For the one that would like to expand their discoveries and hidden treasures of the city, there is often a new trend, a forgotten site, a re-invented landmark or a curious contrast that can change your perspective or help you to decompress from the daily routine of the unpredictable, provocative and magnetic metropolis.
1. Coming back to the 20´s - Martinelli building at old downtown
The perception of an endless São Paulo can be evidenced by the skyline you will see at the 30th floor of the building, the first skyscraper of the city.
Example of the influence of the luxurious Belle Epoque time, the dream of the Italian immigrant and entrepreneur Guiseppe Martinelli became true in neo-classic French style with a project from the Hungarian architect William Filinger. Built with cement imported from Sweden and Norway, stairs in marble from Carrara, elevators from Switzerland, glasses and mirrors from Belgium, the building represents the rising power and fast development of the city that was turning into a real metropolis at the end of the 20´s.
It is impressive to see how the city has expanded to become the geographical and economical giant that seems can not be stopped.
Martinelli Building, penthouse, by Eliana Souza
Martinelli Building: Av. São João, 33 - centro - www.prediomartinelli.com.br
Mondays to Fridays: from 9:30am 11:30am - from 2:00 to 4:00am
Saturdays: from 9:00am to 3:00pm - Sundays: from 9:00 to 01:00pm
2. Surrounded by knowledge - campus of USP - University of São Paulo
The largest Brazilian public university, located in the west, is the desire object of many local students from all over the country. Its academic and research centers are reference for other national and Latin American educational centers.
More than 25 different colleges are part of the total campus that houses the central offices and several museums, surrounded by a huge green area that is an invitation for jogging and byke trails.
USP - University of São Paulo - aerial view from Hector Carvalho
USP - University of São Paulo - close to FEA - Business Administration and Economics School
photo from Fernando Stickel
USP campus: Av. Afrânio Peixoto, s/nº - www5.usp.br
Mondays to Fridays: from 5:00am to 8:00pm. - Saturdays: from 5:00am to 2:00pm
Close to the University of São Paulo, the Butantan Institute is an exotic site for testing your fear of snakes.
Located in a green park, the institute is an international renowned research center which is the largest producer of antivenon and vaccines in Latin America.
In the Biological Museum you can observe several live animals, among which snakes from different regions of Brazil and other countries, spiders and scorpions.
The outdoor serpentarium allows that more than 50 different species of snakes from the Brazilian fauna live loose. It takes times to recognize species like jiboias, cascaveis and jararacas as they are hidden, resting in trees or in the undergrowth.
The Microbiology Museum is also an interesting option to get information of the invisible world of microorganisms interactively.
Serpentarium where the snackes are hidden or prepared for its sun bath, photo by Marcos Santos
Two albino python snakes examined by a biologist on the exhibition pavillion, photo by AP
Butantan Institute: Av. Dr. Vital Brasil, 1500 - Butantan - www.butantan.org.br -
# (11) 2627-9300 - Tuesdays to Sundays: from 9:00am to 4:30pm - closed on Mondays
4. When business meets history - Victor Malzoni building
Strolling through the city is an obligatory tour in the middle of its several business centers. However sometimes you can be faced with surreal mix of power and past. That is the case of Pátio Victor Malzoni, an imposing office building settled at Faria Lima Ave.
Headquarters of prestigious companies like Bank of China, BGT Pactual investment group and Google, the amazing top-quality tower features luxuries like a wide black and white marbled indoor reception, floor sizes bigger than any other buildings in town, 35 elevators, six underground garage floors, ecological and sustainable practices and a rooftop helicopter parking.
Botti Rubin Architects designed the project according to severe governmental rules that demand the restoration of an old historic house found in the field of construction. The 17-century pioneer house, called Casa Bandeirista, heritage of the first pathfinders of São Paulo, was rebuilt and renovated completely by Brazilian specialists.
The preserved house in whitewashed walls and red-tiled roof can be seen from the street, in the middle of the 11-floor bridge that links the two 19-floor structures.
Victor Malzoni Building comprised by three blocks has a 44,4-meter gap to allow the sight of a historic heritage,
photo by Kelly Carvalho
photo by Kelly Carvalho
Historic house of "bandeirantes" from XVII century in the middle of Faria Lima business center, photo by FSP
Pátio Victor Malzoni: Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 3477 - Itaim Bibi
5. Peace in nature = Foundation Maria Luiza and Oscar Americano
To relax the spirit and be astonished with the lush Brazilian fauna and flora, the Foundation Maria Luisa & Oscar Americano can delight your soul.
