Prefeitura de São Paulo

Morning

Wear light, comfortable clothing, a cap, and comfortable footwear for this outdoor day full of walking. Your first stop is at
Pé no Parque (R. Inhambu, 240, tel. 5051-3376), which serves a healthy, natural breakfast on weekends and holidays.
The restaurant is just 400 meters from Gate 3 of Parque Ibirapuera (Av. Pedro Álvares Cabral, unnumbered), one of the
local Paulistanos’ most beloved recreational areas. Begin exploring this 1.6 million square meter colossus at Viveiro Manequinho Lopes, a nursery where seedlings of trees and plants that will some day beautify the city streets are sprouted. After walking along the running and biking trails or having a picnic by the lake, head toward some of the other attractions the park has to offer.

The obligatory stops include the Museu de Arte Moderna – MAM and the Museu Afro Brasil. Also check if you’re visiting during exhibition season at the Oca or the Bienal – which in January and July is home to the runways of São Paulo Fashion Week, the country’s top fashion event.

Afternoon

For lunch in an outdoor setting, head to the Zona Norte – the city’s North Zone – and the restaurant As Véia (Estrada de Santa Inês, 3 000, tel. 4485-4195), tucked into the hills at Serra da Cantareira. Set up in the depths of a former demolition depot, it serves a wide-ranging buffet of salads and hot dishes. Want to walk through the woods? The nearby Parque da Cantareira (R. do Horto, 1 799, tel. 2203-0115) is home to a large tropical forest. In addition to trails and other attractions, there’s the Mirante da Pedra Grande (or “Big Rock Lookout”), which offers a beautiful view of the city. There’s also the Horto Florestal (R. do Horto, 931, tel. 2231-8555), measuring 174 alqueires (421 hectares) criss-crossed by trails where you might spot a toucan.

You can enjoy the late afternoon there, or go to the Pico do Jaraguá, at 1,135 meters the highest point within the city limits. Access is at kilometer 18 on the Rodovia Anhanguera highway. Or go to the Praça do Pôr do Sol (“Sunset Square”), where many families meet to take in the beautiful view of Vila Madalena in the city’s Zona Oeste, or western zone.

Evening

Stick around Vila Madalena, one of the city’s most bohemian neighborhoods, for a stop at Pé de Manga (R. Arapiraca, 152, tel. 3032-6068). The restaurant has a beautiful outdoor patio where you can enjoy meals and sandwiches, or just a caipirinha. Another idea is to head to Capim Santo (Al. Min. Rocha Azevedo, 471, tel. 3068-8486) in Jardins, where you’ll be served traditional Brazilian dishes in a pleasant outdoor space.

The Jockey Club (Av. Lineu de Paula Machado, 599, Gate 6, tel. 2161-8300) also has good outdoor restaurants, like Mercearia São Roque, Cânter, or Charlô. And, if it’s Monday, you can have fun taking in the horse races while you eat.