//
Avenue in São Paulo
Photo: Wagner T. Cassimiro "Aranha", CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Crossing through different neighborhoods, districts and even regions, Avenida Paulista is the beating heart of São Paulo, where the culture, arts, food, politics, economics and shopping all clash together into an exciting straight line of intense activity.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Espaço Haroldo de Campos de Poesia e Literatura
Former residence from 1935, now a cultural center dedicated to poetry inside a beautiful garden with roses of different colors, and a cafe to take in the atmosphere.
Méqui 1000
Constructed by and home to a wealthy Syrian family in the 1900s, this mansion later became a bank, known for its gorgeous Christmas decor. Nowadays, it's a McDonald's restaurant, with a loud and colorful look.
A public school from 1909, still fully active. It contains a neoclassical European style of architecture, in striking yellow.
A still working private hospital, built in 1906. Its outside walls contain carvings of healthcare and Catholic symbols.
This church was built in 1932, constructed in Greek-Roman architecture, in high contrast with the modern buildings surrounding it.
Parque Trianon
Built in 1892, this small park is the most significant green area of the Paulista region. It combines features of an English garden with preserved Atlantic rainforest, plus landscaping by Roberto Burle Marx and sculptures by Clóvis Olga and Victor Brecheret.
One of the few houses of old Paulista still standing, dating from 1905 and built by the coffee baron it is named after. It still belongs to the Franco de Mello family.
Focused on Korean culture and arts, it has a library with books, CDs and DVDs in Portuguese, Korean and English, alongside events about the country.
Edifício Luís Eulálino de Bueno Vidigal FIlho
This pyramid-shaped building is home to the Federação das Indústrias do Estado de São Paulo, a powerful union that represents employees from over 150,000 companies, or 42% of the Brazilian GDP. It also hosts cultural expositions and Teatro Popular do SESI, with high quality theatrical performances.
This historical building, from 1953, marks the beginning of the transformation of Av. Paulista from a residential to a business/commercial area. It is a small shopping mall with stores, services, offices, small art exhibits and a movie theater. The building's digital clock is one of the symbols of the avenue.
Fundação Casper Líbero
The tallest building of the avenue contains Faculdade Cásper Líbero (a private college institution), the Gazeta radio, TV and news agency, Objetivo (a private school), Reserva Cultural (a cinema and theater) and a 95-m-high TV antenna (popularly known as Torre da Paulista) that, although not particularly noticeable during the day, becomes the avenue's most imposing landmark during the night, when the lights get turned on.
IMS
A museum that features an arts and media archive, alongside nice views of the avenue from its upper floors.
A large cultural center that hosts performances and exhibitions. Two of the permanent exhibitions include a showcase of art depicting Brazil from the view of its colonists, and a showcase of Brazilian currency throughout the ages.
A museum about Japanese art and culture, with rotating exhibits, a cafe, and a library of Japanese literature.
MASP
Not only a symbol of modern Brazilian architecture, São Paulo's most well known landmark is also a collection of works ranging from the renaissance to contemporary. Both permanent and temporary expositions available.
An enjoyable small park to rest for a bit. It has a tourism information office and free wifi in its area, making for a good spot to plan out or review your itinerary.
Opened in 1967, it has been a favorite with movie fans for decades due to its tradition of playing films that are hard to find anywhere else in the city. They also have special late night screenings and movies accompanied by live music.
Famed for its wooden tile floors and Portuguese-style decoration in its entrance.
Another old favorite among locals, this cinema houses special events for new Brazilian film releases.
Also includes a bookstore, a bistro and a French-style bakery.
A large meetup of cyclists at Praça do Ciclista has a run around the city to promote bicycles as a means of transport. The route is typically decided on-the-fly.
One of the largest in the globe, with an average of 3 million participants every year. The avenue often gets a rainbow-themed decoration during the month.
Av. Paulista gets dressed up for Christmas for nearly the whole month, from a beautifully decorated gate at the Consolação entrance to the buildings, the interior of malls and stores, and even buses. The month also sees artistic performances at various points of the avenue, some of those spontaneous or planned by the population rather than professionals.
