Paranapiacaba is the ideal destination for those who want to have fun without leaving the capital of São Paulo. After all, the small English village is only 57 kilometers from the center of São Paulo, accessible even by public transport! The district belongs to Santo André and arose in the 19th century as an operational control center for the São Paulo Railway, an English train company that connected the interior to the São Paulo coast.
The village still retains its original features, combining old English architecture and railway history. Paranapiacaba also has jaw-dropping natural scenery and is one of those places that every São Paulo resident should visit.
What to do in Paranapiacaba?
A trip to Paranapiacaba is a real journey back in time, with Victorian buildings and other historic constructions. There you can explore various icons such as the Castelinho Museum, which was once the home of the village’s chief engineer and today houses pieces that recall the way of life of the old workers; or the Bom Jesus de Paranapiacaba Church.
The Pátio Ferroviário houses old locomotives and the station’s famous clock, which was inspired by London’s Big Ben. It is also worth visiting the Fox House, which served as a collective residence for the workers, and the Lyra Serrano Union Club, a 1930s building that offered leisure activities.
The trip to Paranapiacaba also has a number of natural attractions! The Nascentes de Paranapiacaba Municipal Park, for example, preserves the local nature and has trails for different audiences, from beginners to professionals.
Travel aboard a historic locomotive!
Want to make your trip to Paranapiacaba even more special? Visit the English village by train! The CPTM Tourist Express leaves from Luz Station and takes visitors to Paranapiacaba in a 1950s locomotive. The journey offers a real trip back in time, passing historic stations and bucolic landscapes not to be missed!
The tour takes place on weekends, departing at 8:30 in the morning. Tickets start at R$25 and are available on the Expresso Turístico website. There are only a few places left, so plan your trip in advance.
