//
Federal capital of Brazil
Photo: Anderson Bueno Pereira, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Brasilia (Portuguese: Brasília), the capital of Brazil and the seat of government of the Distrito Federal, is a planned city in the Central Highlands of Brazil. Inaugurated in 1960, it is a masterpiece of modernist architecture listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and attracts architecture enthusiasts worldwide. Brasilia is also an important transportation hub for travel within Brazil.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Praça dos Três Poderes
Includes the seats of the country's 3 highest authorities: the Congress, the Presidential Palace (called Palácio do Planalto) and the Supreme Court. The axis itself is aligned such that on April 21 (Tiradentes Day, marking the death of the Brazilian independence martyr), the sun rises precisely between the two towers of Congress. The bronze statue of two abstract figures is named Os Candangos and represents the pioneering spirit of the workers who built the city. There's also a "blind justice" statue by the Supreme Court, a small museum about Juscelino Kubitschek, the Pantheon, the Eternal Flame monument, and a model, built to scale, of Brasilia itself, in an underground space.
Daily, Brazilian National Congress offers a guided visit. It starts every half hour from 09:00, in Salão Negro (access the main ramp). It lasts for 50 minutes. You cannot enter wearing shorts and slippers from Monday to Friday.
It houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and stands out among the ministry buildings at Esplanada dos Ministérios for its beautiful architecture and sculptures.
With its 16 curved 90-ton concrete pillars and stained-glass panels, it is one of the world's most amazing modernist buildings.
Brasilia's newest museum was built to be the city's home for renowned national and international exhibitions. As of 2012, the outside space has become a regular venue to free concerts and events, and very popular for skating, but its collections are temporary and severely lacking both in size and importance. However, give it a try, it's free.
This used to be the best place for a sweeping panorama of the city, until the opening of the new Digital Tower. It's the second best now. There is also a crafts and typical food market at the base of the tower.
This is a museum dedicated to the life and accomplishments of the president, and houses his remains as well. It's located underground and has a slightly spooky 1960s science-fiction feel to it.
Palace of Dawn
The President's official residence, by the Paranoá lake. Not open to visitors. Its arches are icons of the capital.
SCN quadra 3, Bloco C. A gallery that has many works of contemporary art. Mostly sculpture and paintings. Open Th-Su 9AM-7PM.
SBS, Quadra 4. Interesting permanent display of historical items. Usually holds photography, musical concerts, movies and contemporary arts exhibitions. Entrance is free most of the time.
Maintained by the Central Bank of Brazil, it has everything related to money: rare coins, paper money from various countries, medals, gold bars, old machinery used to print and cut etc. It also keeps the biggest gold nugget ever found in Brazil, weighing 60.8 kg.
Brasilia's main theatre features 3 main halls for plays and concerts, art galleries and temporary art exhibitions.
Palácio do Supremo Tribunal Federal
A beautiful modern church built with concrete and blue stained glass. Bosco was a 19th-century Italian priest whose writings, some say, prophesied the creation of Brasilia. It's hard not to notice the huge crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the square church.
Igrejinha
First one built inside Plano Piloto, was inaugurated in 1958 and looks somewhat like a nun's hat. Designed By Niemeyer and clad with Bulcão tiles.
UnB
Very interesting modern architecture, from the 1960s until the 2010s. Its Olympic Center is by the lake; not much visited by tourists, but has some nice options for hiking/jogging/swimming.
SCRS 508. A government-maintained building for cultural events. Commonly used for musical concerts and plays. No official schedule available.
A park in the northern wing of the city that is mainly used for jogging. It also has many springs, streams and a small pond. Many of its facilities include a playground and two outdoor gyms.
Pontão has lakeside restaurants and a park while the Ermida Dom Bosco (near SHIS QI 29, bus line 100/123) chapel provides gorgeous views of the city from across the Lake, an excellent place to watch Brasilia's famous sunsets. You can swim in the lake at the Ecological Park next to the Ermida.
Parque da Cidade
With 4.2 km², it's slightly larger than New York City's Central Park. This wide green area is the city's hot spot for sports such as jogging, cycling, skating and even kart racing, as well as barbecues and other outdoor activities.
Cerrado Flower
Newest TV tower that was inaugurated on April 21, 2012. Designed by Niemeyer, one of his last works. It's 180 m tall, from which 120 m are a concrete structure, and the rest the metallic structure of the TV antenna. Two glass observatories complete the structure. The highest one, 80 m above the floor, will contain a restaurant with a panoramic view. The other one will be used as an art gallery.
A monument, chapel, and park on the edge of the lake, dedicated to an Italian monk who prophesied the construction of a new civilization at the site of Brasilia.
The Japanese community of Brasilia celebrates the Obon Festival, with bon odori dances and stalls selling typical food and other Japanese items.
Usually happening in July, August or September, it's one of the biggest music festivals in Brasilia. It's dedicated to rock 'n' roll and all its variants. Local bands share the two main stages with national staples and some international bands.