One of Brazil's largest New Year's Eve parties happens in Av. Paulista. Crowds fill up the whole avenue to see concerts for most of the day, alongside fireworks shows.
Many different cuisines are represented in this street market, with unique and trendy street food from all over the world.
Bakery that is popular with late night and early day locals, offers a high variety of breads, sweets and a sit down restaurant with options from breakfast all the way to dinner.
A quick bite of savory or sweet slices, with unique flavors such as shimeji available.
Small and cozy French restaurant by chef Erick Jacquin, popular in Brazil for multiple food-based reality TV shows.
A long standing address, known for its beirute, a Middle East dish adapted for the Brazilian palate. It uses flat bread, steak, vegetables and cheeses.
Finish your museum visit here, where you can taste a unique mix of food from Bahia and Minas Gerais with international fine dining influence. The baião de dois with beef stew is a popular option, and can be finished by a banana crème brulée. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.
Modern Brazilian cuisine, with weekday deals for multi-course meals. The caipira lasagna is a stand-out vegetarian dish.
Stylishly modern in both decor and its fine dining dishes, with a focus on beef and pasta.
High-end sushi spot, serves fresh oysters.
Japanese-inspired coffee shop, with trendy ingredients such as matcha. Also has Japanese-inspired snacks.
Always full on weekends, this old school bar has a privileged view of the movement of the avenue.
Cheap and fresh fruit juice, many options available.
German-style beer served in large glasses, also has good snacks.
Straightforward but comfortable. Rooms are air-conditioned and Wi-Fi is free.
Includes Wi-Fi, breakfast and toiletry. In case it is full, a second unit of the hostel is available at R. Silvia, 10 minutes away on foot.
Usual ibis accommodation, with all the expected amenities.
GoldMen Select Paulista
Full suites and business meeting rooms, with an extensive breakfast included.
Has pretty much everything, such as washing machines, non-smoking rooms, fitness center and (paid) Wi-Fi.
Designed in a European style, this is a sophisticated boutique hotel. 80 rooms, a restaurant, spa, indoor pool, gym and a high standard of service.
Big rooms, spa, gym, room service, free Wi-Fi and a slick interior. Quite charming from the outside as well.
Hilton's Av. Paulista unit, with an on-site restaurant, pet-friendly, accessible and non-smoking rooms, pools and valet parking.
Rooms are decorated with classical European art wallpapers, with the rest of the hotel being just as lavish. Amenities include pools, a restaurant, a bar and breakfast included with your stay.
Taking over what was once a huge bookstore, this is now a large 5-store establishment with a clashing color palette. Shoes, computer components, cosmetics, house appliances and books are available.
Shopping Paulista
The largest shopping mall in the region, known for the large clock in its entrance. About 235 shops.
The Av. Paulista floor is the largest food court in the avenue, popular with workers in the region. The actual shops are the R. Augusta floor, but there's not many of them, except on Sundays (see Feira Como Assim? on the Fairs sub section). About 100 shops.
Av. Paulista's newest shopping mall with the usual choices and some upmarket shops. Has shops with Brazilian cosmetics and souvenirs. About 160 shops.
Both a shopping mall and a commercial building, a large portion of which are occupied by offices related to Japan, like the Japanese Consulate and Fundação Japão. As expected, a large number of Japanese descendants and business travelers can be found in the food court during lunch time. About 59 shops.
Feira do MASP
Traditional arts and handcrafts market, running since 1979.
Market of handcrafts and handmade clothes, based on popular markets in the Historical Center. About 218 expositors.
By bus
Many buses pass through Av. Paulista and nearby streets. Generally, the metro is fastest and more reliable, making buses attractive only if your place of stay is far from a metro or train station.
By car
Going by car to Av. Paulista — even on weekdays — should be avoided. Traffic is intense — especially during peak hours, but often outside them — and parking can be ridiculously expensive.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
São Paulo · International · CGH
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Paulista 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.