Minas Gerais

Minas Gerais is a Brazilian state full of incredible and historic places to visit, with passionate cuisine and very welcoming people.  

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• Belo Horizonte: The state capital offers a mix of culture, gastronomy and architecture. Visit Lagoa da Pampulha, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, and the Central Market, famous for typical food and handicrafts.

  • Liberty Square: One of the most emblematic places in the city, with gardens, historic buildings and museums, such as the Minas Gerais Vale Memorial.

  • Central Market: Great place to try Minas Gerais cuisine, taste and buy local crafts, cheeses, sweets, cachaça and other typical products.

  • Pampulha Lagoon: An area with several attractions, including:

    • Church of São Francisco de Assis (known for its architecture by Oscar Niemeyer);

    •  Pampulha Art Museum (MAP);

    • Mineirão.

  • Mangabeiras Viewpoint: Offers a panoramic view of Belo Horizonte, making it a great place to enjoy the sunset.

  • Palace of Arts: Cultural center with exhibitions, theater, music and other artistic events.

  • Mangabeiras Park: A large ecological park with trails, viewpoints and lots of green space to relax.

  • Hippie Fair: It takes place on Sundays on Avenida Afonso Pena and is an incredible place to buy handicrafts, clothes, jewelry and experience local culture.

  • Museum of Arts and Crafts: It brings together a vast collection related to the history of work in Brazil, with interesting exhibits on tools, techniques and traditional crafts.

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• Black gold: A historic city with baroque architecture, beautiful churches and cobblestone streets. It is a place rich in history and culture. It was the first Brazilian city to receive the title of World Heritage, conferred by Unesco, in 1980. This recognition is mainly due to the fact that the city is a complete urban site and little altered in relation to its essence:  spontaneous formation starting from a mining system, followed by a marked presence of religious and governmental powers, and strong artistic expressions that stand out for their international relevance. 

  • Baroque Churches: The city is full of historic churches, many of which are considered World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, such as:

    •  Church of Saint Francis of Assisi;

    • Parish Church of Nossa Senhora do Pilar;

    • Church of Santa Efigênia.

  • Museums: The Inconfidência Museum, located in the old Town Hall and Jail of Vila Rica, offers a detailed view of the history of the region. The Oratory Museum is also an interesting attraction, displaying a collection of oratories and sacred art.

  • Gold mines: Visit ancient gold mines such asPassagem Mine, which allows visitors to explore the interior of the mines and learn about the history of gold extraction in the region.

  • Viewpoints: Climb to viewpoints, such as Mirante do Morro São Sebastião or Mirante da Casa dos Contos, for stunning panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.

  • House of Tales: In addition to being a viewpoint, Casa dos Contos is a museum that offers information about the economic and administrative history of the city during the colonial period.

  • Crafts and Markets: Stroll along the cobblestone streets and visit the local craft markets, where you can find ceramics, fabrics and other products typical of the region.

  • Tiradentes Square: It is the heart of the city and houses the Inconfidência Museum, as well as being a place where you can appreciate the colonial architecture and relax while watching the world go by.

  • Waterfalls and Trails: There are several waterfalls and trails around Ouro Preto, ideal for nature lovers and those who enjoy outdoor activities.

  • Aleijadinho's house: Place where the famous sculptor Aleijadinho lived and worked, exhibiting some of his works and pieces.

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• Brumadinho: It is mainly known for the Inhotim Institute, one of the largest and most impressive open-air contemporary art complexes in the world. In addition to the Inhotim Institute, there are other interesting tourist attractions in the region, such as:

  • Horácio Waterfall: A beautiful waterfall surrounded by an incredible green area, perfect for relaxing and enjoying nature.

  • Serra da Moeda: A place famous for extreme sports, such as paragliding and hang gliding, and also offers stunning views.

  • Inhotim: One of the largest open-air museums in the world, with contemporary art galleries and stunning botanical gardens.

    • https://www.inhotim.org.br/visite/​

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• Diamond: Colonial city with stone streets and historic mansions. It is famous for being the birthplace of former president Juscelino Kubitschek.

  • Historic center:Walking through the cobblestone streets of the historic center is a unique experience, with its preserved colonial buildings.

  • Juscelino Kubitschek's house: Place where former Brazilian president Juscelino Kubitschek spent part of his childhood.

  • Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Anthony: One of the most important churches in the city, with stunning architecture.

  • Diamond Museum:It offers an in-depth look at the history of diamond mining in the region, with interesting exhibits and artifacts.

  • Old Market: A picturesque place where you can find local crafts, typical foods and regional products.

  • Chapada dos Smugglers: It offers an incredible panoramic view of the city and the surrounding region.

  • House of Glory: An old residence transformed into a cultural center, with exhibitions and artistic events.

  • Crystal Waterfall: For nature lovers, this waterfall close to the city is a great place to relax and cool off.

  • Biribiri Village:An old textile village that is now an environmental preservation area, with trails and stunning natural landscapes.

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• São João del Rei:  It is a city rich in history and culture.

  • Historic center: Just like in Diamantina, the historic center of São João del Rei is charming, with its stone streets and well-preserved colonial architecture.

  • Church of Saint Francis of Assisi: One of the most beautiful churches in the city, with an imposing facade and a wealth of details inside.

  • Church of Our Lady of Pilar: Known for its exuberant baroque decor and impressive gold altars.

  • Regional Museum of São João del Rei:It offers a dive into the history of the region, with exhibits on local culture, sacred art and historical artifacts.

