Walking Tour São Paulo Center: Historical Process Of The Largest City in Brazil

5.0 (25 reviews) 3–4 hours Free cancellation Private tour

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25 reviews

5.0

Walking Tour São Paulo Center: Historical Process Of The Largest City in Brazil — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Walking Tour São Paulo Center: Historical Process Of The Largest City in Brazil, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Take a private walking tour in the São Paulo downtown to understand the amazing historic process of São Paulo that in 465 years of existence, marked by relative inexpressiveness for more than three centuries, has become the largest city in the Southern hemisphere.

Begin your tour at Pátio do Colégio, where your guide will provide you with some historical background about the area. Then, move on to visit the Manor of the Marchioness of Santos, Sé Cathedral, Sé Square, Largo São Francisco Law School, the FECAP and more.

Continue to see Brazil Bank's Cultural Center. Make a quick stop here to use the toilets or grab a drink, before walking to the Stock Exchange. Take in a great view of the city at the Altino Arantes building and Farol Santander.

Other sites you will pass on the tour include: the Martinelli building, the Monastery of Saint Benedict, the Sampaio Moreira building, and City Hall. The tour will finish at the Municipal Theater and you can admire its beautiful architecture.

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At a glance

Duration: 3–4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: Portuguese, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Operated by: Gregtur Turismo

Ages: Adults (1–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Entry ticket for Farol Santander (Observation Deck)
Included: Professional licensed bilingual tour guide.

Not included

Not included: Meals and drinks.
Not included: Tips. (optional)

Itinerary

Pateo do Collegio

20 min

Historic São Paulo founding site and museum of the city. With the intention to teach and catechize the natives, the Jesuits built the first school and began what 4 centuries later would become the largest city in the Southern hemisphere.
Manor Of The Marquesa Of Santos

5 min

The residence built around the second half of the eighteenth century served as housing for Domitila de Castro Canto known as "Marquesa de Santos". Domitila played an important role in contributing for the greatness of the city of São Paulo.
Image House and Alley Pinto

5 min

House No 1 is a three-story 17th century historical residence that nowadays is one of the thirteen historic buildings part of the Museum of the City of São Paulo.
Catedral da Se de Sao Paulo

20 min

Visit the Sé Cathedral which was inspired by medieval European churches. The imposing construction marks the center of São Paulo (the ground zero of the city is at Sé Square), a very busy area.
Stop 5

10 min

From the Largo São Francisco Law school, its students and graduates, began the main movements of Brazilian History, from the Abolitionism to the Republican Movement. Not to mention the campaign for "VOTING NOW" (diretas já) during the military government in the 80's. Over time, 9 Brazilian presidents, several governors, mayors and a countless of other figures emerged from it.
Stop 6

5 min

FECAP holds the oldest public utility certification in Brazil since 1915. The institution was also the first to open courses in Economics (1934) and Accounting (1939) in the country.
Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil

15 min

In the historical heart of the city, the Cultural Center Banco do Brasil occupies a building of 1901 with five floors. Cinema, theater, auditorium, store and coffee shop as well as great exhibitions all in a neoclassical architecture.
Stop 8

5 min

São Paulo’s Stock Exchange is the main stock trading market of publicly traded companies in Brazil and 8th in the world in capitalization.
Farol Santander

30 min Admission included

One of the tallest buildings in São Paulo with an observation deck on the top with a stunning 360º view of São Paulo.
Stop 10

10 min

The first skyscraper in Latin America. The construction generated much controversy, because until then there was no building of such great height. Currently, the building is one of the main architectural symbols of Brazil.
Mosteiro De Sao Bento

10 min

The San Benedictine Monastery is one of those sacred tips that also applies to people who are not religious.

The building hosted Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Brazil.

Believers are attracted by the masses with Gregorian chants, and shop with breads, cakes, cookies and jams made by the monks themselves and whose recipes are secular.
Matarazzo Building City Hall Of Sao Paulo

10 min

Inaugurated in 1939 to host one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Brazilian history, the Matarazzo Industries". Designed by the favorite architect of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, the Italian Marcello Piacentini.
Stop 13

5 min

Featuring 12 floors and 50 meters high, Sampaio Moreira was the tallest building in the city of São Paulo between 1924 and 1929, when the Martinelli building was inaugurated. It is considered, therefore, the first multi-story large building in the city, as well as one of the first in the country to present such typology.
Viaduto Do Cha

15 min

One of the postcards of São Paulo, the tea viaduct was the first in the city of São Paulo. It bears this name because of the extensive tea plantation nearby.
Vale Do Anhangabau

10 min

Historical meeting point for cultural and political manifestations. The most significant was the "VOTING NOW"(diretas já) movement calling for direct elections during the military government.
Shopping Light

10 min

Inaugurated in 1929, the building was the headquarters of the Canadian company that was responsible for the electric power service of São Paulo between 1899 and 1981.
Theatro Municipal De Sao Paulo

20 min

Considered a postcard of São Paulo, the Municipal Theater is one of the most important historical places in town due to several important cultural events that took place in its facilities like the Week of Modern Art of 1922.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

- In front of the main entrance of “Pátio do Colégio” on the address Praça Pateo do Collegio, 02 - Centro
- Reference point: It's a walkable distance from the subway / metro stations "Sé" and "São Bento" part of red line.

End point

The tour must end after a coffee break at the “Municipal Theater” which is very close to the subway / metro stations “Anhangabaú” and "Patriarca" part of the “red line” .