Brazil is one of the most diverse and beautiful countries in the world and it is also one of the largest. There is something for everybody in Brazil from world-famous cities, beaches, rainforest, exotic wildlife, culture, music tasty food, festivals and so much more.
If you are looking to visit Brazil for the first time there are lots of essential places to add to your itinerary. If you are arriving from overseas the chances are you will likely fly into Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo, both amazing cities to explore for a few days or longer. These cities also offer a great base for exploring more of the country.
If you only have a short break planned we recommend taking in some of the cities on our list like Rio and Sao Paulo but if you are lucky to have a more flexible schedule then there are so many other places you can see all over the country. The distances in Brazil are huge, for example a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Manaus in Amazonia is over 5 hours in duration and so if you only have a short time in the country you will really need to be selective with where you go.
If you do only have 1 – 2 weeks, we recommend an itinerary like Rio de Janeiro, Paraty, Sao Paulo and Foz do Iguaçu. But this will also depends on your interests, like if you are a wildlife lover, then you will need to try to see the Pantanal and Amazon.
Top Things to Do in Brazil
Check out our list of the essential places to go in Brazil and get inspired to visit this incredible South American destination.
1. Rio de Janeiro
Is there a more spectacular city in the world and Rio de Janeiro? We struggle to think of many that come close in terms of location and views. This city is really iconic and the beaches make it even more special.
Rio de Janeiro has such a amazing vibe and there are so many things you can do. Popular tourist attractions include the popular Copacabana beach, hanging out in the very trendy Ipanema neighbourhood, seeing in the Christ Redeemer and catching the cable car to the top of the Sugarloaf Mountain to see breathtaking views over the city. There are also so many hidden gems and things to do including visiting Santa Theresa, partying in Lapa, or visiting one of the islands off the coast like Ilha Grande.
For adventure seekers there are lot of tours, hiking trips and sports like going paragliding.
2. Paraty
Paraty is a small old fishing town which is very historical and scenic. Paraty is one of the safest and most scenic places in the whole of Brazil with little cobbled streets, local restaurants and lots of cafés and bars. There are lots of things to do in parity like doing a boat tour, going paddle boarding or you can go and do a day trip to explore the local surroundings. Paraty really does have a charm and is unlike all the other places featured on our list.
3. São Paulo
São Paulo is a mega city that you might never have heard much about before. This city is huge, it is the largest city in South America and also one of the biggest cities in the world. When you fly into São Paulo all you can see is skyscrapers for miles around, think Manhattan but on a much bigger scale. Over 12 million people live in the city centre and more than 20 million in the state.
Although visiting São Paulo can seem daunting, it is a great city to explore and there are lots of tourist attractions and hidden gems. Some top rated places to visit include:
• Museum of Art of São Paulo Assis
• Ibirapuera Park
• Pinacoteca de São Paulo
• Avenida Paulista
• Mercado Municipal de São Paulo
• São Paulo Cathedral
• São Paulo Museum of Modern Art
• Football Museum
4. Santos & Guarujá
Santos and Guarujá are located around two hours east of São Paulo city centre and can be reached by bus or car. Both the cities have amazing stunning coastlines with some of the best beaches in the country. Be sure to check out Praia Tombo, and the amazing viewing platform with has spectacular scenery.
5. Pantanal
If you love wildlife and nature you will absolutely fall in love with the Pantanal. This is world’s largest tropical wetland area, and the world’s largest flooded grasslands. It is located mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, but it extends into Mato Grosso and portions of Bolivia and Paraguay. If you are keen to see wildlife the Pantanal is one of the best destinations in the whole of South America to see animals like jaguars, crocodiles and monkeys.
6. Salvador Bahia
Founded by the Portuguese in 1549 as the first capital of Brazil, Salvador is one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas and located in northern Brazil. Salvador Bahia is one of the most vibrant destinations in the country and famous for its Portuguese colonial architecture, Afro-Brazilian culture and a tropical coast. There are lots of pretty cobbled streets, large squares, colorful buildings and churches such as São Francisco. Salvador has a very rich cultural and local people are very friendly. By visiting you will get to learn more about the region and history.
7. Foz do Iguaçu Waterfalls
The Foz do Iguaçu waterfalls are one of the most spectacular destinations you can visit in your life. Everybody has heard about Niagara Falls in Canada but not many foreigners are aware of Foz do Iguaçu which are arguably better. When you visit in real life Foz do Iguaçu is really breathtaking and even more impressive than any photos or videos you might have seen.
You can visit and explore the area independently or there are also lots of tours you can do including boat trips to get really close to the waterfalls. This destination is also a great place to see wildlife like Jaguars and tortoises. Although the waterfalls are located quite a long way from other destinations in Brazil it really is worth visiting and somewhere we highly recommend adding to your Brazil itinerary.
8. Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon is the biggest rainforest in the world and it is simply breathtaking when you visit in real life. The lush nature and wildlife are absolutely out of this world and nowhere in the world compares. To enter the Amazon you will usually need to pass through Manaus, this is one of the hottest cities in the world and also home to lots of attractions for tourists.
9. Fortaleza
Fortaleza is located in northeastern Brazilian and it is the capital of the state of Ceará. Fortaleza is a must visit destination due to the beaches, nature, dunes and lagoons. This is one of the most naturally beautiful areas of South America and there are also lots of adventure sports and trips available here.
10. Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world with beaches, nature and wildlife. Located in the far north of the country, this really is a destination to go for luxury and to relax. This is where a lot of celebrities and famous people visit, prices aren’t cheap but if you have the budget, you should go. The marine park is home to so many picturesque beaches, dive sites and animals like dolphins.
Other
If you are lucky to have a really flexible schedule and would like to see as many places in Brazil as possible, these are some other top destinations to consider seeing:
• Recife
• Curitiba
• Brasilia
• Florianópolis
• Belo Horizonte
• Fortaleza
• Porto Alegre
• Ouro Preto
Brazil really is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and if you get the chance to go, don’t miss it. We highly recommend learning some basic Portuguese phrases before departing as this makes travelling in the country easier. You will also need to research all destinations to see where appeals most to you. Rio de Janeiro is a must for any first time traveller in Brazil, whilst there is so much choice for other destinations whether it be cities, jungle or beaches.
