Avenida Paulista is one of the capital’s favorite tourist spots, and on Sundays and public holidays it becomes a veritable “park” amidst the buildings. As well as being one of the city’s best-known landmarks, the city’s most famous avenue offers plenty of sightseeing options for all tastes and budgets. Check it out!
Masp
The Assis Chateaubriand Art Museum of São Paulo could not be left off the list. The place is a work of art in itself. The project by architect Lina Bo Bardi has become one of the city’s most important postcards, and its vault is a meeting point for fairs events and even demonstrations. In addition, its art collection is considered one of the most important in the Southern Hemisphere.
Where: Avenida Paulista, 1578
Schedule: Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Free admission on Tuesdays and the first Thursdays of the month
House of Roses
The mansion is one of the few that remain on the avenue as a memory of the coffee baron era. Its official name is Espaço Haroldo de Campos de Poesia e Literatura (Haroldo de Campos Poetry and Literature Space), but it came to be known as a tribute to his garden, which was once filled with roses. Known as the house of poetry, it has literary exhibitions, courses and workshops.
Where: Avenida Paulista, 37
Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday, garden from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and museum from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Sesc Paulista
Inaugurated in 2018, the Sesc unit on Avenida Paulista has become a favorite among São Paulo residents. Entry to the building is free and visitors can visit all 17 floors. As well as exhibitions, shows, courses, a library and other activities, on the top floor there is the sesc viewpoint. Enjoy the view of the avenue from the top!
Where: Avenida Paulista, 119
Schedule: Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Itaú Cultural
The space promotes cultural events such as audiovisual exhibitions, dance and theater shows, concerts, seminars and courses, all free of charge. In addition, two floors of the building are occupied by the permanent exhibition of the Brasiliana and Numismatic collections. There are 1,364 works, including paintings, books, maps and other materials that tell the story of more than 500 years of Brazil.
Where: Avenida Paulista, 149
Opening hours: From Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays and public holidays, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m
Japan House
Japan House was designed by architect Kengo Kuma and opened in 2017. The purpose of the space is to bring the culture of today’s Japan to São Paulo. There is art, technology and courses in the exhibition spaces on the building’s three floors.
Where: Avenida Paulista, 452
Schedule: Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m
Fiesp Cultural Center
The Fiesp Cultural Center is known for its triangular façade, where LED projections are displayed. A veritable open-air digital gallery. Inside, there are exhibitions – often immersive and technological – plays and concerts.
Where: Avenida Paulista, 1313
Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m
Moreira Salles Institute
Next to Sesc, it is the second most recent building on the avenue. The Moreira Salles Paulista Institute opened in 2017 and soon became one of the must-see stops for anyone visiting the region. There are seven floors and 1,200 meters dedicated to culture, in a space with free exhibitions, a movie theater, a library, a collection that is a reference in photography, classrooms and more. It’s worth a visit and a stop at the open space on the first floor and the terrace.
Where: Avenida Paulista, 2424
Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday and holidays (except Monday), from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m
Cultural Reserve
That almost secret corner, underneath the Gazeta TV station building, is the Reserva Cultural. The cinema has a program focused on the best of the national and international alternative circuit. If cult movies aren’t really your thing, it’s worth a visit for the bookshop and café, which are a real delight.
Where: Avenida Paulista, 900
Schedule: Daily from 10am to 11pm
Consolação Literary Passage
The Passagem Literária da Consolação is one of those places that you pass by several times and in the rush of everyday life, you might not realize what it’s all about. Inaugurated in the 1970s, since 2005 the place has been run by the Via Libris Association, an organization of booksellers who used to work on Rua Augusta. Since then, the space has gained new airs and a cultural program.
Where: Corner of Avenida Paulista and Consolação.
Schedule: Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m
