Winter hasn’t officially started yet, but temperatures have already begun to drop in the state of São Paulo. If you love the cold, know that this is the perfect time to hit the road and enjoy the chilly destinations in the São Paulo countryside! That’s why we’re here to help you discover the best places to travel in the cold in São Paulo.
Embarking on these trips means experiencing the best the season has to offer. After all, these destinations feature wineries, mineral water resorts, and irresistible mountain landscapes. Grab your coat, check out our exclusive selection, and start planning your next trip now!
About an hour from the capital, São Roque is one of the top cities to visit during São Paulo’s winter. The main attraction of the “Land of Wine” is its culinary itinerary featuring wineries, which offer guided tours and exclusive tastings. If you’d like, you can even stay in a barrel-shaped cabin!
In addition to regular attractions, the municipality also hosts special events during this cold season. The São Roque Winter Festival, for example, brings free jazz, blues, and MPB concerts to the city in June. Meanwhile, the Cherry Blossom Festival, which celebrates the blooming of the sakura, transforms Bunkyo Park into a work of art during the month of July.
This charming district of São José dos Campos is the perfect tip for anyone looking for cities to visit in the cold. Located at an altitude of 720 meters amidst the Mantiqueira Mountains, the destination invites tourists to pull their warm clothes out of the closet to enjoy the mountain climate in style!
The winter itinerary there includes taking in the panoramic views from the Cruzeiro and Pedra de São Francisco lookouts, exploring local crafts, and taking the “Alchemists’ Tour” at the Alquimistas da Serra Distillery, where you can learn about the region’s artisanal gin production .
The next tip is a district of Camanducaia, in the Minas Gerais section of the Mantiqueira Mountains. The village of Monte Verde is famous for its German-style architecture and its mountain climate, which ranges from 5°C to 18°C during the winter!
The village’s romantic atmosphere is perfect for a trip for two, allowing couples to enjoy fondue dinners and great wines. But Monte Verde is also a perfect destination for families, being one of the most charming places to visit in the cold just a few hours from São Paulo.
The municipality is part of the São Paulo Water Circuit, attracting tourists with its relaxing thermal waters and wellness attractions. It’s the perfect destination to recharge your batteries this winter, with spas offering hot baths and invigorating treatments.
Families can also enjoy the Thermas Hot World complex. The facility features a complete infrastructure focused on wellness and fun on cold days, offering heated pools, hot tubs, and a wet bar.
Did you know that Campos do Jordão, located at an altitude of 1,628 meters, is the highest city in the entire country? This makes the municipality one of the coldest spots in the state of São Paulo, with temperatures that have already reached 0°C during the winter.
The local architecture pays homage to the region’s European cultural heritage , with buildings inspired by German style. As you stroll through the German-style townhouses, you’ll feel like you’re in the Old Continent!
Plus, you can take advantage of the trip to visit Dreams House, an entertainment complex that includes a wax museum, a dinosaur park, and horror attractions.
Águas de São Pedro
If you’d like to visit places that prioritize total relaxation this winter, the smallest city in the state of São Paulo deserves your attention. With just 3 square kilometers of territory, Águas de São Pedro makes up for its size with a complete infrastructure for relaxation tourism.
There you’ll find various spas and resorts offering immersion baths in medicinal thermal waters, whose soothing and therapeutic properties help revitalize the body and mind.
Santo Antônio do Pinhal
Santo Antônio do Pinhal is the perfect getaway to warm up with delicious wines and unique cuisine! It’s worth visiting the region’s wineries, which produce top-quality wines with a São Paulo soul.
It’s also worth exploring the ornamental gardens of Jardim dos Pinhais Ecco Parque, taking in the 360º view at Pico Agudo, or visiting the local craft breweries.
Voted the coziest destination in the state, this municipality in the Mantiqueira Mountains has established itself as one of the best places to visit in São Paulo during the winter! São Bento do Sapucaí balances adventure and coziness: its main attraction is the Pedra do Baú State Natural Monument, ideal for hiking and watching the sunset.
The municipality also stands out as a hub for winemaking and gastronomy. So, set aside a day for guided tours and tastings at the region’s wineries or olive groves .
For those looking for places to travel to in the cold near São Paulo, crossing the state line and taking refuge in Poços de Caldas is the perfect choice. Famous for its hot springs, this city in Minas Gerais invites visitors to ward off the cold with thermal baths and invigorating spas.
In addition to relaxing in the warm waters, the destination offers romantic strolls, a breathtaking view from Christ the Redeemer, and a Municipal Market featuring cheeses, milk sweets, cachaças, and other Minas Gerais delicacies.