Sao Paulo's city centre ('''Centro''') is the area around the Se Square. After decades of relative abandonment, when other areas such as the Paulista region took the spotlight in the city's development, it is confidently regaining importance and taking its place as the city's historic core and a vibrant commercial and cultural zone.
Get in
See
Within the walls of ''Pateo do Collegio'', Sao Paulo was founded on January 25 in 1554. Besides the '''Museu Casa de Anchieta''', the '''Solar da Marquesa de Santos''', a rare specimen of urban residence of the 18th century, is also worth a visit. '''Praca da Se''' is also in the Old City Center, with its famous 14-tower cathedral, built in a Gothic and Renaissance style. Continuing along '''Vale do Anhangabau''', one comes upon perhaps the city_fs tallest building, the '''Banespa building''', also known as Banespao. It is 35 stories tall, and its free to go up and enjoy the breathtaking view. Near historic '''Ladeira da Memoria''' overlooking '''Largo de Sao Bento''', sits the 17th century monastery, where mass is still held against a backdrop of Gregorian chants. The monks' bakery is a temptation. Give in, it_fs no sin. The '''Viaduto do Cha''', or Tea Overpass, marks the transition to the New City Center. All around '''Republica Square''', there are buildings that bear witness to many different architectural styles: the 1935 '''Edificio Esther''', considered the first with a modern architectural design; the S-shaped '''Edificio Copan''' designed by Oscar Niemeyer; and '''Edificio Italia''' dating from 1965, with its 44 floors, and on top, a bar, restaurant and view to take your breath away. '''Edificio Italia''' is on Ipiranga Avenue whose intersection with Sao Joao Street inspired the composer Caetano Veloso when he wrote the song _gSampa._h
Near the neighborhood of '''Luz''', Tiradentes Avenue is home to excellent attractions. One is '''Museu de Arte Sacra''', with its wealth of religious images (Museu da Natividade is housed there) and where Carmelite Nuns prepare Frei Galvao pills, which many consider to be miraculous. Another is the '''Pinacoteca''', where high quality temporary exhibits share the stage with the museum_fs fantastic painting and sculpture collection. In '''Estacao da Luz''', there is the '''Museu da Lingua Portuguesa''', an interactive museum that provides a sensorial trip through the Portuguese language. If the weather is nice, take a stroll through '''Jardins da Luz'''. In the Old City Center, the '''Banco do Brasil Cultural Center'''?once the bank_fs first headquarters in Sao Paulo?offers an excellent program of arts, movies, theater and music at accessible prices. In the neighborhood of '''Consolacao''', the '''Biblioteca Mario de Andrade''', the largest in the city, has 3.8 million titles.
Do
For classical music fans, there are two traditional addresses downtown. The first is the '''Teatro Municipal''', where the historic Modern Art Week took place in 1922. The building itself, designed by Ramos de Azevedo in 1911, is reason enough to justify a visit. Almost directly across the street, the building now called Shopping Light, another of Azevedo_fs designs, was the headquarters of an English company that first electrified the city and built the now nostalgic city streetcars. Heading towards the neighborhood of Luz, don_ft miss the breathtaking '''Sala Sao Paulo''', located in the one-time Estacao Julio Prestes. Considered the most outstanding in Brazil, the Sao Paulo State Symphony Orchestra (OSESP) plays its concerts there. It_fs possible to pre-arrange guided visits of the theater and main hall. While you_fre there, check out Teatro Abril (the old Paramount) that hosts the most popular Broadway-style musicals south of the equator. The theater is no stranger to famous international productions, the Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, and now the Phantom of the Opera.
Buy
A little bit of everything is available in Centro. Rock, samba and guitar enthusiasts and fans of all types of '''music''' coexist peacefully in the corridors of the Galeria do Rock, a prime example of pre-mall architecture. There, you can search and buy from from T-shirts sporting underground Japanese bands, to hard-to-find CDs. The Old City Center, especially around the Law School on Largo Sao Francisco, is the place to go if you_fre looking for rare, discounted or out-of-print '''books'''. There are several good used bookstores in the area, some?such as the Messias?are traditional Sao Paulo favorites.
