What to do in Sao Paulo

Culture

Offering the very best in Brazilian art, the Pinacoteca is as fascinating for its building as the works held within it. Renovated in 1997, the Pinacoteca had its roof and interior walls removed and replaced with glass, meaning visitors can enjoy sunrays as well as the rays of inspiration as they make their way around the gallery.

The Monument to Latin America is the best example of Brazilian modernism outside of Brasilia, and was inevitably designed by the capital's architect, Oscar Niemeyer. A striking field of concrete, the exterior of which is peppered with glass pavilions, it is worth a visit for the art galleries, which house both fine art and folk art.

Get a real sense of history at the Museu do Imigrante at Ellis Island. This building is where millions of immigrants passed through at the beginning of the 19th century, to find a new life in Brazil. It gives visitors an insight into what it must have been like to have been one of these people and what kind of conditions they lived and travelled in. Many of the facilities at the building are in their original condition.

Recreation

One of the best ways of relaxing in Sao Paulo is by heading to Ibirapuera park, designed by renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer. Stretching over a square mile across the city, the park is more than just a place to soak up the sunshine, go cycling and jogging.

There is concert venue, which regularly hosts festivals featuring international acts, as well as the city's Contemporary Art Museum.

Nightlife

Bar Brahma on Avenue Sao Joao has been the meeting place of choice for many years for people who want to discuss lofty issues over a bottle of cold beer. This is not to say it is stuffy, but that it is somewhere you can go for a decent drink and a chat.

Sample some late night music Brazilian style at the Terra Brasil, where you can get down to samba, pagode and Brazilian country till the early hours of the morning. Head to Avenue Guilherme Cotching in Vila Maria to find it.

Sport

You are spoilt for choice for a game of football in Sao Paulo, so take your pick from Corinthians at Estádio Parque Sao Jorge, Palmeiras at the Palestra Itália stadium and Sao Paulo at the Estádio do Morumbi.

The city is also home to the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos. Formula 1 is something Brazilians take very seriously given their rich motorsport heritage with the likes of Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna and Rubens Barrichello.

Food

The Avenida Angelica Grill on Avenue Angelica is a value for money restaurant which specialises in quality as well as quantity. The atmosphere is relaxed and the buffet is well stocked with light dishes such as artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and grilled peppers. There is no shortage of meat either, with expertly grilled beef and marinated chicken on offer.

It may be relatively pricey for a pizza, but locals say the best pizzas in the world can be found in Sao Paulo, and Veridiana is one of the best. Based in a beautifully renovated old building, where pizzas are served in a classic, thin-crust style.