Top Rated Attractions in São Paulo

Sala São Paulo is arguably the symphonic pulse of the city. Breathing new life into the historic Sorocaban Railway Station, the magnificent establishment is one of the leading entertainment venues in Brazil. Christiano Stockler das Neves is the architectural force behind the majestic 1925 structure that illustrates the Louis XVI neoclassical design style. It encompasses several rooms, namely Estação das Artes, Salao dos Arcos, Salao Nobre and Sala Camargo Guarnieri - each retaining its own character. With state-of-the-art acoustics, intimate lighting, an adjustable ceiling and a capacity of over 1500, the hall plays host to a myriad of concerts and cultural events. In addition, the opulent setting is the seat of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra.

Inaugurated in 1954 to celebrate the city's fourth birthday, and designed by famous architect Oscar Niemeyer together with landscape designer Burle Marx, Ibirapuera Park covers an area of over 158 hectares (390 acres) and is São Paulo's very own Central Park of sorts. Museu Afro Brasil and Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo are found here, as well as the famous obelisk and the Monumento às Bandeiras. One of the city's premier destinations for leisurely strolls and walks, the park's intricate network of sleek pathways and jogging tracks do not disappoint. Additional amenities include sports grounds, a children's playground, a restaurant and a snack bar.

Museu Afro Brasil tells the story of Africans in Brazil throughout history. Located within the Parque Ibirapuera, the museum occupies a stunning Oscar Niemeyer designed building. Museum exhibits focus on various topics ranging from the history of slavery to the development of Brazil's African populace. The huge collection includes everything from historic documents to artwork and artifacts. Besides this, the museum also showcases fascinating artifacts depicting the daily life of Brazil's African population.

An architectural masterpiece, the Theatro Municipal majestically stands at the heart of Sao Paulo strutting its captivating Rennaissance-style facade and art nouveau towers. A landmark structure since its completion in 1911, it was designed by renowned architect Ramos de Azevedo. A building filled with classical art forms, the Teatro Municipal is the venue for the São Paulo Municipal Symphonic Orchestra, the Coral Lírico and the City Ballet. As the city grew, plans for a city theater began to take shape, and this resulted in the building of the Teatro Municipal. The theater hosted the Week of Modern Art in 1922. The theater has recently undergone major renovations to restore its glory and keep it technologically up to date.

Formerly the Teatro Abril, this historic theater was built in 1929. Now called Teatro Renault, this Art Nouveau building is one of the city's esteemed entertainment venues, where the focal point is Broadway musicals. The likes of Chicago, Les Miserables and The Lion King have been staged here and have wowed audiences with its sheer beauty. Equipped with great acoustics and lighting, the seats here give a good view of the stage and are very comfortable. Though the shows are on the expensive side, this theater definitely gives a memorable experience to patrons.

This historic monastery is a well-known landmark in the city of Sao Paulo. Still a functioning monastery today, visitors can observe the monk's way of life. Make sure you pay a visit to the old library which is full of rare, old books.