Sao Paulo Travel Tips

When travelling to Sao Paulo for a few weeks we've got some ideas for you to truly insert yourself into the culture while still doing some tourism.
Aproveite!
Great places and things in SP
Highlights
Ibirapuera Park (São Paulo’s first big public park, you can rent a bike, inside the park there are many museums and activities)
Avenida Paulista (it is interesting because of its architecture styles and many cultural centers)
Estação da Luz (oldest train station, very beautiful, but take care: it is in the old center region and poverty is bigger there, so there is a higher risk of being stolen your cellphone or other items of value)
Terraço Itália (this is a great sport to have a look on top of São Paulo and there is also a restaurant for those who would like to try it)
Mercado Municipal (this is a touristic highlight. Here you can buy fruits and vegetables and other specialties. Again, take care of your belongings)
CEASA (that is a huge wholesale market where all the supermarkets and restaurants buy, it shows a more honest version of Brazil’s food and sales)
Feira da Mourato Coelho (small local market, Saturdays 7am - 1pm)
Praça Por do Sol (sunset square, here you can see the sunset with friends and have a great view over the greenery of nearby neighborhoods, best 5.30pm)
Pico do Jaraguá, a very popular peak in the east from where you can see the nature and the city
Liberdade (formerly a Japanese neighborhood but with many Chinese stores and restaurants nowadays)
Bixiga (Italian neighborhood, traditional small houses)
Parque Villa Lobos (another great park, here you can rent a bike or enjoy your afternoon. I recommend taking a blanked and listen to the compositions of the famous Villa Lobos below the trees)
Jardim Botânico (Our botanical garden)
JK Iguatemi, (great shopping center, you can eat on terrasse)
Exhibitions
Instituto Moreira Salles (specialized on photography and film)
MASP (traditional collection)
Tomie Ohtake (international and national contemporary)
Pinacoteca (traditional Brazilian collection and modern to contemporary exhibitions)
SESC Pompeia (interesting building and cultural center)
Beco de Batman (famous graffiti in an alley)
Galeria A7ma (alternative and street art)
Food, Restaurants & Music
A Queijaria (São Paulo’s best cheese store)
Eataly (international food store with restaurants and terrasse)
Skye Bar (bar and restaurant with lovely view. Go around sunset time)
Mocotó da Esquina (beside the famoso Mocotó, still you need to come 30 min earlier and stand in line)
O do borogodo, Samba, especially on Saturdays they start earlier, around 16h with their famous Brazilian Feijoada and Samba. (Pinheiros, Vila Mada, near Cemetery)
CHI, best modern Chinese restaurant in Vila Madalena with great atmosphere
Morena Leite’s “Santinho”, the nicest one is at the Museu da Casa Brasileira. You should come around 11.45h máximum to get a table. During the week the buffet costs somewhat about R$ 50 per person, but almost R$ 80 at the weekend.
Consulado Mineiro, Rua Cônego Eugênio Leite. You can order Rabada. Here you can eat Brazilian food from Minas Gerais. Heavy but tasty food.
Great places and things near SP
São Sebastião (beach, waterfalls and lighter walking tours)
Zulai temple in Embu (Chinese Buddhist temple, very calm, shows Brazil’s diversity
Embu das Artes (native american productions, great artisan market and church museum)
Cunha and it’s ceramics (4h drive)