After a whirlwind two-day visit to São Paulo, I have to admit it wasn’t as exciting as I had hoped. If you’re short on time, this city might not be at the top of your list.
This trip, I skipped the historic Se district and its churches because, let’s face it, all the guides warn about how dangerous it can be 😅. For the places I did visit, I relied heavily on Uber, stayed alert while walking the streets, and retreated to my hotel as soon as night fell. Despite that, everything went smoothly, and I didn’t experience any heart-stopping moments.
🏛️ MASP – São Paulo Museum of Art
I visited MASP shortly after landing in the afternoon, but I was so exhausted that I only managed a quick stroll through the museum. The collection is breathtaking—Monet, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Rembrandt… masterpieces abound! What truly sets MASP apart is its innovative display method: in an expansive hall, the artworks are mounted on glass panels, making them appear as though they’re floating mid-air.
Explanations for each piece are thoughtfully placed on the back of the frames. One thing worth noting—if you buy tickets on-site, expect a bit of a wait. The staff hands out maps and gives detailed instructions about which galleries are open, which adds to the queue length. That said, their friendliness makes up for it, and I encountered the same welcoming vibe at every museum I visited later.
Maybe this just reflects the Brazilian 🇧🇷 way of doing things.
