For many, Brazil brings to mind Copacabana and the Amazon. But there are many other wonderful sights in the country. Let’s look at 15 of them!
It is the most populous and largest country in South and Latin America. It’s the largest country in the world and the only country on the American continent where Portuguese is the official language. Thanks to its history, it’s a culturally and ethnically diverse nation.
It borders Uruguay to the south, Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia to the south-west, Peru and Colombia to the west, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana (all but two South American countries) to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the north-east, east and south-east for about 7,500 kilometres.
Table of Contents
Best places in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil’s second-largest city is the most popular tourist destination. It was the capital until 1960.
It’s known for samba and bossa nova, as well as its beaches surrounded by hotels: Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon. The city is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list due to its exceptional natural environment and beauty.
The world’s most famous statue of Jesus is located here. The statue of Christ the Redeemer is a symbol of the entire country. The statue, forming a cross with outstretched arms, is 30 meters tall. Rio’s panorama is most beautiful from here.
Another famous attraction is Sugar Loaf Mountain. It appears in many pictures and can be reached by cable car.
Rio de Janeiro attractions, weather
Iguazu Falls
The massive waterfall is located on the border of Argentina and Brazil which is the part of a UNESCO World Heritage.
It consists of 270 separate cascades and smaller waterfalls that stretch 2.7 kilometers wide along the river. The water mass falls a maximum of 82 meters at the waterfalls, with an average height of 60 meters. Its highest cascade is the Union, where the water plunges into the Devil’s Throat chasm.
On the Argentine side, visitors can get close to the waterfalls, and even approach them by boat. On the Brazilian side, however, there’s a wonderful panoramic view of the entire cascade.
Salvador de Bahia
Located in northeastern Brazil, it’s the capital of Bahia state.
It’s one of the country’s oldest and culturally richest cities, founded in 1549 by Portuguese colonizers, and was Brazil’s first capital for nearly two centuries. Salvador is famous for its historic downtown, Pelourinho, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the cobblestone streets, we can see Portuguese colonial buildings and Baroque churches.
The city is considered the center of Afro-Brazilian culture. A large part of the local population is of African descent, and African traditions are deeply embedded in Salvador’s daily life. This is felt in musical styles like samba and axé, as well as in capoeira martial arts and the candomblé religion.
Santa Catarina Island
The island in southern Brazil is famous for its beaches and lush forests.
There are 54 beaches on the island, including famous stretches like Praia Mole, Joaquina, and Jurerê Internacional. The island is particularly popular among surfers due to its waves. Additionally, the island’s interior areas are dotted with lush forests, hills, and lagoons that offer great hiking opportunities.
Its capital, Florianópolis, which is also the island’s central city, is famous for its vibrant nightlife and cultural attractions. Its old town, Centro Histórico, stands out with its colorful Portuguese colonial buildings.
Ouro Preto
It’s called Brazil’s most significant Baroque city. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980.
Its name means „black gold” in Portuguese, and it developed at the end of the 17th century during the gold rush when rich gold deposits were discovered in the area. The city still preserves its rich cultural heritage, and there are numerous museums and art galleries. In these, we can also learn about the history of the gold rush.
Many of the wonderful Baroque buildings were designed by the famous Brazilian architect and sculptor, Aleijadinho. The city’s churches are particularly noteworthy, such as São Francisco de Assis and Nossa Senhora do Pilar, which have fine carvings and richly decorated interiors.
São Paulo
It’s Brazil’s most populous city. Interestingly, it’s the world’s largest city where Portuguese is the official language.
São Paulo is a melting pot of cultures: it has significant Arab, Italian, Japanese, and Portuguese diasporas. The Mercado and Brixiga are traditionally Italian neighborhoods, while Liberdade is Japanese.
Its center is Avenida Paulista, the city’s most famous street. It’s full of modern skyscrapers, museums, shopping centers, and restaurants, and is home to the famous São Paulo Art Museum.
Bonito
The small town near the Paraguayan border is one of the country’s most popular ecotourism destinations. The town’s name, which means „beautiful” in Portuguese, is justified by the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Its most famous attraction is Gruta do Lago Azul, a huge cave with a deep blue underground lake. Known as one of the world’s largest underwater caves, it offers a stunning sight with its special geological formations and the lake’s incredible blue color.
The area around the town is built on special limestone slabs, which contribute to the formation of clear waters in the area and the formation of various caves and crevices. The numerous waterfalls, such as Boca da Onça and Parque das Cachoeiras, are also popular sites among tourists.
Recife
The capital of Pernambuco state is known as the Venice of Brazil because of its numerous canals, rivers, and bridges.
