São Paulo Offers Culture and Nightlife to World Cup Visitors

06/03/2014 - 09h28

Below are some of the best of what São Paulo has to offer visitors during the World Cup.

As opening times may be subject to changes on match days, it's worth ringing ahead before deciding on an itinerary.

There are also some hotels listed for the month of the tournament (from June 12 to July 13).

Some are already fully booked on certain days, so be sure not to leave your reservation to the last minute. FIFA's website has some accommodation options.

1) São Paulo Museum of Art - MASP
São Paulo's foremost art gallery contains more than 8000 works, including paintings by Delacroix, Van Gogh, Monet and Rembrandt.
Av. Paulista, 1578, Bela Vista, tel. (11) 3251-5644. Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, from 10am to 6pm. Thursday, from 10am to 8pm. US $7. Free on Tuesdays.

2) Ibirapuera Park
An oasis of green space in a concrete desert, the park is also home to several important cultural spaces, such as the Ibirapuera Auditorium, the Afro-Brazil Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC).
Av. Pedro Álvares Cabral, Vila Mariana, tel. (11) 5574-5045. Daily, from 5am to 12am.

3) Municipal Market
In a building dating back to the 1930s, you will find nearly 300 stalls selling everything from fruit and veg to cheese, spices, seafood and wine. Don't miss out on the mortadella sandwich, served on the mezzanine level.
R. da Cantareira, 306, Luz, tel. (11) 3313-3365. Monday to Saturday, from 6am to 6pm. Sunday, from 6am to 4pm.

4) Municipal Theater
Inaugurated in 1911, the theater has been graced by artists such as Maria Callas, Enrico Caruso and Duke Ellington.
Praça Ramos de Azevedo, centro, tel. (11) 3397-0327. Guided tours from Tuesday to Friday at 11am, 3pm and 5pm; on Saturdays at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm. Register at the theater from 10am onwards. Free.

5) Luz Station
The station, which was opened in 1901, was built using construction materials brought from the UK, with the architecture being inspired by Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.
Praça da Luz, 1, Luz, tel. 0800-550121. Daily, from 4am to 12am. Free.

6) Football Museum
Beneath the terraces of the Pacaembu Stadium, the museum tells the story of Brazilian football, featuring stars like Pelé, Romário and Sócrates.
Praça Charles Miller, Pacaembu, tel. (11) 3664-3848. Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 5pm. Times change on match days. US $3. Free on Thursday and Saturday.

7) Liberdade
São Paulo's famous Japanese neighborhood. There are a number of excellent Japanese restaurants, and there is a popular craft fair on Sundays.
The area around the Liberdade metro station, tel. (11) 4339-1578 (shopkeepers association). The craft fair is from 8am to 6pm on Sundays.

8) Vila Madalena
Come to drink at pavement cafes and bars in São Paulo's most bohemian neighborhood. Salve Jorge is a good option. Caipirinhas cost from US $8-10.

Where to Stay
(Prices per couple, breakfast included)

Mercure SP Nortel: US $88
(11) 2972-8111; site

San Raphael: US $172
(11) 3334-6000; site

San Michel: US $172
(11) 3224-1420; site

Meliá Paulista: US $260
(11) 2184-1600; site

Meliá Jardim Europa: US $396 [without breakfast]
(11) 3702-9600; site

Sheraton SP WTC: US $483
(11) 3055-8008; site

*Bourbon Convention
Ibirapuera: US $263 [per person]
(11) 5091-2330; site

Pestana: US $305 [per person]
(11) 3059 - 5000; site

Matches at the Itaquerão
First Round
Brazil vs Croatia
June 12, 5pm

Uruguay vs England
June 19, 4pm

Holland vs Chile
June 23, 1pm

South Korea vs Belgium
June 26, 5pm

Quarter Finals
July 1, 1pm

Semi Finals
July 9, 5pm

The information on this page was last checked on April 22. Some hotels may not have availability for every day during the World Cup. There are additional fees to the nightly rates given above.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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