- The city was built in just 41 months, a pace necessitated by President Juscelino Kubitschek's 'fifty years of progress in five' initiative.
- Brasília is a UNESCO World Heritage site and represents the largest collection of modernist architecture globally.
- The city's design purposely excluded traditional street names in favor of a coordinate-based system involving letters and numbers.
- Because the city was designed for automobiles, it lacks traditional street corners and traffic lights in many areas, opting instead for cloverleaf interchanges.
- The site for the capital was chosen specifically to move the seat of government from the coast to the interior of the country to promote regional development.
About Brasília
Brasília is a planned capital city inaugurated in 1960, defined by its modernist architecture designed by Oscar Niemeyer and urban layout by Lúcio Costa that resembles an airplane from above. The city serves as the administrative center of Brazil and is home to unique structures like the Queen of Peace Chapel [1502750]. Residents and visitors often congregate near the water at the Paranoá Lake Dam [124726] or explore the local cultural scene at venues such as the Galeria XXX Arte Contemporânea [380442]. The landscape is characterized by wide boulevards and expansive green spaces, including the rustic Fazenda [1506047].
Highlights of Brasília
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Natural attractions
This expansive dam creates the massive artificial reservoir that shapes the local climate and provides a recreational waterfront for the city.
Temples
Known for its modern design, this chapel serves as a prominent place of worship for the local military and civilian community.
Museums
This gallery hosts rotating exhibitions that showcase the evolving nature of Brazil's contemporary art scene.
Parks
Visitors can experience a slower pace of life and rural landscapes within the vast green peripheries of the federal district.
Top things to do in Brasília
The 1,222 highest-rated places in Brasília, ranked by travellers.
1
Temples
The Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida is an expressionist structure designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer an...
2
Venues
Arena BRB Mané Garrincha is a multipurpose stadium in Brasília, characterized by its massive circular design and white t...
3
Zoos
The Zoológico de Brasília is a 139-hectare conservation and research facility situated within the Federal District. It h...
4
Amusement parks
Parque Urbano Nicolândia is an amusement park located within the Sarah Kubitschek City Park in Brasília. The park featur...
5
Parks
Águas Claras Park is a 95-hectare protected ecological preserve located in the heart of the Águas Claras administrative...
6
Temples
Don Bosco Chapel, officially known as the Ermida Dom Bosco, is a pyramidal structure located on a small peninsula extend...
7
Places of interest
The Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge, locally known as the Ponte JK, is a steel and concrete arch bridge spanning Lake Parano...
8
Museums
The Museu Nacional da República is a landmark of Oscar Niemeyer’s late-career architecture, featuring a distinctive whit...
9
Parks
Parque Olhos D'Água is a 21-hectare urban park located in the Asa Norte district of Brasília, serving as a protected env...
10
Temples
Santuário São João Bosco is defined by its interior of 80 distinct shades of Murano glass, which cast a deep blue light...
11
Parks
Parque Nacional de Brasília, locally known as Água Mineral, is a 42,000-hectare conservation unit protecting the headwat...
12
Parks
Parque Ana Lídia is a landmark children's amusement park located within the expansive Parque da Cidade Sarah Kubitschek...
13
Parks
Parque Bosque do Sudoeste is a 14-hectare urban park located in the Sudoeste/Octogonal administrative region of Brasília...
14
Places of interest
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Temples
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Natural attractions
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Parks
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Temples
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Parks
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Temples
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Venues
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Amusement parks
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Parks
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Venues
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Museums
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Places of interest
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Temples
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Temples
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Temples
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Brasília on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Brasília
May to September, which corresponds to the dry season, providing clear skies and comfortable temperatures for outdoor exploration.
3-4 days to appreciate the modernist architectural layout and visit the surrounding natural and religious landmarks.
A rental car is highly recommended due to the city's vast scale, though a limited metro system and taxi/ride-sharing services are available.
The Hotel Sector North (Setor Hoteleiro Norte) and South (Setor Hoteleiro Sul) offer the most convenient access to major administrative and cultural sites.
Mid-range to expensive; prices for dining and transport in the capital are typically higher than in other Brazilian cities.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 1,222 curated attractions in and around Brasília, ranked by traveller ratings.
Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida is the highest-rated place to visit in Brasília right now.
The largest category is temples, with 994 places to explore.
Travellers also explore São Paulo, Fortaleza, Recife.
Explore more of Brazil
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
