The lands of Minas Gerais are famous in São Paulo for their cheese bread and coffee. But now, our neighbor Minas Gerais is in the spotlight for being home to the only Brazilian destination on the New York Times’ list of places to visit in 2026: the Inhotim Institute.
Known as the largest open-air museum in the world, Inhotim is located in Brumadinho, in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte. Just an hour’s flight from São Paulo, the place enchants tourists from all over the world for its perfect balance between contemporary art and nature.
So, if the tasty cuisine and hospitality of the people of Minas Gerais haven’t yet convinced you to cross the border, now you have an unquestionable cultural reason to plan a trip.
How about flying to Minas next holiday season?
Every year, the New York Times releases its prestigious list of the best destinations. The 2026 guide features 52 cities and attractions around the world, such as Okinawa (Japan), the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (India) and the “home of Winnie the Pooh” (England).
The Inhotim Institute is in 24th place and is the only Brazilian recommendation to appear in the ranking. According to the international publication, one of the few criticisms of the museum is that it can’t be visited in just one day. The newspaper also highlights the 500 works of art spread across the 24 galleries of the space, which occupies a large botanical garden.
Although we missed one attraction from São Paulo on the list, we can still celebrate. After all, as the locals say, Inhotim is “just around the corner”.
Get to know the “Inhotim of São Paulo” too
If a trip to Minas Gerais doesn’t fit into your schedule right now, don’t worry. Another excellent alternative is Parque Campana, an open-air museum in Brotas, in the interior of São Paulo. Just a three-hour drive from the capital, the attraction covers 52 hectares and combines art with environmental preservation.
Fernando and Humberto – the Campana Brothers – designed the space. They are among the few Brazilian artists with works in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. The visit costs R$25 and is free for the elderly and children under five, making it an unmissable outing for all ages. Check out more information in this article!
