If Brazil were a wedding ring, São Paulo would be its diamond. No other city in the Southern Hemisphere shines as brightly as this megalopolis.
Located on the Brazilian Southeast plateau, São Paulo never sleeps. Its relentless pace has earned it the fitting nickname of “Brazil’s locomotive.” And for good reason—this is the largest, wealthiest, most cosmopolitan, and undoubtedly the most exhilarating metropolis in Latin America. São Paulo has it all.
Today, we’ll take a walk through the city’s historic downtown, where magnificent landmarks reveal its rich past.
Our tour begins at the heart of São Paulo—Sé Square (Praça da Sé). Framed by early 20th-century buildings, antique lampposts, and patches of tropical greenery, the square exudes nostalgia.
The Justice Palace | Photography: CCThe Justice Palace, home to the State Court, reinforces this vintage ambiance with its neoclassical grandeur. Built between the 1920s and 1930s, its design was inspired by Rome’s Palace of Justice. A modern fountain in its courtyard provides a refreshing contrast, flowing ceaselessly through the day.
Standing just beside it is the imposing Sé Cathedral. With a five-aisled nave and a dome soaring 30 meters above the crossing, it ranks as the fifth-largest Gothic-style church in the world. Its intricate stained-glass windows and massive cornerstones captivate both visitors and worshippers. Beneath the main altar lies a crypt where all of São Paulo’s bishops and archbishops are entombed, highlighting its deep significance to the local clergy.
A four-minute walk northwest from Sé Square brings us to the charming Pátio do Colégio (School Yard). More than 470 years ago, Jesuit monks founded the village of São Paulo dos Campos de Piratininga on this very spot. In its earliest days, simple palm-leaf and straw structures housed missionaries working to Christianize indigenous Brazilians. As centuries passed and São Paulo emerged as a powerhouse, colonial-style buildings took over the landscape. Some of these historic structures still stand today, now serving as churches and museums open to visitors.
Downtown is also home to one of São Paulo’s most iconic landmarks. Rising above a skyline dense with skyscrapers, the Altino Arantes Building—now known as Farol Santander—commands attention. Its Art Deco design echoes the Empire State Building, with the São Paulo state flag proudly waving from its summit.
But the best is yet to come. From the building’s rooftop observatory, you’ll witness firsthand why São Paulo is called a “concrete jungle.” At 160 meters high, the city sprawls endlessly before you, making you feel small against its sheer vastness.
Do the thousands of shades of grey not appeal to you? Just wait for sunset. As night falls, you’ll see for yourself—nothing shines brighter than São Paulo.
