carvalho and Rua Ferreira de Araujo, just north of the Praxa Padre Septimo Ramos Arante, the streets are lined with opportunities. Quaint cafes share walls with some of the most interesting galleries in the city. Late night cocktail bars sit across from dingy local cachaça houses. And modern, international eateries can be found right beside amazing, local, hole-in-the-wall haunts that will never die. This area is second only to Rua Augusta when it comes to nightlife in Sao Paulo, but with much less expectation. This is where you go to hang and see friends. Rua Augusta is where you go for a party.

Beco De Batman Graffiti

Beco de Batman or “Batman’s Alley” is the center of street art in this sprawling city. Nestled within the heart of Vila Madalena neighborhood, this is a cultural stop for tourists and locals alike. Every inch of every wall has been claimed by an artist, or several, and the pavement, the walls, the fences, the doors, and sometimes even the windows of the cafes, bars, restaurants, and galleries have been covered with local artwork. This is a great scene for local artists and the occasional tourist wandering through. Don’t forget to get a picture of the alley’s namesake. Good old Bruce Wayne and his famous symbols can be found in a few places throughout the busy alley.

Praça Da Sé

The Praca da Se is one of the most profound spaces in the city. This is the meeting spot for many activities, nights out, or cultural tours. Two of the biggest metro lines intersect under your feet, and if you are staying anywhere other than the old district of Sao Paulo, climbing up the stairs from the subway is going to be a bit of a surprise. Blinking in the sunlight, you are met with the Sao Paulo Cathedral and the Justice Building, two of the most impressive structures in the city. From here, head west to find the old district and much more of the architecture that made this city famous.

Cachasa

This is basically Brazilian moonshine, if you did not know. Cachaça is THE drink in Brazil. Made from distilled sugarcane juice, it is more or less rum with some technical differences I will let you look up if you are interested. Mainly, it is the key ingredient in the Caipirinha, or most famous cocktail from Brazil. You will find it everywhere, but if you want to try it out in a little more detail, check out Terra Nova Cachacaria or Agua Doce in Sao Paulo to do side by side tastings and see what you might like.

Shopping Street Avenida Paulista

Avenida Paulista is worth walking from the Paraiso metro station in the south to the intersection with Rua Augusta up on the north end of the avenue. This is the high street, or shopping street of the city and it is fantastic for every block. I am not an avid visitor of upmarket clothing or name brand anything really. But the avenue itself has all sorts of interesting architecture, galleries, restaurants or street cafes, a few historic buildings like the Casa das Rosas or Japan Houses, a couple of parks, and all sorts of people watching to be done. I highly recommend visiting in early evening, when folks start to come forth after the heat of the day and walking end to end.

Paróquia Nossa Senhora Do Brasil

This was one of my favorite random cultural finds in Sao Paulo. Walking up from Parque do Ibirapuera to the Pinheiros district, I found this place on the side of the road. No one had it on a recommendation list. It was on no tourist map. But here it is now. This church is simple and beautiful from the outside. I probably would not have stopped if it weren’t for the blue tiles on the façade. Just a few parts outside are lined with this ceramic work. But inside, the walls are covered with these blue, hand painted tiles that make you feel like you are in Lisbon or southern Spain. Wall to wall and across the arched ceilings, part mosaic and part painting, the tiles form scenes across the ceramic pieces. Make sure to explore the side chapels and alcoves as well as the blue follows you all the way through.

Homeless Warning West Of Luz Station

I typically find myself very at ease in the world. Traveling to some of the most far flung destinations, it takes a lot to put me on edge or make me feel uncomfortable. Leaving Luz Station in Sao Paulo (with a friend, I might add), all was well, the station was beautiful, the Jardim de Luz was beautiful, everything was going well. But, when we decided to walk back to the downtown area, this took us past the corner of Julio Prestes Praca. For a couple blocks, the homeless presence had been growing. When we turned the corner, the placa was entirely filled with tents and makeshift lean to homes. People were everywhere and police were heavily present. Still not sure if this was an issue, we pressed further before suddenly being stopped by city police and escorted back to the station. They could not believe we were there and acted as if we were in imminent danger. They would not leave our sight until we were safely behind the turnstiles and committed to heading back by metro. I don’t think I have ever seen something quite like it. Keep it in mind if you are in the area as this is just a few blocks from some of the major tourist attractions downtown.

“Don’t skip São Paulo, Brazil” by Creed Evans was originally published on Wanderdash (follow Creed @creedevans)