Porto Seguro
Marks the spot where the Portuguese explorer seized this stretch of coastline from native people in the early 16th century.
Must-see attractions in Brazil
Brasília
Water cascades between the arches of the Palácio de Justicia into a koi fish pond. Visitors cannot access the interior.
Minas Gerais
This raw stone church, built from local quartzite, is a prime example of São Thomé's rustic traditional architecture.
Rio de Janeiro State
From park headquarters, a 500m trail descends to this natural pool in the Rio Campo Belo, a popular spot for swimming.
Rio de Janeiro
The archway leading into Travessa do Comércio was once part of an old viaduct running between two buildings.
Igreja de São Francisco de Assis
Minas Gerais
Dating to 1775, this church is typical of the Brazilian rococo style with its gilded interior ornamentation.
Centro & the Mainland
The center of town is the inviting Praça XV de Novembro, with its shady walks and 100-year-old fig tree.
Recife
A well-run cultural center in the historic center hosting rotating high-quality exhibitions and films.
Brasília
A good park not far from the city center is the Parque da Cidade, which has kiosks to grab a snack.
Minas Gerais
This simple church was built in 1719 to honor the patron saint who was protector of the slaves.
French Vice-Consulate Building
Lençóis
At the 19th-century French vice-consulate building, diamond commerce was once negotiated.
Rio de Janeiro State
Founded in 1953, this is one of Brazil's largest and most highly regarded universities.
Brazil
This beautifully blue-tiled old house sits in front of the Iglesia NS do Carmo.
Brazil
An imposing twin-towered church, the Basílica NS das Neves dates to 1586.
Rio de Janeiro
This was the epicenter of the 2016 Summer Olympics and the Paralympic Games. Sadly, the facilities now sit largely abandoned and are not open to the…
Rio de Janeiro
If work on this new museum is ever complete, Copacabana will finally have an outstanding rainy-day attraction. The building, designed by celebrated New…
Brazil
Inaugurated in 2008, this cultural center 5km southeast of Tambaú was designed by famed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and is more interesting for its…
Rio de Janeiro
The first residents on this historic site were Carmelite fathers who built a convent here in 1590. It later came under the property of the Portuguese…
Rio de Janeiro
Covering over 12 hectares, the zoo at Quinta da Boa Vista has a wide variety of reptiles, mammals and birds, mostly indigenous to Brazil. Special…
Recife
A small state-run museum dedicated to Luiz Gonzaga, the father of baião, a traditional music from the sertão (the interior of the Northeast). It has been…
Rio de Janeiro
Located north of Centro, near the port, Samba City is actually made up of 14 large buildings where the top Rio schools assemble their Carnaval floats. It…
Rio de Janeiro
Sweeping views of Enseada de Botafogo, Pão de Açúcar and Corcovado await visitors who make the journey up Pasmado. It’s best reached in early morning or…
Rio de Janeiro
Housed in a century-old building, this modest museum is dedicated to the memory of Brazil’s greatest classical composer and founder of the Brazilian…
Rio Grande do Sul
This small, modern-day church across the street from the ruins at São Nicolau is a far cry from the religious epicenter that once stood on this site, but…
Curitiba
Inside the neoclassical headquarters of the Federal University of Paraná, the university's museum features rotating exhibitions along with a small and…
Rio de Janeiro
In a historic building overlooking Praça Tiradentes, this multifloor cultural space showcases a changing array of exhibitions relating to design, urbanism…
Santa Catarina
This 1890 Fachwerk home in Timbó chronicles the history of immigration in the area. Guided visits give context but only in Portuguese, unfortunately. It…
The Amazon
This sad little museum includes stuffed and pickled animals, random photographs and a handful of indigenous artifacts. Too bad they don't focus on the one…
Museu a Céu Aberto da Tartaruga Marinha
Fernando de Noronha
Based at the Centro de Visitantes in Vila do Boldró, this open-air museum has displays on sea turtles by the Projeto Tamar (Tamar Project; www.tamar.org…
São Paulo
Next to Igreja de São Francisco de Assis is the prestigious College of Law. Founded in 1827, it is considered to be Brazil’s oldest institution of higher…
Rio de Janeiro
The Ponte Rio-Niterói (Ponte Presidente Costa e Silva) offers spectacular views of Baía de Guanabara. The bridge is 15.5km long, 60m high and 26.6m wide,…
Brasília
Above the bust of Juscelino Kubitschek on the Praça dos Três Poderes is this mausoleum-like rectangular exhibition hall, only of interest if you read…
Rio de Janeiro
This striking theater, designed by famed architect Oscar Niemeyer, lies just a short distance from the ferry terminal in Niterói. It hosts a line-up of…
Igreja de São Francisco de Paula
Minas Gerais
This 19th-century church, the last to be constructed during Ouro Preto's colonial period, serves as a convenient landmark, perched high on the hillside…
São Luís
The Palácio de la Ravardière dates back to 1689 and is now the Prefeitura (City Hall). A bust of São Luís’ French founder, Daniel de la Touche, stands…
Santa Catarina
Awash in red granite and stained glass, Blumenau's main cathedral is massive and not much of a looker, save its cedar entryway carvings and 45m tri-bell…
The Amazon
Porto Velho's unremarkable main cathedral is rather lacking in upkeep but otherwise dominates downtown Porto Velho's skyline.