The 1500-square meter house integrated in harmony with wide-spreading gardens was the home of the brilliant Brazilian engineer and entrepreneur Oscar Americano, who left several important engineering works in the country. Designed by his friend and architect Oswaldo Bratke the house was a daring modern construction in the 50´s when the Morumbi district was still a far away destination, and became a classic of the innovative Brazilian architecture.
Objects of sacred art, silverware, pottery, furniture, tapestries, sculptures and paintings from relevant international and Brazilian artists from different periods of the Brazilian history are important part of the valuable art collection of the family, that can be seen in the museum inside the house.
However your eyes will bewitched by the well-maintained and opulent gardens. The landscape architect Octávio Teixeria Mendes was contracted by Americano´s wife, Maria Luiza, to project and cultivate a productive garden with Brazilian native species, when the house was under construction. The result can be admired in the park comprised by 25.000 species that belong to the Atlantic rainforest and surround the property. You can choose ten different itineraries to cross green paths and admire 29 native species like pau-ferro, pau-brasil, jacarandá-da-Bahia and angico-vermelho, properly identified.
Foundation Maria Luisa&Oscar Americano, the modern house built at Morumbi district
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Foundation Maria Luisa&Oscar Americano, trail in one of the routes of the gardens,
Foundation Maria Luiza & Oscar Americano: Av. Morumbi, 4077 - Morumbi -
# (11) 3742-0077 - www.fundacaooscaramericano.org.br
Tuesdays to Sundays: from 10:00am to 05:30pm - closed on Mondays
6. Strangeness with culture - SESC Pompéia
SESC non-profit private organization offers cultural, educational and social actitivies for employees of commercial establishments and their families all over the country.
With 15 centers in São Paulo, SESC Pompéia is recognized by the locals as one of the most proficious and preferred facilties for leisure, sports and culture. An award that is due to the tremendous and passionate work of the Italian architect Lina Bo Bardi, responsible for the imaginative and wierd project of the complex, finished in the middle of the 80´s.
By keeping the old factories that were part of the historical industrial activities of the region, she projected the construction of three high concrete towers, being one for water supply and two others for sporting courts connected to the changing rooms by hilly concrete walkways. The use of exposed concrete and the unusual shapes, particularly in the windows, shocked the market and citizens at that time. However the success came from the users and locals that easily identified that Bo Bardi was right in putting into practice an inclusive architectural plan with spatial solutions that fostered conviviality, promoted recreation much more than competitive sports and attracted interest of all kind of people, ages and social classes.
Nowadays the open street at the entrance, the varitety of educational workshops, the selected cultural agenda with well-assembled exhibitions, the affordable restaurant with comunal tables, the wide reading area and even a wooden deck for sun bath in the summer transformed SESC Pompéia in a smart way of experiencing leisure in the northwestern region.
SESC Pompeia and its daring construction, by British photographer Daniel Allen
SESC Pompeia, Antique toy at Toys exhibition, by Brazilian photographer Gal Oppido (press image)
SESC Pompéia: Rua Clélia, 93 - Pompéia - # (11) 3871-7700 -
http://www.sescsp.org.br/unidades/11_POMPEIA - closed on Mondays
Tuesdays to Saturdays: from 9:00am to 10:00pm - Sundays: from 9:00am to 8:00pm
7. Adventure in the water: Reservoir of Guarapiranga
Refreshing yourself with water and enjoying the sun make the perfect double to seize pleasant hours in the city.
The complex of the reservoir of Guarapiranga in the south region is the meeting point of the ones who love to practice nautical sports, like sailing and wind surf. Three private nautical clubs are settled in the edges of the dam that supplies 20% of the population of São Paulo. With seven different parks, interconnected by bike lanes, the site offers sand courts, playgrounds for kids, walking trails, green sectors with native trees and areas for contemplation. It also gives you the possibility of just admire nature with idleness or rent equipments to have technical classes.
The Ecological park located in the Riviera highway has an unusual trail to explore the native vegetation.
Here you will have all your senses sharpened: blindfolded, barefoot and in silence, you will be led by a guide to walk in a track that you do not see, only feel. The trail is short however several sensations are aroused in a unique experience.
Sailing tournament in reservoir of Guarapiranga, photo by Yacht Club of Santo Amaro
Marina at Reservoir of Guarapiranga, photo by Rogerio Luz
Reservoir of Guarapiranga/ Ecological Park : Estrada da Riviera, 3286 -
every day: from 8:00am to 5:00pm
Information about boating rental or windsurf classes:
Pera Nautica: #(11) 99274-6580 and Tempo Wind Club # (11) 5517-6096
8. A bite of delicious Brazilian cheese
The handmade production of cheese in the Brazilian territory is not promoted outside. Only the locals can have the privilege of tasting its incredible flavour.
