Things to do in São Paulo: tours, museums and must-see neighbourhoods

Looking for the best things to do in São Paulo? The most booked is the 7-hour shared city highlights tour (€67, 4.9/5 from 725 reviews), followed by downtown walking tours (from €22), a historic bike tour (€76, 4.9/5) and a football match with a local guide (from €90). The catalogue lists 65 activities in São Paulo, with a median price of about €94 per person.

São Paulo has no beach and no single postcard view. Its appeal lies in neighbourhoods, museums, food and nightlife, and Brazil’s biggest city rewards a plan. Here are the top-rated experiences, what they cost and how to fit them in. All figures come from the Tours Brasil catalogue of things to do in São Paulo.

Prices, ratings and review counts updated on November 9, 2026 from the GetYourGuide catalogue. Tours Brasil is a GetYourGuide affiliate: booking through our links costs you the same and we earn a small commission.

The 10 best things to do in São Paulo

1. 7-hour shared highlights tour — €67, 4.9/5 from 725 reviews, the most reviewed activity in the city. Historic centre, Avenida Paulista and key neighbourhoods in one day.
2. São Paulo walking tour — €62, 4.8/5 from 386 reviews. Downtown explained building by building.
3. Guided city highlights tour — €62, 4.6/5 from 383 reviews, a good choice if you prefer a vehicle.
4. Historic downtown bike tour — €76, 4.9/5 from 232 reviews. Cover far more ground than on foot.
5. Private downtown walking tour with food stops — €36, 5.0/5 from 165 reviews. A perfect score at a small price.
6. 2-hour downtown walking tour — €22, 4.9/5 from 110 reviews. The cheapest way to get your bearings.
7. Private city tour — €255 per group, 4 hours, 4.8/5 from 300 reviews. Great value for families or friends.
8. Santos, São Vicente and Guarujá day trip — €101, 12 hours, 4.6/5 from 223 reviews. The most popular escape to the coast.
9. Football with a local guide — Corinthians with pre-match warm-up from €90, Palmeiras from €99, or a match with a local fan for €120. All rated 4.9/5 or higher.
10. Bar crawl with open bar and club entry — €32, 4.7/5 from 133 reviews.

Also worth a look: the rainforest walk to Jaraguá Peak (€62, 5.0/5), the Ayrton Senna tour (€197, 5.0/5), a food tour with 12+ tastings (€83, 5.0/5) and a helicopter tour (€229, 4.8/5).

Quick comparison: price, rating and reviews

Activity	From	Rating	Reviews	Duration	Spanish guide	Pickup
7-hour city tour	€67	4.9/5	725	—	No	No
São Paulo walking tour	€62	4.8/5	386	—	No	No
Historic bike tour	€76	4.9/5	232	—	No	No
Private walk with food stops	€36	5/5	165	—	No	No
Downtown walk (2 h)	€22	4.9/5	110	2 h	No	No
Santos, São Vicente and Guarujá	€101	4.6/5	223	12 h	Yes	No
Corinthians with warm-up	€90	4.9/5	51	6 h	Yes	No
Bar crawl with open bar	€32	4.7/5	133	4 h	Yes	No

How to plan your days

One day

Book the 7-hour tour for a complete overview. If you would rather walk, take a downtown walking tour in the morning (Sé Cathedral, Municipal Theatre, Mercado Municipal) and head to Avenida Paulista and the MASP museum in the afternoon.

Three or four days

Add a day of neighbourhoods on your own (Liberdade, Vila Madalena and Batman Alley, Ibirapuera Park), a football match and a day trip: Santos and Guarujá, the mountain town of Campos do Jordão (from €101) or the Aparecida basilica (€94, 4.9/5).

On a layover at Guarulhos

A private layover tour from GRU airport (€401 per group, 4.9/5) picks you up and returns you in time. A simple private airport transfer starts at €15.

For food and nightlife

São Paulo is Brazil’s food capital. Try a cooking class with 9 recipes (€72, 4.7/5), a 8-bar food crawl (€64) or the Afro nightlife tour (€54, 5.0/5).

3-day São Paulo itinerary

Day 1: a 2-hour downtown walking tour (€22), then Avenida Paulista and the MASP on your own, and a bar crawl with open bar at night (€32). Activities: €54.

Day 2: the historic bike tour (€76), a free afternoon in Ibirapuera Park or Vila Madalena and, if there is a game on, Palmeiras with a local guide (€99). Activities: €175.

Day 3: the Santos, São Vicente and Guarujá day trip (€101, 12 hours). Activities: €101.

That is about €330 per person in activities over three days, or about €191 if you skip football and swap the bike tour for the private walk with food stops (€36).

How much do activities in São Paulo cost?

• Downtown walking tours: from a tip-based free tour up to €62; most cost €22–36.
• Group city tours (vehicle or bike): €62–76.
• Football with guide and ticket: €90–120.
• Nightlife and food: €32–83.
• Day trips (Santos, Campos do Jordão, Aparecida): €94–101 in a group; €225–313 private or with pickup.
• Private and premium: 4-hour private tour from €124, helicopter €229.

The median price is around €94, higher than elsewhere in Brazil because private tours are common here. On a budget, walking tours and football experiences offer the best value.

Plan your trip

Getting there: most international flights land at Guarulhos (GRU), about 25 km from downtown; Congonhas, inside the city, handles domestic flights. Commuter trains, taxis and private transfers from €15 link GRU with the city. Getting around: the metro is the fastest way across town by day; traffic is heavy at rush hour, so use taxis or apps at night.

When to go: December to March is hot with afternoon storms; June to August is drier, with mild days and cool nights. Where to stay: Avenida Paulista and Jardins for a central, metro-connected base; Vila Madalena and Pinheiros for bars and street art.

Practical tips

• On Sundays Avenida Paulista closes to traffic and fills with street music and stalls.
• Use the metro by day and taxis or ride-hailing apps at night.
• Carry little in the historic centre and keep your phone out of sight on the street.
• Book football tickets early when the big clubs are playing.
• Heading on? See our guides to the best tours in Rio de Janeiro and things to do in Foz do Iguaçu.

FAQ

How many days do you need in São Paulo?

Two days cover downtown, Paulista and a couple of neighbourhoods. Three or four let you add football, museums and a day trip.

What is the most popular tour?

The 7-hour shared highlights tour, with 725 reviews and a 4.9/5 rating.

Are there free tours in São Paulo?

Yes, there is a tip-based free walking tour of the historic centre rated 5.0/5. The cheapest paid tour is the 2-hour walk at €22.

Is a football match worth it?

Yes. The most booked football experiences (Corinthians, Palmeiras and the match with a local fan) are rated 4.9/5 or higher and include a local guide to and from the stadium.

Which neighbourhoods should I see?

Start with downtown (Sé and the Municipal Theatre), then Avenida Paulista, Liberdade for Japanese-Brazilian food, Vila Madalena for street art and bars, and Ibirapuera Park for a green break. Most group tours cover the first two; the rest are easy by metro.

Is São Paulo safe for tourists?

Like any huge city, it needs common sense. Stay alert downtown, especially after dark, and use taxis or apps at night. Joining a guided walking tour on your first day is the easiest way to learn the layout.

Do I need a visa for Brazil?

Since 10 April 2025, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa to visit Brazil. UK and EU passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Always check the official Brazilian consulate website before travelling.

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