Nov 12, 2025
Discover our selection of the best free activities to do in São Paulo!
The "Free Walking Tours"
These free guided walking tours offer a historical, tourist, cultural, and local overview of the city. Accompanied by professional guides in small groups, you can choose between three different tours: "Old Town" (around the historic center), "Vila Madalena" (discovering the popular neighborhood with its graffiti and urban art), and "Avenue Paulista" (at the heart of the city's cultural life).
These free tours operate on the principle of collaborative economics. This means that instead of a fixed price, each participant is free to determine the amount for the tour.
To secure your spot, it is recommended to book online: https://www.saopaulofreewalkingtour.com
Guided Tour of the Municipal Theatre
The theater offers a diverse and free program including educational visits, thematic tours, open house days in the workshops, and artistic residencies.
It is, however, recommended to book in advance on their site: https://theatromunicipal.org.br/visitas-educativas/
Stroll in Ibirapuera Park
Immense green bubble in the middle of the city, this 160-hectare park is ideal for walking. You will even find a Japanese garden.
Events and activities are regularly organized there. Stay informed on their website: https://www.parquedoibirapuera.org/
Discover Avenida Paulista
Long and 2.8 km long, Avenida Paulista is nicknamed "the most expensive avenue in South America." It is a central point in the city of São Paulo. You will find many shops, hotels, cafés, and restaurants, as well as street artists and the São Paulo Museum of Art.
We highly recommend going there on Sundays! The avenue is indeed closed to automobile traffic every Sunday from 7 AM to 4 PM.
Visit the Tomie Ohtake Institute
Like many other buildings in São Paulo, the architecture of the Institute is a work in its own right. You can enter for free to admire contemporary art exhibitions. To find out about the ongoing exhibitions and hours, we invite you to visit their website: https://www.institutotomieohtake.org.br/en/
Climb to the top of the SESC
There are many places that allow you to admire the city from above. But few of them are free… The SESC offers you the chance to go up to its terrace for free, which provides a very nice view of Avenida Paulista. You just need to download their app and book your slot to be able to go up!
All the information is available on their website: https://www.sescsp.org.br/unidades/avenida-paulista/
Admire Beco do Batman
This neighborhood is known for its walls adorned with street art maintained by the local community. Strolling here is to discover streets full of colors, artisan shops, as well as cafés and stores that are tasteful and ethical!
Culinary stroll at the municipal market
Built between 1928 and 1933, the municipal market is one of the must-see places in the city. You can discover fine and rare foods, but also, in the main restaurants, specialties from around the world, like the famous mortadella sandwiches!
Visit to the Liberdade District
This is where the largest Japanese community outside of Japan is located. Historically, this community lives in the Liberdade neighborhood, where you can find torii-shaped lamp posts, a Japanese culinary scene, manga cafes, street art works related to the history of Japan, in short, a journey within a journey!
Strolling through the pavilion of the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo.
This pavilion filled with modern art, located in Ibirapuera Park, offers free exhibitions organized by the Bienal Foundation. The exhibitions are engaging, and the architecture of the building makes the walk even more enjoyable.
You will find all the information on the exhibitions and access on their site: https://bienal.org.br
Entering the Metropolitan Cathedral
Even if you are not particularly religious, this cathedral is worth the visit. You can stroll inside this immense cathedral, which is 111 meters high, or simply admire it from the outside. It is one of the largest neo-Gothic cathedrals in the world, and it has the largest organ in South America!
Right across, you will also find Marco Zero, a marble landmark that symbolizes the center of the city and the official point from which the roads, highways, rail lines, and telephone lines are measured.
