The capital of São Paulo is a mixture of different countries, religions and cultures. That’s why there are so many secrets scattered around the city and spaces that could even be on the other side of the world. With that in mind, we’ve selected some places that don’t look like São Paulo – but are!
Sacred Ground
The Sacred Ground was built by the World Messianic Church of Brazil on the banks of the Guarapiranga Reservoir, with the intention of being a “prototype of earthly paradise”.
Its area of 327,500 square meters has turned it into one of the most beautiful places in the middle of nature in the city.
Where: Avenida Professor Hermann Von Ihering, 6567 – Jardim Casa Grande
Japanese Pavilion
Incredibly, inside Ibirapuera Park you can transport yourself to Japan. Tucked away there is the Japanese Pavilion. Silence reigns here, both in the garden area with its ornamental plants and trees and in the carp pond.
To top it all off, there’s also an exhibition with pieces of Japanese culture, such as ceramics and warrior costumes.
Where: Avenida Pedro Álvares Cabral, no number – Moema
Avanhandava Street
Known for Famiglia Mancini Canteen rua Avanhandava is close to Praça Roosevelt and well worth a visit. In 1980, when businessman Walter Mancini opened his first canteen, Famiglia Mancini, the history of the street changed completely.
Over the years, it has become a symbol of gastronomic tourism and entertainment in the capital. Today, it is considered by many to be the most charming street in the center, perhaps in the city.
Urban coffee plantation
The largest urban coffee plantation is right here in São Paulo. It has around 2,000 coffee trees in an area of 10,000 m², located at the headquarters of the Biological Institute in Vila Mariana, five minutes from Ibirapuera Park. The coffee plantation is made up of the Mundo Novo and Catuaí coffee varieties, developed by the Agronomic Institute (IAC).
According to the São Paulo State Department of Agriculture and Supply, the coffee plantation was formed in the 1950s and was intended to serve as research material for the Institute’s technicians to study agricultural pest control.
Where: Avenida Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves, 1.252 – Vila Mariana
Liberdade neighborhood
In large cities around the world, there is usually a neighborhood where the Asian community finds refuge. In São Paulo, this neighborhood is Liberdade, the largest Japanese neighborhood outside the country.
The neighborhood of Liberdade is a tourist area in central São Paulo. It is the largest stronghold of the Japanese community in the municipality, which is the largest community in the world outside Japan.
The waterfalls in Parelheiros and Engenheiro Marsilac
It seems hard to believe that you can find waterfalls in the capital of São Paulo. But it’s true! In the far south, in the neighborhoods of Parelheiros and Engenheiro Marsilac, you can enjoy five waterfalls without having to leave the city.
Guarapiranga Dam
Considered the beach of São Paulo residents living in the far south of the capital, the reservoir is proof that São Paulo residents can swim, sunbathe and enjoy nature.
Located in the South Zone of São Paulo, the reservoir has 18 beaches recognized by the City Hall, as well as five parks in its surroundings. All this makes the place the perfect choice for contemplating nature, practicing sports and relaxing.
Bororé Island
About 30 km from the center of São Paulo, Bororé Island is far from the image of the city of São Paulo. Known as an island, the neighborhood is actually a peninsula surrounded by the Billings dam. This is because it is connected to the rest of the city by a strip of land.
Not only is the tour of the “island” itself an adventure, but you can also visit some of the tourist attractions there. The best known of these is Casa Ecoativa. In addition to the space, it’s worth visiting the Chapel of São Sebastião and Sítio Paiquerê, which is a benchmark in organic and biodynamic agriculture and one of the pioneers in the certification of organic products.
Cantareira State Park
It seems hard to believe that in the middle of the stone jungle that is São Paulo it is possible to get in touch with nature. We’ve already told you about another super worthwhile trail to visit the Pico do Jaraguá – highest point in the city. But it’s not the only place!
In the north of the capital, in the Cantareira State Park, you can take an incredible walk to leave the madness of everyday life behind. Opened to the public in 1989, the park is one of the largest native urban forests in the world.
One of the most popular trails is Pedra Grande it offers a panoramic view of the city. Access to the viewpoint is from the Pedra Grande Nucleus. The entrance to this part of the park is at Rua do Horto, 1799.