Insider’s guide: Discover São Paulo with Renata Ferreira

As a Destination Expert, Renata spends most of her time crafting exotic adventures to places like Rio de Janeiro, the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica. She adores her job, but sometimes she wishes more tourists would stop in her hometown – the massively underrated melting pot that is São Paulo, Brazil.

You’ve got one day to show visitors the best of São Paulo: what do you do with them?

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The MASP (Museu de Arte de São Paulo).

Start your day at MASP (Museu de Arte de São Paulo), an iconic building on Avenida Paulista that houses one of the most important art collections in Latin America. From there, stroll along Paulista Avenue – especially if it's a Sunday, when the avenue is closed to traffic and comes alive with music, food stalls, performers, and local culture on full display. Stop at a nearby padaria for a traditional pão na chapa (grilled bread with butter) and a cafezinho to fuel your morning.

Next, head to Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo’s lush green oasis, where you can relax or visit one of several museums, such as the Museum of Modern Art (MAM) or the Afro Brazil Museum. For lunch, choose between a hip spot like Maní or Tordesilhas or keep it casual with a local boteco where you can enjoy feijoada, moqueca, or a crispy pastel with a cold beer.

In the afternoon, explore Vila Madalena and its famous Beco do Batman, a winding alleyway filled with colorful, ever-changing street art and surrounded by indie shops and galleries. Wrap up your perfect São Paulo day with a sunset drink at Skye Baron top of the Hotel Unique, famous not only for its views of the skyline but also for its stylish architecture and ambiance.

São Paulo is known as foodie capital of Brazil, and it’s got a couple of really famous restaurants. But where do the locals eat?

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Coxinhas are a popular bar snack in Brazil.

We eat at botecos and padarias, two staples of everyday life in Brazil. Botecos are casual neighborhood bars where locals gather for ice cold beer and delicious bar snacks like coxinhas (chicken croquettes), pastéis (crispy filled pastries), and picanha na chapa (grilled steak). They’re laid-back, social, and full of local flavor. One of my favorites is Veloso Bar in Vila Mariana.

Padarias are more than just bakeries, they’re go-to spots for breakfast, sandwiches, pastries, fresh juices, and even full meals. Many are open from early morning to late at night, and some, like São Paulo’s famous Bella Paulista, run 24/7. From a quick coffee to a hearty meal, padarias are where we eat, meet, and fuel our day.

What’s the first thing you want to eat when you land in São Paulo?

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The iconic black bean and pork stew “Feijoada.”

Easy: pão de queijo, coxinha, pastel de feira, and feijoada!

Pão de queijo (chewy cheese bread) and coxinha (crispy chicken croquette) are bakery staples, you’ll find them fresh at almost any padaria (local bakery). Pastel de feira is a must-try street food: a deep-fried pastry filled with cheese, meat, or hearts of palm, best enjoyed at open-air markets (feiras) with a cup of fresh sugarcane juice.

Feijoada, the iconic black bean and pork stew, is typically served on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with live samba music on Saturdays in many places. Head to spots like Bolinha or Bar da Dona Onça for the full experience.

How many different countries can you “taste” in São Paulo?

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So many! From Japan to Lebanon, Italy to Korea, Bolivia to Ethiopia... The city is home to one of the largest Japanese populations outside Japan, plus massive Italian, Arab, and Portuguese communities, among many others. You’ll find everything from sushi in Liberdade to Middle Eastern feasts in Pari, pasta in Bixiga, and even Nigerian or Peruvian spots hidden across town. It’s a true global food capital – you can eat your way around the world without ever leaving the city!

One of the best places to experience this diversity under one roof is the Mercado Municipal (Mercadão). Opened in 1933 in the heart of the city’s old downtown, it was designed by architect Francisco Ramos de Azevedo and features stunning stained-glass windows by German artist Conrado Sorgenicht Filho.

Over the decades, Mercadão has become a symbol of São Paulo’s immigrant roots, especially Italian, Arab, and Portuguese, reflected in the diverse flavors offered at its many stalls. One of its biggest draws is the incredible variety of tropical and exotic fruits, from jabuticaba and pitaya to mangosteen and cupuaçu, many of which are native to Brazil and hard to find elsewhere. Vendors often offer generous samples, making it the perfect place to taste your way through Brazil’s rich biodiversity.

There are some great museums in São Paulo, but what’s your favorite?

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Some of my paintings throughout the years (Photo: Renata Ferreira).

Oh, that’s something very close to my heart because I’m a painter. When I started painting as an 8-year-old girl, back in the 1980s I was amazed by how much art São Paulo had to offer. Today, the city is even more vibrant, and its art scene continues to inspire me.

I’m always visiting local collections (acervos) and attending special exhibitions throughout the city’s many museums. One of my favorites is MASP (Museu de Arte de São Paulo), not only for its iconic architecture on Avenida Paulista but also for the incredible collection housed underneath the museum. They’re currently expanding the space to better showcase their growing acervo, which I’m really excited about.

I also love visiting the Museum of Modern Art (MAM) and the Afro Brazil Museum, both located inside Ibirapuera Park. It’s the perfect setting to experience art surrounded by nature. And of course there’s Pinacoteca do Estado (the national gallery) which is where I first saw Rodin’s sculptures. For a painter like me, São Paulo is a city full of energy, creativity, and endless artistic inspiration.

I’m interested in architecture and design. Where should I go?

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My brothers showroom in São Paulo (Photo: Renata Ferreira).

Then you should definitely visit Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, São Paulo’s most iconic design street. Lined with over 140 high-end showrooms, it's the heart of the city’s interior design and furniture scene, featuring renowned Brazilian brands like Bontempo, By Kamy, Firma Casa, Decameron, and Carbono.

Fun fact: my brother owns both Decameron and Carbono, and over the years, he’s welcomed dozens of international travelers who visited São Paulo specifically to explore the local design scene. It’s amazing to see people connect so deeply with Brazilian creativity and craftsmanship. Whether you're an architect, a design enthusiast, or just love beautiful spaces, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva is the perfect place to discover the work of some of Brazil’s most talented creators.

What happens in São Paulo after dark?

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São Paulo after dark.

What happens in São Paulo after dark? Wow – a lot, and it pretty much never ends! This city truly comes alive at night with clubs of all kinds, restaurants that never close, and energy that never fades. People like to say that if you’re craving Hawaiian food or Vietnamese noodles at 3 a.m., São Paulo has a place for you, and it’s probably excellent.

My ideal night? Grabbing a beer at a casual boteco, dancing the night away in a club, and ending the night with the best pizza in town, often around 5 a.m. Whether you're into live samba, electronic music, rooftop lounges, or late-night food adventures, São Paulo delivers it all.

It sounds like city with a capital C. But is there much for nature lovers to do in São Paulo?

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This is a pic of me and my twin brother on my balcony with Burle Mark and Palacio Tangara in the background (Photo: Renata Ferreira)

Of course there is! São Paulo isn’t all concrete and caffeine. One of my favorite green spaces is Parque Ibirapuera, São Paulo’s version of Central Park, which is perfect for walking, biking, picnicking, and even spotting birds and turtles in its lakes. As a kid I went there every weekend with my parents and three brothers. It’s where most local kids learn to ride a bike, thanks to the long, shaded paths between the trees. It’s also a favorite among landscape architecture students, who come to study its rare and diverse tree species.

I also love Burle Marx Park, a beautifully preserved green space that combines remnants of native Atlantic Forest and modernist landscape designs by Roberto Burle Marx, Brazil’s most renowned landscape architect. It’s a peaceful escape with lush trails, rare plant species, and sculptural gardens that feel like living art. Right next to the park is the stunning Palácio Tangará, a luxury hotel set within the forest. I’m lucky to enjoy a perfect view of both from my balcony, it’s truly one of my favorite corners of São Paulo.

Should families with kids visit São Paulo?

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Ibirapuera Park in São Paul, Brazil.

Yes, São Paulo is a great destination for families with kids! While it’s a big city, it offers plenty of kid-friendly activities and green spaces to explore.

Besides the iconic Ibirapuera Park (where I learnt to ride a bike), families can visit the São Paulo Aquarium, the largest in Latin America, featuring marine life, reptiles, and themed areas with animals from the Amazon, Africa, and Asia.

Of course, no family visit is complete without treats. São Paulo is full of amazing sorveterias (icecream shops) where kids can try local flavors like açaí, tapioca, and tropical fruit sorbets, as well as classic favorites like chocolate and strawberry.

What’s the coolest “tourist” activity you’ve done in your hometown?

A few years ago I took a helicopter flip over São Paulo! This city is massive, and from the air you really get a sense of its scale, endless buildings, lush parks like Ibirapuera, and the contrast of old and new architecture all in one sweeping view. It was thrilling and beautiful – and one of the best ways to appreciate just how alive and dynamic São Paulo really is. Truly a bucket-list moment!