Sao Paulo - West Side

West Side is a region in Sao Paulo.

Travel to Sao Paulo - West Side - Visa Requirements

Sao Paulo - West Side tourist attractions and sightseeing

An important performance hall is located in the neighborhood of Lapa. The Sesc Pompéia offers a varied selection of shows focusing mainly on samba and rock. And if you want to witness firsthand a veritable Brazilian spectacle, a football match, called a soccer game by some, is just the ticket. Paulo Machado de Carvalho Stadium is located on Pacaembu Avenue, which is probably why it is simply known as Pacaembu.

Famed for its intellectual prowess, the São Paulo University Campus (USP) could only be on São Paulo’s West Side. USP has a regional municipal office building, cinema, theater, green spaces and areas for sports. It is also home to the Museu de Arte Contemporânea (MAC) and the super-interesting Museu do Crime . The Instituto Butantan, located nearby, was founded in 1901, and has become one of the city’s main attractions with its five wings, which are open to visitation: the Biology Museum, History Museum, Serpentarium, Primatarium, and the Microbiology Museum. The main topics are, as one would expect, snakes, poisonous animals and virus. In Lapa, people have the opportunity to improve their knowledge at the Estação Ciências with its exhibits on astronomy, physics, meteorology and biology, among others.

In Pinheiros, the highlight is the audacious architecture of the Instituto Tomie Ohtake, a cultural center with exhibit halls, theaters and workshops. And if you’re interested in size, a visit to the Memorial da América Latina, in Barra Funda, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, is definitely worthwhile. Across from USP, Brazilian culture comes to the fore at CEAGESP, the largest supply center in Latin America, an open-air mega-market with a Flower Fair and Evening Wholesale Bazaar.

Sao Paulo - West Side city tours

Sao Paulo - West Side souvenirs and shopping

Remember the region is a refuge for intellectuals. That’s why there are always good options for buying books, such as Livraria Lima Barreto, that also serves excellent crepes. Livraria da Vila, which is worth a long visit, is nestled in between two bars. Pick up a few titles and enjoy a delicious coffee at the back of the store. You won’t even notice time flying by.

The neighborhood streets are dotted with excellent thrift shops, full of preciosities. In Pinheiros, Teodoro Sampaio Street, on the section between Henrique Schaumann Avenue and Hospital das Clínicas, is the place to sell or trade musical instruments. From Henrique Schaumman Avenue on down, the street is a magnet for shops selling new furniture, much of which is made to order. If you prefer to invest in items with a certain age, go to the parallel street, Cardeal Arcoverde, and antique away.

Another important address for shoppers is Praça Benedito Calixto. On Saturday, this square is home to one of the most famous and charming fairs in São Paulo, the “Benedito Flea Market.” Everything is on offer: antiques, rarities, collections, etc. It’s also a great place to have lunch or a snack, as there are many bars and restaurants—such as the excellent Consulado Mineiro, where the long wait is softened by a delicious lime and cane liquor caipirinha cocktail. In the middle of the square, musicians playing traditional choro music on Brazilian ukuleles keep the crowds entertained.

Sao Paulo - West Side Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Die-hard Bohemians unite! Vila Madalena – Vila Madá, for those in the know – is THE place for you. Its bizarrely named streets, such as Aspicuelta (who was a 16th century Spanish priest), Girassol (the sunflower) and Purpurina (glitter), are home to bars with something for everyone: there are “classic” pubs with Portuguese tiles on the walls serving super-chilled draught beer and bean soup, such as the Filial; some are homes away from home for journalists and soccer aficionados, such as São Cristóvão; and for the GLS (Gays, Lesbians and Sympathizers) crowds, Farol da Vila is a good bet.

Those who are fond of live music have several options, from samba to shows by future stars of Brazilian Popular Music—MPB. Even Father Aspicuelta used to have a little glass of wine after mass in some of the bars on “his” street, such as Posto 6 (in honor of Rio de Janeiro), Zé Menino (in honor of the port city of Santos) or Salve Jorge, that gives discounts to clients named Jorge. The search for the perfectly-chilled draught beer might take you to the nearby neighborhood of Lapa, where a happening nightlife scene is beginning to take hold.

Sao Paulo - West Side nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Sao Paulo - West Side cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

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