If you_fre looking for bargains on anything related to '''electronics''', from microchips to ultra-modern monitors, you have to go to Santa Ifigenia Street. For costume '''jewelry''', accessories, domestic utensils and other knick-knacks, don_ft hesitate to go to '''25 de Marco Street''', the most famous collection of warehouses in Brazil. Several specialty business streets are also in this area.
Eat
Contrast is the area's middle name. You can eat well both in traditional local eateries or elegant restaurants. The famous '''bauru''' - a ham, mozzarella and tomato sandwich - was invented at Ponto Chic. After shopping on 25 de Marco Street, pop over to the '''Mercado Municipal''' to sample the most beloved pastries and sandwiches in the city. A truly traditional outing in Sao Paulo, the ''Mercadao'', as it also known, is a mosaic of color and flavor that showcases a little something from all the different nationalities that settled in the capital. And don_ft forget to pick up some other local delicacies, spices and fruits.
Just outside Downtown, in the neighborhood of '''Liberdade''', the famous Japanese, Chinese and Korean restaurants are only a few of the many attractions. The little shops along Galvao Bueno Street, illuminated by beautiful oriental-style white streetlamps, are a great option for a stroll. On Sundays, '''Praca da Liberdade''' hosts an enjoyable fair selling crafts and typical local cuisine. While you_fre there, take advantage and visit the '''Museu da Imigracao Japonesa'''.
Kinoshita. ua da Gloria 168, Liberdade. 011/3105-4903. Moderately priced Japanese restaurant that mixes the fresh fish and produce with Western and Japanese ingredients.
Roperto. Rua 13 de Maio 634, Bixiga. 11/3288-2573. Cosy and comfortable Italian restaurant that serves trypical Italian fare. Be sure to try the baby goat's leg with potatoes and tomatoes, its a speciality of the house.
Le Casserole. Largo do Arouche 346, Centro. 11/3331-6283. Charming French bistro that is adorned with vintage posters and offers culinary delights such as homemade cherry strudles and roast lamb.
Gigetto. ua Avanhandava 63, Centro. 11/3256-9804 . Unsure of what to eat? At Gigetto, with over 200 options on the menu, you'll be sure to find something that takes your fancy. And with generous portions (a main course can serve two people), its great value for money as well.
Drink
Bar Brahma. Av. Sao Joao 677, Centro. 011/3333-0855. One of the best places in Sao Paulo for live music, especially on Thursday and Sunday, when tradtional samba plays. A local favorite for decades.
Cafe Piu Piu. ua 13 de Maio 134, Bixiga. 11/3258-8066. The place to go for live music, especially jazz and blues. Has an old world feel with marble bar tops and antique balconies, but its the perfect place to hear good music.
Bar Leo. ua Aurora, 100 - Sao Paulo. 11) 3221-0247. Go for the beer, reportedly the best beer in town, served with a minimum of three fingers of foam.Always full and popular with locals and visitors alike.
Sleep
Comfort Hotel Downtown. ua Araujo, 141 Sao Paulo. Modern hotel with comfortable beds and pillows and great water pressure. Price includes a buffet breakfast, plentiful and delicious, and costing only USD 6 (free on weekends), served in a beaultiful room adjacent to the well appointed lobby.
Mercure Hotel. ua Araujo, 141 . Three star hotel located 7 km away from the airport and contains a fitness centre, a sauna, a swimming pool, an Italian restaurant and bar.
Novotel Sao Paulo Jaragua. ua Martins Fontes 71 - R Major Quedinho 44. With 27 floors and 220 hotel rooms, be sure to ask for a room on the upper floors, for great views over the city. Ideal location for those wishing to explore downtwon Sao Paulo, with the hotel located less than a five minute walk from a metro station. Good buffet breakfast served, somewhat pricey but will fill you up.
Plaza Hotel. v. Sao Joao 407 Centro. Cheap rates apply for this small hotel, with rooms furnished simply and basic amentieis.
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