- Belo Horizonte is known as the 'bar capital of Brazil,' having the highest number of bars per capita in the country.
- The city was designed by Aarão Reis based on a grid pattern influenced by Washington D.C., featuring diagonal avenues that intersect a rectangular layout.
- It is the only city in Brazil that was intentionally built to be the capital, following the relocation from the historical colonial city of Ouro Preto.
- The city's climate is considered 'tropical of altitude,' which provides milder temperatures compared to other Brazilian coastal cities despite its tropical latitude.
- The local Mineiro cuisine, characterized by slow-cooked stews and pão de queijo, is heavily influenced by the state's deep mining history.
About Belo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte is Brazil's first planned modern city, designed in the late 19th century to replace Ouro Preto as the state capital. It is world-renowned for its Pampulha Modern Ensemble, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring architecture by Oscar Niemeyer that surrounds the vast Lagoa da Pampulha. Visitors often explore the religious architecture of Santuário Arquidiocesano São Francisco de Assis or attend major sporting events at Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto. The city is also a gateway to Minas Gerais' famous gastronomy and coffee-producing regions.
Highlights of Belo Horizonte
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Venues
Known as the Mineirão, this historic venue is one of the most iconic football stadiums in South America.
Temples
This chapel is a masterpiece of modern architecture with curved concrete lines and iconic exterior tile work.
Places of interest
The artificial lake serves as the focal point of the city's UNESCO-listed modernist architecture district.
Museums
Housed in a Niemeyer-designed building, this museum showcases significant works of Brazilian contemporary art.
Museums
This restored residence offers insight into the life and style of the former president who helped define Brazilian modernism.
Amusement parks
A long-standing lakeside amusement park that offers traditional rides and family-oriented attractions.
Parks
This extensive green space provides a significant natural habitat and leisure area near the city's architectural landmarks.
Temples
One of the largest religious centers in the region, known for its expansive community and events.
Top things to do in Belo Horizonte
The 105 highest-rated places in Belo Horizonte, ranked by travellers.
1
Venues
Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto, commonly known as Mineirão, is Brazil's second-largest football stadium and a primar...
2
Historical places
Praça Sete de Setembro, commonly known as Praça Sete or 'Pirulito da Praça Sete', serves as the central hub of Belo Hori...
3
Amusement parks
Parque Guanabara is a long-standing amusement park located on the shores of the Pampulha Lagoon in Belo Horizonte. It fe...
4
Venues
Arena Independência, officially Estádio Raimundo Sampaio, is a football-specific stadium located in the Horto neighborho...
5
Parks
Pampulha Ecological Park is a vast 30-hectare green space situated on the northern edge of Pampulha Lake in Belo Horizon...
6
Temples
Santuário São José is a prominent 20th-century religious site in central Belo Horizonte, recognized for its Neo-Gothic a...
7
Temples
The Santuário Arquidiocesano São Francisco de Assis, commonly known as the Igreja da Pampulha, is a modernist masterpiec...
8
Places of interest
Lagoa da Pampulha is an expansive artificial lake created in the 1940s as part of a modernist project commissioned by Ju...
9
Temples
Igreja Batista da Lagoinha - Matriz is the historic founding site of one of the largest and most influential evangelical...
10
Museums
The PUC Minas Natural Sciences Museum is a prominent scientific institution located within the Pontifícia Universidade C...
11
Parks
Parque Municipal Fazenda Lagoa do Nado is a 31-hectare urban park located in the Itapoã neighborhood of Belo Horizonte....
12
Parks
Cassia Eller Park is a recreational space located in the Paquetá neighborhood of Belo Horizonte, primarily serving the l...
13
Temples
The Santuário Arquidiocesano de Santa Luzia is a historic colonial church founded in the early 18th century in the heart...
14
Temples
Igreja Batista Getsêmani is a prominent Baptist megachurch located in the Dona Clara neighborhood of Belo Horizonte, Bra...
15
Museums
The Pampulha Museum of Art (MAP) is housed in the former Casino da Pampulha, a modernist building designed by architect...
16
Parks
Parque Nossa Senhora da Piedade, known locally as Park Our Lady of Mercy, is an urban green space situated in the Aarão...
17
Museums
Casa Kubitschek is a landmark of Brazilian Modernist architecture situated along the edge of the Pampulha Lagoon. Design...
18
Parks
Parque Ursulina de Andrade Mello is a neighborhood green space in Belo Horizonte located in the Castelo district. The pa...
19
Parks
Ecological Park and Cultural Teacher Marcos Mazzoni is a neighborhood urban park located in the Cidade Nova district of...
20
Museums
The Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden of UFMG is a 600,000-square-meter ecological reserve located in the Sant...
21
Museums
The Brazilian Football Museum in Belo Horizonte, locally known as the Museu Brasileiro do Futebol, is located within the...
22
Parks
Municipal Park Orlando Carvalho Silveira is a neighborhood green space in the Silveira district of Belo Horizonte, chara...
23
Museums
The Arts and Crafts Museum (Museu de Artes e Ofícios) is housed within the historic Central Station building at the Praç...
24
Places of interest
25
Temples
26
Parks
27
Venues
28
Temples
29
Temples
30
Temples
Around Belo Horizonte
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Belo Horizonte on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Belo Horizonte
May to September, as this period corresponds to the dry season, offering clear skies and comfortable temperatures for outdoor exploration.
3-4 days to experience both the urban center and the modern architecture complex around the lake.
The city features a metro line for major arteries, but visitors primarily rely on app-based ride services, taxis, and an extensive local bus network.
Savassi is the preferred neighborhood for its proximity to restaurants, nightlife, and shopping, while Lourdes offers a more upscale, refined atmosphere.
Belo Horizonte is considered a mid-range destination, offering good value for dining and accommodation compared to major hubs like São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 105 curated attractions in and around Belo Horizonte, ranked by traveller ratings.
Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto is the highest-rated place to visit in Belo Horizonte right now.
The largest category is temples, with 67 places to explore.
Travellers also explore São Paulo, Brasília, Fortaleza.
Explore more of Brazil
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
