Brazil is renowned for its stunning landscapes that span the Amazon rainforest and a pristine tropical coastline. Yet the most famous cities in Brazil have a lot to offer as well in terms of fine architecture, rich culture and history, and of course mouthwatering food.
The majority of them are surrounded by natural wonders too, whether on the coast or in the countryside, and can make a perfect launchpad for a longer vacation through the most beautiful destinations in the country.
Without further ado, let’s get down to business — here are all the major cities in Brazil and why you should definitely visit each one of them.
Table of Contents
1. Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro has been immortalized in countless songs and movies, and for good reason. Its sea of cliffs dramatically jutting out of the ocean form a unique landscape that you have to see to believe.
Brazil’s former capital is also famed for its gorgeous beaches and its intense party scene, which has its apex at the spectacular Carnival celebrations.
Rio was founded in 1565 and boasts an impressive architectural heritage spanning five centuries. Because of its outstanding mix of nature, history, and culture, it would be simply unfair if the Marvelous City didn’t top our list.
Must-sees: Christ the Redeemer; Sugarloaf mountain (above); Ipanema and Copacabana beaches; Botanical Garden; Selarón Steps, Santa Teresa district
2. São Paulo
São Paulo has welcomed the largest Italian, Japanese, and Arab diasporas on the planet, which turned it into a fascinating and cosmopolitan place.
Brazil’s economic capital is a sprawling metropolis that 12 million people call home. The hectic city is truly monumental: from downtown’s rooftop viewpoints, you can look in all directions and barely distinguish where it ends.
Unlike Rio, São Paulo draws mainly Brazilian visitors. That’s indeed a shame, as it’s filled with world-class museums, flawlessly manicured parks, and great restaurants serving food from around the globe — not to mention the liveliest nightlife in the country.
Must-sees: Paulista Avenue (above) and the São Paulo Museum of Art; Ibirapuera Park; Liberdade Japantown; Municipal Market
3. Brasília
Brazil’s current capital was dedicated in 1960 in an attempt to integrate the densely populated coastline and the empty western half of the country.
The city encapsulates the modernist approach to architecture and urban planning and embodies the optimism of the time it was built — its downtown is even shaped like an airplane.
Brasília’s lofty buildings and landmarks have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site; while that may not impress fans of more ornate designs, the city is bordered by fantastic landscapes where savannas and canyons are the calling card.
Must-sees: Monumental Axis and the National Congress (above); Três Poderes Square; Cathedral of Brasília; Dom Bosco Sanctuary; Pontão do Lago Sul boardwalk
4. Salvador
Located in the northeastern state of Bahia, Salvador is perhaps Brazil’s best-kept secret. Our first capital is revered nationwide for its aura of deep spirituality, its contagious music, and its delectable food.
One of the city’s nicknames is “Black Rome”, which refers to its exuberant Afro-Brazilian culture and its lavish Baroque monuments. Sitting majestically on top of a hilly peninsula, Salvador is an ideal spot for a relaxing beachside vacation as well.
Foreign visitors looking to scratch beneath the surface of Brazil’s culture should spend a few days in this magical place where the likes of Michael Jackson and Paul Simon recorded music videos.
Must-sees: Pelourinho district (top image); Barra Lighthouse and the nearby beaches (above); beaches of Frades and Itaparica islands; Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim; Ponta de Humaitá promontory
5. Recife
Recife is the capital of the northeastern state of Pernambuco. It has a nationwide reputation for its vibrant music, which takes over the city during Carnival and the Festa Junina festival in June.
Like much of Northeast Brazil, Recife and its surroundings are rimmed by dazzling, coconut-tree-lined beaches with soft sand and crystal clear waters.
Occupied by the Dutch in the 17th century, the city and neighboring Olinda are home to a vast colonial architectural heritage.
As the birthplace of delicacies like bolo de rolo (guava-jelly-filled Swiss roll), Recife is also one of Brazil’s food capitals.
Must-sees: Ricardo Brennand Institute; Boa Viagem Beach; Marco Zero and the adjacent historic district; Olinda’s historic core (above)
6. Florianópolis
The first entry from the Brazilian South has been dubbed Ilha da Magia (“Island of Magic”) due to its unspoiled nature and laid-back vibes.
Florianópolis — “Floripa” for short — boasts miles of pristine beaches, many of which are a surfer’s ultimate dream. Yet the parties in the ritzy Jurerê Internacional district draw a fancy crowd to the city too.
Outside of Jurerê, Florianópolis keeps a small-town feel which is particularly nice in quaint districts like the fishing village of Santo Antônio de Lisboa.
Must-sees: Santo Antônio de Lisboa district; Joaquina and Mole Beaches; Campeche Island; Jurerê Internacional district; TAMAR turtle rescue project; Hercílio Luz Bridge (above)
7. Manaus
Thanks to the Amazon rubber boom, which came about between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Manaus went from rags to riches astonishingly fast and was given sumptuous landmarks like the Amazon Theater (pictured above amid the skyline).
Located in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, Manaus is a popular starting point for a journey through the jungle that may last from three days to a week depending on your plans.
If you’re pressed for time, though, you can just take a short boat tour around town. You’ll get to view the Meeting of Waters spectacle, in which the dark Negro River and the muddy Solimões River run side by side for almost four miles without mixing.
