Campinas

Former aristocratic mansion built in neo-Renaissance style. It was used as a hotel and hosted two cultural centers that eventually were closed down.

Campinas' imponent central train station and one of the main postcards of the city. Inaugurated in 1872 and deactivated in 2001. It hosts now a (sporadically used) cultural center.

Campinas city museum, that occupies the old factory of Lidgerwood Manufacturing, built in 1868 and deactivated in 1922. It is now a museum dedicated to the history and culture of the city, including the native-Brazilian communities that inhabited the area.

A public park and an Atlantic rainforest reserve just adjacent to Downtown. It contains a number of attractions: the Campinas Aquarium, Caso do Caboclo (a historical rural house), the Campinas Natural History Museum, a theater for children, and a minizoo.

School founded in 1873 as private school, which used to be frequented by scholars and aristocrats. Now it is a public school.

A former elastics fabric factory built in 1921 by an important local manufacturer. Now it is a temple of a Protestant church.

A female-only catholic school, in eclectic style, built in 1909. The school has transferred its activities to another building since 1980.

Built by the Italian community as a cultural and recreation center in 1881, becoming a hospital in 1918.

A large public school constructed in 1903, and maintaining the same function. As of April 2013, it is in terrible condition; the state government has promised to restore the building.

Palace in eclectic style built in 1910 to be the headquarters of Companhia Mogiana de Estradas de Ferro, a rail company. The company ended its activities in 1972, so the palace is now, together with the Campinas Central station, a memory of the rail transport in the region.

Church built in 1885 in neoromantic style, intended to be a catholic temple for Afro-Brazilian slaves. The church was finished just a bit before the end of slavery in Brazil. In front of the church is the "Mãe-Preta" statue, constructed by freed Afro-Brazilians.

Built in 1909 by the Catholic Church as a school for poor children. It stopped functioning as a school in 1994, and now it hosts charity and social work, still aimed at poor children.

Excellent place for exercising, it is a favourite local spot for running, walking or ridding a bike. It is a very popular place among families and well recommended for kids. It contains a number of attractions:

This lake is also known as Lagoa Isaura Teles Alves de Lima.

The park has 3 km of track that carry four historic trams that served the city from 1912 to 1968.

This 2700-seat conch-shaped amphitheater is a replica of the one in New York City's Lincoln Park.

Look for the pyramid-shaped building

This nice wooded park is a nice spot for birdspotting, a relaxed stroll, or a quiet read. It also contains the coffee museum:

Here one can learn about the history of the city and São Paulo State, the products that were cultivated and how they impact the state's (and nation's) economy and politics, and especially about the people who made it possible: slaves, immigrants and their descendants.

A school for Army recruits, it is an impressive construction with beautiful colonial architecture. Visiting the interior of the facility, however, is only possible under appointment (check website for available times). Visiting the annex church does not require appointment, though.

Remnants of Campinas oldest coffee farm, finished in 1830.

The oldest surviving church of the city, in colonial style, built in an unknown date in the 18th century — it is older than the city.

Built in 1897 by the Catholic church, it is an impressive construction and reputedly one of the best private schools of Campinas.

This 247-acre park used to be part of an old coffee farm called "Mato Dentro". Landscaped by the renowned Brazilian landscape designer Burle Marx, it has the "Casa Grande" (Big House) museum, housed in what used the be the farm owners residence. You can see the disparities of the lifestyle of the farm owners and workers, as well as the local environment and ecology. You can also walk one of the many trails or take advantage of the sporting facilities, such as courts, fields and playgrounds. On Sundays there is an organic agriculture fair as well.

A 27-meter castle-style water tower with an observation deck on top which provides fine views of much of the city.

Founded in 1880, this historical graveyard contains several sculptures of international artists, and graves of several famous campineiros. A must-visit is the Monumento aos Heróis de 32, a mausoleum containing the remnants of 34 campineiros who died in the Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932.

The cozy district center of Sousas, around Rua Cel. Alfredo Augusto do Nascimento next to the Atibaia river, is an attraction on itself, with brick roads and several constructions from the coffee farming era (late 19th/early 20th century), like the Capela São Sebastião (constructed in 1889), the Igreja Matriz de Santana (1894), the subprefecture building (1912).

The district center of Joaquim Egídio is at Av. Dr. Heitor Penteado, a bit further from Sousas. It is small but charming area, also filled with historical constructions, like the Capela de São Joaquim e São Roque (constructed in 1870).

Psychiatric hospital founded in 1924.

Simple wooden chapel built in the end of the XIX century. Not to be confused with the church of same name in Cambuí.

An astronomical observatory open to visitors during Sundays, offering expositions, telescopic views and other activities.

A large Atlantic forest reserve, with 2,5 million square meters. It contains some trekking options and a butterfly zoo.

Tourist steam locomotive ride starting at the historical Anhumas train station towards the Jaguariúna train station, in Jaguariúna. Only on weekends. Call or send an e-mail (in Portuguese) for prices, exact departure and return times.

Like São Paulo, during Sundays and holidays several exclusive cycling lanes are open in Campinas. However, in Campinas these temporary cycling lanes remain open only until 13:00. There are two routes: the first links Lagoa do Taquaral (north) to Largo do Rosário (Downtown), and another links Parque Linear do Capivari (Downtown) to Bosque Augusto Ruschi (southeast). Check the website for maps and other information.

Carlos Enrique conducts ornithological tours in Campinas or in and around São Paulo State.

Stadium of the Guarani football team, with capacity for 32,341 people.

Stadium of the Ponta Preta football team, with capacity for 19,728 people.

Campinas municipal theatre, hosting a variety of performances.

Theatre that frequently hosts high-end performances. If you are fan of Brazilian soap operas, it is your best bet in the city to see famous TV actors.

SESI Campinas offers a wide range of cultural activities, including concerts, theater and expositions, at low prices.

Located inside the UNICAMP, Casa do Lago offers free expositions, performances and cult movie exhibitions during the weekdays.

The art crafts fair now is officially called "Feira de Arte, Artesanato, Antiguidades, Esotéricos e Quitutes de Campinas" but with such a long name, all the locals still call it by its old and more charming name: Feira Hippie. The fair started in the 1970s and since then a lot has changed: its location, size, and products, and today actual hippie vendors are rare. This is a must-do in Campinas. It is possible to buy all kinds of arts and crafts: paintings, jewellery, clothes, house articles, shoes, bags, etc. The food section is an amazing trip through local and Brazilian cuisine: pasteis (fried dumplings), empanadas, and pies share space with regional food and as well as dishes brought by immigrants and fully adopted by the Brazilians, such as yakisoba and sushi.