The cheese specialist Fernando Oliveira has brought to town his expertise of identifying the best labels to promote and sell the ones made by smalls producers all over the country. His charming and tiny shop located at Vila Madalena, the artsy neighborhood in the west region, is an irrefutable invitation for grabing some samples.
You will find a selected variety from Minas Gerais State, that locals recognize as the best region for cheese-making. The big round ones from Serra da Canastra in Minas Gerais State that remind a good Swiss emmental or the Zé Mario brand that is salty and smaller are there. Another salty one from Serra do Salitre is similar to the pecorino one, found in Italy, but made with cow milk. From Rio Grande do Sul, he offers the buttery tough and salty Serrano that comes from Campos de Cima da Serra. The most expensive brand comes from Pernambuco State in the brand Saupe that is lightly sweet.
During the visit you will also find honey, handmade sausage and bread. It is quite irresistible to buy some and prepare a sandwich right in the store to eat after a long walk in the hilly region surrounded by art galleries, alternative stores and graffitis.
The wide range of Brazilian artisanal cheese at A queijaria, photo by Gastrolandia
Cheese from Serra da Canastra, in the State of Minas Gerais, photo by
A Queijaria: Rua Aspicuelta,35 - Vila Madalena - # (11) 99995-9091
Mondays to Fridays - from 10am to 7:00pm / Saturdays: from 10:00am to 04:pm.
9. Trying a funny and creative style in your clothing - El Cabriton shop
In the region where you will find the popular Havaianas flip-flops and the artsy Mellisa plastic shoes, the t-shirts of El Cabriton can complement your shopping experience.
In a corner of Augusta Street, that crosses the trendy and stylish Oscar Freire St, in Jardins neighborhood, the store comanded by two young entrepreneurs has bet in a new trend:: to sell unusual t-shirts.The funny and stripped prints with a irreverent sense of humor have conquested the young market looking for a pop footprint.
To develop better the concept and promote the shop they have invited artists to paint its outside walls. The strategy was so successful that today they have a waiting list of artists inerested in showing their art work.
The partnership with artists is also explored in other products like beer coasters and playing cards. For the set of cards the onwers have invited 54 young artists to develop different themes and graphic illustrations that resulted in unique pieces that are in the fourth edition now.
El Cabriton store, interior, photo by Madmag
El Cabriton, in the corner of Augusta St., main entrance
El Cabriton: Rua Augusta, 2008 - # (11) 3081-6130 - www.elcabriton.com
10. Be grabbed by your stomach - Mocotó Restaurant
Outside the usual well-known food circuits, Mocotó restaurant in Vila Medeiros, a district located in the northeastern region, will make the visit worthwhile. With focus on the traditional Brazilian culinary, the celebrated chef Rodrigo Oliveira exudes authenticity and personality in his inventive and exceptional menu.
Following the steps of his father who has worked in the food business for more than 40 years, chef Rodrigo gave a fresh atmosphere to his restaurant and revolucionized the menu by printing his personal style that privileges the local ingredients.
The several types of appetizers will help you to wait without complaining.Chips of manioc, rice rolls, cubes of tapioca with curdled cheese and pork cracklings are just some of the divine options that perfectly match with the famous Brazilian drink, caipirinha, mixed with regional fruits like cashew, jabuticaba - a native berry, passion fruit or mandarin. When it is time for the main courses you will understand why the experience takes so long to last. Dishes like baião de dois - regional mix of rice and beans, dobradinha - jerked beef, pirarucu assado - roasted Amazonian fish, costelinhas de porco - boned pork tibsall, among others, will always come in the right temperature with fine presentation and delicious taste.
Mocotó restaurant, photo by Destemperados
Mocotó restaurant - Pork cracklings, photo by
Be prepared to wait for a table that can be shared with locals as well as to spend some hours with no hurry, because the flavours and smells will convince you to enjoy at the most.
If you are impatient to taste the novelties, make a reservation at Esquina Mocotó, next door to the traditional one. In the new restaurant with another exclusive menu, you can watch Rodrigo and his team preparing other courses, with the same quality, care and devotion through an open counter. In this address they offer daily executive menu, which means courses for lunch by fixed price.
Mocotó Restaurant: Av. Nossa Senhora do Loreto, 1100 - Vila Medeiros - www.mocoto.com.br
Mondays to Saturdays: from 12pm to 11:00pm - Sundays: from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours
