Belo Horizonte: what you can't miss

Discover the beauties of the capital of Minas Gerais!

You have been deceived if you think that the only cultural capitals in Brazil are Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

Belo Horizonte or "beagá" for those who know it well, the capital of Minas Gerais, offers several cultural attractions, not only in the city but also in its surroundings. Another thing that the city is famous for is it's food and drinks, so much so that it is known as "The Capital of the Botecos", because of its traditional bars.

But what is there to visit in the city?

Central Market - With over 80 years of tradition and more than 400 stores, the market provides an immersion in the flavours and smells of Minas Gerais cuisine. Seasonings, herbs, sweets, cheeses, crafts are just a small part of what you will find here. The market still has traditional bars and restaurants, for a lunch break or to savour an authentic cachaça of Minas Gerais at the end of the day.

Image of Nany Mata's (Flickr)

Memorial Minas Gerais - Vale - housed in a historical building dating back to the 19th century, the museum interactively tells the history of the state of Minas Gerais from the 18th to the 21st century. The first floor rooms tell stories of famous personalities such as the photographer Sebastião Salgado, the writer Carlos Drumond de Andrade and the plastic artist Lygia Clark. The second floor is dedicated to the history of Minas Gerais since colonial times. On the third floor, there are temporary and modern art exhibitions.

Estádio Mineirão - a stadium that was built in 1965 and was renovated in 2012 to host World Cup matches. The stadium was witness to some football classics, including the tragic match that resulted in the defeat of Brazil by Germany in the famous 7x1 in 2014. It is possible to book guided tours. The stadium also houses the Brazilian Football Museum, which tells the story of this sport that is a passion in the country.

Praça da Liberdade - this pleasant place is surrounded by greenery and fountains, a leisure hot-spot for the locals, was inspired by the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. It was built in the XIX century to house the government buildings, the Palace of Liberty being its most famous building. After the transfer of government headquarters to another neighbourhood, the buildings began to house museums such as the Banco do Brasil Cultural Center, Casa FIAT de Cultura and the Minas and Metal Museum.

Pampulha Lagoon

Here is the postcard of the city: the Church of San Francisco, designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer. In fact, the works that make up the whole of Pampulha were designed by him. Today the site has been declared as part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco. Besides the church, its also worth a visit to Casa Kubitscheck, the House of the Dance and the Museum of Modern Art. The climate of the place invites you to walk on foot, by bicycle and even have a picnic.

Inhotim

Located 55km from Belo Horizonte, in the city of Brumadinho is one of the most famous and modern museums of Minas Gerais. The uniqueness of this museum lies in its landscape, the green of its gardens and the reflections of its lakes. Landscapes and works of art are mixed. To get to know this complex fully, all galleries need to be seen for at least two days! All should be appreciated with calm, both the works of humans and those of nature.

Image of Casa Fora do Eixo Minas (Flickr)

Circuito do Ouro - Historical Cities

If you have a more time to spend in the city, invest in a circuit to the historic cities. Start by Ouro Preto, which is about 100km from Belo Horizonte. Lose yourself in the streets and on the slopes of this city where time has stopped. Be sure to visit the stunning Mother Church of Nossa Senhora do Pilar and the Church of São Francisco de Assis, which preserves all the richness of the baroque of Minas Gerais. The next town is Congonhas. Much smaller than the first, it can be visited in half a day. It has as postcard the 12 Prophets, a masterpiece of the great master sculptor Aleijadinho. Then, end in Tiradentes, a beautiful and small city, which has an air of warmth and nostalgia with its historical buildings. To complete the visit it is worth doing a tour of Maria Fumaça ending in São João del Rey.

Accommodation

Samba Rooms Hostel is a colorful and artistic place located very close to the city center in one of the safest neighborhoods of Belo Horizonte!