Must-sees: Amazon Theater; the meeting point of Negro and Solimões rivers; Ponta Negra Beach; Anavilhanas Archipelago
8. Belo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte is the capital of the state of Minas Gerais, which is bordered by Rio and São Paulo to the southeast and southwest, respectively.
Founded as a planned city in 1897, BH is famed for its hilly topography, its wide avenues, and for having the highest concentration of bars nationwide.
The city’s well-maintained infrastructure and thriving economy, coupled with its mild climate and great cuisine, make it one of the most livable and pleasant cities in Latin America.
Must-sees: Pampulha Lagoon modernist complex (above); Liberdade Square and the Banco do Brasil Cultural Center; Central Market; Mangabeiras overlook
9. Fortaleza
Fortaleza is the third (but not the last!) city in our list located in northeastern Brazil, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. The region is prized for its natural beauty, hearty cuisine, and hospitable residents.
The capital of the state of Ceará, specifically, is one of the richest and favorite destinations in the area.
That should have something to do with its 20+ miles of beaches and its lively culture, which spans a deep-rooted comedy tradition and, perhaps more importantly, a bunch of recipes featuring crab as their centerpiece.
Must-sees: Futuro Beach; Beira-Mar Avenue (above); José de Alencar Theater; Cocó State Park; Sabiaguaba Dunes; Dragão do Mar Cultural Center
10. Porto Alegre
Now let’s fly back to the south of Brazil to visit the country’s southernmost state capital, Porto Alegre.
Historically, the state of Rio Grande do Sul has had a strong ranching culture, which it shares with neighboring Uruguay and Argentina. As such, the city is a prime spot for some legit steak binging.
Settled by European immigrants in the late 18th century, Porto Alegre is also a cosmopolitan place and is home to several top-notch museums, as well as a lovely lakefront promenade.
Must-sees: Public Market and the other attractions within the historic core, such as the Mário Quintana Cultural Center; Farroupilha Park; Guaíba Lake waterfront (above)
11. Belém
Long a gateway to the Amazon, Belém stands at the mouth of the most colossal river on the planet. Less touristy than its rival Manaus, the city has newer infrastructure and has taken good care of its historic buildings, which make it a less obvious base for discovering the rainforest.
Even better, Belém is the birthplace of the original açaí and specialties like tacacá (a shrimp and cassava soup) and duck in tucupi sauce. That’s why it’s widely seen as northern Brazil’s food capital par excellence.
Must-sees: Ver-o-Peso Market; Estação das Docas waterfront; Mangal das Garças Park; Goeldi Museum
12. Ouro Preto
The former capital of Minas Gerais was once named Vila Rica, or “Rich Village”, which seems appropriate — officially, about 800 tons of gold were extracted from its surroundings in the 18th century.
Thanks to that impressive wealth, Ouro Preto saw the construction of sumptuous Baroque churches and townhouses, which a century of stagnation following the depletion of its reserves ironically helped to preserve.
Must-sees: Tiradentes Square (above); Basilica of Nossa Senhora do Pilar; Casa dos Contos Museum; Church of São Francisco de Assis
13. Foz do Iguaçu
I really don’t want to sell Foz do Iguaçu short, but there’s nothing special about the city itself. Around 20 miles from the city center, though, you can visit one of Earth’s natural wonders and the second-most popular sight in all of Brazil: the massive Iguazu Falls.
While hardly anything else compares to that must-see, there’s a handful of other cool things to do around the city, like viewing the Itaipu Dam (for two decades the largest on Earth), gambling in a casino on the Argentinian side of the border (which is illegal in Brazil), or shopping for electronics for a fraction of the price in the Paraguayan Ciudad del Este.
Must-sees: Iguazu Falls (above); Tripoint sign; Itaipu Dam; Buddhist temple
14. Porto Seguro
Heading back to Bahia, let’s land where the Portuguese first descended 522 years ago. Besides being one of the oldest towns in the nation, Porto Seguro is one of the few where 16th-century landmarks have been preserved.
What’s more, the city and its surroundings boast one of the most breathtaking stretches of coastline in the entire country.
Must-sees: Historic core and the Discovery Pillar (above); the quaint Trancoso and Caraíva districts; the beaches of Arraial d’Ajuda
15. Natal
With almost 3,000 hours of sunlight each year, Natal is the closest you’ll ever get to a tropical paradise. Located near the “corner” of South America, the northeastern city features immense dunes that you can explore on a dune buggy or on the back of a camel.
Interestingly, Natal’s name means “Christmas” in Portuguese. That’s the date when, back in 1599, the city’s oldest building — the Reis Magos Fortress, pictured above — was founded.
Must-sees: Genipabu Dunes and Beach; Careca Hill; Reis Magos Fortress (above); Dunas Park
Runners-up: São Luís (Maranhão); Goiânia (Goiás); Curitiba (Paraná); Maceió (Alagoas)
Wrap-up
My personal bias aside, there’s a reason Rio tops the list of most famous cities in Brazil. Still, if you’re in the country for more than three days, you absolutely should explore other destinations.
The coolest thing is there’s something for every taste, from São Paulo’s concrete jungle to Salvador’s amazing Afro-Brazilian heritage, to Brasília’s perfect shapes amid open expanses.
Now let me know in the comments which of these cities you’ve just added to your bucket list!
