Sao Paulo – more than just a gateway to Brazil
With its continual throng of tourists, noise, pollution and crowds, Sao Paulo has widely been dubbed the ‘concrete jungle’ of Brazil, but if you can look past the smog, you’ll find an exciting and cosmopolitan city which is just waiting to be explored.
As the main financial centre of Brazil, Sao Paulo is home to some of the most affluent people in the country and judging by the plethora of shops and retail opportunities on offer, Sao Paulo residents certainly follow the adage of working hard and playing hard. As such, those searching for a colourful night scene will not be disappointed. One of the hippest area to hang out by night is Vila Olímpia, being crammed with clubs and bars which are are always heaving with party-goers. If you prefer something a little more cultured on an evening however, there are a couple of well received theatres which host classical music concerts and shows; the Teatro Municipal and the Sala São Paulo. For information as to what’s on when you get there, your best bet is the Guia da Folha, a comprehensive entertainment guide published in the Folha de São Paulo newspaper every Friday. This really is the city that never sleeps!
Gastronomy is yet another string to Sao Paulo’s bow. Taking much of its inspiration from Italian cuisine, a true specialty which must be tried here is the infamous Rodrizio de Pizza – and this is not just like any old pizza! ‘Rodrizio’ is the method of eating whereby food is brought to your table continuously until you have signaled that you are finished – thumbs up! Not only this, the pizzas range from savoury starter and main course pizzas to sweet dessert pizzas with flavors including cinnamon, chocolate and berries – delicious!
Perhaps surprisingly, Sao Paulo also boasts a thriving cultural and arts scene. Held every two years, the Sao Paulo Art Biennale is the second oldest in the world and today considered one of the most important art exhibitions in Brazil. Held in the Ciccillo Matarazzo pavilion, it has significantly helped push Brazilian and international contemporary art to the forefront of the art world. There is also a wealth of impressive architecture to admire, particularly its churches and iconic Cathedral Metropolitana with its striking Neo-Gothic design, complete with 12,000 piped organ.
For further online travel guides to San Paulo and Brazil, click here.
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