Brazil · Walking Tours

Walking Tour São Paulo Center: Historical Process Of The Largest City in Brazil

4 Hours Round trip from São Paulo Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Private walking tour through historic downtown São Paulo
  • 02 Learn how São Paulo grew into the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere
  • 03 Visit landmarks including Sé Cathedral, São Bento Monastery, and the Municipal Theater
  • 04 Explore important political, cultural, and architectural sites in the city center
  • 05 Entry ticket included for the Farol Santander observation deck
  • 06 Admire panoramic views over São Paulo from above

Discover the historic heart of São Paulo on a private walking tour that traces the remarkable transformation of the city from its colonial beginnings to the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere. Along the way, explore landmark squares, religious sites, civic buildings, and architectural icons that reveal the political, cultural, and economic forces that shaped modern São Paulo.

Starting at Pátio do Colégio, your tour takes you through the downtown center to sites such as Sé Cathedral, Largo São Francisco, the Cultural Center Banco do Brasil, the Stock Exchange, the Monastery of São Bento, and the Municipal Theater. You will also enjoy entry to the Farol Santander observation deck for sweeping views over the city skyline.

Discover the historic heart of São Paulo on a private walking tour that traces the remarkable transformation of the city from its colonial beginnings to the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access No
City Sao Paulo
Languages English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Historic São Paulo founding site and museum of the city. With the intention to teach and catechize the natives, the Jesuits built the first school and began what 4 centuries later would become the largest city in the Southern hemisphere.The residence built around the second half of the eighteenth century served as housing for Domitila de Castro Canto known as "Marquesa de Santos". Domitila played an important role in contributing for the greatness of the city of São Paulo.House No 1 is a three-story 17th century historical residence that nowadays is one of the thirteen historic buildings part of the Museum of the City of São Paulo.Visit the Sé Cathedral which was inspired by medieval European churches. The imposing construction marks the center of São Paulo (the ground zero of the city is at Sé Square), a very busy area.From the Largo São Francisco Law school, its students and graduates, began the main movements of Brazilian History, from the Abolitionism to the Republican Movement. Not to mention the campaign for "VOTING NOW" (diretas já) during the military government in the 80's. Over time, 9 Brazilian presidents, several governors, mayors and a countless of other figures emerged from it.FECAP holds the oldest public utility certification in Brazil since 1915. The institution was also the first to open courses in Economics (1934) and Accounting (1939) in the country.In the historical heart of the city, the Cultural Center Banco do Brasil occupies a building of 1901 with five floors. Cinema, theater, auditorium, store and coffee shop as well as great exhibitions all in a neoclassical architecture.São Paulo’s Stock Exchange is the main stock trading market of publicly traded companies in Brazil and 8th in the world in capitalization.One of the tallest buildings in São Paulo with an observation deck on the top with a stunning 360º view of São Paulo.The first skyscraper in Latin America. The construction generated much controversy, because until then there was no building of such great height. Currently, the building is one of the main architectural symbols of Brazil.The San Benedictine Monastery is one of those sacred tips that also applies to people who are not religious.

The building hosted Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Brazil.

Believers are attracted by the masses with Gregorian chants, and shop with breads, cakes, cookies and jams made by the monks themselves and whose recipes are secular.Inaugurated in 1939 to host one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Brazilian history, the Matarazzo Industries". Designed by the favorite architect of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, the Italian Marcello Piacentini.Featuring 12 floors and 50 meters high, Sampaio Moreira was the tallest building in the city of São Paulo between 1924 and 1929, when the Martinelli building was inaugurated. It is considered, therefore, the first multi-story large building in the city, as well as one of the first in the country to present such typology.One of the postcards of São Paulo, the tea viaduct was the first in the city of São Paulo. It bears this name because of the extensive tea plantation nearby.Historical meeting point for cultural and political manifestations. The most significant was the "VOTING NOW"(diretas já) movement calling for direct elections during the military government.Inaugurated in 1929, the building was the headquarters of the Canadian company that was responsible for the electric power service of São Paulo between 1899 and 1981.Considered a postcard of São Paulo, the Municipal Theater is one of the most important historical places in town due to several important cultural events that took place in its facilities like the Week of Modern Art of 1922.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from São Paulo 1 city · 4 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Professional licensed bilingual tour guide.
  • Entry ticket for Farol Santander (Observation Deck)

What's Not Included

  • Meals and drinks.
  • Tips. (optional)

Know before you go

  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • • Meet the guide at the designated meeting point at least 10 minutes prior the scheduled time.
  • • Departure time: Whenever you have booked the tour to get started. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best starting time that suits your needs.
  • • In the very unlikely situation that the client are not able to locate our driver, please call our emergency telephone number below.
  • Contacts:
  • ●55

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
São Paulo, BR
Tour start
São Paulo, BR
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 hours finish where they began, in São Paulo.

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