50 km from the city center. It's a natural park with trekking trails, camping area, typical cerrado birds and waterfalls.
Brasilia Golf Club. SCES Trecho 2, lt 2.
Local chain with several locations around town. Rivals McDonalds in the fast food market by serving sandwiches and cheap beef/chicken + rice-and-beans set meals.
The oldest active pizzeria in Brasilia. Sells reasonably cheap pizza by the slice.
A convenient place for finding reasonably priced food. The mall is located right beside the main bus terminal (rodoviaria) and at walking distance from many hotels and of the main attractions such as the Three Powers Square.
Right beside Banco Central's main building. The restaurant is in the Comércio Local Sul 201, this street is said to be packed with cheap self-service restaurants and a few ranging from mid-range to splurge.
It may be the most Brazilian experience a foreign visitor could have, a cheap and totally "out of the beaten path" restaurant. Very simple profile and accommodations, but very well served in what matters, the food. They have "menu of the day", which varies along the week but always with a huge portion of beef/poultry/pork plus salad, egg and rice & beans.
Buffet
Chinese
Buffet
Lots of options for vegetarians or people craving healthy food. Imagine, sprouts! They also have fish and meat.
This all-you-can-eat buffet offers more than 50 dishes for lunch, mainly from Minas Gerais cuisine.
Vegetarians may try to escape ubiquitous meat dishes of Brazilian cuisine here. Try the tropical juices too.
A favorite with American expats and locals alike. Besides the Tex-Mex dishes, try the great frozen margaritas and whatnot. On its street there are also several other restaurants to choose from.
SHS quadra 5, Bloco E. Traditional Brazilian steakhouse. It features an all-you-can eat salad buffet, imported cheese, Brazilian side dishes and 15 kind of cuts of fire roasted meats that are brought to your table almost non-stop. Service is top-notch.
A hideout at the distant Lago Norte zone that serves creative dishes that mix international recipes and national ingredients such as jacaré (alligator), Brazil nuts, tropical cherry cokes etc. Booking recommended.
Cozy Italian restaurant with good wines and quiet live Brazilian music on the deck.
Famous for its Spanish cuisine and for its parties. On Monday night, it has one of the best parties in Brasília, the black music oriented Criolina. On the other days of the week, you can enjoy samba music.
Setor de Divulgação Cultural (Near the Convention Center). Considered by many to be one of the best places for instrumental music in Brazil, this club is also a school of choro, a genuinely Brazilian instrumental popular music style, usually played with a flute, guitar and cavaquinho (a small chordophone with four strings). Located near the TV tower, it has weekly presentations of national choro artists. Call in advance to check availability, as tickets are limited and often sold out days before the shows.
Formerly the Bristol Hotel, central location with easy access to a shopping center and bus lines. From R$181 single per night.
This large hotel by the Paranoa Lake and right next to the Alvorada Palace is reputed as the city's best. It's somewhat out of the way though.
This full service 5 star hotel features large rooms as well as a good restaurant and breakfast buffet.
A luxury 18-story 148-room hotel, adjacent to the central business and banking districts. You shouldn't be too agoraphobic if you want to use the pool here because it's on the roof.
Designed by Oscar Niemeyer and inaugurated in 1958, this hotel completes the Brasilia/Niemeyer experience. It was the first hotel in the city. In the 2000s, it was revamped maintaining the strict modernist 1960s style.
A mid-range café, restaurant and bookstore known for its literary events and casual atmosphere in Asa Norte.
Joint National Mall
By bus
Due to its central location, Brasilia is well served by a bus network that connects it with the rest of Brazil.
By car
Drivers coming from southern and Center-west states will arrive by the Saída Sul entrance. From other states, you'll enter Brasilia by Saída Norte.
By e-hailing
Notable e-hailing services in the city are:
By bus
Use the app Moovit to find convenient connections.
By taxi
Taxis usually cannot be hailed on the streets.
By subway
The Metrô subway system's Y-shaped line starts in the main bus station (Rodoviária de Brasília - "Central" station) and makes its first stop at Setor Comercial Sul ("Galeria" station), which is…
By car
If you are not using "city tour" services, it would be a good idea to have a car available.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Brasília · International · BSB
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Brasilia and Brazil.
InspirationExplore the best places to visit in February across snow festivals, world-famous carnivals, tropical island beaches, and polar night aurora displays.
6 min read
Travel tipsPlan your trip with our Rio Carnival 2027 guide. Compare Sambadrome tickets, street blocos, safety strategies, and neighborhood hotel recommendations.
8 min read
ItinerariesLearn how to plan a trip around major sports events in 2027, covering ticket deadlines, rooms, flights, and costs for the world's biggest tournaments.
7 min read
ItinerariesThis itinerary details travelling downstream on the Amazon from Iquitos via Tabatinga, Manaus, Santarém, Santana/Macapá to Belem.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.