São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and in the western hemisphere with over 22 million people. Within this massive metropolis are world-class museums, art galleries, and endless street art. The city is home to famous artists and collectors who fuel its creative energy. This has nurtured a paradise for creative people who have turned São Paulo into one of the world’s great centers of art. Below are ten must-see attractions any art enthusiast should experience in the exciting city of São Paulo.
1. Visit the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP)
The Brazilian media tycoon Assis Chateaubriand founded the MASP in 1947 as a non-profit museum dedicated to fine art. The architect Lina Bo Bardi designed and built the museum’s building to appear like it was floating in space, with its giant red columns and mesmerizing grand exterior. When you walk in, you’ll be greeted by endless masterpieces contained in clear easels suspended as if they were floating like the building’s facade.
Over 11,000 pieces representing various mediums are displayed in permanent and revolving exhibits. You’ll see highlights such as Pablo Picasso’s Portrait of Suzanne Bloch, Candido Portinari’s Northeastern Migrants, and Vincent van Gogh’s The Schoolboy. Other classic masterpieces at the MASP are Raphael’s The Resurrection of Christ and Rembrandt’s Portrait of a Young Man with a Gold Chain.
2. Enjoy the Greenery at the Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM)
Within the lush Parque Ibirapuera, you’ll find all kinds of excitement, including the MAM. This modern art museum is one of São Paulo’s most popular and regarded museums. Oscar Niemeyer, one of Brazil’s most awarded architects, built the low-lying museum buildings. The non-profit museum opened in 1948 and houses over 5,000 works by Brazilian and international artists. Some of the highlights include Louise Bourgeois’ giant bronze spiders and Emmanuel Nassar’s Space Bodywork sculptures, which explore the artist’s concept of space and space travel. Outside the museum, you’ll find sculptures and a space that blends lush Brazilian plant life with outdoor art. Check the museum’s website to learn about live events, which include lectures, art shows, and other live performances.
3. Experience an Event at the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo
Next to the MAM in Parque Ibirapuera, you’ll find the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo. Designed by the renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer, the space opened in 1962 as a center for São Paulo’s contemporary art shows and events. Every two years, a new exhibit is curated by some of the country’s most renowned contemporary artists and visionaries. When you visit, you’ll step into a revolving world of contemporary art that pushes the boundaries of creativity and design.
If you time your visit with the biennial event, you’ll be treated to one of the largest contemporary art events in the Americas. From live performances to art exhibits, the foundation’s events help progress contemporary art by linking artists with their community and the world, all within one of the most striking buildings and parks in Brazil.
4. See the Museu de Arte Contemporânea (MAC)
The MAC is near the beautiful green space of Parque Ibirapuera. This large museum, built in 1963, has become one of South America’s top museums dedicated to preserving contemporary art. You’ll see timeless masterpieces by some of the best international and Brazilian contemporary artists. You’ll find art from various mediums, including sculptures, paintings, photographs, and mobiles. Many of the pieces represent cultural and social issues, as well as local politics and nature. Over 8,000 pieces make it one of the city’s most extensive collections. When you visit, don’t miss the museum’s fantastic city views and coffee shop.
5. Visit Galeria Vermelho for Exciting Art Shows and More
Galeria Vermelho started in 2002 as a space for local artists to come together and create something new and inspiring. The space features a continuous stream of talent, from painters and sculptors to live performance artists. You’ll see live art in the form of dance and other visual elements, as well as traditional multi-generational art. The exhibits and performances are always changing, making it one of the best spots in the city for art enthusiasts looking for something unique. The Vermelho also features fashion shows and other events, most notably the Verbo—an exciting performance art festival that takes place annually. The event blends performance art with eye-opening visuals and fun events.
