Traveling in São Paulo is wonderful! After all, who doesn’t love discovering new places? Plus, a longweekend was just what São Paulo residents needed to make the most of September, right?
Independence Day, on September 7—which falls on a Monday this year—means three consecutive days off, making it a great opportunity to get out and explore. So check out our list of places to visit in São Paulo and enjoy your days off in style.
Analândia is the ideal destination for the holiday, combining tranquility and adventure. It’s a great choice for ecotourism, with hiking trails and extreme sports. A highlight is the Gruta do Índio, a unique attraction featuring 5,000-year-old cave paintings! Also, don’t miss the Morros do Cuscuzeiro and Camelo hills, and cool off at the Ponte Amarela Waterfall.
Known as the “Amazon of São Paulo,” Eldorado is the perfect destination for anyone who wants to take a deep breath and connect with nature. There, you can explore the impressive Caverna do Diabo, marvel at the Meu Deus Waterfall, visit the Quilombo de Ivaporunduva, and enjoy lookouts, trails, and landscapes that showcase the Atlantic Forest at its best.
Boituva’s biggest attraction is its enchanting hot-air balloon rides. After all, who wouldn’t want to watch a beautiful sunset from up high? Plus, the city also offers a wine tour fit for a king.
Embu das Artes is the perfect day trip for those who love crafts, history, and photogenic spots. The city is home to the famous Handicraft Fair, charming museums such as the Museum of Sacred Art and the Museum of the Indigenous People, as well as the charming Viela das Lavadeiras and the peaceful Rizzo Park—a leisurely, cultural stroll full of discoveries.
Olímpia lives up to its title as the “Brazilian Orlando”: in addition to the famous Thermas dos Laranjais, the city boasts Hot Beach, artificial beaches, themed museums, giant dinosaurs, and even an ice bar. A perfect destination for families looking for nonstop fun, both in and out of the water.
This is the ideal destination for those seeking an adrenaline rush. Still, there’s no shortage of options for those who just want to relax. Socorro offers beautiful scenery, hiking trails, waterfalls, and extreme sports like rafting and zip-lining. Without a doubt, this destination is a treat for adventurers.
The main tourist attraction in this resort town is the Gruta dos Anjos, which became known as the “Blue Cave” in the soap opera *No Rancho Fundo*. The rock formation houses a crystal-clear lake with carp and offers paddleboat rides.
This charming resort town is known for its beautiful lavender fields, which are open to visitors. In addition to the flowers, Cunha stands out for its tradition of pottery, hiking trails, the Pedra da Macela waterfalls, and local festivals.
Did you know you can see a replica of the Trevi Fountain without leaving São Paulo? The state is home to must-see tourist attractions. Plus, in Serra Negra, you’ll find mountainous landscapes, a mild climate, wineries, and plenty of tourist spots to explore.
The “city of flowers” features Dutch-inspired architecture, flower-filled fields, and pure charm! With a unique romantic atmosphere, the resort celebrates spring with Expoflora, a festival inspired by Dutch culture. Without a doubt, Holambra is a little piece of Europe in the interior of São Paulo.
The city, which is part of the São Paulo Water Circuit, is renowned for its thermal waters with medicinal properties. If you’re looking for a place to relax, Águas de Lindóia is the ideal spot. Highlights include the Municipal Spa and the Thermas Hot World water park.
Rounding out the list of places to visit in São Paulo, the “adventure capital” is the perfect spot for anyone who loves an adrenaline rush! Brotas offers rafting, zip-lining, hiking trails, waterfalls, and endless ecotourism options for its visitors.
Monteiro Lobato
Monteiro Lobato charms those seeking rest, culture, and nature. This city boasts incredible natural landscapes, as well as hiking trails and hidden waterfalls that are well worth the adventure. Visitors will also find a tourist site that was once the home of the writer after whom the city is named, making it a must-see for fans of *Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo*.
Located in the Mantiqueira Mountains, Santo Antônio do Pinhal is the ideal destination for those who want to relax surrounded by nature, gastronomy, , and breathtaking views. Highlights include the Lajeado Waterfall, Pico Agudo, the Jardim dos Pinhais Ecco Parque, and the town’s old train station.
This English-style village is a district of Santo André, in the São Paulo metropolitan area, and is a must-see destination for the holiday in São Paulo. That’s because Paranapiacaba preserves remnants of its 19th-century founding, featuring several old cottages and vintage locomotives from that era.
In addition, in April, the village hosts the Cambuci Festival, featuring traditional cuisine, live music, a craft fair, and activities for children. Admission is free!
This tourist town offers excellent hotel and dining options. It also features many attractions to enjoy during the season, such as Ski Parque, an amusement park with ski and snowboard slopes.
The wine tour is also a favorite among tourists, as are Morro do Cruzeiro, Casa Grande, the Chapel of Santo Antônio, Mata da Câmara, and the Cine Dom José Museum.
A super charming destination with plenty of attractions to explore! Campos do Jordão is known as the “Brazilian Switzerland” and offers an incredible itinerary to make the most of your trip. Highlights include: Vila Capivari, the Morro do Elefante Cable Car, a ride on the steam train, the Boa Vista Palace, Amantikir Park, and much more!
Voted Brazil’s most welcoming destination in 2024, the city offers the best of the Serra da Mantiqueira experience. Its highlight is Pedra do Baú, which offers visitors a breathtaking panoramic view. But if you’re less adventurous, you can still enjoy museums, cultural events, and the local fine dining scene.
The smallest city in São Paulo is a great place to visit over the holiday, especially if you’re looking to relax. After all, in addition to its hot springs, the city features parks and gardens that round out the experience of well-being in nature.
For cheese lovers, one of the best places to visit during the holiday is Pardinho. The town, also known as the “Land of Emotions, ” is home to two of the best cheeses in the world! Plus , there are plenty of adventure tourism options, such as buggy rides and mountain biking.
This small historic town in the Paraíba Valley is a natural paradise with waterfalls, crystal-clear springs, hiking trails, and Pedra da Mina, one of Brazil’s highest peaks. The view from the top is surreal, overlooking the Milky Way! But Lavrinhas also offers historical tourism options. After all, the town hosted troops during the 1932 Revolution, and the battle trenches remain to this day.
Did you know that Campinas is the second most tree-lined city in the country? So, if you want to enjoy a bit of nature, it’s a great place to visit this holiday. In addition to many parks, the city also features an observatory and the state’s most famous steam train ride, which winds through historic and bucolic landscapes.
Paradisiacal beaches, traditional coastal cuisine, and lush nature are just some of the attractions in Caraguá, on the northern coast. One tip is to stay at Cocanha Beach, located in a traditional coastal village selected by the UN to compete for the Best Tourist Village award.
Itararé
At the southern tip of the state, Itararé offers one of the most impressive and surprising landscapes in the region. Part of the São Paulo Canyons Tourist Region, the city attracts those seeking excursions away from the traditional mountain ranges and coastlines, standing out for its impressive attractions such as the Trilha do Segredo trail, the Corisco Waterfall, and the immense Jaguaricatú Canyon.
If you’re looking to swap long lines and resorts for preserved forests and outdoor hikes, São Miguel Arcanjo serves as the gateway to the São Miguel Arcanjo section of Carlos Botelho State Park, one of the most important remaining stretches of Atlantic Forest in the state. There, visitors will find a variety of hiking and biking trails with different difficulty levels to enjoy a day surrounded by nature.
Laranjal Paulista offers an off-the-beaten-path alternative to escape the long lines and high prices of water parks and resorts. Known as the “state capital of toys, ” this charming city focuses on small-scale industrial tourism.
It’s a perfect itinerary for traveling with the little ones, reliving fond memories, and seeing up close how toys are made.
Igaratá is the perfect choice for those who want to escape the fast pace of city life without spending long hours on the road. The town attracts visitors seeking moments of rest and connection with nature, offering rural landscapes, calm waters for water sports or fishing, and cozy country lodgings with home-cooked meals and wood-burning stoves.
Monte Alegre do Sul is a real hidden gem on the São Paulo Water Circuit. This charming town preserves beautiful historic architecture and a strong tradition of artisanal cachaça and local beverage production, offering an authentic and peaceful experience away from the crowds.
In addition to exploring its distilleries and sampling local products, the destination is perfect as a base for a road trip through the region, connecting excursions between Amparo and Serra Negra.
Pedra Bela
The charming town of Pedra Bela has fewer than 10,000 residents and stands out as a perfect “nearby mountain retreat” compared to busier destinations like Atibaia, São Roque, and Campos do Jordão. If you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors without dealing with large crowds, this peaceful haven offers the ideal setting.
The destination is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to spend the day exploring trails, taking in incredible views from lookout points, and experiencing adrenaline-pumping activities.
Finally, for those who want to enjoy the holiday with a touch of adventure, Atibaia is worth a visit. In addition to being known as the “Land of Strawberries,” this city—just an hour from São Paulo—is home to the Pedra Grande State Natural Monument, featuring preserved Atlantic Forest and important springs in the region. Feel free to hike the trails, take in panoramic views from 1,418 meters above sea level, and try activities like paragliding.