  • Maria Fumaça Train: A unique experience is to take the Maria Fumaça tour which connects São João del Rei to Tiradentes, a historic and fun trip.

  • Railway Museum: For train and railway history enthusiasts, this museum is a great place to learn about the importance of the railway in the region.

  • São José Fountain: One of the most famous fountains in the city, dating back to the 18th century, and is a work of art in itself.

  • Culture house: A cultural space that hosts temporary exhibitions, artistic presentations and various cultural events.

  • Automobile Museum: For those who love vintage cars, this museum has an interesting collection of classic vehicles.

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• Tiradentes: Charming historic towns with churches, museums and an atmosphere that dates back to the colonial period.

  • Historic center: Walking the cobblestone streets and appreciating the colonial architecture is an attraction in itself. Highlight is the Matriz de Santo Antônio, one of the most beautiful baroque churches in Brazil.

  • Maria Fumaça: The train ride that leaves Tiradentes and goes to São João del-Rei is a nostalgic experience, with enchanting landscapes along the way.

  • São José Fountain: A historic building and a meeting point in the city, where residents gather to chat and relax.

  • Museums: There are several interesting museums in the city:

    • Sant’Ana Museum

    • Liturgy Museum

    •  Casa Padre Toledo Museum

  • Serra de São José: For nature lovers, this mountain offers trails and hikes with panoramic views of the region.

  • Church of Our Lady of Mercês: A historic church with striking architecture, it is worth visiting to discover its beauty and cultural importance.

  • Crafts and Gastronomy:Tiradentes is known for its delicious cuisine and variety of local crafts. Don't forget to try the delicacies of Minas Gerais cuisine and check out the craft stores.

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• Serra da Canastra National Park: A preservation area with stunning waterfalls, trails and the famous source of the São Francisco River. The main objective of creating the Serra da Canastra National Park was to protect the sources of the São Francisco River, the best-known watercourse that flows from the immense plateau in the shape of a trunk or canastra. Some cities may be access points to the park:

  • ​São Roque de Minas: It is the closest city to the park and generally serves as the main entry point. From there, it is possible to access the upper part of the park, where the source of the São Francisco River and the Casca d'Anta waterfall are located.

  • Vargem Bonita: Another access point to the park, especially for those who want to visit the lower part and the Casca d'Anta waterfall. This city offers a different perspective on the region. At the height of mining activity, Vargem Bonita had around 30 thousand inhabitants, but as in all mining regions, diamonds became rarer and the activity lost strength. Due to the environmental problems caused, mining was banned in the mid-90s, the city went into crisis and lost most of its population.

  • Capitol: it is one of the 34 cities bathed by Lake Furnas,  the city is known as the "Queen of Lakes", it has stunning natural beauty.

  • Piumhi: It is known for its natural beauty, including rivers, waterfalls and the surrounding landscape. The privileged location facilitates access to two major tourist attractions in the State: Lake Furnas and Serra da Canastra.

  • Sacrament:It is known for its history, culture and natural beauty. Sacramento has a peaceful atmosphere and preserves many historic buildings, such as old churches and colonial mansions.

  • Saint John the Baptist of Glory: It has impressive natural beauty, with waterfalls, trails and an incredible mountainous landscape. It is also known for the production of cheese, typical of the region. The municipality has at least 130 waterfalls, some of which are easily accessible,  others are perfect for those who like extreme sports. Paradise Lost is one of the main attractions, it is a complex of waterfalls with crystal clear water, pools and rocks that form natural slides. 

  • Delfinópolis: located on the outskirts of Serra da Canastra and Serra da Babilônia,  it is a privileged place for countless ecological tour options. There are many trails, valleys, mountains, stunning landscapes and more than 150 waterfalls with crystal clear water.

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• Capitol:  It is known for its stunning natural beauty. It is one of the 34 cities bathed by Lake Furnas,  the city is known as the "Queen of Lakes". Here are some places you can't miss when visiting this region:

• Furnas Lake

  • Boat Trip: Take a boat trip to explore the crystal clear waters and impressive canyons.

  • Waterfalls: Visit the various waterfalls in the region, such as Cascata Eco Parque, Cachoeira Lagoa Azul and Cachoeira do Grito.

• Lookouts

  • Mirante dos Canyons: Offers a spectacular panoramic view of the canyons and Lake Furnas.

  • Furnas Power Plant Viewpoint: Great place to appreciate the grandeur of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

• Trails and Ecotourism

  • Trilha do Sol: A walk that leads to a beautiful viewpoint and the Grito waterfall.

  • Furnas Canyon Trail: Offers stunning views of the canyons and the lake.

• Other Points of Interest

  • Diquadinha: A quiet beach on the edge of Lake Furnas, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the scenery.

  • Capitol Center: Visit the city center to learn about the local culture, try the cuisine and discover crafts.

If you like nature and adventure, Capitolio is an unmissable destination with its stunning landscapes and outdoor activities.

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• Thermal cities: São Thomé das Letras and Poços de Caldas are known for their thermal waters and stunning natural landscapes.

• Cave Circuit: With emphasis on the Gruta da Lapinha, Gruta Rei do Mato and other fascinating rock formations.

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Minas Gerais cuisine is a highlight! Don't forget to try the famous cheese bread, tropeiro beans, tutu à mineira, traditional carne de panela and of course, you can't miss the famous cachaças.

Furthermore, the hospitality of the people of Minas Gerais is remarkable, making the experience of visiting Minas Gerais even more special.