Welcome to Downtown São Paulo — the city’s heart, where everything began over 471 years ago.
This tour takes you through the historic streets that witnessed São Paulo’s birth and evolution, from colonial architecture and hidden squares to modern skyscrapers and vibrant urban life.
Here, every corner tells a story about resilience, diversity, and transformation.
We start at Praça da República, one of the city’s most dynamic and symbolic squares.
Surrounded by early 20th-century buildings and Sunday art markets, this square was once a stage for political demonstrations and cultural gatherings.
It’s the perfect place to begin understanding São Paulo’s urban energy — where the old meets the new.
A short walk away, we reach the magnificent Municipal Theatre, inspired by the Paris Opera House and inaugurated in 1911.
It became one of the symbols of São Paulo’s cultural boom and was home to the legendary Modern Art Week of 1922, which changed Brazilian art forever.
Just across the street lies the Vale do Anhangabaú, once a river valley, now a public space surrounded by historical buildings and modern life flowing through it, a perfect spot to feel the pulse of the city.
We then explore São Paulo’s early vertical dreams at the Martinelli Building, the first skyscraper in Latin America, completed in 1929.
A symbol of ambition and innovation, it represented the city’s transformation during the coffee wealth era.
Right next to it is Farol Santander, a stunning Art Deco tower inspired by the Empire State Building.
Inside, you’ll find art exhibitions, design spaces, and a rooftop café with panoramic views of São Paulo — a breathtaking contrast between history and modernity.
Our next stop is Largo São Bento, one of São Paulo’s most spiritual and historic corners.
Here stands the São Bento Monastery, famous for its Gregorian chants and the scent of freshly baked bread made by the monks.
It’s a quiet refuge amid the urban chaos — a perfect place to pause, breathe, and reflect on the city’s layered identity.
A few minutes’ walk brings us to the Pátio do Colégio, the exact place where São Paulo was founded in 1554 by Jesuit priests.
Today, it’s a historical and cultural complex that preserves the city’s origins and offers a deep insight into how indigenous and European cultures first met here.
Standing on this ground feels like traveling back in time to the city’s very first chapter.
Next to Pátio, we visit the Museu das Favelas, a powerful space.
This museum celebrates the culture, creativity, and resilience of Brazil’s favela communities, offering a modern perspective on social and cultural identity in São Paulo.
It’s an emotional and inspiring experience that highlights voices often unheard in traditional narratives.
Next, we visit the Solar da Marquesa de Santos, a beautifully preserved 18th-century mansion that once belonged to Domitila de Castro, the Marquesa de Santos, known for her charm, political influence, and love affair with Emperor Dom Pedro I.
The house reflects the elegance of São Paulo’s early aristocracy and gives us a glimpse of how the city’s elite once lived.
We end our journey at Praça da Sé, the very heart of the city and home to the Sé Cathedral — one of the world’s largest neo-Gothic churches.
In front of it, the Zero Milestone marks the official starting point of all roads in the state of São Paulo.
It’s a symbolic place to finish our tour — from the city’s founding to its modern heartbeat, all in one unforgettable walk.
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Languages: Portuguese, English, and Spanish.
Included: Transportation and water.
If the group is 3 people or less, it will be done by a private car.
Larger groups we will have a van available.
Accessibility: Can be provided (ask in advance)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Rescheduling and cancellations without fees are allowed with a 12-hour notice before the service. After this time, a fee of 50% of the tour price will be charged.
Rates are subject to change without prior notice.
Price: $60 (USD)
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