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Top Things to Do in Belo Horizonte: Brazil’s Most Underrated City

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7 months ago

I always describe Belo Horizonte as one of Brazil’s hidden gems. However, without the iconic landmarks of Rio de Janeiro or the beaches of Recife, I doubt I can convince you to grant Belo Horizonte a place on your 2-week Brazil travel itinerary.

In saying that, many travelers find themselves passing through Béaga (as Belo Horizonte is colloquially called) on the way to or from Ouro Preto (which very much deserves a place on any Brazil itinerary). Other travelers on longer multi-month Brazil tours or businesspeople find themselves with time to spare in Belo Horizonte.

In this article, I’ll share why I think landlocked and non-touristy Béaga is worth a few days of your time – including the 5 top things to do in Belo Horizonte.

Getting to Belo Horizonte

By plane

Belo Horizonte Airport (Airport code: CNF) is one of the busiest in Brazil, with a vast domestic flight network connecting the city to major Brazilian cities including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Salvador and Recife. You can also pick up regular flights to more obscure regions of Brazil, including Aracaju or Foz do Iguacu.

If you are coming from abroad, there are limited international flights to the U.S. (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) and daily flights to Lisbon, Portugal.

By bus

Brazil’s bus network is the stuff of legends, with both short and long-distance buses traversing the country. If you are continuing on popular routes to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, I recommend booking your bus tickets as far in advance as possible.

Where to stay in Belo Horizonte

Savassi is unquestionably the best area to stay in Belo Horizonte. With many of Belo Horizonte’s best restaurants, bars and nightlife venues, upper-class Savassi is also one of the safest neighborhoods in Belo Horizonte.

For mid-range options, I recommend the Hotel Boulevard Plaza or the ibis Belo Horizonte Savassi. Both hotels are within walking distance to Praça da Savassi and many restaurants.

For those looking for something fancier, you can’t go wrong with the Radisson Blu Belo Horizonte or the Hotel Fasano Belo Horizonte (which is definitely one of the most luxurious hotels in Brazil).

Top things to do in Belo Horizonte

1. Architecture tour of Pampulha

Who says Belo Horizonte doesn’t have any star-studded attractions? The UNESCO-recognized Pampulha Modern Ensemble offers visitors a crash-course in the history of Brazilian modernism and the genius of Brazil’s most famous architect, Oscar Niemeyer.

Meandering (or bike-riding) along the Pampulha Lagoon and admiring the architectural marvels is one of my favorite things to do in Belo Horizonte. To help you make the most of your time in Pampulha, make sure you bookmark our expertly curated self-guided tour of Pampulha.

Brazil Pampulha belo horizonte Igreja Sao Francisco curves mosaic

2. Liberdade Square

The magnificent heart of Savassi is Praça Liberdade. This square is studded with some of Belo Horizonte’s gems and is worth checking out during your time in Belo Horizonte.

On the west side, you’ll find the MM Gerdau, or Museum of Mines and Metals where you can learn about the industries that shaped Minhas Gerais. Don’t miss the Casa Camara antiques café inside the museum, where you can have coffee in a makeshift antique shop.

On the east flank, you’ll find the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil. While the collection and exhibits are often changing, don’t miss Bem Mineiro, the Centro Cultural gift shift which offers some of the most unique souvenirs in Belo Horizonte.

Next to the Banco Cultural, you’ll find the Edificio Niemeyer. While not as famous as the Pampulha Modern Ensemble, this Oscar Niemeyer-designed building complements the colonial style of Liberdade Square with a splash of Brazilian modernism.

3. Visit the markets

Spending a few hours perusing the markets of Belo Horizonte is easily one of my favorite things to do in this vibrant city.

If you only visit one market in Belo Horizonte, make sure it is the Mercado Novo. While the dark and eerie lower levels sell your usual Brazilian market foods, the recently revamped top floors are full of cafes, wine and cocktail bars, independent artisans, restaurants and the occasional craft market. In case it wasn’t yet clear, the Mercado Novo is the place to be in Béaga.

If you’re looking for the perfect souvenir, head to Made in Béaga a unique and locally produced craft boutique in the Mercado Novo.

The Mercado Central offers a more typical – but no less vibrant – dive into Brazilian market culture. If you’re looking to bring home cheeses, more typical souvenirs or cheap homewares, you’ll love the Mercado Central. You’ll also find lots of open-air restaurants and bars and the market itself is usually extremely busy.

4. Eat your heart out in the best restaurants in Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte is home to one of Brazil’s most vibrant dining scenes (giving Ipanema a run for its money). From trying Brazil’s best pão de quiejo to the critically acclaimed Cuzinha Tupis, I guarantee eating out will be one of your favorite things to do in Belo Horizonte.

To help you plan effectively and efficiently, we’ve curated the ultimate guide to Belo Horizonte’s best restaurants. I know some people enjoy learning about the history of urban gastronomy. If this sounds like you, I highly recommend joining a Béaga food tour to hear the stories behind the flavors and dishes of the city.

5. Take a day trip to Brazil’s most beautiful colonial town: Ouro Preto

If you only do one thing on this list, please make it a day trip to the former Portuguese capital of Ouro Preto.

From colorful Olinda in the Northeast, to charming Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay, Latin America has no shortage of gorgeous colonial towns. However, in my opinion, Ouro Preto is in a league of its own.

view over ouro preto colonial town in brazil

Ouro Preto sits at the heart of Brazil’s gold-mining region. To avoid having to export gold back to Portugal, local settlers invested the gold into Ouro Preto’s houses of worship. In turn, Ouro Preto is home to some of Brazil’s most magnificent churches. Here, you’ll find everything from Northern European design to Baroque trimmings.

Unlike other colonial towns in Brazil, Ouro Preto is more refined. The historic center is full of cute little craft stores and delis selling goiabada which is a conserve made of guava (including my favorite, Aqui di Minas). With an endless supply of cafes, patios and chocolate shops, you can simply dine and enjoy a lazy afternoon. In case it isn’t yet clear, Ouro Preto is the perfect day trip from the chaos of Belo Horizonte.

If you’re planning a quick day trip, consider joining an organized tour. With door-to-door service and detailed explanations of Ouro Preto’s unique status as a gold capital, you’ll soon agree that this day trip is the best thing to do in Belo Horizonte.


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