There are many colonial-era buildings and historical sights here. The most famous is Recife Antigo, the oldest part of the city, where old warehouse buildings now house restaurants, bars, and galleries.
It’s famous for its annual carnival, which is one of the largest in Brazil. It’s particularly known for the local music and dance styles called „frevo” and „maracatu,” which can be enjoyed in spectacular performances.
But don’t miss its beaches either! The most famous is Boa Viagem, along which the best hotels stand. Along the promenade, there are also numerous restaurants and bars with wonderful views of the ocean.
Campos do Jordão
With an altitude of 1,628 meters above sea level, this settlement is the highest city in the country.
It is often called „Brazil’s Switzerland” due to its Alpine-style architecture and cooler climate. It is particularly popular among Brazilians during the winter months, when many visit to enjoy the cool mountain air and picturesque landscape.
It’s a perfect location for nature lovers. The Horto Florestal park covers more than 8,000 hectares, boasting rich flora and fauna, and features numerous hiking trails. From Morro do Elefante point, there is a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and the surrounding mountains.
The city hosts the famous Winter Festival (Festival de Inverno) every year, which is one of Brazil’s largest classical music festivals, attracting music enthusiasts and artists from all over the country.
Brasília
It’s located on the Planalto Central plateau in the center of the country, 930 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro. It has been the capital of Brazil since 1960.
The city was designed by Lúcio Costa, with Oscar Niemeyer as the chief architect. From the air, it has the shape of a butterfly or an airplane. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its modernist architecture.
The main axis of the city, between the TV tower and Praça dos Três Poderes square, can be walked on foot. Behind the old bus station is the national theater, and to the right is the Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida cathedral. The street of ministries, Esplanada dos Ministérios, begins behind the cathedral.
Manaus
The capital of Amazonas state is located at the confluence of the Amazon and Rio Negro rivers. Its importance is well indicated by its nickname: The Paris of the Tropics.
The city is also attractive for tourists setting out to explore the rainforests, as numerous jungle tours and boat trips depart from here. It’s also the economic and cultural center of the region.
One of its most interesting natural sights is the Encontro das Águas. Here, the waters of the Amazon and Rio Negro rivers flow side by side for several kilometers without mixing, creating a spectacular contrast between the black and yellow water.
Belém
It’s the largest city in the Amazon River delta region, so it has long played an important role in Brazil’s history.
The city was founded in 1616 and was the first European colony along the Amazon. The old parts of the city have remained from colonial times, with large squares, parks, churches, and traditional blue-tiled buildings. The city’s skyline includes numerous mango trees.
In its center is the Ver-o-Peso market, which is the country’s largest open-air market. Here you can taste famous Amazonian foods such as açaí and tacacá.
Ilha Grande
It’s a beautiful, untouched island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state. Located in the Atlantic Ocean, the island is famous for its stunning white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and dense, lush rainforests.
It boasts over 100 beaches, of which Lopes Mendes is particularly famous for its fine sand and excellent waves for surfing. On the car-free island, transport is only possible on foot, by bicycle, or by boat.
The Mata Atlântica rainforest in the island’s interior is home to numerous rare and endemic plant and animal species. One of the most popular hiking routes is Pico do Papagaio. From the peak in the middle of the island, there’s a wonderful panoramic view of the entire island and the ocean.
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
The park on the Atlantic Ocean coast boasts one of the world’s most unusual landscapes.
It covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometers and consists of huge white sand dunes, between which beautiful, clear blue and green freshwater lagoons form during the rainy season. The rainwater collected between the dunes cannot seep away due to impermeable clay layers, thus forming crystal clear pools.
The park’s name translates to „Maranhão’s sheets”. This refers to the park’s spectacular dune system because from a distance it looks as if a huge white sheet is spread over the landscape.
Porto Alegre
The city on the banks of Lake Guaíba is the center of southern Brazil.
The city is famous for its diverse cultural life, historical monuments, and rich European immigrant heritage, which is mostly reflected in Portuguese, Spanish, German, and Italian influences.
It’s particularly popular among art lovers. There are numerous museums, theaters, and art galleries here, such as the Mário Quintana Cultural Center and the Júlio de Castilhos Museum.
Belo Horizonte
The city was planned and built in its current form around 1890 to replace Ouro Preto, then the capital of Minas Gerais.
Nowadays, it’s known for the contrast between its old and new building stock, as many significant Brazilian architects have left their mark on the city. There are many examples of contemporary Brazilian architecture, such as one of the world’s largest stadiums, the 71,860-capacity Estádio Mineirão, and the São Francisco de Assis church.
