Wonderous Brazil, the biggest country in South America and a place that belongs on every travel bucket list. At Atelier there’s plenty that inspires us about Brazil and our traveling guests also love, not least the range of natural wonders and fusion of cultures that make this vast land so unique.
There are so many top travel destinations in Brazil that each tailored journey could look a thousand different ways. From hidden colonial towns to remote parts of the Amazon, blissful beaches to sprawling cities, Brazil is often described as a “continent in itself”. And just like every exploration of the country could go in different glorious directions, so could our list of unmissable highlights!
Here’s our Top Ten Destinations in Brazil, to give you some inspiration and yet more reasons to visit this vibrant country.
Salvador is known and loved for its Afro-Brazilian culture, traditions and history, with this bustling coastal hub offering endless curiosity to anyone lucky enough to visit. The rich heritage of Salvador stands out, with just some of the many must-see places of interest including the 16th Century Historical Centre—home to the Church and Convent of San Francisco, Catedral Basílica de Salvador, Municipal Plaza, salve market, and baroque palaces of Palácio do Arcebispado and Palácio Saldanha, among many more.
The Pelourinho Neighborhood makes for a leisurely afternoon stroll, while more historical intrigue can be found in the Palace of Arts, Cultural Afro-Brazilian Museum and the Museum of Mercy.
Around Salvador and Brazil’s Northeastern coastline, the 17th -century port towns of Cachoeira and Olinda are well worth visiting and a great way to explore the wider rural areas of Bahia. Meanwhile the boutique beach bars, soft sand and palm trees of Praia do Forte or deserted bays of Pipa are a perfect antidote to busy days spent in Salvador!
No journey to Brazil would be complete without experiencing Rio de Janeiro, one of the most recognizable cities in all the Americas. Rio never fails to impress with its musical culture and buzzing nightlife, busy streets and famous beaches. From diverse neighborhoods to a thriving foodie scene and plenty else besides, Rio de Janeiro stands up to the test of a truly memorable travel destination in South America.
Of Rio’s many highlights, the unmistakable Christ the Redeemer in the Corcovado National Park and Sugarloaf Mountain are a great place to start—for the views and cable car journey alone. The neighborhoods of Urca, Santa Teresa and Lapa offer contrasting sides to Rio, with plenty of historic buildings found in the latter, before more of the city’s heritage at the Royal Palace, Copacabana Fort, Parque Lage, or the ornately adorned Igreja São José Church.
Of course, Rio is also known for its coastline, with Copacabana and Ipanema Beach among the most famous. Head here to mix with locals and enjoy one of the many beachside bars and fantastic restaurants. With endless live music and dance performances, museums, excellent luxury hotels like The Fasano and Belmond Copacabana Palace, day trips and more, Rio has it all.
Teeming with urban life through its streets and many high-rise buildings, Sao Paulo is a city that’s not for the faint hearted, yet there’s an abundance of history and culture here too. Highlights of São Paulo’s historic Downtown include the Cathedral, Foundation Square, the Municipal Theater and Benedict Monastery, while the mixed cultural heritage of Sao Paulo can be seen through the city’s diverse restaurants, delis and food markets.
Luxury hotels like the Rosewood make for a blissful sanctuary from Sao Paulo’s busy streets, meaning you can enjoy the city’s carnivals, neighborhoods and museums even more.
As well as being convenient for a domestic flight to Iguazu Falls, from Sao Paulo you can also enjoy a change of pace by visiting nearby Campos do Jordao for European-style architecture, manicured gardens, and a backdrop of verdant hills.
Iguazu Falls and The Iguazu National Park need no introduction, such is the iconic majesty of this mighty natural wonder. Spending at least a couple of days here will allow you to see the best of the wider national park as well as the falls themselves, and hotels such as the magnificent Belmond das Cataratas will put you at the heart of everything.