6. Experience Brazilian Art at Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo
For the ultimate dive into Brazilian art from the 19th century to the present day, don’t miss the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo. The Government of the State of Sao Paulo founded the museum in 1905, making it the oldest art museum in the city. The museum houses around 30 exhibitions that feature permanent and temporary collections. You can enjoy the Contemporary Art Octagon Project, which features some of the country’s most renowned contemporary pieces. On the museum’s second floor is a tactile gallery for the visually impaired where visitors can touch and interact with the pieces.
The museum’s highlights include Brazilian masterpiece paintings such as João Baptista Da Costa’s Paisagem and Tarsila do Amaral’s 1924 piece São Paulo. There are also endless activities and events throughout the year, including lectures, performances, and guest tours.
7. Get Inspired at the Instituto Tomie Ohtake
Right as you arrive, you’ll be struck by the Instituto Tomie Ohtake’s towering red and purple tower and futuristic entrance. The institute is dedicated to the famous Japanese Brazilian painter Tomie Ohtake. The striking museum building was designed and built by her son, the famous Brazilian architect Ruy Ohtake.
Through her work in abstract paintings and visual arts, Ohtake revolutionized Brazil’s art scene and became one of the country’s most respected artists. The Instituto Tomie Ohtake opened in 2001 as a place where her work and traveling guest exhibits will be showcased. Inside the institute, you’ll see Ohtake’s most famous works, including the Memorial da América Latina and her untitled pieces. Guest exhibits have included works by international artists such as Salvador Dali, Yayoi Kusama, and Louise Bourgeois. In addition to its art collections and exhibits, the institute is a leading center for art education and outreach. It also hosts annual events, lectures, and live performances, such as the 2024 Slam Poetry Tour.
8. Explore Your Senses at the Museu Da Imagem E Do Som (MIS)
São Paulo’s Museum of Image and Sound houses over 200,000 items, including films, photographs, sound equipment, and more. The space was opened in 1970 and it grew with funding from the Department of Culture. Through private donations and public praise, it quickly became one of São Paulo’s standout museums.
When you visit, you’ll be transported into a well-curated space for the senses. Many of the collections explore the history of Brazil and Brazilian culture through various media. From the evolution of the camera in Brazil to early Brazilian film, the museum’s exhibits are fascinating and wide-reaching. The museum also features educational courses and events throughout the year. Its courses cover art, film, music, and literature for all ages. Check the museum’s homepage to stay up to date with its upcoming exhibits and events.
9. Explore São Paulo’s Street Art
São Paulo is a haven for street artists. Throughout the city, especially in the city center and neighborhoods such as Pinheiros, you’ll find some of the most famous and impressive street art in the world. Arguably, the most famous and influential street artist in São Paulo is OSGEMEOS. Twins Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo started going by OSGEMEOS in the 1980s. Their graffiti and murals decorate cities worldwide, but their work at home is often their most respected. Don’t miss their towering Giant mural and other pieces around the city.
When hunting for the city’s street art, head to Avenida Paulista. Here, you’ll find incredible art on building walls, overpasses, and streets. Highlights include the mural of Oscar Niemeyer by the artist Kobra and the underpass art of Chorao Uer and Branco Peretti.
10. Enjoy São Paulo’s Museu de Arte Brasileira (FAAP)
The Brazilian businessman Armando Alvares Penteado and his wife, Annie Penteado, founded the Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation in 1947 to care for their extensive art collection. After his death, Penteado wished that his art be displayed in a museum in his home city of São Paulo. In 1961, the foundation inaugurated the FAAP as the first museum in Brazil dedicated entirely to Brazilian art. Its collection originally consisted of art donated by Annie Penteado. Over the years, thousands of works by Brazilian and international artists with a connection to the museum and Brazil were added.
Today, it is one of São Paulo’s must-see spaces for Brazilian art. You can see work by artists such as Anita Malfatti, Evandro Carlos Jardim, Tarsila do Amaral, and many more in the museum’s permanent exhibit. You’ll also get the chance to see exciting traveling collections such as September 2024’s Reverberações surrealistas no MAB, which showcases the influence of Surrealism in Brazil.
