The 10 things to do in Belo Horizonte

Visit Belo Horizonte: what to do and see in this city with beautiful landscapes? Discover our musts!

Known locally as "Beagá" (Portuguese for BH), Belo Horizonte ("beautiful horizon") was named for its magnificent view of the surrounding mountains. Today it is more difficult to appreciate the view because of the flourishing urban planning, but the third largest city in Brazil still has a lot of charm to reveal to its visitors.

At the same time modern and contemporary, Belo Horizonte portrays a city full of surprises that promises to those who pass through its doors, a colorful journey. But what to do in Belo Horizonte, a discreet destination yet full of promises? From its panoramas, to its exceptional heritage, to its traditional addresses and nightlife, discover the must-sees of a city that you will not forget soon.

1. The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi (Igreja de São Francisco de Assis)

On the shores of the artificial lake of Pampulha, the Modernist church remarkable Oscar Niemeyer is a real architectural wonder to visit in Belo Horizonte. Inside, the tiles and paintings of Cândido Portinari are equally striking, enjoy your discovery to appreciate the detail of this monument that makes the success of Belo Horizonte.

Stay in the neighborhood to admire the other monuments and buildings of the 1940s designed by Niemeyer. The architectural complex of Pampulha has some nice symbols of the city. Nearby you will find the famous stadium of the city Mineirão . There is also the Museu de Arte, an art museum with a beautiful garden designed by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, who originally served as a casino and shows the obvious modernist influence of Le Corbusier.

2. Parque Municipal

One of the most attractive places to visit in Belo Horizonte is undoubtedly the Parque Municipal . Located 10 minutes southeast of the bus station, this huge tropical green setting. houses artificial lakes and small winding paths through which it is pleasant to walk. It’s particularly nice on Sunday, when everyone walks around: ideal to meet the locals!

3. Museu de Artes e Ofícios

Visiting Belo Horizonte also passes through a historical, economic, political and artistic parenthesis, conterated in the various museums of the city. Located in the old central station of the city which was built in the 19th century, the Museum of Arts and Crafts offers a good overview of the wealth of Brazilian trades before the industrialization of the country. The most? The entrance is free on Saturday all day and on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 5pm to 9pm (the rest of the week, the entrance is 4 R$).

4. Museu Histórico Abílio Barreto

To continue on the launch of museums to be done in Belo Horizonte, go southwest of Savassi district. It is here that is hosted the Historical Museum Abílio Barreto which enjoys a special success thanks to its masterpiece: the old renovated colonial farm ( Fazenda do Leitão ), the only vestige of Curral del Rey, the small village destroyed in the 1890s to make room for the current town of Belo. The adjacent building has temporary exhibitions focused on the culture of Belo Horizonte, which offers additional knowledge of the origins of the city's heritage.

5. Centro de Arte Contemporânea Inhotim

The Inhotim Art Center , it’s a little the new tourist attraction of Belo. Opened in 2006, this impressive tentacular complex of gardens dotted with 16 modern art galleries and many outdoor sculptures is one of the world’s largest outdoor museums. Despite its location (50 km west of the city, near Brumadinho), it is one of the must-sees to visit in Belo Horizonte, it is enough to make a tour to understand.

Much of the exhibited international works are monumental in size. The gardens are constantly expanding and offer 1,600 different species of plants (including 200 types of palm), peacocks and lakes with swans. You will be able to take a walk or participate in one of the tours programmed and presented by a guide trained in the visual arts and natural sciences. The restaurant and the café on site enjoy an excellent reputation.

6. Praça da Liberdade

This beautiful palm-treated square is typical of the beauty of Bello Horizonte. Edged by flowering government buildings, Praça da Liberdade is a perfect place to relax before going to a festival for example. You can admire the Memorial Minas Gerais Vale or another Niemeyer building, all in curves.

7. La Tour Alta Vila

Are you wondering what to do in Belo Horizonte to enjoy its superb views? Direction la Tour Alta Vila in the Nova Lima district: very popular with tourists, it offers a spectacular view of the region of Belo Horizonte and its mountainous setting. Take advantage of this moment to appreciate the point of view and take some pictures that will illustrate your travel memories.

8. Local nightlife

What to do in Belo to taste local fever? Belo Horizonte is known as the capital of bars in Brazil and a short rumour that the city would have the highest concentration of bars per capita in the world! With a wide choice of establishments to go out and drink a drink, it is therefore difficult to deny it: visiting Belo Horizonte is above all celebrating!

The Savassi district has dozens and dozens of bars but if you are looking for more traditional pubs, go to Floresta . Don’t forget that the Minais Gerais is renowned for its cachaças, but you’ll find beers from all over the world served very fresh.

For nightclubs, Savassi is still a good place. More exclusive and expensive clubs are located in the Raja Baglia district.

9. Mercado Central

It is in the heart of the city, in this market covered by all , that you will find local specialties such as pão de queijo, salt meat or cachaça (living water to sugar cane). Taste these delicious regional products, it’s to visit Belo Horizonte in another way, while immersing yourself in the culinary culture: mix with the locals in one of the bars or simply walk in the alleys of the market where. To eat, you can also go to one of the many restaurants in the neighbourhood Lourdes .

10. Surroundings of Belo Horizonte

Bello Horizonte is the highlight for visiting some of Brazil’s most famous colonial cities. These dormant colonial towns and villages listed in the world heritage preserve some of the most beautiful baroque buildings in Latin America and constitute a major tourist point in the region. The most famous of them are in the south ( Ouro Preto , Mariana, Congonhas do Campo, São João del Rei and Tiradentes), north ( Diamantina and Serro) and east (Sabará and Caeté ).

The city is also the gateway to different national parks among the most important in Brazil such as the National park Serra do Cipó or the Serra da Canastra National Park.

How to get to Belo Horizonte?

Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice... Several cities provide flights to Belo Horizonte. The destination does not benefit from direct flights, therefore have an average stopover (Lisbon, Guarulhos or Brasilia depending on the company) for a 10-hour flight journey. Latam Airlines and AirPortugal are the two main companies that provide flights to Belo Horizonte: you will find the best prices on our partner's website Skyscanner which brings together the most interesting offers.

If you leave from another city of Brazil, the possibilities to reach Belo Horizonte are diverse. For example, from São Paulo, you have the choice to fly (the most expensive) or by bus: here, you have an average of 8 hours of road for about 30 euros, going to one of the two stations that Belo Horizonte has.

Where to stay in Belo Horizonte?

Belo Horizonte being more "used" as a base camp to discover the Minas Gerais region, it is interesting to rent an apartment. This has several advantages: it will be cheaper for you first, but you will also have the opportunity to meet your host or even neighbors, who will gladly show you the nice corners to visit, off the beaten paths. ♪ better neighbourhoods for a stay are Savassi, Lourdes and Gutierrez, to be closest to the best BH sites, and Serra and Pampulha for those with less budget.

Use vacation rental sites as Airbnb to find your apartment. You can also sleep at the hotel, which you will find the best prices on our Compare hotels .

You now know what to do in Belo Horizonte during your stay! And you, have you visited the capital of the state of Minas Gerais?