One of the most memorable experiences at Iguazu Falls is getting up close to the main drops by boat, as well as admiring from above while walking elevated viewing platforms over the Devil’s Throat or even on an unforgettable helicopter ride!
As Iguazu straddles both Brazil and Argentina, you can cross the border for a different view and further exploration of the national park, which is highly advised. This biodiverse area is full of walking trails ideal for spotting tropical plants, bird species and animals like Black Capuchin Monkeys.
Yet another natural wonder to add to Brazil’s enviable list, the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park will wow you with its undulating sand dunes shielding bright blue lagoons within, a sight that must be seen to be appreciated. Lençóis Maranhenses is huge and beautiful, an expanse that makes it easy to avoid the crowds and enjoy the otherworldly pools and dunes to yourself.
Nearby, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of São Luis makes for a great addition to your time in the area, where you can wander the city’s Historic Center and enjoy European-inspired architecture, museums, restaurants and markets at leisure.
Once at the heart of Brazil’s 17th– century gold rush, UNESCO-stamped Ouro Preto, in the state of Minas Gerais, is still one of the country’s best-kept colonial towns and has a scenic setting to match. Nestled amongst verdant hills, Ouro Preto is an atmospheric picture of terracotta-tiled houses, cobbled streets, squares and churches which are a joy to walk around and temporarily travel back in time.
Elsewhere around Minas Gerais, other interesting colonial towns include laidback Tiradentes and Diamantina, both having their roots in 18th– century diamond and gold mining and with equally picturesque locations too. In fact, much of Minas Gerais is a bucolic, inviting escape of rolling hills, forest and pastures, all of which can be enjoyed while staying at the remote Comuna do Ibitipoca. This historic lodge sits in a 7,000-acre reserve and is the perfect place to immerse yourself in local culture and countryside living.
Though Curitiba’s origins date back to the 17th– century, today the city feels fresh and vibrant, a place of coveted green spaces, broad boulevards and boutique shopping outlets. A walking tour of Curitiba is a fantastic way to explore the city, strolling through the many manicured parks and flower gardens, or admiring the colonial-era Cathedral.
From Curitiba, the Atlantic Forest is on your doorstep and is not only beautiful to explore but boasts some of the best birdwatching walks in Brazil. Here you can admire many endemic species as you pick through dense forest, crossing streams and disconnecting from the world outside these green walls.
Another major highlight is the spectacular Serra Verde Express Train which departs from Curitiba to Morretes. Undoubtedly one of the most scenic rail journeys in South America, the Serra Verde Express takes you along cliff edges and through green valleys as you cut through the Serra do Mar Mountain Range, so cameras at the ready!
For a mini Brazilian adventure that’s full of contrast, combining coastal Recife, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Olinda, and the blissful Fernando de Noronha Archipelago will leave you spellbound.
Recife is known for its fusion of colorful colonial architecture meeting modern high-rise apartments, restaurants, and long stretches of coastline—including sandy beaches. A boat tour along the bay is a good way to get to grips with and admire the city, as is a trip to the Old Town to explore the Teatro Santa Isabel, Praca da Republica and Catedral de Sao Pedro dos Clerigos through cobbled streets and squares.
More historical gems come courtesy of 16th– century Olinda, a quiet and quaint colonial town with an ocean backdrop and affection for cultural festivals. Finally, the pristine and protected Fernando de Noronha National Park on Brazil’s northeastern coast showcases the best of Brazil’s beautiful landscapes. With visitor numbers restricted and a far-flung location keeping Fernando de Noronha off most tourist radars, you can expect a true paradise of crystalline waters, golden bays and the most memorable sunsets. Snorkeling, kayaking, island hopping and good old-fashioned rest and relaxation in a sublime setting are the order of the day when visiting Fernando de Noronha—the perfect end to any journey through Brazil.
No matter what your interests or group size, speak to the South America travel specialists at Atelier and they will craft your dream tailormade tour to Brazil.
Toll free: +51 947 831 198
Email: info@atelier.travel