Culture is certainly not in short supply in São Paulo. To give you an idea, the state capital is home to more than 150 artistic institutions, making it the city with the highest number of museums in Brazil.
São Paulo’s cultural strength is such that the metropolis has just entered the World’s Best Cities for Culture 2026 ranking. It is the only Brazilian entry on Time Out Global’s list, which reinforces São Paulo’s leading role in the country’s artistic and entertainment development.
Furthermore, the guide highlights only one other city in Latin America: Guadalajara, Mexico. Thus, it is clear that São Paulo’s cultural scene is becoming increasingly prominent on the global stage, also attracting foreign tourists.
International guide highlights São Paulo’s pioneering spirit in culture
To identify the best destinations, the publication interviewed more than 24,000 residents from 150 different cities, as well as editors and travel experts. Finally, 20 cities were selected whose entertainment scenes have been standing out around the globe.
São Paulo ranks 7th, ahead of European metropolises such as Madrid, Athens, and Florence. According to the publication, the city stands out for its balance between historical and contemporary attractions, as well as the strength of its urban art scene.
Museums drive São Paulo’s success
São Paulo’s international success is no accident. A recent survey by The Art Newspaper revealed that the metropolis had two museums in the ranking of the 100 most visited on the planet.
The standout was MASP, which ranked 64th after doubling its audience and recording nearly 1.2 million visitors in 2025. Right behind it, the Pinacoteca de São Paulo, the capital’s oldest art museum, secured 94th place by welcoming 820,000 people.
